Westin Excelsior Rome, Italy, 2007 on [Master Thread]
Jan 16, 2012, 8:26 am
#286
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 843
We are just back from an excellent one night stay at the Excelsior. I checked the booking on spg.com the day before and noticed we had been upgraded (from a deluxe room) to a "Junior Suite". However, when we saw the 4th floor corner suite (not Veneto but the Marche/Sicilia corner), there was nothing Junior in it. Reminded me of worldtrav's nice summary:
In search for a cosy restaurant off Veneto, I found this thread very useful. As we set off quite early (soon after 6pm), Pomodorino was practically empty and we decided against it. Fortunately, even closer to the Excelsior,
was exactly what we were looking for: three out of six tables already taken, all of them by locals (a sign says there are more tables downstairs), friendly and quick service, reasonable prices, really good food.
Earlier in this thread, Tak made a comment about the lack of free mineral water. We initially shared this feeling and reluctantly took a 5dl San Pellegrino from the minibar for 4.5eur. However, this did not get charged - even when I asked at checkout. Furthermore, we noticed later that there was a large bottle of water and a fruit basket in the hallway for complimentary use.
was exactly what we were looking for: three out of six tables already taken, all of them by locals (a sign says there are more tables downstairs), friendly and quick service, reasonable prices, really good food.
Earlier in this thread, Tak made a comment about the lack of free mineral water. We initially shared this feeling and reluctantly took a 5dl San Pellegrino from the minibar for 4.5eur. However, this did not get charged - even when I asked at checkout. Furthermore, we noticed later that there was a large bottle of water and a fruit basket in the hallway for complimentary use.
Jan 20, 2012, 4:16 am
#287
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
After we got out of the elevator, he looked at the room key packet and said "Can you wait a minute for me? I am having trouble reading the room number here." Except it certainly seemed to read X08. He left us waiting in the lobby of that floor for 5-10 minutes while he either went back down the stairs or ducked into a room to use a phone. When he returned he took us to a different room (not the Via Veneto, but a Jr Suite) and then while I was standing there used a pen in the room to scratch out the X08 and put our current room number.
Earlier in this thread, Tak made a comment about the lack of free mineral water. We initially shared this feeling and reluctantly took a 5dl San Pellegrino from the minibar for 4.5eur. However, this did not get charged - even when I asked at checkout. Furthermore, we noticed later that there was a large bottle of water and a fruit basket in the hallway for complimentary use.
Mar 23, 2012, 6:44 am
#288
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: nyc, ny, usa
Posts: 364
Current stay report
Just checked into Westin Excelsior. We are using the I love Italy package which means you must stay for a combination of 7 nights at any Luxury Collection Hotel in Italy. The cost is 360 USD per night that includes American breakfast for 3 ppl and free rollaway for my daughter. The fact that you are guaranteed in USD sold it for me. At the last minute last week, I booked an extra night to guarantee a room upon our early arrival into Rome. I emailed with the hotel ahead of time to verify the rate and details, the rollaway, and not to give our room away because we were not arriving until the next day early am. They verified all details and were very courteous, noting my platinum status.
I checked my reservation the day we were leaving, and saw the details were no longer accessible, so assumed they had given us some upgrade.
Upon arrival, they speedily checked us in and I took the platinum breakfast, as it was not included in my corporate rate for the first night. And thought the savings was worth more than 500 points.
Upon checkin to the room we had been upgraded to a 2 room suite, with both the living room and bedroom having separate balconies overlooking the busy street. The suite is on the 6th floor. Absolutely stunning!
The breakfast was quite nice, did not include any meats or hot items. However my mom helped herself to some salmon and cheese, and didnt want to stop her, so I inquired about the buy up cost and was told €19. You are entitled to the extensive breads table (at least 6 gorgeous breads), anything from the juice table, cereals, and anything from the rather long beautiful pastries table. Additionally all coffees (including latte and cappucino), and specialty water like Pellegrino included. When I asked for the bill, they wrote it off! How sweet!
So far very impressed with this hotel. Just a note, no water included in room, so will need to purchase outside.
I checked my reservation the day we were leaving, and saw the details were no longer accessible, so assumed they had given us some upgrade.
Upon arrival, they speedily checked us in and I took the platinum breakfast, as it was not included in my corporate rate for the first night. And thought the savings was worth more than 500 points.
Upon checkin to the room we had been upgraded to a 2 room suite, with both the living room and bedroom having separate balconies overlooking the busy street. The suite is on the 6th floor. Absolutely stunning!
The breakfast was quite nice, did not include any meats or hot items. However my mom helped herself to some salmon and cheese, and didnt want to stop her, so I inquired about the buy up cost and was told €19. You are entitled to the extensive breads table (at least 6 gorgeous breads), anything from the juice table, cereals, and anything from the rather long beautiful pastries table. Additionally all coffees (including latte and cappucino), and specialty water like Pellegrino included. When I asked for the bill, they wrote it off! How sweet!
