good to know this property has a lounge now....

Just checked out after a two night stay. That must be the most run-down Westin property around...they should be embarrassed at the carpet in the lobby - terrible condition not fitting for even a Four Points. The property's finishes are of quality - about 12-14 years ago by my estimate. Checked out the lounge for breakfast...a tad disappointing, in that the seating resembles that of a low-grade cafeteria - totally not deserving of a Westin. The usual spread was out, including a warm egg item which I couldn't ID easily. For 4,000 points, it works, but I wouldn't pay 7,000 for that dive.

sounds like you had a pretty bad stay....its a shame....the last time i stayed here was almost 2 years ago & i had a pretty decent stay....seems like its gone downhill since then....

Surprising, and a little disappointing. I checked in Tues, Oct 5 for one night, and as a platinum, did NOT get invited to the lounge (although I did get a decent upgrade). I specfically asked if there was an lounge, and was pointed to the unimpressive room to the left of the check in counter.

I don't expect much from US lounges so I wasn't let down by the lounge here, I was happy to have a few PC's with printer.

Rooms have always been very comfortable, on the street parking a block away so I'm not paying parking charges (which just really bugs me). Be careful though, some of it is only for 1 hour but at least on weekends, no one seemed to be obeying the 1 hour rule and I saw no evidence that it was being patrolled by parking police.

Wow, I just booked there for a 1 night stay - the Shraton was 7000 points and they are only 3000. I guess I know why now. I guess the search for an alternative starts by reading http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...thread-14.html

Thanks.

I just stayed here. I dont think the property is that bad. For options around LA, I like the Sheraton better, and I'm not a Sheraton brand lover.

For one night I found either property a good deal, especially for a LAX area mattress run..

Stayed there one night last october. i don't think it is that bad. i got upgraded to a suite. bed room and a separate bath but nothing fancy. just standard Westin room. no lounge service on weekends but you can still access the lounge to use computer, meeting etc. tea, coffee and some fruits are always available. i believe 3000 points is excellent value for this property.

Lounge for Plats
 

The Westin LAX has finally implemented the requests of many travelers and expanded their SPG lounge. They now offer breakfast items that include at least one hot item. It also includes the standard starbucks coffee and tea service. It's not a buffet but for a Westin, it's better than most. Breakfast offerings include various fruit, juices, hot and cold cereal and a variety of bread items such as croissants, english muffins, danish and bagels.

In addition to breakfast, they also offer "unwind" in the same lounge during the evening. Beer, wine and light snacks are included with the unwind service.

The morning and evening services are a welcomed amenity to the property. I think the Westin realized that some of its business was being lost to the Sheraton across the street because they offer a lounge. I personally prefer Westin over Sheraton mainly because of the heavenly bed. Now that the Westin is offereing food/beverage service, I will be staying here more often. They have also added 2 additional computers for a total of 3.

Since the lounge is only open to Plats, it doesn't get very crowded.

Hmm...very mixed stay. Definite pluses (price and bed) and minuses (blatant disregard for SPG rules and lazy club staff).

So, I was standing on the Platinum SPG check-in line and apparently the manager on duty (MOD) was working the line. There was a long conversation between two Asian men with horrendous English that were trying to get a free suite upgrade. The MOD kept telling the men that there were suites available but he couldn't give one for free unless the guests were Platinum. (Apparently, neither man was Platinum but they wanted a free upgrade and they used the wrong check-in line.)

I waited and waited and waited while the men entered phrases into their little handheld English translation computer and then tried to speak them to the manager. They asked for a higher manager but the MOD kept saying that he was the highest ranking manager on duty. This charade went on for about 5 minutes plus before an agent from the regular line called me over. Of course, several regular customers were helped ahead of me but I wanted to wait on this line because I heard the manager specifically state that suites were available for Platinums. But, at a certain point you have to "cut bait," I guess. Mind you, had I cut bait earlier, I would have been on my way earlier via the regular line...live and learn.

Of course, the agent proceeded to tell me that I was "upgraded" to a very nice Deluxe room on the whatever floor. When I inquired about a suite, she tapped a few keys and assigned me to an Ambassador suite.

If the MOD said "suiteS" were available and she was able to give me a suite so quickly, why not just assign a suite from the get go? :rolleyes: Clearly, the agent decided to simply blow off basic SPG rules by not assigning me the best available room at check-in.

The room was nice and, as usual, the bed was fantastic. There was one bottle of complimentary water (16.9 oz) even though the reservation was for two people. Housekeeping did not replace the water on the second day. We had to call down for a replacement bottle. :rolleyes:

The lounge was very bare bones. There was a platter of scrambled eggs with ham chunks. I was in the lounge for about an hour. The eggs just sat there with a burner underneath. There was a small bowl of sliced melon that was not replaced when finished. There were a few prepackaged cereal single serve containers that were also not replaced when the ran out. When someone asked for cereal, the agent went in the back and brought one more out but not extras in case others wanted cereal. :confused: :rolleyes:

Breakfast officially ended at 9:30 AM but by 9 AM the agent was removing things from the food area. I'm not sure if she was trying to make a quick exit. I am also not sure about how safe it is to have a tray of scrambled eggs sitting out for hours at a time. Again, the selection was bare bones and when items ran out (i.e., fresh cut melon, cereal), they were not replaced. The lounge did have three nice computers with one near a printer.

The best thing about the stay was the cost. I used C&P for both nights which meant my cost was $30 plus 1,600 points per night. I also received my Platinum amenity. Self-parking was $20 per night.

So, in terms of bang for the buck, it was a good deal. But, there definitely were sloppy/unprofessional issues. I would only come back if the price was right.

this always wipes out any cost savings in the room rate for me; their parking is outrageous; at least at the sheraton I can park at the lot out back for $13 or if I'm willing to walk (which I am) park on 96th street after I drop my luggage

Is parking free on 96th Street? I am down with walking...

On another note, the lounge quality was significantly improved today...no idea why. It was like I was in a completely different lounge. The eggs were fresh and not sitting in a pool of water. There was plenty of fresh sliced fruit including pineapple and melon. There were plenty of cereals on display. The same lounge attendant wasn't ripping items off the counter at 9 AM.

I wonder why there was an incredible improvement today versus yesterday?

yes by the Renaissance its free parking on 96th, its a 10-min walk though

I will say the lounge is definitely a step in the right direction

Stayed here last night. This is the most run down Westin I have ever stayed in. The suite I had felt very filthy and just plain old. This must have been a nice hotel 20 years ago, but now it is just outdated.

Avoid!

On my recent stay there i found the room to be old looking and dismal. Couldn't wait to check out. The Gateway is so much nicer!