Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, CO [Master Thread]
#181
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Did SPG get back to you? I also see the entire calendar has no award availability and that all rooms are being booked at a premium. Seems like they are trying to avoid being a category 5 property!
#183
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1K, AS 75K, LT Titanium, Globalist
Posts: 625
Staying this week in the hotel after speaking to a pleasant concierge who convinced me to move my res from the park hyatt in beaver creek. I believed her when she said it would be more kid friendly here with the westin kids club and pool activities.
The pool deck area is really top notch and the outdoor grill plus multiple hot tubs reminded me of the old westin diplomat set up (just a little).
While there's a bit of platinum recognition, there isn't any pretense to it being any good. For example:
- They are charging the resort fee, not offering any make-goods
- I was ready to cancel the res when they couldn't guarantee connected rooms n the day of arrival (they did move things around and got us into a 1 br suite).
- Even though an upgrade wasn't available to a 1BR suite (neither SNA cleared nor day of upgrade), an upgrade was made available for to a 1BR suite with a $100 upcharge. I didn't mind paying for it but it made SPG platinum go from a little worthless to completely worthless.
- We had 4 + 1 infant in our party - we went to breakfast at maya and it was sparse with no eggs or any other hot provision. we ordered some omelets for the kids and they were quite good. The waiter quickly understood the SPG plat amenity, but somehow a couple of yogurts and fruits, plus the two kids omelets, turned into a $50 bill after applying a $20 plat credit. Hardly a free breakfast, especially when compared to a Hyatt's version of a free breakfast for the family.
While the kids club had the potential to deliver on its promise (had 2 trained staff there), there was only 1 boy there, and after checking in a couple of times throughout the day, the kid looked completely bored out of his mind watching TV all day. They do offer a free activity for 30 minutes at 4pm daily and the kids enjoyed it (water play, coloring, etc).
Beware that if you book using points into a studio suite, as I had, that none of the studio suites connect to another room. Thus the only way to have a family with children is to book a 1BR with a connecting room or 2 BR suite (not sure if this isn't the same as the former, though).
I really despise the tactics of these hotels. My bill for a single day of food at the pool, drinks at bar, dinner, spa, gift shop was well over $1,000. We'll be here for 5 days. The fact that I have to write my fellow SPG top-tier elites about this hotel's treatment on amenities that might cost them $10 a night is completely absurd.
I would definitely stay here again if i didn't know already what the park hyatt offers to their uber-globalist members. This hotel reminds me a lot of the westin snowmass in it's use of SPG for lead gen/customer acquisition but really skirting fulfilling the brand promise. I'd honestly have my expectations better met if I pretended I had no status at all with SPG and showed up as just another Joe.
The pool deck area is really top notch and the outdoor grill plus multiple hot tubs reminded me of the old westin diplomat set up (just a little).
While there's a bit of platinum recognition, there isn't any pretense to it being any good. For example:
- They are charging the resort fee, not offering any make-goods
- I was ready to cancel the res when they couldn't guarantee connected rooms n the day of arrival (they did move things around and got us into a 1 br suite).
- Even though an upgrade wasn't available to a 1BR suite (neither SNA cleared nor day of upgrade), an upgrade was made available for to a 1BR suite with a $100 upcharge. I didn't mind paying for it but it made SPG platinum go from a little worthless to completely worthless.
- We had 4 + 1 infant in our party - we went to breakfast at maya and it was sparse with no eggs or any other hot provision. we ordered some omelets for the kids and they were quite good. The waiter quickly understood the SPG plat amenity, but somehow a couple of yogurts and fruits, plus the two kids omelets, turned into a $50 bill after applying a $20 plat credit. Hardly a free breakfast, especially when compared to a Hyatt's version of a free breakfast for the family.
While the kids club had the potential to deliver on its promise (had 2 trained staff there), there was only 1 boy there, and after checking in a couple of times throughout the day, the kid looked completely bored out of his mind watching TV all day. They do offer a free activity for 30 minutes at 4pm daily and the kids enjoyed it (water play, coloring, etc).
Beware that if you book using points into a studio suite, as I had, that none of the studio suites connect to another room. Thus the only way to have a family with children is to book a 1BR with a connecting room or 2 BR suite (not sure if this isn't the same as the former, though).
I really despise the tactics of these hotels. My bill for a single day of food at the pool, drinks at bar, dinner, spa, gift shop was well over $1,000. We'll be here for 5 days. The fact that I have to write my fellow SPG top-tier elites about this hotel's treatment on amenities that might cost them $10 a night is completely absurd.
