MSPeconomist

DELee

Thanks for the additional synopsis on the lounge. The old BWI Airport 10th floor lounge had a shoeshine machine - but not now in the M-Club-ish 1st floor lounge.

Hope they fix their outlets.

David

hockeyinsider

It looks nice. The lobby is very modern, but well done. My only complaint is the bar and restaurant are sort of after-thoughts as they're stuck in the corner when at least the bar should be prominent in the center of the lobby.

mikebor

How is the internet now? I stayed at this hotel maybe 4 years ago and the internet was terrible. Slow as hell. Signal wasn't good either for wifi. I'd have to assume that now it is much faster. I'd hope at least. Also how is the AC unit? Is it motion sensored?

MSPeconomist

hockeyinsider

Internet was fine on the enhanced option. I didn't measure the speed, but had no issues with either watching video or streaming on Spotify.

Sort of. The bar is hidden in the corner. The restaurant extends from the wall and has some seats next to the reflecting pond. I can't describe the shape, but the lobby bar should be in the center of the lobby atrium.

For what it's worth, AVOID an atrium-facing room as the windows are not blacked out and you can see through the windows. I saw plenty of naked people walking between my room and the elevator. Even the curtains aren't 100% opaque.

hockeyinsider

I had another 1-night stay here.

Delta was going to put me up, but I told the red coat supervisor I'd just book the room as I'd rather get the points than forgo them. The red coat supervisor was super kind and then gave me a $150 Delta voucher, which was $20 more than the cost of the hotel room, and a couple meal vouchers -- enough for a fancy room service breakfast. Needless to say, I was happy.

I immediately checked in and sent the hotel a message using the Marriott mobile application, asking if there were upgrades and that I would be there in 10 minutes. They responded within 2 minutes, saying no suites were available even though Marriott.com listed every room category as being available.

When I got to the front desk, I asked again about an upgrade. The agent said there were none available and that they get 50 platinums a night and only had 10 suites. I politely said, I'm ambassador and not platinum. He apologized, hit some buttons on the keyboard and said he can't find an open suite but could give me a room with a treadmill. As I'm a fitness enthusiast, I jumped at the room as I've always wanted to try a Westin treadmill room but have never had the opportunity. Delta had my bag so I had no gear. I asked if the property had the Westin workout gear, which he said they did. He asked my size and about 20 minutes later socks, men's running shoes, shorts and a shirt were delivered. Everything was brand new and still had tags attached so I'm guessing this isn't used much. Oh yeah, I was offered points or breakfast. I chose the points as I was too tired to play the game about not offering a local amenity.

My room had polyester fill pillows so I had to call down and ask for new pillows. The at-your-service agent was very friendly and addressed me by name. 30 minutes later, a maid arrived and let's just say she didn't seem happy about it. "What's wrong with your pillows?" she asked. "They're not feather pillows," I said. She gave me four new pillows and left.

Besides the pillows, the room was clean and comfortable. Good TV with a good selection of channels. Wireless internet included an enhanced high-speed option, which not all properties have anymore. No slippers with the bathrobe -- and only one bathrobe, which could be an issue if there were two guests. The complimentary two bottles of Voss water was a nice extra. I believe this is only stocked in the rooms with the treadmill. I also had one complimentary full-size bottle of purified water.

I didn't use the lounge for breakfast as I used my Delta meal vouchers to order a room service breakfast, which was a nice treat. And with a treadmill in the room I never left until it was time to board my flight. I ended up using the treadmill four times, doing a total of 5 miles at 15 incline and 4 mph.

My only complaints about this property:

1) Not recognizing the difference between platinum and ambassador nearly 6 months into the new, combined loyalty program and only a couple days away before the re-naming of the elite status levels. Hopefully, this changes beginning tomorrow.

2) Feather pillows used to be standard, at least in my experience, at Westin under legacy Starwood and even at legacy Marriott's Marriott brand, but now the default option seems to be polyester, faux down pillows.

And who are the idiots that design hotel rooms? Seriously. Hotel room lighting sucks. I counted at least five separate light switches. The lighting wasn't as yellow as some hotels, but it still sucked. Why don't hotels get designed with nice overhead lighting?

hockeyinsider

An update based on another stay: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30788266-post1987.html

Note the following:

One other thing.

