Bravada04

Is it possible to share that "report" you read? Curious what will happen to our MAX Reward points earned in the Casino. Not sure but I think I have a couple hundred bucks sitting on it. Would be nice if they except them still in the Restaurant or Spa or something?

khabah

Here you go: http://vegas.eater.com/2016/5/5/1159...d-a-restaurant

Interesting that the hotel dates back to 1977 as the Maxim... Who knew?

khabah

***

Westin Las Vegas To Dump the Casino and Add a Restaurant

No longer aspiring to be a resort, the hotel will be completely refurbished

May 5, 2016 - The Westin Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Spa on Flamingo Road is seeking permission to lose its role as an off-Strip "resort" and just be known as a hotel, following a renovation of the entire property. First to go, the compact 14,000-square-foot Max Casino, which operates 24 hours a day and features six table games and just over 150 slot machines.

Owned by the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide group, the hotel cites "lack of revenue" for the future casino closure. However, they will keep a version of their Sports Book, currently operated by William Hill and a handful of slots will be available on the bar-top. Part of the gaming area will be given over to a new "'three meal' restaurant." The hotel's current dining options are the breakfast, lunch and dinner seatings at the Savona Bistro, serving Italian- and French-inspired choices, a casual American menu at the Lobby Bar and a Starbucks.

Also on the agenda, all guestrooms will be upgraded to a "Starwood" standard, the "suites" floor will be reconfigured, the salon, fitness center and gift shop will be relocated, the pool deck expanded, the Hibiscus Spa downsized and the exterior of the tower freshly painted.

Losing the casino will help the hotel focus on its core strengths and attempt to lure more conventions. The hotel's other amenities include a 2,000-square-foot, 175-seat theater that has been dormant for many months.

Starwood is already hard at work converting a 289-room tower at the SLS Las Vegas into the W Las Vegas, adding its own pool and nightlife scene. No timetable for the start or completion of the Westin's makeover has been announced.

The building dates back to 1977, when it was known as the Maxim Hotel and Casino until a 2001 shutter and a 2003 rebirth as the 825-room Westin Casuarina. The Maxim has retained some infamy as the closest landmark to the site of rapper Tupac Shakur's murder in 1996.

CLEguy

In addition, here's a piece about the new management:

http://www.travelweekly.com/North-Am...stin-Las-Vegas

The new management company, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, operates properties across franchises, and up and down the value chain. A full list is here: http://www.chrco.com/Hotels-Resorts/Index.asp

Non-NonRev

Thanks to khabah and CLEguy for the links. I am using the mobile site and linling is hard to do.

They are keeping some of the slots so maybe the residual points could be used there.

flyerbjorn

I recently spent 5 nights at the Westin Las Vegas and really liked it.

This smaller property doesn't compare to the massive Vegas strip casinos. If you never leave the resort, gamble heavy and don't mind walking 5 min from your car to your room, then the Westin is not for you. I tend to move around and do fun stuff when in Vegas, so the big resorts are not my cup of tea.

Positives:
- Convenience. Big time. You park outside the property, walk in the door and quickly head up the elevator to your room.
- There were always taxis available and no line.
- Valet parking. Car delivery was fast.
- The (free for platinums) breakfast buffet is delicious with a large spread.
- As a platinum member, I got both free breakfast and points. Not sure if that's a temporary promotion, or all the time.
- Very friendly and responsive front desk staff. My coworker wanted to change rooms while the property was overbooked and that wasn't a problem at all.
- Nice pool area. Very convenient and about a minute walk from the elevators.
- Quick walk to the strip if that's your thing. We went there once and agreed never to go there again.
- The blackjack tables in the little casino had a $5 minimum, even on Fri/Sat nights. This is really nice for casual gambling, as the larger casinos tend to up the minimum bets on weekends.
- Was offered a suite upgrade and late checkout. I declined both, since I wanted two beds and had an early departure.

Negatives:
- The rooms are a bit old and tired, but the front desk told me there is an upcoming major renovation.

