TerryK

There is only one.

http://www.coloradomountainexpress.com/

UA-NYC

Thanks - I saw that one, along with a couple other less publicized sites. Guess they're the safest.

Schutzee

The Resort and Villas are now both catagory 5 ( Villas were 6). I am considering a week of skiing in January for myself and my 18 year old daughter. Any thoughts on the hotel vs. the villas?

TerryK

Really? Can you name others? I always thought CME is the only game in town for DEN-Vail. Would love to see more competitions.

RLG

For an award reservation for a non-platinum, I'd do the villas. The smallest unit there is a studio suite, while the hotel award is a standard hotel room. The buildings are very integrated and you can use all the hotel amenities. The ski valet is actually closer to the villas than the hotel.

spgplat21

I was going to make a points reservation here next ski season and the cancellation policy reads

"Cancellation Policy

The time for canceling without penalty has passed. If you cancel, the forfeiture amount will be USD 0.00. There may be additional applicable charges and taxes."

Is it safe to book this and treat it like a fully cancellable reservation because the terms specifically say $0, or will they say this was a mistake and charge me a cancellation fee and/or keep my points? Most likely I wouldn't have to cancel, but I'm specifically looking at this place because the cancellation policies are so crazy at the SR Deer Valley and SR Aspen (e.g. 2-3 months in advance or non-cancellable with $4-6K cancellation fees).

TerryK

Don't know about Westin Riverfront but St Regis Deer Valley has one year cancellation policy for awards.

Keyser

ouch....

spgplat21

Not for all their dates, but yes for holiday periods (MLK, presidents day, sundance, etc.) it's a year. Spring break is 90 days.

Most of the other winter dates are still 60 days cancellation period, but the cancellation penalty is $1500/night, which is more than the room costs. I can understand maybe a 30-day cancellation policy, but anything longer is outrageous.

Any advice on the Westin's policy? I think I should be safe, because the terms clearly say $0, but it still makes me a little nervous.

puntamita

I am staying at the hotel Labor Day weekend. I hope the stay is not as bad as people are saying on site. It is sad. I have stayed at the St Regis Aspen. They do a great job for platinum members. We received upgrade, full breakfast, and did not pay for parking. I can't believe this hotel can get away with what people are saying on site. I also am amazed Starwood does not take any responsibility for hotel. Pass the buck type of mentality.

I used SNA for my reservation. Wonder if they will accept if available. Another subject but I have only been able to use SNA at 2 hotels now. If suites show availability 5 days out can I get the lurker or someone to check on it? I have most of my 20 SNA expiring this year. Seems like this hotel does not care about Starwood reputation

Starwood Lurker III

Hi puntamita,

Yes, you can send a private message or email to us with your reservation details if you would like us to look into it.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Songer5

I just checked in tonight into the Westin Resort (not Villas) for a 5 night reservation on points in a traditional room as an SPG Platinum. I'm staying Sun-Fri so probably not as busy as weekend stays. Here's my experience:

- Complimentary upgrade to a 1 bedroom suite. It actually cleared before I checked in (saw it when I went onto the SPG iPad app in the morning), so I can't confirm if the front desk at check in would have given it to me.

- Out of curiosity, I asked if there were any way a 2 bedroom were an option for a further complimentary Plat upgrade given it didn't seem like the hotel would be busy during the week. She immediately said no, but then checked her computer and said she could offer it to us for an additional $100/night. I declined.

- Surprisingly, she immediately asked if I knew when I'd be checking out on Friday, so I asked for a late 2PM checkout. She said that Friday would be a busy time for the hotel and she couldn't offer a late checkout, but would hold our bags if we wanted to use the hotel facilities after the standard 11AM checkout.

- $20 resort fee, not waived for Platinums or award stays. I asked if I would get some sort of SPG points as compensation since I'd get most of the resort fee benefits anyway, but she didn't seem to understand. I was later given a card welcoming Platinum guests that stated I would receive 100 SPG points per day, but it didn't explicitly say it was given for being charged the resort fee.

- Front Desk told me they offered Valet parking ($25/day), but didn't say "only." When I asked about self-parking, she told me it charges you by the hour. When I asked how much, she told me "like $50/day". If that's true, valet parking it is. Can anyone with a more recent self-parking experience confirm if its actually $50/day?

- Welcome amenity choice (500 SPG points or breakfast). I had to ask if breakfast was for all 5 days and she confirmed. When I asked what the breakfast was exactly, she told me "it's not that great, just pastries and coffee" so I chose the points

Overall, it seemed to be a mixed bag, going 1 out of 5 possible benefits, with the upgrade to a 1 Bedroom Suite being the only (but most important) positive outcome. And even that, I can't say it came from the Front Desk since it cleared before I checked in.

Also, Green Choice here offers 1000 SPG points for every day you decline housekeeping. However, 1000 SPG points is only if you decline at check in. If you decide during the stay, it's half as many points per day. I alternated each day of my stay so I'd get housekeeping every other day.

Nevertheless, the 1 BR suite and the property seem great. I'm excited to spend the next few nights here with my family.

puntamita

I appreciate all of you info! I totally understand I am going on a busy weekend. The check in does not sound that pleasant, except the upgrade! Which is great. Agree that is most important. Being told no on late checkout, etc is not so welcoming for plat guest. Also the breakfast is a joke. Breakfast is not that expensive to make! When checking in and person says, "not so great". I appreciate the honesty but not great. I can't believe you can't get a late checkout unless you are in my room ha ha Have a great time. If you don't mind sending any recommendations, I would appreciate it.

ismann

I second the request for any more recent information. I'm staying 4 nights next week (Mon-Fri) as a Plat, booked through Amex FHR. In particular I'm curious about:

- Parking: Is there still not any self-park option on property or nearby? Are we really just stuck with the valet option?
- Breakfast: Any difference between what's offered through Amex FHR and SPG Plat? I'm assuming my best bet is to take the FHR breakfast and just get points for the Plat amenity
- Upgrades: Is the standard suite Plat upgrade to a regular 1-bedroom or a "luxury" 1-bedroom? Anyone have experiences combining Plat and Amex FHR here?

puntamita

I don't have much experience with the Amex benefits. We checked in yesterday. The studio suites could be a little larger. Seems cramped but still nice. The staff has been very nice. I also was surprised with the Plat breakfast. This morning we went to the Starbucks cafe area of hotel vs. "the lift cafe". I felt the offering was just fine. You can have a breakfast sandwich, rolls or burrito. A juice and coffee as well. Felt it was ample. Would full breakfast be better, yes, but was happy with the offering. The hotel is very nice.