Westin City Center, Washington D.C. [Master Thread]
Aug 24, 2012, 3:39 pm
#151
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,195
Atrium suite or regular room?
I'm going to be in DC for five nights next June and had originally planned on a C&P award for the Four Points Washington DC Downtown (central location is important, as is being close to a Metro station).
Then I checked the Westin City Center Washington DC, and was surprised to see that suites - large ones in the atrium - were available for $289/night. The rate over the same period for a regular room is $329/night.
Of course, based on Starpoints, the suites aren't a value (24K/night vs. 12K/night for the regular rooms). But if one is willing to spend dollars, they appear to be.
I've heard they can be noisy, so I've requested one on the highest floor for the atrium suites (8th floor) and have tentatively reserved one.
Any other considerations? Is this a good deal, or should I simply reserve a regular room with Starpoints, get the fifth night free, and be done with it?
Then I checked the Westin City Center Washington DC, and was surprised to see that suites - large ones in the atrium - were available for $289/night. The rate over the same period for a regular room is $329/night.
Of course, based on Starpoints, the suites aren't a value (24K/night vs. 12K/night for the regular rooms). But if one is willing to spend dollars, they appear to be.
I've heard they can be noisy, so I've requested one on the highest floor for the atrium suites (8th floor) and have tentatively reserved one.
Any other considerations? Is this a good deal, or should I simply reserve a regular room with Starpoints, get the fifth night free, and be done with it?
Aug 25, 2012, 8:55 am
#152
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
I'm going to be in DC for five nights next June and had originally planned on a C&P award for the Four Points Washington DC Downtown (central location is important, as is being close to a Metro station).
Then I checked the Westin City Center Washington DC, and was surprised to see that suites - large ones in the atrium - were available for $289/night. The rate over the same period for a regular room is $329/night.
Of course, based on Starpoints, the suites aren't a value (24K/night vs. 12K/night for the regular rooms). But if one is willing to spend dollars, they appear to be.
I've heard they can be noisy, so I've requested one on the highest floor for the atrium suites (8th floor) and have tentatively reserved one.
Any other considerations? Is this a good deal, or should I simply reserve a regular room with Starpoints, get the fifth night free, and be done with it?
Then I checked the Westin City Center Washington DC, and was surprised to see that suites - large ones in the atrium - were available for $289/night. The rate over the same period for a regular room is $329/night.
Of course, based on Starpoints, the suites aren't a value (24K/night vs. 12K/night for the regular rooms). But if one is willing to spend dollars, they appear to be.
I've heard they can be noisy, so I've requested one on the highest floor for the atrium suites (8th floor) and have tentatively reserved one.
Any other considerations? Is this a good deal, or should I simply reserve a regular room with Starpoints, get the fifth night free, and be done with it?
The hotels location isn't that great either compared to the Fairfax and Westin Georgetown.
Aug 25, 2012, 9:43 am
#153
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,195
Good to hear about the noise in the atrium suites. I understand the suites are on floors 2-8. I'm not holding my breath for an upgrade, though, as I'm currently Gold. And besides, if paying cash (not points), the suite is actually less expensive to reserve right now than a standard room.
Oct 28, 2012, 8:47 pm
#154
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CT
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 340
Was looking at booking this hotel for a stay in November, and noticed it is completely unavailable from 11/9 - 11/13 (the dates are even greyed out in the date selector on the SPG website). Does anyone know what's going on? Is it getting a renovation?
Oct 29, 2012, 6:56 am
#155
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YYZ & OMA
Programs: UA1K, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 116
Mar 29, 2013, 1:16 pm
#157
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Platinum, UA Gold, EK
Posts: 42
Platinum recognition is average. Hotel condition is horrible. It is in dire need of repairs and it's almost an insult to call it a Westin. The AC unit in the rooms is very noisy and not very effective. Staff is friendly.
Mar 29, 2013, 2:46 pm
#158
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: jetblue mosaic, spg plat/ambassador, UA GS, AA EXP
Posts: 163
the property in general is maybe a little tired, but it's fine.
Mar 31, 2013, 5:45 pm
#159
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: SPG, Hyatt, CC, AA, UA, WN
Posts: 256
I think the plat recognition is great. i get a card from the manager every stay, usually a free bottle of red wine, and sometimes a snack. on my 10th night last year they gave me some chocolate covered strawberries. upgrades are always attempted, but they only have 6 suites in the whole hotel so it isnt usually more than a higher floor. twice in the last couple years they even upgraded me to the presidential suite, though.
the property in general is maybe a little tired, but it's fine.
the property in general is maybe a little tired, but it's fine.
Apr 22, 2013, 10:11 am
#160
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: SPG, Hyatt, CC, AA, UA, WN
Posts: 256
Booked two standard rooms for a weekend stay, was given two standard rooms, no upgrade (hotel was full). FD could not get us connecting rooms or even rooms on the same floor until 11pm (we checked in at 4pm). 