I would definitely stay here again if i didn't know already what the park hyatt offers to their uber-globalist members. This hotel reminds me a lot of the westin snowmass in it's use of SPG for lead gen/customer acquisition but really skirting fulfilling the brand promise. I'd honestly have my expectations better met if I pretended I had no status at all with SPG and showed up as just another Joe.
#184
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,331
That upgrade for a fee because there is no plat upgrade is wonky indeed.
The breakfast sounds like my experience at the Phoenician...one that made absolutely no sense to me and was never explained despite a couple of queries. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28066672-post177.html
The breakfast sounds like my experience at the Phoenician...one that made absolutely no sense to me and was never explained despite a couple of queries. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28066672-post177.html
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,461
....Beware that if you book using points into a studio suite, as I had, that none of the studio suites connect to another room. Thus the only way to have a family with children is to book a 1BR with a connecting room or 2 BR suite (not sure if this isn't the same as the former, though)....
So, you will still return after all the issues?
#186
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1K, AS 75K, LT Titanium, Globalist
Posts: 625
Bill was a few thousand- there was lots of massage treatments for the wife plus some kids club fees which are not inexpensive here.
As I mentioned in my original post, I think I would stay here again. I usually seek out SPG (and now marriott) properties given the status and extra touch in handling the stay. Given everything i mentioned above, I would stay at the westin not because it's an SPG property, but because it's really one of the best options when comparing to other paid options (I haven't tried the ritz BC and Park Hyatt up the hill).
#187
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,331
Just finished a 3 night stay at this hotel with my wife and 7 year old daughter. I had some trepidation based on what I saw here and the hotels website in terms of reviews. I left feeling that they were, measured by my personal experience, largely if not completely unfounded.
I booked a paid 3 night stay. I knew that this was a resort that had valet only parking and a resort fee and no offset for Plats because I'd done some research. I also knew the place was almost fully booked so I: 1. Booked the room I wanted (a one bedroom suite) and 2. Did not expect a further upgrade.
Don't get me wrong, there were a couple of service failings, but overall we left feeling it was the perfect hotel for us and what we wanted to do. I'd go back again, plan to go back again, and recommend it.
We arrived at 11:00 on a Saturday. Our room wasn't ready...oh well. I left my cell number and we went out for some activities. When we returned at 4:10 we were told that the room wasn't ready and that we hadn't been fully 'pre checked in' which is why it wasn't ready. We were given a $50 voucher to use at Maya, so we went to the veranda and had a few drinks and a snack until our room was ready at around 4:45. The room was in great shape. Full kitchen and washer/dryer were awesomely handy. The pullout bed, already made unlike 90% of the other hotels I stay in including five diamond / 12 star places, was great for my daughter and she loved the gas fireplace (we loved having a timer on it).
We ate at Maya two times for dinner. One time, we had a fail on a steak but it was rectified. Plat breakfast is in Maya as well. It is good for the cont buffet. My daughter and I had it two days in a row, and both days I was handed a bill for $1.68...the tax on the buffet I guess. Oh well, it allowed me to throw a couple of bucks at the staff for, well, breaking with the definition of cont breakfast for my daughter.
We used the pool two times for a total of 5 hours. The pool and three hot tubs were very well maintained. The drink and food service outside was prompt and efficient.
The valet staff was pretty on top of things except during peak arrivals and departures which is understandable.
We took the shuttle to Vail one night for dinner at Elways; easy transport option.
We had lobby drinks a couple of times and found the service to be above average.
We had Starbucks each morning.
We didn't use the spa or the work out world at all, but walked by it and envied those with the fortitude to break a sweat while on vacation!
So overall, a real good stay and a very nice hotel. Would definitely return, and are talking about doing so during the winter.
I booked a paid 3 night stay. I knew that this was a resort that had valet only parking and a resort fee and no offset for Plats because I'd done some research. I also knew the place was almost fully booked so I: 1. Booked the room I wanted (a one bedroom suite) and 2. Did not expect a further upgrade.
Don't get me wrong, there were a couple of service failings, but overall we left feeling it was the perfect hotel for us and what we wanted to do. I'd go back again, plan to go back again, and recommend it.
We arrived at 11:00 on a Saturday. Our room wasn't ready...oh well. I left my cell number and we went out for some activities. When we returned at 4:10 we were told that the room wasn't ready and that we hadn't been fully 'pre checked in' which is why it wasn't ready. We were given a $50 voucher to use at Maya, so we went to the veranda and had a few drinks and a snack until our room was ready at around 4:45. The room was in great shape. Full kitchen and washer/dryer were awesomely handy. The pullout bed, already made unlike 90% of the other hotels I stay in including five diamond / 12 star places, was great for my daughter and she loved the gas fireplace (we loved having a timer on it).
