escape4

For my dates in June, I am booked for W @ 149 USD per night compared to 209 USD per night at JWM, both being flexible rates. After reading this thread I am more hesitant about my choice of the W. The W is more generous with suite upgrades, right? If so I think I will stick with W.

longtimereader firstimeposter

It's not refundable but rather a package rate (i.e. includes breakfast). The last two times I've staid at this hotel I've had issues with tax refund and I vowed to never stay there again since they confirmed before my visit they would refund the taxes and then at checkout made a big issue of it. You should always triple check your bill in Colombia. I've staid at least 5 times at both the JW and W and I've had billing issues with both: room rate incorrect, funkiness with the rate conversions, mystery minibar charges, taxes that were supposed to be refunded, etc.

W:

• Pros - Amazing hotel gym, I've always been upgraded to the Fantastic Suite which is amazing, great breakfast buffet in the restaurant, I've had rates as low as $89 USD.
• Cons - the staff can be a bit standoffish, the location is not great although I do really like the Usaquen neighborhood

JW:

• Pros - Great but expensive spa treatments, multiple restaurant options (I believe 3), lounge, I've only staid in the a "Junior Suite" which is really just a suite, centrally located for the majority of activities in Bogota
• Cons - the rates can be astronomical

The JW is a great hotel. This is a highly regarded hotel in Bogota and in fact the President of Colombia was holding meetings when I was staying there this summer.

As for the great taxi debate, I would be more concerned about the taxi drivers pulling petty stuff then any of the millionaire rides of the past. In 2013 a DEA agent was killed during a failed millionaire ride and the government was quick to go after every everyone involved and I believe extradited them to the the US. Regardless, I take Uber everywhere but from the airport. When arriving it's best to arrange transportation.

Kacee

Up until about three or four years ago, both the JW and the Marriott had armed guards and bomb sniffing dogs at the front door.

njcommodore

more about it here: https://www.cnn.com/2015/02/19/polit...ans/index.html

CCIE_Flyer

Working dogs are still ever-present. Their handlers are not outwardly armed, but likely are nevertheless. And it's not uncommon for the hotel to be surrounded by armed paramilitary types when dignitaries are in residence, which in my experience is often.

sethMCOflyer

Ah I had forgotten about the "package" rate thing. By email they confirmed (not that I'd believe this) that breakfast/wifi coming from a marriott member benefit would make any rate a package rate and I showed them a prepaid rate asking if that specific rate would be fine, which they said it would.

I was just really annoyed that at checkout once I asked for the refund they started to act like they didn't speak any english. Then by email they just said "yes we know we said it would be refundable, sorry about that" and quit replying which was pretty annoying. I even tried emailing Marriott directly but they just pointed me back towards the hotel which didn't respond.

The billing issues are one way to make an otherwise great hotel not so great.

Condition One

At 25K points/night, I think the JW is a great deal.

SkiAdcock

Since it doesn't have a lounge, what does the W do for Plats re: brekkie? Please post so I can update the exec lounge sticky. Thx.

Cheers.

longtimereader firstimeposter

SkiAdcock

Thanks! I'll update the exec lounge sticky.

Cheers.

SkyTeam777

Can anyone comment on stays at either property during Covid? What’s the experience like? Restaurant open for some sort of breakfast?

cfabar1

I'd love to visit this hotel. Is it safe to get there? Once you are there is it safe to see the area or best not to leave the W? The images of the hotel itself look magnificent.

JayHK

Just completed a 9 night stay at the W. Restaurant is fully operational and in the second week the breakfast buffet was reopened albeit with servers plating food rather than self-service. Gym and pool were also open during my stay.

I'm Titanium status and got upgraded from a standard room to a Fantastic Suite. Overall a great property that is handling reopening well (temperature checks required for entry to hotel + restaurant).

As far as the area goes I wouldn't say that it's walkable but aside from the La Calendaria area I didn't see much opportunity to stroll around Bogota given the potential to take a wrong turn and end up in the wrong part of town. Uber is certainly cheap enough that getting around is a breeze.

gimmedub

I've stayed in most if not all SPG BOG properties -

aloft airport
courtyard airport
Sheraton by the airport
Marriott by the airport
4pts parque 92
W BOG
JW Marriott

I'll never stay or recommend the 4pts - they told us that our adopted daughter couldn't stay because we didn't have the correct Colombian paperwork and booted us on a busy long weekend. Countless emails to my ambassador and always got the same BS response saying they were right and never acknowledged any wrong-doings.

If you like that EDM music in the lounge with big suites then the W could work but if you're planning on having guests *wink* make sure they're registered
The more traditional hotel room JW is there but I've always found the extra costs not worth it compared to the Marriott by the airport which is my go-to when with the family. Very good breakfast and lounge.
The Sheraton has the best pool out of the four but the rooms are a bit outdated...

HTH

Kacee

There are quite a few walkable areas in Bogota, mostly in the north, including in particular the Chapinero/Rosales area in which the JW is located.

If you pay rasonable attention, there is absolutely no reason not to walk (or run or ride) Bogota.