Starwood Lurker

If this is in reference to my three posts in this thread, then I disagree. There is nothing that I have posted that conflicts at all with what Mr. Burrell says.

Also, if you check the Platinum alternative amenity thread, I have consistently said that SPG does not police a property's generosity in this area (or lack thereof). It is their choice what they wish to offer and as long as it is something, then that meets SPG's requirements.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Land-of-Miles

Being slightly flippant but by this measure a poke in the eye with a sharp stick is also "something" isn't it?

Starwood Lurker

I guess so, as long as they give you the stick to take along with you.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Land-of-Miles

I imagine there would be a hygiene issue if they reused the stick

matthewuk

The above quote was from two years ago and having followed this thread since then I am a little disappointed things seem not really to have approved. Particularly given a then manager sent me an email thanking me for feedback and saying things would improve.

Others will probably disagree but I think the lack of recognition of folks with status is a side issue.

The ongoing problems with the quality of the overall product is the problem for me. Parking is clearly a joke and housekeeping was poor when we were there and doesn't seem to have improved. I also feel a 'general the customer is wrong, we are right' vibe coming through.

I echo other's comments on The Osprey. We stayed there earlier this season and I would say they have all the benefits of the Westin (excellent quality rooms, perfect lift location) but with much better staff and parking included with the resort charge (which also includes wifi and movies and is, frankly, far more upfront than the Westin's woeful attitude to parking charges). You are additionally right in the middle of Beaver Creek village. As a smaller property I felt it was much more personal.

I know I'll be back to The Osprey - I won't be back to the Westin unless things improve.

Travel Pro

I stayed there last month with my family. Great physical plant, but I have to echo what others have said... it's too bad that service is severely lacking and the attitude of most of the staff is poor.

As a Platinum member, no upgrade... but didn't expect one having read the reviews so wasn't disappointed. But had to wait for my room when I arrived at 3pm... 11 am checkout not very convenient... room wasn't very clean... sticky stuff on counter? There's just something about the attitude of the staff that's very poor. When we encountered a serious problem, the manager was nowhere to be found... the next day either.

One morning, having gotten up very early, sat in the lobby with the intention of enjoying some solitude, have some coffee, and read the paper. However, instead I had to endure all of the staff yucking it up. Don't they know this is supposed to be a high end hotel.... not a locker room? I guess the young staff is just not very experienced and doesn't know how to properly act... and management is not providing much leadership.

Should be a great place... they need to bring in new management who can lead.

ma91pmh

anybody know if they offer a shuttle service to Vail from the Westin?

luxe

In March 2011 when we stayed here they did not have a shuttle. We took a local bus from a bus stop across the tracks - the same stop where we would take a shuttle to Beaver Creek ski village. I can not remember if it was an express bus.

TerryK

Nope. You need to take ECOTransit bus or drive. Depending on time of the day, some ECO buses are express, but most are local which can take 30+ minutes. It is not very easy to ski Vail from Westin Avon.

cubuffaloes2004

Anyone have any experience with the Continential Breakfast for Platinums - specifically if there is a buy up option?

Reading about the alternative amenity (100 points) and the hotel being untruthful about self parking - i am picturing a conference room with yogurt and juice - with no instructions on how to find the conference room.....

cubuffaloes2004

I knew that i was in for a great stay when the first thing out of the valets mouth when i pulled up was that this was a 'valet only hotel'. I was planning on using the valet regardless - but it just irked me after reading this thread. What made it even better was when returning at 1130pm to find a sign at this valet only hotel - that said that the valet was done for the night - and to please bring the keys to the front desk.

This place is really nice (had a beautiful one bedroom suite) - but the service was horrible....

I have never written in to complain (with over 250 nights over the last two years) - but i defnitly will for this place.

platbrownguy

Just stayed at the villas. We had a 1-bedroom villa overlooking the river, nice room w/ balcony on the 4th floor.

The concierge was the low point of the trip. She had several points of misinformation (wrong times for a fly fishing lesson, said we had a confirmed horseback riding appointment only to call back 6 hours later after we'd set the rest of our plans to tell us it was no longer available, etc.). Unfortunately, her niceness in proactively calling to ask how she could help is what led me to talk with her, otherwise I just plan things myself anyhow. Lesson learned.

Check-in was fine. Hotel staff were very friendly, I didn't experience any surliness. One night we wanted a wine bucket and a few toiletries, the front desk guy voluntarily filled the bucket with ice and came out to the car to put it in the back seat.

Self parking in the garage was $15/night. The garage was nearly full both nights, so I had to park in handicap spots. FD said this was fine.

There was a special at the spa - $115 instead of $140 for a massage, plus free champagne. We both had massages - good service and decent spa facilities.

Only platinum amenity was 500 points because we were at the villas, but the full kitchen made it easy to cook breakfast anyhow. Overall a great stay and we would return, just watch out for the concierge.

(Also, we did the 90-minute SVO tour for 10,000 points, they have several times daily when it is offered).

wolfson292

I am distressed to hear that the hotel is still lying about their Valet Only parking policy. I sent an e-mail to the manager asking him to comment on this, and I suggest anyone who has been forced to pay Valet rates demand a refund.

vortix

I just got back from a 2-night stay at the Riverfront Villas (timeshare half of the resort). The AAA rate I used was only $103/night. Very nice property, especially for the price (though this was the off-season). I was disappointed there was a $15 self-park fee, though the self park area was directly below the villas and very convenient. I didn't have to pay a resort fee on the villa side of the property.

We were in a studio, which was generously sized with a kitchen, washer/dryer, and a table large enough for 6 (though there weren't enough chairs for 6). The "concierge" was quite eager to have me sit down and chat with her. As others have mentioned, this was mostly to convince me to do a 90-minute timeshare presentation. She offered me 8K points, and I bit due to the high value of SPG points. Based on what I read above, I now wish I asked for 10K points...but oh well!

The timeshare presentation was fairly low pressure, however they had 3 separate people talk to me. It felt similar to the sales tactics at car dealerships. I told them up front and repeatedly that I wasn't planning to buy, but was just gathering information. After my final "no thanks", they offered to sell me a package for 3 nights at the Riverfront Villas (with a required additional timeshare presentation) and 50,000 SPG points for $1800 or so. I passed on the offer....though it sounded fair (but nothing special).

I had a bad experience at Cima, as the concierge told me they were offering a 30% discount during the off-season. The Cima website also mentioned the discount. I called in a carryout order, went to pick it up, and was told the discount isn't available for carryout orders. I protested with the manager, who told me he would make a one-time exception. Sorry, but if the discount isn't valid on carryout orders, the concierge needs to make that clear, as does the paperwork she hands out, and Cima's website.

Aside from that, the front desk staff were very nice and accommodating. It's a nice area of town, and the rooms were nice. I would stay here again.

UA-NYC

Any good recommended shuttle services to get from DEN to the property? Thanks.