I finally caught the weekend spread in the "club executive lounge" on the 8th floor. Four wines: pinot grigio, chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Each was $12 per glass, but the lounge attendant told me the wine brand (Trinity Oaks) was cheap and not worth buying. None of the wines were displayed. I didn't see any spirits. She said "better stuff is in the bar."

The food consisted of a fried chicken; 7-bean soup; various cheeses including brie; a spinach, tomato and blue cheese salad; and celery and carrots. For dessert there were cookies and two types of brownies.

The lounge was jam-packed at 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday, when the food appeared. Maybe 20 people in a lounge with enough seats for 30. I can't imagine what it's like Monday through Friday.

hockeyinsider

I stayed here Friday. Despite previous pre-arrival emails nothing this time around. I did, however, receive a fruit plate and four cans of Diet Pepsi in my room. No personalized note this time, however.

Unlike many Westin properties, this Westin has a 24/7/365 lounge that serves breakfast. At check-in, I was only offered points or a "local amenity." However, I'm entitled to choose between points, an amenity and breakfast. I chose breakfast. The front desk didn't know what to do because with the lounge nobody does this, they said. After a few minutes a manager emerged and they gave me their business card with "breakfast" written on it and their initials. I asked what it covered and was told anything. So, I had poached eggs with rocket and three glasses of Chandon California sparkling wine. There was no champagne-by-the-glass. It was 100% fully covered, including tip and tax.

hockeyinsider

I stayed here again. I've become a regular over the past few months as the rates have really dropped to the point where they are competitive with the off-airport hotels. I've regularly seen the Westin under $130.

There's no question that this is one of the best hotels in the Detroit area, both from a hard product and a soft product perspective. Certainly with respect to Marriott brands as so many of Marriott's properties in metropolitan Detroit are nothing more than glorified limited-service properties (the Marriott Livonia, Marriott Detroit Metro Airport, Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, Marriott Southfield, Westin Southfield, and Marriott Troy being examples). I noticed there are now bellmen. Previously, I was told they didn't have bellmen because of staff turnover. Hopefully, the bellmen will stick around for a while this time.

I consistently decline a suite as I prefer the treadmill-furnished rooms on the second-floor. I like working out two or three times a day. It's too easy to come up with an excuse when you have to go to the gym.

No in-room amenity this time around. Previously, I received Diet Pepsi and fruit. All of my requests (extra towels, feather pillows, and mouthwash) were fulfilled. Slippers were stocked with the bathrobe, which is a change from before when this property had bathrobes but no slippers.

The SPG channel still doesn't work, despite other Marriott properties now having a channel labeled "Bonvoy." As with the former SPG and Marriott Rewards channels, it's a collection of propaganda films. Some of them look like they cost a lot of money to produce.

MCO Flyer

dcstudent

Just completed a two night stay. Lovely hotel, upgraded to a true 1 bedroom suite. Suite was in great shape, very clean. Bathroom was huge. Soaking jacuzzi tub, separate area with a door for the toilet, stand-up shower and dual sinks.

Enjoyed the lobby bar, BUT, agree with poster above who wished it was in center of lobby, or up against the pool. Currently, it is off to the side in the corner of the lobby. It's cramped and not the best atmosphere, given there is a lobby with huge atrium nearby. That said, prices were reasonable for an airport hotel and the staff was excellent.

Only used lounge for water and coffee - so can't report on lounge offerings.

Didn't use checkpoint either, went into terminal as I am Clear + PreCheck and Westin's checkpoint is a normal checkpoint. Can get full with non-seasoned travelers, if you're Clear + Precheck, just make the 6 or 7 minute walk if there's any line in the Westin.

rrz518

I found some pics that I took while the hotel was under construction, about 2002/2003

rrz518

arkangel

Both the Exec. Club lounge, and Reflection's restaurant, are temporarily closed. The only breakfast option appears to be in-room dining. As a Titanium Elite, would I be offered this as my breakfast amenity, something else, or nothing at all?