Perhaps you are just plain lucky, kevinsac.

This is one of the precious few, if not the only, Westin that I just plain do not care for either.

Mark

I think maybe they've got the habitual complainers on a master list...

I regularly stay at this property, company has a $99 rate that seems quite reasonable. Been upgraded to suites most of the time (usually only after asking however) and the last time found myself in my favorite - a jacuzzi suite overlooking the runway. I will say that on this very trip, friends with whom I was traveling found themselves also checked into a suite - that had yet to be cleaned. They were promptly moved to another suite that was clean.

The lounge is odd, but I think 24hr access to a quiet room and the cold water is definitely better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

I'm sure they are happening, but I just haven't experienced the problems these other folks have.

I think with the amount of complaints about this property you can rule out habitual complainers. Both Westin LAX and 4pts LAX are out for me. So far the Sheraton has been great (2 for 2) but I fear that if their service drops there's no LAX location for me.

Alas, I miss the Westin Century City.

I do love the Gateway LAX.. nice lounge, nice bar, decent service.. I don't like their parking process but thats just nitpicking..

Four Points is a good value for the money, only issue is the long lines at check in.. otherwise.. its the best value at LAX.. ok.. the shuttle bus can be real slow too but I'll take the Budget bus half the time and that solves that problem..

Westin.. see above posts..

That is an interesting way to look at job transfers. I wonder if Starwood forced these people to leave/move or if they perhaps requested (or at least wanted) these transfers. Surely forcing employees to stay at a property that they might not consider to be a great assignment (what with cost of living, etc.) simply to keep certain elites happy would not result in great morale in the long haul.

I stayed here 11/21 and everything was perfect except for no separate SPG checkin line (and the front desk was busy at 10pm). Paid a priceline rate @$60, received a nice 8th Fl. room as requested overlooking quiet Century Blvd (rather than noisy runways). Took the free shuttle to/from LAX. Much nicer room than I found at the Renaissance, Hilton or CP (though the latter used to be a steal at $36 on priceline).

Admittedly not as nice as some Westins, but about average for airports (e.g. compare rooms @ SFO Westin).

Not sure it is worth the extra money over a 3* , but we didn't have any complaints.

Since this property has gotten so much bad press here, I thought I would mention a recent very positive experience...

Arrived at the Westin LAX at about 10pm after flying DUB-ORD-DFW-LAX and needless to say, more than a little tired. Gold/Plat check-in was open, but no one at the front desk, so I didn't bother walking the extra distance.

The guy says I don't have a reservation. Without pausing, he asks me if it could have been at the Sheraton and picks up the phone to call them. They don't have it either. I start to sweat. It looks like I didn't make a res and never double-checked. Thinking I was either totally out of luck or about to get hit with a HUGE rate, I got really worried - not to mention embarrassed for the oversight. Again, without skipping a beat, he said no problem, found my corporate rate and assigned me a room on 12.

Checked into a nice clean room for a good night's sleep.

With service like this, this property will definitely continue to get my business. Maybe they have heard the feedback and are really working to turn things around.

One thing about this Westin is expectations. I miss the Westin Century and the St. Regis. But both hotels were 2-3 times the Westin LAX. Its one of the few Westins that are airport hotels and the quality and price reflects that fact.

It will never an upscale brand, but that's not it's purpose. I believe that airport hotel is designed to provide mid-ranged accomodations at a good price. On that level, the Westin LAX succeeds admirably.

It's been awhile since I've stayed at the Westin LAX but my experience there had been consistently negative. So bad in fact, I had to complain to the manager and they offered me a coupon for two free nights. The hotel was not worth staying at again in my opinion and I never took them up on their offer.

Upon hearing some improvements in the hotel's service, I made a reservation for this coming week. Now I'm wondering if I should just stay at the Four Points. At least you know what to expect.

Ok its post Freddie's and nobody is holding their breath for another post about the former notorious Westin LAX.
While this post may be a bit premature I am very pleased to announce to the SPG community that past voices have finally been heard. Probably the least being mine.

That said hope has positively arrived in the form of an experienced hands on brilliant new General Manager that comes with a wealth of experience from the Starwood Galaxy of hotels.
He is a hands on take charge fellow with an outgoing yet kind personality. One that is passionate about breathing new life at this long time classic landmark airport property.

Now for the record I am not saying he came on board and waved the magic wand just yet and all is perfect.
I took a stay there the night before the Freddie's to test the waters and there were some noticeable improvements in a handful of departments.
Yes there are still a few that could use attention. But they are on the case....

The most surprising improvement of all was an outstanding dinner at the Westin of grilled salmon. Not an option I would have considered in the past.
The former chef of the Century Plaza is now Executive Chef in charge.
As long as that keeps up I will be making the rounds anytime when at LAX with or without a room. ^

I retract all past negative comments within reason
For today the Westin LAX is back on my destination list to stay or dine ^
Have great faith we are going to see the long hoped changes over time.
I urge the community to support the hotel again and share with the GM any comments they may have. The new team along with a few of the better past familiar faces is now committed to your guest satisfaction.
Good choice this time around by the folks from Starwood ^ :-: :-: :-:
Cheers

When the Westin LAX gets its act together and does the following, I would think about staying there:

1. Get food in lounge on the 12th floor. Right now, its a total joke.

2. Fix the jacuzzi outside.

3. Fix airport shuttle frequency.

I'm happy you enjoyed your dinner, yet it takes a lot more than that.

