Westin LAX [Master Thread]
Aug 19, 2017, 10:51 am
#436
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Tennessee
Programs: SPG, Marriott, United, SWA, AA
Posts: 700
Has there been a change to the cleaning chemicals used? The Westin signature scent had been gone the last three stays and replaced with a strong cleaning chemical smell. I thought the first time it was just a one off thing but last weekend and this weekend the same strong smell was in the room.
Not good. Normally I hate perfumes and scents. They give me headaches and bother my sinuses, but the Westin scent is pretty much the only one I have ever encountered that I enjoy.
Oct 17, 2017, 1:22 pm
#437
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Toronto
Programs: HGP Globalist, SPG P100, Hilton Dia
Posts: 425
Looking forward to my first stay after checking out the long threads on Westin vs Sheraton vs 4P!
Does anyone or Phil know if Westin charges package handling fee if I send some small packages to the hotel? I noticed theres a Fedex Centre on the property.... =/
Thanks!
Does anyone or Phil know if Westin charges package handling fee if I send some small packages to the hotel? I noticed theres a Fedex Centre on the property.... =/
Thanks!
Oct 17, 2017, 2:43 pm
#438
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Programs: SAS EBD, BA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite
Posts: 553
Yes, expect to get charged 5usd pr. package regardless of package size or your status.
Oct 29, 2017, 4:17 pm
#439
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
Has there been a change to the cleaning chemicals used? The Westin signature scent had been gone the last three stays and replaced with a strong cleaning chemical smell. I thought the first time it was just a one off thing but last weekend and this weekend the same strong smell was in the room.
Oct 29, 2017, 4:19 pm
#440
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
Daily Grill
I like the Daily Grill and, while there this time, used my iPhone to sign up for the Daily Grill loyalty program.
Only I wasn't at the Daily Grill; I was in the bar area that's part of the Daily Grill. Although there were table tents touting the program ("Insiders"), the room charge went to the Lobby Lounge instead of Daily Grill. If you want to get loyalty credit from the restaurant, you have to be seated in the non-bar area. I did get credit for a second visit, where I happened to sit in the main area.
Only I wasn't at the Daily Grill; I was in the bar area that's part of the Daily Grill. Although there were table tents touting the program ("Insiders"), the room charge went to the Lobby Lounge instead of Daily Grill. If you want to get loyalty credit from the restaurant, you have to be seated in the non-bar area. I did get credit for a second visit, where I happened to sit in the main area.
Nov 12, 2018, 2:44 am
#442
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Stay away from Governors Suite
I checked in and they asked me if I would like the Governors Suite. I thought to myself, that's a silly question. Of course I'd like an upgrade to the Governors Suite. But later I learned that it wasn't a silly question. I would have preferred a normal room than this suite.
While it has lots of space and a big outdoor deck by the pool, this room has the poorest lighting of any major chain hotel I can ever recall. And it is a handicapped room. Because it is a handicapped room, the bathroom is extra large. But with all that space, there is only a single dim bulb in the ceiling covering the entire bathroom. It is essentially dark and you can barely see your face in the mirror. And no lighting over the desk. The only area that is well lit is the small bar area. But of course there is nothing at the bar. Not even glasses. There are only the typical plastic cups that is the standard as US Marriott hotels. This is such a poorly appointed suite.
Also there seems to be much more jet noise than I recall on my previous stays here on the upper floors. Maybe weaker soundproofing on this floor.
While it has lots of space and a big outdoor deck by the pool, this room has the poorest lighting of any major chain hotel I can ever recall. And it is a handicapped room. Because it is a handicapped room, the bathroom is extra large. But with all that space, there is only a single dim bulb in the ceiling covering the entire bathroom. It is essentially dark and you can barely see your face in the mirror. And no lighting over the desk. The only area that is well lit is the small bar area. But of course there is nothing at the bar. Not even glasses. There are only the typical plastic cups that is the standard as US Marriott hotels. This is such a poorly appointed suite.
Also there seems to be much more jet noise than I recall on my previous stays here on the upper floors. Maybe weaker soundproofing on this floor.