We ate at Maya two times for dinner. One time, we had a fail on a steak but it was rectified. Plat breakfast is in Maya as well. It is good for the cont buffet. My daughter and I had it two days in a row, and both days I was handed a bill for $1.68...the tax on the buffet I guess. Oh well, it allowed me to throw a couple of bucks at the staff for, well, breaking with the definition of cont breakfast for my daughter.
We used the pool two times for a total of 5 hours. The pool and three hot tubs were very well maintained. The drink and food service outside was prompt and efficient.
The valet staff was pretty on top of things except during peak arrivals and departures which is understandable.
We took the shuttle to Vail one night for dinner at Elways; easy transport option.
We had lobby drinks a couple of times and found the service to be above average.
We had Starbucks each morning.
We didn't use the spa or the work out world at all, but walked by it and envied those with the fortitude to break a sweat while on vacation!
So overall, a real good stay and a very nice hotel. Would definitely return, and are talking about doing so during the winter.
#188
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 755
Is there a lounge at this property?
Just got the SPG Business Amex. Checking to see if there is a lounge at this property.
Otherwise merely a SPG Gold, so there are probably no status benefits other than free internet I think.
Otherwise merely a SPG Gold, so there are probably no status benefits other than free internet I think.
#190
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Also, wouldn't apply in this instance even if there was one as this is a Westin, not a Sheraton.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
#191
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,331
My family (me, wife, 7 year old kiddo) stayed here in the summer of 2017. We had an overall great stay, and want to return for the ski season.
This will be my daughter's first time skiing; it will be my wife's and my first time in 15 years, second time in 25 years. Point being: we're not professionals!
The main point of the trip is to get my daughter some ski experience; we'll likely do some private lessons for her.
We didn't pay much attention to the ski logistics when we were there in the summer; I'd love, request, implore as much information on how skiing 'works' at the Westin as possible.
We do not have our own ski gear. We do not have passes or tickets. We want to ski for 3 days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), not more than 5 hours per day likely between 3 and 5.
I'm not clear how the gondolas work outside the Westin; where do they take me? Where and how shoudl I rent skis? Rent daily? For three days? Can I store them at the Westin?
Any tips for ski school for the kiddo? Or privat instructors?
Any other tips for a first time to this place newbie?
This will be my daughter's first time skiing; it will be my wife's and my first time in 15 years, second time in 25 years. Point being: we're not professionals!
The main point of the trip is to get my daughter some ski experience; we'll likely do some private lessons for her.
We didn't pay much attention to the ski logistics when we were there in the summer; I'd love, request, implore as much information on how skiing 'works' at the Westin as possible.
We do not have our own ski gear. We do not have passes or tickets. We want to ski for 3 days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), not more than 5 hours per day likely between 3 and 5.
I'm not clear how the gondolas work outside the Westin; where do they take me? Where and how shoudl I rent skis? Rent daily? For three days? Can I store them at the Westin?
Any tips for ski school for the kiddo? Or privat instructors?
Any other tips for a first time to this place newbie?
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,165
My family (me, wife, 7 year old kiddo) stayed here in the summer of 2017. We had an overall great stay, and want to return for the ski season.
This will be my daughter's first time skiing; it will be my wife's and my first time in 15 years, second time in 25 years. Point being: we're not professionals!
The main point of the trip is to get my daughter some ski experience; we'll likely do some private lessons for her.
We didn't pay much attention to the ski logistics when we were there in the summer; I'd love, request, implore as much information on how skiing 'works' at the Westin as possible.
We do not have our own ski gear. We do not have passes or tickets. We want to ski for 3 days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), not more than 5 hours per day likely between 3 and 5.
I'm not clear how the gondolas work outside the Westin; where do they take me? Where and how shoudl I rent skis? Rent daily? For three days? Can I store them at the Westin?
Any tips for ski school for the kiddo? Or privat instructors?
Any other tips for a first time to this place newbie?
This will be my daughter's first time skiing; it will be my wife's and my first time in 15 years, second time in 25 years. Point being: we're not professionals!
The main point of the trip is to get my daughter some ski experience; we'll likely do some private lessons for her.
We didn't pay much attention to the ski logistics when we were there in the summer; I'd love, request, implore as much information on how skiing 'works' at the Westin as possible.
We do not have our own ski gear. We do not have passes or tickets. We want to ski for 3 days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), not more than 5 hours per day likely between 3 and 5.