So far very impressed with this hotel. Just a note, no water included in room, so will need to purchase outside.
Mar 23, 2012, 8:24 am
#289
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 843
Mar 23, 2012, 8:51 am
#290
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 362
Just checked into Westin Excelsior. We are using the I love Italy package which means you must stay for a combination of 7 nights at any Luxury Collection Hotel in Italy. The cost is 360 USD per night that includes American breakfast for 3 ppl and free rollaway for my daughter. The fact that you are guaranteed in USD sold it for me. At the last minute last week, I booked an extra night to guarantee a room upon our early arrival into Rome. I emailed with the hotel ahead of time to verify the rate and details, the rollaway, and not to give our room away because we were not arriving until the next day early am. They verified all details and were very courteous, noting my platinum status.
I checked my reservation the day we were leaving, and saw the details were no longer accessible, so assumed they had given us some upgrade.
Upon arrival, they speedily checked us in and I took the platinum breakfast, as it was not included in my corporate rate for the first night. And thought the savings was worth more than 500 points.
Upon checkin to the room we had been upgraded to a 2 room suite, with both the living room and bedroom having separate balconies overlooking the busy street. The suite is on the 6th floor. Absolutely stunning!
The breakfast was quite nice, did not include any meats or hot items. However my mom helped herself to some salmon and cheese, and didnt want to stop her, so I inquired about the buy up cost and was told €19. You are entitled to the extensive breads table (at least 6 gorgeous breads), anything from the juice table, cereals, and anything from the rather long beautiful pastries table. Additionally all coffees (including latte and cappucino), and specialty water like Pellegrino included. When I asked for the bill, they wrote it off! How sweet!
So far very impressed with this hotel. Just a note, no water included in room, so will need to purchase outside.
I checked my reservation the day we were leaving, and saw the details were no longer accessible, so assumed they had given us some upgrade.
Upon arrival, they speedily checked us in and I took the platinum breakfast, as it was not included in my corporate rate for the first night. And thought the savings was worth more than 500 points.
Upon checkin to the room we had been upgraded to a 2 room suite, with both the living room and bedroom having separate balconies overlooking the busy street. The suite is on the 6th floor. Absolutely stunning!
The breakfast was quite nice, did not include any meats or hot items. However my mom helped herself to some salmon and cheese, and didnt want to stop her, so I inquired about the buy up cost and was told €19. You are entitled to the extensive breads table (at least 6 gorgeous breads), anything from the juice table, cereals, and anything from the rather long beautiful pastries table. Additionally all coffees (including latte and cappucino), and specialty water like Pellegrino included. When I asked for the bill, they wrote it off! How sweet!
So far very impressed with this hotel. Just a note, no water included in room, so will need to purchase outside.
Mar 23, 2012, 2:50 pm
#292
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,339
Agreed; this hotel has treated me better than any others, aside from the Florence properties. Only reason to get Plat for me.
Apr 27, 2012, 1:20 pm
#293
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Accor Diamond, National Emerald Club Exec Elite
Posts: 1,085
I will be back at the hotel in May for 3 nights and wonder whether it makes sense to use the Suite Night awards. I've been at the hotel twice before and received upgrades to amazing suites both times. However, I don't know the suite category I was upgraded to. The top category suite that I can request using the SNA is a Grandluxe. I think I was upgraded to a higher category suite for my previous stays. If they are still upgrading platinum guests regularly to a higher category, if I use my SNAs and they are accepted for a Grandluxe, then I'll potentially both be wasting my SNAs and getting a lower category upgrade than I would otherwise have received. Can any plats share their recent upgrade experiences here with and without using the SNAs?
Apr 27, 2012, 1:57 pm
#294
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 139
We (two adults and a 4-year old) did a 5 night paid stay over Easter. Although I had never stayed at the property before, I chose not to use use my SNA based on the plat upgrades/treatment others said they had at the property (and didn't want to use so many in one shot right just a few weeks into the new benefit system). It appeared occupancy must have been fairly low based on the room rate and the website showed a lot of paid availability for standard suites the last I looked before out stay. So, I rolled the dice. Anyhow, at check-in we were upgraded to a Grandluxe Room, not suite--several categories down the food chain. I didn't see that one coming based on the experiences of other ft'ers and my own generally good luck when it comes to getting solid suite upgrades at Starwood properties. I was initially a little bummed I chose the Excelsior over the St. Regis and Eden in no small part because of the plat treatment described on this thread. That having been said, I requested and the hotel did kindly move us to a Grandluxe Suite when something opened up a couple days later. In hindsight, I wished I had just used half of my newly minted SNAs. Guess that's what you get for hoarding.