Nov 12, 2018, 12:29 pm
#443
Company Representative, Westin LAX
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 45
I checked in and they asked me if I would like the Governors Suite. I thought to myself, that's a silly question. Of course I'd like an upgrade to the Governors Suite. But later I learned that it wasn't a silly question. I would have preferred a normal room than this suite.
While it has lots of space and a big outdoor deck by the pool, this room has the poorest lighting of any major chain hotel I can ever recall. And it is a handicapped room. Because it is a handicapped room, the bathroom is extra large. But with all that space, there is only a single dim bulb in the ceiling covering the entire bathroom. It is essentially dark and you can barely see your face in the mirror. And no lighting over the desk. The only area that is well lit is the small bar area. But of course there is nothing at the bar. Not even glasses. There are only the typical plastic cups that is the standard as US Marriott hotels. This is such a poorly appointed suite.
Also there seems to be much more jet noise than I recall on my previous stays here on the upper floors. Maybe weaker soundproofing on this floor.
While it has lots of space and a big outdoor deck by the pool, this room has the poorest lighting of any major chain hotel I can ever recall. And it is a handicapped room. Because it is a handicapped room, the bathroom is extra large. But with all that space, there is only a single dim bulb in the ceiling covering the entire bathroom. It is essentially dark and you can barely see your face in the mirror. And no lighting over the desk. The only area that is well lit is the small bar area. But of course there is nothing at the bar. Not even glasses. There are only the typical plastic cups that is the standard as US Marriott hotels. This is such a poorly appointed suite.
Also there seems to be much more jet noise than I recall on my previous stays here on the upper floors. Maybe weaker soundproofing on this floor.
Thank you again for the feedback! Always feel free to PM me to give me a heads up before your stays.
Phil
Nov 28, 2018, 2:02 pm
#444
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Greensboro, NC, USA
Posts: 100
Decent hotel, rooms and restaurant. Imaginary airport shuttle
We stayed the night of November 10 to break up a Hawaii to east coast trip. The room was fine, the restaurant reasonable in price and open late, and the desk staff courteous and efficient. BUT..... we waited at LAX for over 30 minutes (around 8PM) for the mythical shuttle. During the time four Hilton shuttles, two for the Sheraton, and innumerable others came and went. No Westin. When the shuttle finally came we spoke with others who had been waiting for over an hour. The driver barely spoke english and offered no assistance to anyone. We were picked up at T3, after 2 more terminals he drove past others signaling him at the curb, while there was still (standing) room on the shuttle. We were told that the shuttles back, in the morning, ran on 20 minute intervals. Nope. Not today. After 30-40 minutes we called an Uber. Clearly this hotel either doesn't pay the contractor for sufficient shuttles, or the contractor isn't delivering as promised (and the hotel does not care?). We mentioned this to the desk person and she acknowledged this was a known issue (but apparently nothing was being done). If transpo to and from the airport is important, stay at one of the many other equivalent properties.
We stayed the night of November 10 to break up a Hawaii to east coast trip. The room was fine, the restaurant reasonable in price and open late, and the desk staff courteous and efficient. BUT..... we waited at LAX for over 30 minutes (around 8PM) for the mythical shuttle. During the time four Hilton shuttles, two for the Sheraton, and innumerable others came and went. No Westin. When the shuttle finally came we spoke with others who had been waiting for over an hour. The driver barely spoke english and offered no assistance to anyone. We were picked up at T3, after 2 more terminals he drove past others signaling him at the curb, while there was still (standing) room on the shuttle. We were told that the shuttles back, in the morning, ran on 20 minute intervals. Nope. Not today. After 30-40 minutes we called an Uber. Clearly this hotel either doesn't pay the contractor for sufficient shuttles, or the contractor isn't delivering as promised (and the hotel does not care?). We mentioned this to the desk person and she acknowledged this was a known issue (but apparently nothing was being done). If transpo to and from the airport is important, stay at one of the many other equivalent properties.