I'm not clear how the gondolas work outside the Westin; where do they take me? Where and how shoudl I rent skis? Rent daily? For three days? Can I store them at the Westin?
Any tips for ski school for the kiddo? Or privat instructors?
Any other tips for a first time to this place newbie?
- there is a very quick gondola that goes right from the hotel up to the base area (where I bought tickets in the past, you may be able to buy at the hotel but not sure). Note that it's often cheaper to buy in advance, and to buy a multi-day pass vs. single days as most good ski resorts now do demand based pricing
- you can rent equipment on site - they will store it for you overnight. Might be cheaper to do it "in town" (Avon) but can't comment on any differential
- private instructors are always nice but you will pay for them! haven't used them there.
- I don't understand your "5 hours per day, between 3 and 5" note...did you mean between 9 and 5? lift hours usually 8:30 or 9 to 3:30 or 4, depends on the trail
BTW you will feel on Monday like you were hit by a ton of bricks so just because you feel great on day 1 doesn't mean you need to push it!
Enjoy.
#193
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MSP
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 144
I second all the above by UA-NYC.
Skiing is awesome here. Get your clothes on in the room. Wear slippers/walking boots down stairs.
Near the gondola there is a boot room. They keep them there to keep the hotel from getting banged up. They put them on dryers so they are ready in the AM.
Then just walk outside and take the gondola up. It brings you to the main base. Get on another and begin skiing. Very little walking compared to parking in one of the parking garages either at vail or BC and walking. Your on target for the 5hr max. Figure 9:30-2:30pm and that will be a solid day. Snow is generally better in the AM so get on and off the hill quick rather than sit around till 11am. Skis will be stored near the gondola valet style. Its a pretty awesome experience.
Rent skis somewhere in Vail or BC. Honestly i feel its so competitive that there isn't a lot a difference in price relative to quality. If you want nice stuff i ballpark $50 a day. Cheap stuff $25-30.
I would NOT rent in denver because If you dont like the skis you rent you can swap them the next day locally.
Agree- buy a 3 day pass. some savings to be had that way.
Put the kid in a group lesson. Private is for when you have actual skills to work on. Being in a group will make it a better experience. The lessons are very good at all Vail resorts (BC, Breck, etc) so dont sweat which hill you do it at. They have a level based system so just know which level lesson you took and they will keep it similar across the hills. Also- there is something to be said about the group pressure and everybody having to keep up. The fast learners will push the slow along. Being alone will limit advancement in my experience; until you have an idea of something particular you need to be taught.
Hmm. Tips. I wouldn't ski only BC. Head over to Vail for a day. The bus system is efficient and its worth a day over there id say. You tickets will work both at vail & BC.
Also- Buy the best smelling bud you can find. and relax. your on a ski vacation.
I can continue on...let us know as more questions come up.
Skiing is awesome here. Get your clothes on in the room. Wear slippers/walking boots down stairs.
Near the gondola there is a boot room. They keep them there to keep the hotel from getting banged up. They put them on dryers so they are ready in the AM.
Then just walk outside and take the gondola up. It brings you to the main base. Get on another and begin skiing. Very little walking compared to parking in one of the parking garages either at vail or BC and walking. Your on target for the 5hr max. Figure 9:30-2:30pm and that will be a solid day. Snow is generally better in the AM so get on and off the hill quick rather than sit around till 11am. Skis will be stored near the gondola valet style. Its a pretty awesome experience.
Rent skis somewhere in Vail or BC. Honestly i feel its so competitive that there isn't a lot a difference in price relative to quality. If you want nice stuff i ballpark $50 a day. Cheap stuff $25-30.
I would NOT rent in denver because If you dont like the skis you rent you can swap them the next day locally.
Agree- buy a 3 day pass. some savings to be had that way.
Put the kid in a group lesson. Private is for when you have actual skills to work on. Being in a group will make it a better experience. The lessons are very good at all Vail resorts (BC, Breck, etc) so dont sweat which hill you do it at. They have a level based system so just know which level lesson you took and they will keep it similar across the hills. Also- there is something to be said about the group pressure and everybody having to keep up. The fast learners will push the slow along. Being alone will limit advancement in my experience; until you have an idea of something particular you need to be taught.
Hmm. Tips. I wouldn't ski only BC. Head over to Vail for a day. The bus system is efficient and its worth a day over there id say. You tickets will work both at vail & BC.
Also- Buy the best smelling bud you can find. and relax. your on a ski vacation.
I can continue on...let us know as more questions come up.
#195