And why would I stay here rather than the Sheraton LAX. I've been treated very well at the Sheraton -- in fact better than the Weston LAX. I'm staying at Sheraton LAX this week and see no reason, based upon you post, to change my stay. The Weston must show me they have made changes before I'll change.

Sure, service needs improvement, and a good GM can fix that.

But the hotel needs some serious capital improvements and that takes real $.

Many on FT have been burned over and over with this property so I guess there's just a rather high bar before returning. Many would rather stay at the Four Points, let alone the Sheraton whose renovations made it the property of choice at LAX.

I stayed at the Westin LAX about a week ago. I had a moderately bad experience. To start with, the first shuttle that came by didn't stop. I tried to flag it down, but no luck. It seemed not to be very full. The next shuttle did stop on its own and pick me up, about 20 minutes after I'd gotten to the shuttle pickup area.

Once I got to the hotel, not a bellhop to be found outside or inside. I was wheeling two large suitcases, one with my laptop bag over it, and had my large camera backpack on my back. (I've gotten pretty good at lugging that set of stuff around, but any hotel employee should be able to tell that help would be very much appreciated.) Checked in, not even an offer of luggage assistance from the front desk. I didn't bother asking since I just felt like getting to my room as quickly as possible and could tell there'd be a wait for a bellhop anyways.

Now, those are pretty minor issues. Nothing I'd complain about past filling in the comment card. Here's where things get interesting though: at about 9:30am the next morning, I get a call from the front desk. Apparently a previous guest left two laptops in the room I was in. They asked if they could send up security to find them. Since I was up and doing some work on my own laptop anyways, I consented. Security found them sitting in one of the drawers (a MacBook Pro and some sort of Dell, both new in boxes.) I found this absolutely insane. You'd think the maids would find such things left in a room. A hotel shouldn't have to bother a guest because a previous guest left valuables in a room.

A couple hours later, after waiting 20 minutes for a bellhop I checked out, but the bellhop was very apologetic for the delay and quite helpful, even insisting on waiting outside with my luggage for 15 minutes because the shuttles were backed up after I said he could just leave my stuff on the curb with me, so I didn't complain about that particular part of my stay.

Emailed Starwood to complain (mainly due to the ridiculous laptop incident.) I received a quick reply saying the matter would be escalated to the hotel, and then received a personal apology from the general manager within 48 hours or so and a promise of 4000 Starpoints back (I'd spent 4000 on the stay.)

All in all, quite a...unique stay. (Who the hell manages to leave two new laptops in a hotel room!?) But I appreciated the management's handling of the complaint, so if I need to stay at LAX again I'll perhaps try the Westin again and give them another chance.

Stayed there in Mid April on a last minute priceline bid at tom bradley terminal for US$50. First time i've stayed at this property, got out of TOm Bradley and the shuttle had just arrived and caught it to the hotel at about 9am. Checked in with no problems, presented by SPG Plat card and they mentioned next time I should go to the designated plat area for checkin if I wanted. Menionted I wouldn't earn stay credit/points for the stay as it was on "Priceline". Asked for 2 beds, said only a king, she looked a little harder and found 2 beds a few moments later after I said, I only planned to spend the day in the hotel for a flight later that evening.

Room was great, 2 nice sized queen beds, internet in the room is about US$9.95/day, no wireless signals to be found, view of the runway on the 7th floor. Ususal Westin fare - shampoos, nice bed, showerhead, etc. Good choice on TV, and a short walk down the road to the gas station has plenty of snacks there (v8 juice, etc, etc) and a Denny's down the road, Carl's Jr, Pizza Hut, McDonalds and Taco Bell. The room service prices were relatively steep.

Gym is excellent, with plenty of machines, free weights and joggers with plasma screens on each. Bathroom is fully stocked with shampoos, towels and lockers and a great shower. Noticed gym door was just open (not locked). Pool / jacuzzi under renovation (i'm sure it will be great once done). Sauna is in the gym. Gym is 24 hours.

Free wireless internet in the hotel lobby (though it was down from about 5pm onwards through to the next day - real pain, as was their phone system for quite a while). As a gold or plat member you can go into the little lounge area they have there and get access to the net on a laptop there for free, apples, tea/coffee. Nice setting.

The shuttle service runs every 15-20 mins. Contrary to others, noticed there to be plenty of bellboys and the conceirge always there.

Upon checkout the next day (managed to change the flight), provided my SPG Plat card and they credited me for the phone calls for the stay (no stay credit) so got all of about 6 SPG points. Quick, efficient checkout (as was the checkin).

I'd love to stay here again, especially on a priceline bid. Can't compare to the Sheraton LAX or 4pts LAX as i've never stayed there.

I know this ain't a great idea - but if you're stuck in LAX for quite a few hours and bored.... get in the Westin Shuttle, go to the bar in the lobby at the Westin Lax, plug in your laptop, and enjoy the free wireless net and grab something to eat/drink there - you don't have to if you don't want to - great way to pass a few hours instead of paying for the net or getting bored walking around LAX.