As others have reported, definitely some wear and tear on the rooms/hallways, but no major issues. Plat breakfast was either breakfast buffett in the hotel restaurant or 500 points.
As others have reported, definitely some wear and tear on the rooms/hallways, but no major issues. Plat breakfast was either breakfast buffett in the hotel restaurant or 500 points.
Jun 19, 2013, 12:48 am
#163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,687
stayed here earlier this month....had a great $109 brg rate & was upgraded to a huge suite....chose the 500 amenity points over continental breakfast....location is pretty good & i would definitely return....
Aug 20, 2013, 11:37 am
#164
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 685
If interested, more pictures and full review available here: The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center Review
The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center - Starwood Category 5
1400 M Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20005
Award Redemption: 12,000 pts or 6,000 pts +$110
Normal rate: Varies widely b/t $119-$359, average around $224
Starpoints return: .1 cents points - 4.3 cents/point = terrible - mediocre return
This hotel is in a good, not excellent location. When you enter the lobby, you'll immediately be struck by the design--a 1982 building that gives you the feeling that you're in a fishbowl or an indoor shopping mall, which is pretty cool. At check-in, I wasn't offered an upgrade but was told that I had already booked a preferred room--c'mon make a Platinum feel special here! I chose the breakfast for all 4 nights instead of the 500 Starpoints.
The lobby, restaurant and bar--all multi-tiered
My room was on the 10th floor of the 14 floor building. While they didn't give me an upgrade, this Traditional Accessible, non-smoking: King Bed was a slightly preferred corner room--but while the room was bigger, the interior view was much smaller.
Traditional Accessible, non-smoking: King Bed
Large, accessible bathroom
The room had its fair share of wear and tear with a normal-for-the-age amount of scuff marks on the walls. The "window" opens up to the lobby, providing a decent feeling of being trapped in a fish bowl. And, it's just a strange feeling looking out of your hotel window and not seeing the outdoors.
View from 10th floor room
The property, as I've mentioned, is unique to say the least. The bar, restaurants and lobby are all designed to leave you feeling like you're suspended on a separate lily pad. I found the the bar to be too small for the size of the hotel-- it looked very cramped when I walked through.
Hotel restaurant
This is a rather run down, far from impressive property. I didn't hate it, but I will be going out of my way in the future to try either the Westin Georgetown, W D.C. or the St. Regis.
BOTTOM LINE: Decent property, at best. I'll be going out of my way to stay at other D.C. area Starwoods or Hyatts in the future.
More pictures and full review available here: The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center Review
The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center - Starwood Category 5
1400 M Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20005
Award Redemption: 12,000 pts or 6,000 pts +$110
Normal rate: Varies widely b/t $119-$359, average around $224
Starpoints return: .1 cents points - 4.3 cents/point = terrible - mediocre return
This hotel is in a good, not excellent location. When you enter the lobby, you'll immediately be struck by the design--a 1982 building that gives you the feeling that you're in a fishbowl or an indoor shopping mall, which is pretty cool. At check-in, I wasn't offered an upgrade but was told that I had already booked a preferred room--c'mon make a Platinum feel special here! I chose the breakfast for all 4 nights instead of the 500 Starpoints.
The lobby, restaurant and bar--all multi-tiered
My room was on the 10th floor of the 14 floor building. While they didn't give me an upgrade, this Traditional Accessible, non-smoking: King Bed was a slightly preferred corner room--but while the room was bigger, the interior view was much smaller.
Traditional Accessible, non-smoking: King Bed
Large, accessible bathroom
The room had its fair share of wear and tear with a normal-for-the-age amount of scuff marks on the walls. The "window" opens up to the lobby, providing a decent feeling of being trapped in a fish bowl. And, it's just a strange feeling looking out of your hotel window and not seeing the outdoors.
View from 10th floor room
The property, as I've mentioned, is unique to say the least. The bar, restaurants and lobby are all designed to leave you feeling like you're suspended on a separate lily pad. I found the the bar to be too small for the size of the hotel-- it looked very cramped when I walked through.
Hotel restaurant
This is a rather run down, far from impressive property. I didn't hate it, but I will be going out of my way in the future to try either the Westin Georgetown, W D.C. or the St. Regis.
BOTTOM LINE: Decent property, at best. I'll be going out of my way to stay at other D.C. area Starwoods or Hyatts in the future.
More pictures and full review available here: The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center Review
Nov 5, 2013, 5:19 pm
#165
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
I've been finding that this property frequently has a $179 AAA special rate for mid-week days, sometimes $100 less than my corp rate (which is a pretty good one for the most part). The rate seems to come and go, sometimes it pops up at the last minute. Agree with comments about the hotel, but for $179, it's a decent option.