Apr 27, 2012, 4:41 pm
#295
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Accor Diamond, National Emerald Club Exec Elite
Posts: 1,085
We (two adults and a 4-year old) did a 5 night paid stay over Easter. Although I had never stayed at the property before, I chose not to use use my SNA based on the plat upgrades/treatment others said they had at the property (and didn't want to use so many in one shot right just a few weeks into the new benefit system). It appeared occupancy must have been fairly low based on the room rate and the website showed a lot of paid availability for standard suites the last I looked before out stay. So, I rolled the dice. Anyhow, at check-in we were upgraded to a Grandluxe Room, not suite--several categories down the food chain. I didn't see that one coming based on the experiences of other ft'ers and my own generally good luck when it comes to getting solid suite upgrades at Starwood properties. I was initially a little bummed I chose the Excelsior over the St. Regis and Eden in no small part because of the plat treatment described on this thread. That having been said, I requested and the hotel did kindly move us to a Grandluxe Suite when something opened up a couple days later. In hindsight, I wished I had just used half of my newly minted SNAs. Guess that's what you get for hoarding.
May 2, 2012, 5:08 am
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I'll be heading to the Westin in a few days. Does anyone have any recent transportation information from FCO to the hotel? All the links provided in the first few pages of this thread no longer work.
I will be travelling alone, arrive 08:30, so would prefer something cheaper than a cab. I will have carry on only.
TIA
I will be travelling alone, arrive 08:30, so would prefer something cheaper than a cab. I will have carry on only.
TIA
May 2, 2012, 7:29 am
#297
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP(.96MM), AMEX Platinum, United Premier Silver, Delta Gold, SPG Platinum 50, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 1,744
I'll be heading to the Westin in a few days. Does anyone have any recent transportation information from FCO to the hotel? All the links provided in the first few pages of this thread no longer work.
I will be travelling alone, arrive 08:30, so would prefer something cheaper than a cab. I will have carry on only.
TIA
I will be travelling alone, arrive 08:30, so would prefer something cheaper than a cab. I will have carry on only.
TIA
To get from FCO to the Westin Excelsior (cheapest method)
Go to the arrivals hall and follow the bus signs:
Buy a 4euro one way ticket to Rome Termini station from Terravision bus company (journey is 45 min w/ traffic)
You will get dropped off at Rome Termini station, so go inside the station and follow the signs for the Metro A.
Buy a 1euro Metro ticket (the one that has a one hour time limit) or 4 euro(all day metro pass) at the ticket machine.
Take Metro A (towards Batitstini) and get off at station: Spagna (two stops from Termini)
This is the most important step when exiting Spagna station.. FOLLOW THE SIGNS that say "VIA VENETO". There are multiple exits at Spagna, so make sure to follow the signs that head towards "Via Veneto" This journey to exit will take 10-15minutes because the metro is DEEPLY underground and there might be a luggage factor since some parts have no escalators.
You will see the Marriott hotel when you exit the Via Veneto exit and you need to cross the street towards the Marriott hotel and make a right. The Westin Excelsior Rome is a 2 minute walk
May 2, 2012, 2:33 pm
#299
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP(.96MM), AMEX Platinum, United Premier Silver, Delta Gold, SPG Platinum 50, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 1,744
upon checking into the Westin Excelsior Rome as a SPG Plat,
I was given an upgrade to a Grand Luxe suite as I booked a standard room on C+P.
I chose the breakfast as my platinum amenity and it was a full hot breakfast at doney's restaurant
I was given a 4pm late checkout
Free in room wifi for unlimited devices using your room # & last name
The room had a balcony area view where you could see the top of St Peters Basilica. A previous poster posted pics of that same suite as well in this thread.
Everyone was really nice and the hotel was fantastic! Great value for $150+8000 starpoints. The downside is that the hotel taxes on another $25 fee because of the tourist tax that isnt included in the $150. Overall, it was easy to use the metro and walk around in Rome from the hotel.
I was given an upgrade to a Grand Luxe suite as I booked a standard room on C+P.
I chose the breakfast as my platinum amenity and it was a full hot breakfast at doney's restaurant
I was given a 4pm late checkout
Free in room wifi for unlimited devices using your room # & last name
The room had a balcony area view where you could see the top of St Peters Basilica. A previous poster posted pics of that same suite as well in this thread.
Everyone was really nice and the hotel was fantastic! Great value for $150+8000 starpoints. The downside is that the hotel taxes on another $25 fee because of the tourist tax that isnt included in the $150. Overall, it was easy to use the metro and walk around in Rome from the hotel.
May 2, 2012, 8:14 pm
#300
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 2,741
Overnight Accommodation Tax in Rome
By law you'll be charged €3 per night, up to a maximum of 10 nights (that's the rate for all 4 and 5 star hotels).
See this link for more details:
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION TAX IN ROME
I'm glad you liked your room, but are you certain it was the dome of St. Peters that you saw? It doesn't seem to me that the Quirinale (the hill that the Excelsior is on) is high enough that you would have seen over the Pincio (the hill that the Hassler sits atop). But regardless, it sounds like you had a nice view!