All up, I'm definitely coming back here for my next Vegas trips.

TravelinSperry

I recently stayed here and cannot recommend this property until they fix their service and upgrade their food offerings.

I do agree with the prior poster re the locale. It is nice and just off the strip (easily within walking distance).

Upon arrival there was a long line to check in and only two people checking people in (it was around 3pm). After about 10 minutes I finally got up to the check-in lady. My check-in agent was super friendly and did her best to welcome me. However, her and the locale are the only positive things I can say about this hotel. Improvement is needed almost everywhere.

1- The service is just lousy. Every check-in person is barely capable of doing their job and surely they do not do it with a smile. Luckily I switched to the lady I did and she tried her very best to welcome me to Vegas. She told me about a promo when I arrived. They had us put our hand into a bucket and pull out a piece of paper with little footballs on them. On each is a number of Starpoints to win. I won 300. Pretty cool. Except that those Starpoints were never added to my account. The beginning of a trend of poor service.
2- My room wasn't ready even though it was a Standard room and it was 3pm (no Platinum upgrade available since the hotel was under renovation and apparently so were a lot of the suites). So they told me to check my bags and they'd call when ready. Fine, I wanted to go head out and grab some food anyway. However, the one luggage fellow was not at his desk and I had to wait 10 minutes to check my bag. When he finally does come he's pissed off and barely wants to help. I asked if he could bring my bags to my room for me when it's ready. He said no, I'd have to come collect them directly and bring them up myself. And he said with an attitude you can't imagine. He should be fired immediately.
3- The concierge is almost as bad. He was unoccupied when I asked for help. I had trouble deciding who was more pissed off to help me, him or the luggage fellow. Perhaps they change outfits and are the same dude, lol!
4- Re the room it was fine (apparently it was one of the renovated ones). The view was decent enough but the door to the room is paper thin and you hear cleaning ladies jabbering all morning and afternoon. The room itself is decent enough and the blackout curtains work. So when the cleaning crew or any guests aren't around sleep comes easily. Nice pillows too.
5- I had to call down multiple times to get extra water since I chose Green Choice. They said they'd send some right up - but never did. Another call and finally some came.
6- A friend forgot toothpaste and called down and they told him they have a little store to buy some. Huh?! I called down and asked them for toothpaste and they said of course you don't have to buy any - just come down to pick it up. You are starting to see a pattern of incompetence at this hotel, yes? Can you please bring it up?!
7- The pool area is decent and the pool is nice. Sadly they only have one bar dude working and trying to order anything from him takes forever and you have to get up and go to him. He's trying but he's only one guy. At least he was friendly unlike the front desk folk.
8- Breakfast. It's a buffet style and free for Platinums. And it's open til 11am. That's the good. The bad - the food is barely acceptable. It's low quality and the same each day. If I paid $22 for it, I'd want a refund. But hey, it was free for me - so I can't complain I guess. Although I will - since I had to pour my own water and juice two of the four days I was there. Why? I sat, filled my plate and ate all before any wait staff came to ask if we wanted coffee or a drink. Two of the days this didn't happen at least so there is hope.

I really want to like this property. It's close to the strip and allows us to earn nights towards status. But the service is just so poor and the benefits for Plats so limited I can't recommend it. New management is needed.

Bravada04

Just finished another stay..........unlike TravelinSperry, I still for some reason love this place albeit yes there is a few hiccups>

- Checked in fine. Waived my resort fees as usual which always is a positive start.
- I really like the newly renovated rooms and furniture; colors and carpet! No, they didnt renovate the bathrooms but no biggie!
- Location, location, location - can't beat it! So close to the strip and so nice to come back to the quiet.
- We enjoy the quiet casino playing a bit with some cocktails ( when there is service ). We ate at the Bistro one night. I was not impressed with the entree menu whatsoever but asked the server for something specific and he got it done for me. Was very happy and the food was good!
- Enterprise car rental on site which is very convenient.

