There's no question a property has a right to charge for a no-show, in accordance with terms of the booking. But they do not have a right to sell something that is not theirs, which is the room you've paid for, and be paid twice.

If I pay for a room with a noon checkout, I expect the room to be available until 11:59 am. I think properties actually understand this, which is the reason for the benefits when we get walked.

I would too. And the more reputable properties will stand behind their reservations. But, as I stated, if it's late at night and you have not been in contact with the property and they have a walk-in standing in front of them, I suspect the room is going to the walk-in. If I show up after that, then a walk is needed. If you don't show up at all you'll never know they've re-sold your room and yes they get to pocket the revenue.

I've had lengthy discussions with property management the few times I needed to shorten a stay and they wanted to charge me for the remaining nights even though they have people waiting for rooms. Only by playing the top-tier card were they willing to budge.

Good job Phil.

Everyone should also be aware that LAX is going through a multi billion upgrade and there is currently a lot of construction. When I was there in February there was significant traffic inside the airport due to the construction. Not sure how long it would last but Phil might be able to fill us in on this.
I hope part of this upgrade includes centralisation of all Car Rentals with maybe a train to the rental facility like MIA and JFK. This would reduce the congestion. If its not in the plan, I suggest Phil should meet with them and put it in ---- over to you Phil:D:cool:

^^ Keep on them Phil.

Frankly, I don't trust the DSS people and they do a disservice to the reputation of LAX and area hotels. (I'm all for the green thing and reducing vehicles going into LAX, but feel DSS is poorly managed and after all these years still does not have a grasp on demand to properly schedule shuttles). My recent (and final) 4PTS stays had 25+ min waits for a shuttle on both T5 and hotel ends.

I've stayed at the Westin a couple of times and noticed a difference... now seeing this thread it all makes sense: Phil is back at LAX!

The new shuttle route is excellent news! It's great to have Phil back at LAX!!!

Not sure on an end date to construction. The big bottleneck now is always at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, among other places. The Master Plan that we have been pushing definitly includes rental car consolidation and a people mover. As part of the TMD we have a lobbiest/consultant working on this.

DSS agreed to move us to our own route and that started yesterday. First day they showed up with 10 passenger vans (nothing is easy). I spoke with them and they assured me that the small vans will be incorporated into all the routes and we would be back to the full size vans. For now DSS is what we've got so it is a matter of aggressively managing them.

Keep the feedback coming!

Phil fwiw, I was at the Sher last week, and their shuttle is shared with EZWay car rental and parking located behind the hotel. A good thing I flew AA since after the van finally showed up by the time it got to UA (my old carrier till now) it was full with the aisle full of folks standing (except when they fell on me). We 1st pulled up to the car rental then drove around the parking lot letting people off and finally to the hotel

I wish I was on 1 of your 10 seaters instead and the Sher vans are like your 10 seaters if not smaller

For sure my last stay unless you are the GM at The Sher. Was gonna make The Westin the go to hotel but it was very short lived as a Cat 3 before popping back to a Cat4. So I guess that leaves the 4P for now and the aLoft if it ends up being new construction and staying at a Cat3

I have an LAX stay coming up, and I'm struggling to choose between the Westin and the Sheraton.

For a one night airport stay on a business trip, I wouldn't sweat the choice.

But for this one, I'll have the whole family with me (Mrs FlyerJ and the two little FlyerJs) for an overnight connection via LAX.

The shuttle bus and distance to the hotel is really important to me, as I'm going to have two young kids arriving LAX late evening (after a 3 hour flight and time zone change) who I'll want to get to bed quickly and easily . . . in time for an early morning departure the next day. Ideally, I'd like to get them straight to a nice hotel as soon as we clear baggage claim on arrival. And I'll want to get them to T7 the next morning - rested and well fed - just as easily.

The Sheraton has way better TripAdvisor reviews than the Westin (including decent shuttle reviews) and it's quite a bit closer. But it sounds like their shuttle might be a gong show on occasion -- craz's comments above about crowding and the rental car lot really concern me.

The Westin now has it's own shuttle, albeit a small van, but a bit longer drive time. And less than stellar stay reports.

There's no clear winner, but at least the Sheraton is garnering some positive reviews.

With two little ones in tow for a 12 hour overnight connection, which is the better option?

Ive stated here quite a few times the last few years. 3 times this year.

Phil is certainly elevating their game...ive intereacted with him and his advance group. Really effective.

I like the proximity to LAX. I like the beds. I like the SPG. Daily grill is great.

But the hotel is really getting quite run down. Rooms feel very dated and very run down. I honestly am more depressed in one of the suites- big, no life, sad.

Good news is that it is priced right. $300 for the westin in Richmond, $400 in Austin, $135 at lax.

Bad news is once Phil whips them into shape and gets the remodel done, it will be $300+

:)

Since your primary focus is the kids, why not grab a taxi?

Both hotels are close to each other. While the Sheraton is closer to LAX, the Westin is just down the street, maybe a minute more shuttle ride time.

1- as others have said the Westin is all of 2 mins further from LAX down Century Blvd . If you are flying in on DL,US and especially UA theers agood chance when The Sheratons shuttle (rental car and parking lot too) arrives it will be full. Plus The Sheraton does NOT control the shuttles.

If the shuttle is that important to you Id stay with The Westin since it seems they will have more control over the actual vans eg if you call and say a van just passed me by full they will call the company and can get another sent over. With The Shearton they have to call the parking lot/rental car place and a few months ago with me it didnt help at all as the next van pulled up awhile later just as full

2- if The Sher van does like it did for me last week, it 1st drops off at the car rental and parking lot = although The westin is a couple of blocks further from LAX with its own van Im sure youd get to the Westin before you would to the Sheraton

The Sheraton is in the middle of redoing its lobby and all day long all youd find in the lounge is some luke warm bottles of water in a not too cold fridge. They really need to redo all its rooms and the rooms are on the small side. I stayed there last week only because it was 7k when I booked it (now 10k) and it wasnt even worth the 7K. I havent stayed at The Westin so I cant comment on the rooms , Ive attended affairs at the Westin and the lobby was alot nicer then The Sheratons. The Shearton has many maga conferences all the time, so the place can be a zoo at times.

If you call 1.8 mile close, then I guess that is close. If you are platinum with family, Sheraton would be my choice. I stay at all three SPG properties enough.

PS. 1.8 mile on Century Blvd. is not a short distance.

Reverse the direction and Google Maps says .8 miles. https://goo.gl/maps/vZdGM

If a taxi is out of the question, then the Westin would be my first choice. All three are close enough for general consideration. Adding more criteria will whittle it down further.

Just did a one nighter this week. Booked exec and asked nicely, if possible, something with a terrace. Ended up with a corner suite in the top floor. ^ Second time this has happened.

I cannot say I would call it worn down, but airport hotels with their constant turn over of guests and flight crews does take its toll.

The lounge at breakfast was not crowded and food was fine.

Minor niggle was the bar gave last call at just after midnight, which seems early when people are arriving often late in the evening and the bar was pretty full. :(

I've been to the LAX Hilton a few times and while it has been quite ok to me, I give this a slight edge.