Nov 29, 2018, 2:44 pm
#445
Company Representative, Westin LAX
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 45
Decent hotel, rooms and restaurant. Imaginary airport shuttle
We stayed the night of November 10 to break up a Hawaii to east coast trip. The room was fine, the restaurant reasonable in price and open late, and the desk staff courteous and efficient. BUT..... we waited at LAX for over 30 minutes (around 8PM) for the mythical shuttle. During the time four Hilton shuttles, two for the Sheraton, and innumerable others came and went. No Westin. When the shuttle finally came we spoke with others who had been waiting for over an hour. The driver barely spoke english and offered no assistance to anyone. We were picked up at T3, after 2 more terminals he drove past others signaling him at the curb, while there was still (standing) room on the shuttle. We were told that the shuttles back, in the morning, ran on 20 minute intervals. Nope. Not today. After 30-40 minutes we called an Uber. Clearly this hotel either doesn't pay the contractor for sufficient shuttles, or the contractor isn't delivering as promised (and the hotel does not care?). We mentioned this to the desk person and she acknowledged this was a known issue (but apparently nothing was being done). If transpo to and from the airport is important, stay at one of the many other equivalent properties.
We stayed the night of November 10 to break up a Hawaii to east coast trip. The room was fine, the restaurant reasonable in price and open late, and the desk staff courteous and efficient. BUT..... we waited at LAX for over 30 minutes (around 8PM) for the mythical shuttle. During the time four Hilton shuttles, two for the Sheraton, and innumerable others came and went. No Westin. When the shuttle finally came we spoke with others who had been waiting for over an hour. The driver barely spoke english and offered no assistance to anyone. We were picked up at T3, after 2 more terminals he drove past others signaling him at the curb, while there was still (standing) room on the shuttle. We were told that the shuttles back, in the morning, ran on 20 minute intervals. Nope. Not today. After 30-40 minutes we called an Uber. Clearly this hotel either doesn't pay the contractor for sufficient shuttles, or the contractor isn't delivering as promised (and the hotel does not care?). We mentioned this to the desk person and she acknowledged this was a known issue (but apparently nothing was being done). If transpo to and from the airport is important, stay at one of the many other equivalent properties.
Be Well!
Phil
Nov 30, 2018, 1:45 pm
#446
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
Thank you for the feedback! It is always very helpful!!! I know from experience how frustrating it is to wait for a shuttle. My tolerance is around 12 minutes before my head explodes. As soon as I saw this I reached out to our contractor and shared your comments. I have a meeting set with them early next week. I also looked at their GPS logs. The longest wait I see (based on Terminal 2) is 16 minutes between 8:31P and 8:47P. The wait times either side of that were between 1 minute and 8 minutes. I'll cross check this against the logs my Valet Parking company keeps - usually they match up pretty well.. Please feel free to DM and I'll make sure we make it up to you if/when you stay with us again.
Be Well!
Phil
Be Well!
Phil
Most people who stay at airport hotels do so for quick and easy access to the airport. The Westin LAX fails woefully to provide that. I’ll stay elsewhere next time.
Nov 30, 2018, 1:58 pm
#447
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I waited WELL over 40 minutes (and, like the prior poster, saw repeat appearances from shuttles for every other major LAX hotel) in July. When I spoke to the FD about it, the response was that the hotel is so much farther away from LAX than those others!
Most people who stay at airport hotels do so for quick and easy access to the airport. The Westin LAX fails woefully to provide that. I’ll stay elsewhere next time.
Dec 2, 2018, 7:14 am
#448
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,680
I would not be so quick to write off the Westin LAX. Having followed Phil's past performance back long before his Westin days, if he says he's going to look into something, you can pretty much rest assured it will get resolved. Some contractors start to take short cuts thinking they won't get caught. Obviously never dealt with FT customers! I expect we will hear back from Phil with a plan to fix the problem.
Dec 2, 2018, 8:29 am
#449
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,075
How's the beer selection at the Westin? Haven't been to LA since Phil came back, but his FP was the only FP I would voluntarily stay at in the US!
Dec 2, 2018, 9:58 am
#450
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,680