Again, I am here usually 3x year and just love this place. Hopefully things do not continue to change for the negative with the new management and now the Marriott changeover. The new ownership has been cheapening things and cutting costs and I heard that they got rid of about 50% of their airline agreements and will be increasing room costs and such?? I use alot of BRG's here but it is already at a fine line for cost based on other offers of hotels. If it gets any higher I will have to move on unfortunately.

I never heard anything more about the casino too much but they might make it smaller ?? and have a larger restaurant area. Making a larger restaurant makes no sense as the only time I see it remotely busy is at breakfast!

Bravada04

Finished a stay here in early November. Like I said before I really did love this place - Liked the location; clean, convenient & quiet; got to know the staff etc., ....this last stay was unlike any over the last many years.
It really reflects on the check-in and the conversations many of us have had about the resort fees? Here goes:
- Arrived by taxi and greeted as usual
- Get to check-in desk and greeted by a younger girl ( she might have been knew as I didn't recognize her nor did she seem educated in green choice etc., )
- While getting checked in I ask politely "would you be kind enough to remove the resort fees from my account please?" ( the same thing I always say and usually the reply is "no problem Mr.XX - as a valued PLT member and loyal guest here at the Westin we can do that for you". I have never had an issue whatsoever since these were implemented and NEVER have been in a negative conversation about it or demanded it. EVER. )
- She replies "No, I can't do that we don't remove resort fees."
- She continued to check me in then in a casual conversation and I will say politely - I said" Oh, well that is not true I have never had a problem getting them removed in all the times I stay here - I was just here about a month and half ago and you will see they were removed no problem".
- She said no, we don't do that but once I'm done I will go talk to my Manager
- I let the process finish and didn't say anything more - She went to the back and I waited about 5 minutes before anyone came back to see me.
- A lady comes out of the back and says Hi - She said we never remove these fees and if in fact we did it would have only been one time as a courtesy.
- I replied that I have been coming here for years and have always had them removed so to say that it only happens once is untrue.
- I am not a confrontational person and I understand that if they choose to charge them I simply have to pay it. Period - BUT this became the principle now as she was telling me something that was incorrect and to boot this is now being done in front of other guests that can hear the conversation. In retrospect, I should have asked us to step away.
- She said that is not true Mr.XX - we would have only done this once and you would have been paying the rest of the time?
- Now, I am not even sure what we are talking about it!? I tell her again.. I have been staying here for probably 8 years - I have NEVER been charged a resort fee. She then says, of course with everyone in ear shot.......Mr.XX I also looked on your file and it says you have demanded that these fees be removed from your previous stays???
- WHAT is she talking about. I have NEVER EVER demanded such... I explain to her that I have said the exact same thing everything I arrive - I ask very nicely and I am usually responded to very professionally in saying that because I am PLT member and loyal guest they have no problem removing them!
- This went back & forth - I was now upset about nothing else but her statement about something on my file and how unprofessional this was handled.
- Could she simply not have came out and said something to the sort of " Hi Mr.XX unfortunately the new ownership will not allow us to remove resort fees anymore - we will remove them this last time but please be aware for the future stays". Simple.
- Then she goes on to say that nobody - no PLTS etc get there resort fees removed here and if they did also it would have only been one time courtesy. I'm telling her I know that is not true and we all know here that it is not true.
- Again this is still out in the front with people right there.........she then says to me" I will tell you what, we will remove them but can you give me your word that you will not ask for them to removed again?....I'm looking at her and inside I'm thinking what a gong show this has become! ... and yes I will admit I was part of it. I then replied "OK then you give me your word that what you are telling me is true - your saying that no other person arriving here from this point forward are going to have their resort fees removed?"

