gozetta

Some of "The Firm" was filmed at the old Holiday Inn (with the swim-up pool) which is where the Ritz is now. Those were the "naughty" beach scenes. The Hyatt was definitely in there as well. In that movie Gene Hackman's character orders a Havana Club Rum (Cuban), which I highly recommend for those from the US since we can't get that here =)

glx

Stayed here for Labor Day Weekend. First, the good:

• Great beach
• Nice staff
• Good breakfast (chosen as my Plat amentiy, definitely worth it)
• Good location

The bad:

• Arrived at 1PM; told room wouldn't be ready until after 5PM
• Hotel under major construction
• "Resort fees" don't really get you much
• Additional 10% "Service Charge" added to your daily bill in addition to resort fees
• Mattress/pillows very worn/uncomfortable; hopefully fixed in renovation

To the first point above, after putting up a minor stink they upgraded me to an available suite. This is notable, as others earlier in the thread say suite upgrades rarely, if ever, happen. They had originally allocated me room 204 (and I paid for beach front, so this is not really any sort of upgrade - even though they made it sound like it was).

The entire fifth floor of the hotel was closed for construction, but to their credit they did a good job of making it non-intrusive.

The resort fee is hokey. They don't include wifi and when we went to the mostly empty beach and asked for an umbrella, we were told "Sorry, they're all taken - but you can buy a cabana if you want". For contrast, our friends were staying next door at the Ritz and asking for an umbrella netted 5 people falling all over you to make sure you had shade. I recognize they're two different classes of hotels, but given that the Westin wasn't even 50% full I can't see how they'd run out of umbrellas - unless it's a tactic to sell cabanas.

Speaking of tactic, I'm not sure what the "10% service charge" nets me. Everything at the bar/restaurant has 16% added to it and I'm already paying the resort fee. I hate to say it, but had I known I was getting that tacked on I likely wouldn't have tipped the maid (which I always do).

All of that said, I did enjoy the stay and am looking forward to returning when the renovation is done. I think it's going to look great.

Points Surfer

Quote:

Originally Posted by glx

Stayed here for Labor Day Weekend. First, the good:

• Great beach
• Nice staff
• Good breakfast (chosen as my Plat amentiy, definitely worth it)
• Good location

The bad:

• Arrived at 1PM; told room wouldn't be ready until after 5PM
• Hotel under major construction
• "Resort fees" don't really get you much
• Additional 10% "Service Charge" added to your daily bill in addition to resort fees
• Mattress/pillows very worn/uncomfortable; hopefully fixed in renovation

To the first point above, after putting up a minor stink they upgraded me to an available suite. This is notable, as others earlier in the thread say suite upgrades rarely, if ever, happen. They had originally allocated me room 204 (and I paid for beach front, so this is not really any sort of upgrade - even though they made it sound like it was).

The entire fifth floor of the hotel was closed for construction, but to their credit they did a good job of making it non-intrusive.

The resort fee is hokey. They don't include wifi and when we went to the mostly empty beach and asked for an umbrella, we were told "Sorry, they're all taken - but you can buy a cabana if you want". For contrast, our friends were staying next door at the Ritz and asking for an umbrella netted 5 people falling all over you to make sure you had shade. I recognize they're two different classes of hotels, but given that the Westin wasn't even 50% full I can't see how they'd run out of umbrellas - unless it's a tactic to sell cabanas.

Speaking of tactic, I'm not sure what the "10% service charge" nets me. Everything at the bar/restaurant has 16% added to it and I'm already paying the resort fee. I hate to say it, but had I known I was getting that tacked on I likely wouldn't have tipped the maid (which I always do).

All of that said, I did enjoy the stay and am looking forward to returning when the renovation is done. I think it's going to look great.

Thanks....saw a good 1-week Air/Hotel deal there but now I know why. Guess we'll try another time after the reno's are complete.

Medved

[QUOTE=glx;19254023]Stayed here for Labor Day Weekend. First, the good:

[To the first point above, after putting up a minor stink they upgraded me to an available suite. This is notable, as others earlier in the thread say suite upgrades rarely, if ever, happen. They had originally allocated me room 204 (and I paid for beach front, so this is not really any sort of upgrade - even though they made it sound like it was).QUOTE]

Congrats on suite upgrade -- very rare -- may be due to low/hurricane season... Which room was it? A junior suite/partial ocean view facing Governor's mansion (opposite side from Ritz)?

May I ask how did you book Oceanfront room? Usually only up to oceanview rooms are available on spg.com. Oceanfront are only 100-108 & 200-208 and corresponding numbers in other wing (120-128?). All other unobstructed water view rooms are called "oceanview", may be it was an upgrade to 204after all ...

glx

[QUOTE=Medved;19257282]You are correct; my bad/misunderstanding. From the reservation:

King Bed
• Ocean/pool View Non Smoking, Smoke-free


The suite was room 387 (living area) and 389 (king bedroom), ocean view on the corner away from the Ritz, next to the "Governors Suite"

Jills

I'm still trying to book a girls trip to this property. But I think I read on the website that a room can only be booked by two adults? Seriously?? Are they trying to say that my 3 girlfriends and I can't share the two double beds??? Anyone know for sure?

Also, to anyone who has been there in the last few weeks, can you tell me the status of renovations - in particular, the pool??

Many thanks in advance!

owflyer

Disclaimer on bottom right of reservation page states "This hotel does not participate in the Starwood Preferred Guest® Program."

Can SL confirm?

Starwood Lurker

No. I think the statement is missing a word. It should probably read, "This hotel does not fully participate in the Starwood Preferred Guest® Program."

When you drill a bit deeper, you find out what that means exactly:

SPG Participation Policy
Due to unique cancellation policies, all Starpoint Award reservations for this hotel must be booked through your local customer contact center.

So, it is probably just a glitch in how their limited participation is being noted online. Otherwise, I would expect not to see the SPG Category 5 right above the message you reference.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Medved

Pretty sure it's a glitch -- always been Cat 5, though Award stays must be cancelled earlier than 90 days (!) before arrival: SPG Participation Policy
Due to unique cancellation policies, all Starpoint Award reservations for this hotel must be booked through your local customer contact center.

eastofthemississippi

Anybody know if 3 adults in the room is a problem here?

freeloader

rooms aren't huge, so it would be somewhat tight... and def don't expect a free rollaway. my experience from this hotel is that there was a lot of nickle and diming

surf121

Hi - anyone stayed here lately? Wondering:

1) If renovations have been completed, and whether the new management has delivered an improved experience?
2) Likelihood of an SPG Gold upgrade to an ocean view (suite odds seemingly zero)?
3) Likelihood of them accomodating a late checkout (4 pm) - looks like it will be fully booked the day we'd be leaving

Thank you

jada135

I was looking at booking this with points but it says it doesnt participate is this the case or is this a error?

Djlawman

Doesn't say it does NOT participate, it says it has LIMITED participation. Just means you have to call to make the award reservation, where they stress to you that if you do not cancel the requisite days ahead of time, or no show, they will charge you $$ for the room. Just got back from a 5 day award stay there a couple weeks ago. We really enjoy it there.

jada135

How many points is it a night?