Westin Whistler Resort & Spa, B.C. Canada 2006 on [Master Thread]
Dec 28, 2018, 5:10 pm
#376
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Several questions, as I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on this property vs. not-as-convenient AirBnB or Hilton resort.
- I tried a test booking for family of 4 (me, wife, 11 yo, 13 yo) and it charges a $180 CAD extra person fee. Is this par for the course for this property for party of 4, or is it because one of the kids is considered an adult? The Hilton has a $25/nt resort fee, but no extra person fee and is, thus, a little cheaper. No kitchen at the Hilton, though. EDIT: So it looks like any person beyond two guests equates to an "extra person" and is charged $30/night per person, equating to $180 over 3 nights. Hilton doesn't charge this fee (grumble grumble). Same thing at the Delta Whistler. Is this a thing now? Any way around it?
- As a Plat, how do they do the breakfast welcome gift option? Does the member + 1 guest also include kids? Are both kids considered kids for this amenity? Is the amenity the full breakfast or just cold food items?
- What do you think the odds of a Plat upgrade to a 1BR suite would be in the last week of March? I'm guessing unlikely, but you never know (wouldn't be holding my breath).
- I was planning on renting a car. Do most folks do the hotel parking or the $15/nt Conference Centre parking?
Last edited by gobluetwo; Dec 28, 2018 at 5:44 pm
Dec 28, 2018, 8:29 pm
#378
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
Several questions, as I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on this property vs. not-as-convenient AirBnB or Hilton resort.
- As a Plat, how do they do the breakfast welcome gift option? Does the member + 1 guest also include kids? Are both kids considered kids for this amenity? Is the amenity the full breakfast or just cold food items?
- What do you think the odds of a Plat upgrade to a 1BR suite would be in the last week of March? I'm guessing unlikely, but you never know (wouldn't be holding my breath).
- I was planning on renting a car. Do most folks do the hotel parking or the $15/nt Conference Centre parking?
- The breakfast is for two adults. Kids under 5 or 6 are free.
- The property is usually very busy during the ski season. I have been upgraded to a 1BR suite more often than not. Even if you don't get the upgrade, the regular rooms are large as well.
- We just parked at the convention center, as it was cheaper, and it's just down the road. You don't need a car in Whistler. Note that the convention center parking can fill up.
Dec 28, 2018, 8:38 pm
#379
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
- The breakfast is for two adults. Kids under 5 or 6 are free.
- The property is usually very busy during the ski season. I have been upgraded to a 1BR suite more often than not. Even if you don't get the upgrade, the regular rooms are large as well.
- We just parked at the convention center, as it was cheaper, and it's just down the road. You don't need a car in Whistler. Note that the convention center parking can fill up.
Dec 28, 2018, 8:49 pm
#380
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
. It was a few years ago when we last did that but I recall it was ~900$ round trip which after paying for the rental car (you'll want an SUV), gas and parking wasn't too much more and very worth it IMO.
Dec 29, 2018, 12:56 pm
#381
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Thanks, all. Good to know about the breakfast amenity! I haven't been able to get a response on this in the master breakfast amenity thread.
As for transport to/from Whistler, I'll head over to the regional and maybe rental car forums for answers to those questions. We're planning on taking our own equipment (3 sets of skis/poles and 1 snowboard + boots/helmets), so have questions about one way vs round trip car rental + roof rack vs. shuttle or private car.
As for transport to/from Whistler, I'll head over to the regional and maybe rental car forums for answers to those questions. We're planning on taking our own equipment (3 sets of skis/poles and 1 snowboard + boots/helmets), so have questions about one way vs round trip car rental + roof rack vs. shuttle or private car.
Dec 29, 2018, 7:41 pm
#382
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
Thanks, all. Good to know about the breakfast amenity! I haven't been able to get a response on this in the master breakfast amenity thread.
As for transport to/from Whistler, I'll head over to the regional and maybe rental car forums for answers to those questions. We're planning on taking our own equipment (3 sets of skis/poles and 1 snowboard + boots/helmets), so have questions about one way vs round trip car rental + roof rack vs. shuttle or private car.
As for transport to/from Whistler, I'll head over to the regional and maybe rental car forums for answers to those questions. We're planning on taking our own equipment (3 sets of skis/poles and 1 snowboard + boots/helmets), so have questions about one way vs round trip car rental + roof rack vs. shuttle or private car.
Jan 14, 2019, 8:48 am
#383
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
Westin Whistler - no comp rewards upgrades during peak holiday periods
Lucky at OMAAT has a recent post about Marriott family hotels making up their own rules. He provides a screenshot where , in the notes ala JW Guanacaste, the hotel states Please be advised that complimentary Rewards member upgrades will not be available during peak holiday periods.
link - https://onemileatatime.com/marriott-...playing-games/
link - https://onemileatatime.com/marriott-...playing-games/
Jan 14, 2019, 9:38 am
#384
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
Lucky at OMAAT has a recent post about Marriott family hotels “making up their own rules”. He provides a screenshot where , in the notes ala JW Guanacaste, the hotel states “Please be advised that complimentary Rewards member upgrades will not be available during peak holiday periods.”
FT members were on to this issue: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...osta-rica.html long before the bloggers.
Jan 14, 2019, 10:34 am
#385
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
FT members were on to this issue: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...osta-rica.html long before the bloggers.
Cheers.
Jan 14, 2019, 11:01 am
#386
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
To be fair, this notice has appeared on the Westin Whistler site for several years (i.e. pre-merger) and, in my experience, is to set expectations as the hotel is fully booked over the holidays. I've also received e-mails from the Westin in the past (pre-merger) warning that occupancy during the entire ski season is extremely high and upgrades are not likely. Yet I've gone three for three on upgrades. So they are willing to provide upgrades as available...there's just limited availability and they choose to warn guests of that fact ahead of time.
Jan 14, 2019, 12:00 pm
#387
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
To be fair, this notice has appeared on the Westin Whistler site for several years (i.e. pre-merger) and, in my experience, is to set expectations as the hotel is fully booked over the holidays. I've also received e-mails from the Westin in the past (pre-merger) warning that occupancy during the entire ski season is extremely high and upgrades are not likely. Yet I've gone three for three on upgrades. So they are willing to provide upgrades as available...there's just limited availability and they choose to warn guests of that fact ahead of time.
Jan 14, 2019, 2:04 pm
#388
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,043
I've seen other examples of similar expectations management.
I prefer the transparency. Others who see sinister, evil, playing games with the system perhaps should step off the elite status hamster wheel for awhile or simply avoid those hotels...
I prefer the transparency. Others who see sinister, evil, playing games with the system perhaps should step off the elite status hamster wheel for awhile or simply avoid those hotels...
Jan 14, 2019, 2:46 pm
#389
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,835
I have also been treated well with upgrades at this property in the past, without having to ask so they are proactive in my experience.
Jan 14, 2019, 2:51 pm
#390
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
Transparency is always a good thing . It may just be a matter of semantics . I have no issue if they had said upgrades MAY NOT be available but the language is ARE NOT available. The more latitude that properties are given to create language that allows them to interpret the terms and conditions in their favor , the more they may have incentive to get creative . The good news seems to be , according to other posters here , that they do indeed upgrade .