Anyway I left to go to my room because I was slightly embarrassed that I got myself into this. I felt cheap to tell you the truth but it became the principle.
I was there for 6 days and couldn't forget about it so on the 5th day I asked to speak to a Manager - not available. I then had a conversation with one of the front desk staff - a gentleman that I have dealt with many times. He understood and was very professional. This was not about the resort fees anymore - it was about the way it was handled and the fact that she actually said there is something on my file?? I gave him my email address to please give to the Manager. No response.
I did receive the normal Westin survey after my stay and stated what happened. I received a response from a Westin Guest Experience person - but didn't really acknowledge what happened other than the token general "sorry" language.
I guess that is all I can ask for - they said sorry.....hopefully I'm not "red flagged" now when I stay there!! LOL - after they read this FT thread.
I will be curious what others experience now when staying there......I will see if I stay there anymore...like I said, I like the place but I guess I can suck it up at one of the Caesars properties as I am comped.
The more I look at it I guess I ask myself what I am paying the extra say $225.00 CDN over a 6 night stay for???

kauppias

During my stay the resort fee was removed for both of my booked rooms with no hassle!


I wonder since they are applying to become a non resort fee if they will the. Indeed remove them resort fee somehow I doubt it... I rarely stay at hotels that charge these fees, unless a ridiculously low rate or BRG makes it worthwhile, I just feel it is a dishonest add on that should be included in the room rate...
Just my 2 cents

RogerD408

I've lost count of the number of "one-time exceptions" I've received from many properties. I wonder if the make-something-up practice is actually taught to new employees or comes naturally with the job?

If this happened to me, I would open a case with SPG and ask them to reach out to the property to get an official SPG/property statement with a name to reference if it happens again. Should you choose to move your stays to a different property, make sure they know what they've lost.

jibi

Per the above, during a recent stay, they did not waive the mandatory amenity fee. The Westin is no longer considered a resort and thus this is not a resort fee. They said they instead waive the charge for the internet service, which is a $12.99 charge (tax-inclusive). She said a mistake was made during check-in and the charge was not removed, so I do not believe this is considered a one-time exception or anything special. Instead of asking for the entire "amenity fee" to be waived, ask for the internet charge ($12.99) to be waived. It brings the total to $15 for the amenity fee ($24.99 fee + $3 tax - $11.60 internet charge - $1.39 internet fee). I hope this helps.

fotoflyer88

FYI The "amenity fee" is $24.99 now plus tax (including parking as a 'benefit')

I like the property, have stayed there twice for work, would stay again depending on the purpose of the visit (have also stayed at SLS, Flamingo, Venetian, HGV and Harrahs).

But the "amenity charge" as described on the hotel website is absurd, especially for elites. If I was on a personal trip I would have asked to have it waived.

They no longer do that "happy hour" FYI (not that I ever went more than once since I was working)

"A mandatory hotel amenity charge, per night, includes complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi internet access, unlimited local, toll-free and domestic long distance telephone calls to all 50 states, valet and self-parking, use of our Hibiscus Spa's sauna and steam room, access to our pool, whirlpool and Westin Workout Gym, boarding pass printing, incoming faxes, public notary, and two bottles of water per guest room."

And yes - even with that fee I was charged $1/page to print out tickets to an event. Should have had it faxed

craigthemif

I recently revisited this hotel for at least the tenth time.

I also received the "I need to check with my manager" about the amenity charge and was given the "absolute last time" BS. I replied that the first time I get charged the amenity charge will be my last ever stay at the property.

I also had to choose between amenity points and breakfast. I know it has been this way for awhile, but I miss the days when Platinums received a list of amenities at this hotel and could choose 2 or 3.

BTW, the hotel was not full at all, but the internet was borderline unusable. Zero chance of streaming anything. No option to upgrade to a premium internet because, of course, that stupid amenity charge supposedly already includes high-speed internet.

Rooms have been renovated. I was told that this summer they'll start renovating the ground floor, which I understand to mean that they're getting rid of that sad casino.

Score8

I sort of like the sad casino. Is it ever busy? I tend to do better at the old-school places than at the Bellagio etc...I haven't stayed here in like 7 or 8 years, but am extending a day after March Madness...

GeorgeJ

As I recall, when the Maxim was being gutted to become the Westin, they pretty much kept the old Maxim bathrooms just the way they were and didn't gut those...which is probably the reason that people complain about mold in the bathrooms at the Westin..