Does every W hotel have the worst service out of all the Marriott brands?
May 31, 2019, 3:22 am
#121
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
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Posts: 688
The rooms are pretty small, especially when you consider that you can usually be in a large room at the Ritz Carlton for a lot less 
But it's the W Barcelona - the creators of the brand have been able to create something which at its best definitely has the wow factor.
But it's the W Barcelona - the creators of the brand have been able to create something which at its best definitely has the wow factor.Just double checked which room I reserved and it turned out to be Fabulous with 40 sqm. Used to 25-30 sqm in my regular rooms at other hotels so perhaps it's one of the better rooms then? Perhaps I can score an upgrade to one of the suites...
Last edited by joakgarp; May 31, 2019 at 3:27 am
May 31, 2019, 3:27 am
#122
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Ah nice facts about the creators are behind W Barcelona! W Barcelona has been on my bucket list for many years so I just need to "do it" before the hotel gets too old.
Just double checked which room I reserved and it turned out to be Fabulous with 40 sqm. Used to 25-30 sqm in my regular rooms at other hotels so perhaps it's one of the better rooms then?
Just double checked which room I reserved and it turned out to be Fabulous with 40 sqm. Used to 25-30 sqm in my regular rooms at other hotels so perhaps it's one of the better rooms then?
On W rooms, all the non-suite rooms are basically the same, but have different names based on their view. When you're in the room it doesn't feel very large, but the view is always impressive and it's certainly big enough. The Junior Suites and most other rooms are around towards the back which I actually think is less impressive. Short of the W suites, I think the Fabulous is actually a good room type to go with - you get the beach view which is cool (though a bit loud unless you're very high up).
May 31, 2019, 10:51 am
#123
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
I believe Marriott did positioned W brand along those StR RC and LuxCol (and some of W have price to match those hotel)
As for the W brand itself ..... I would say the closest competitor outside Marriott universe for W will be Sofitel SO (not sure if Hyatt and Hilton have similar style)
Luxury yet funky and also cool and hip but not display too much aristocratic luxury like StR and less formal .... doubt the dtaff will be saying "my pleasure" that often
As for the W brand itself ..... I would say the closest competitor outside Marriott universe for W will be Sofitel SO (not sure if Hyatt and Hilton have similar style)
Luxury yet funky and also cool and hip but not display too much aristocratic luxury like StR and less formal .... doubt the dtaff will be saying "my pleasure" that often
I’ve also always thought of Aloft as a budget version of the W. I generally dislike both brands, preferring a more traditional luxury experience for personal stays and more business oriented hotels for professional stays. But I’m glad the options exist for those who want different things.
May 31, 2019, 10:56 am
#124
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
So did or does SPG / Marriott, believe it is still the case that Aloft is marketed as "a vision of W Hotels". Both target a younger demographic and one who cares more about design than 'traditional' notions of what a hotel is. Very distinct segments of the market, however. Ace Hotels I would put somewhere between the two - targeting a level above an Aloft but well below a W.
May 31, 2019, 11:14 am
#125
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
So did or does SPG / Marriott, believe it is still the case that Aloft is marketed as "a vision of W Hotels". Both target a younger demographic and one who cares more about design than 'traditional' notions of what a hotel is. Very distinct segments of the market, however. Ace Hotels I would put somewhere between the two - targeting a level above an Aloft but well below a W.
May 31, 2019, 11:43 am
#126
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
W Hotels were the brainchild and passion project of Barry Sternlicht back in 1998. Sternlicht is an innovator and visionary. (Some say mad genius) At the time, the concept of a boutique hotel was still pretty novel. So many hotels were cookie-cutter and boring. W's focused on design and whimsy but maintained brand standards like ultra comfortable beds (believe it or not the concept of a super comfortable bed was actually revolutionary at the time- the Heavenly Bed was also Sternlicht's invention) They also included good restaurants and bars and had great locations.
We stayed at our first W (the Union Square) a few years later, right after it opened and immediately fell in love. Even 20 years ago we were probably a little older than their target demographics, but we enjoyed the younger, enthusiastic staff and the fun atmosphere. (and the beds-- always the beds)
I have read that W's were not originally planned to be "luxury hotels" but that they have evolved in that direction. Aside from the sometimes "too hip" vibe, I think the W Hotel's greatest flaw is the wide discrepancy in room types and terribly misleading room names. Even after all of these years I need to carefully study the room descriptions to make certain we get the right room type.
We stayed at our first W (the Union Square) a few years later, right after it opened and immediately fell in love. Even 20 years ago we were probably a little older than their target demographics, but we enjoyed the younger, enthusiastic staff and the fun atmosphere. (and the beds-- always the beds)
I have read that W's were not originally planned to be "luxury hotels" but that they have evolved in that direction. Aside from the sometimes "too hip" vibe, I think the W Hotel's greatest flaw is the wide discrepancy in room types and terribly misleading room names. Even after all of these years I need to carefully study the room descriptions to make certain we get the right room type.
May 31, 2019, 6:10 pm
#127
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We stayed at our first W (the Union Square) a few years later, right after it opened and immediately fell in love. Even 20 years ago we were probably a little older than their target demographics, but we enjoyed the younger, enthusiastic staff and the fun atmosphere. (and the beds-- always the beds)
May 31, 2019, 9:28 pm
#128
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