gleff... in the question of suites at the W Seattle I guess I was lucky...

Twice I came on a slow weekend (other than Flyertalk events... I attended the first two SEA dos.) Both were junior suites. Even traveling solo.

The third time my travel partner and I asked nicely about a suite upgrade and surprisingly got it.

I'm not expecting it again.

Regarding attitude... in almost all cases i've gotten attitude at W hotels. The W Times Square is notorious for this (misprounouncing my name three times!) Maybe because I showed up in blue jeans and not all black. The ONE exception: the W French Quarter (where i got a "Welcoem back Mr. Blanchard" even though I hadn't stayed there in over 13 months!)

Was in Seattle earlier in the week.

W Seattle has only 9 suites IIRC. There aren't any really large suites -- separate living room and about 750 sq ft is all they offer I believe. Still I like the property quite a bit and am more than happy with their Kool Korner rooms and even their 'exceptional' rooms.

Stayed at the Westin Seattle on Cash & Points. Checked in and was told I was on 'preferred floor' with city view. :( Asked them to do better... type type type... nothing, sorry, only double beds with view of the sound. Took my keys, then walked up to someone else. Was given King bed with sound view on 35th floor. Much better. Went to the room and someone else's luggage was there. Back to the checkin desk. Given a new room, and the luggage they delivered to me was... someone else's luggage, from the last room they had tried to assign me!

Once that whole snafu was fixed, I was more than happy with the room that I had (sound view, high floor).

Ate at Roy's in the hotel one night and was very disappointed. Ordered the duck mid-rare. It was well-done and I never saw the waitress or anyone else for about half an hour so I couldn't ever complain or ask for a different piece of meat. And though the sauce was described as a lobster mussoline it turned out to be a lemon beurre blance. I just ate it. Oh well.

Great location, perfectly nice room and a good view. Very busy lobby. 891 guest rooms, it's a big convention hotel and there just isn't a very personal feel to the property.

Still, I'd go back but prefer the W in a heartbeat.

Westin Seattle- never again
 

Seen a fair amount posted about this hotel, mostly negative leaning. I've stayed there at least 5x/year, and have agreed with most that as a Platinum, there seem to be virtually no upgrade possiblities, but it is convenient, and I have decided to overlook those things.....until my stay last week.

First irritant was the new (at least I've not seen it before) parking policy: no more self parking, only valet at $31/night for guests. Okay, it's on the Company, so I don't want to get too stressed, but it seems a bit ridiculous, and a bit expensive even by my standards here in Manhattan. Next morning I phone down to have the car brought around, and am told that "we no longer have that service, you will have to take your ticket down to the car park". Hey, for my $31, I want to be able to have my car waiting- isn't that the whole point?

Second issue was a missed wake up call on the first second morning- hard to believe since the call is automated once it comes in- (no one ever seems to pick up the phone when dialing an operator to place wake up calls anyway). 10 minute wait for the car.

Last morning, heading out at 4:30 am for a 6:00 am departure at Seatac, and notice that I am mistakenly billed for 4 nights of parking on a 2 night stay ($31 x 4 vs $31 x 2). Stop by the desk to rectify, and am "helped" by a woman who clearly has no command of the computer. 5 minutes go by (critical 4:30 am cut-it- close-to-takeoff minutes!), and out comes the night manager who decides that this is an oppty to train an underling on how to use the computer. I bite my tongues, as the minutes tick by, ask nicely if the manager could simply do it herself, as I'm in a hurry, and I get a print out that now has 3 parking nights on it instead of 2!! Uggh. After pointing out the error, the manager again wants to show the newbie how to do it.

I have not seen such poor CS in some time. I barely made my flight, without a final, corrected copy of my bill.

Yes, I did try to call the hotel to give the GM some feedback, but with all of the options in the Seattle area, including the W, I am done with the Westin.

yeah, sounds like a frustrating crummy stay. if i am running to catch a flight, i correct billing errors when i get home. incompetence really gets under my skin, too.

<<the "advantage" of correcting billing errors when you get home is that the points typically post for the full amount. when they correct your bill, i have never had points reversed.>>

Definitely frustrating. The parking is highway robbery, no pun intended. I'd send customer service the obligatory comments.

Personally, I've never had anything but great experiences at this hotel, but as the old Flyertalk saying goes, YMMV.

Mike

A benefit which will generally not apply to parking, unfortunately. :(

I've found the Westin Seattle to offer nice rooms... but the place gets crazy and seems to overwhelm the staff. For instance, my fiance's parents went through 3 different rooms on their last trip, including being sent to an occupied room and having their bags misdirected.

Upgrades are generally no problem for an upper floor with a view of the water. Some have reported good success with suites, but there may be way too many platinums on a given night in order to receive them consistently.

That said, while I agree that the W is a great choice in Seattle, it's unlikely to offer better upgrade chances given the small number of suites at that property. Upgrades there will almost always mean Kool Korner rooms on a high floor.

Main problem I have with the W is that the price is usually significantly higher. Ironically, I had one of the best upgrade experiences in my Starwood Career at that W. Stayed there about 18 months ago and was given 4 nights on the top floor in a suite with 3 exposures- floor-to-ceiling windows, and one of the nicest bathrooms I've ever seen. Did the old letter to the GM thanking him ( do we all use that trick?) in the hopes that I would get that room every stay. Unfortunately, I haven't had it since!

On the basis of this posting alone, I make a mental note to myself to avoid this one. NO ONE likes to be gouged, and this post speaks to the simple concept that all hotels should innately understand (IMO):

We, most, surely the majority of all travelers, expect that the BASIC ROOM RATE count for something, and when parking or any other service becomes a disproportionate [hidden, extortionist in rate, and mandatory] share of the room rate...it will consistently be a disappointing stay.

Who likes surprises, especially when traveling (itself a stressful experience) ? When one property chain provides FREE high-speed access, seemingly now a mandatory service for any self-respecting business hotel, and another charges as much as $19.95 a day, what should that [2nd] property expect except disgusted travelers ?

$30+ / day to park, which in some cases exceeds the rate of the car rental itself per day.

Just a couple of examples.

How Timely. . .
 

I am currently staying at the Westin (have been here for 10 days now). I want to relay my experiences during this time:

I am a Platinum member. When I checked in (had made the reservations a week beforehand) there was no recognition of the status and the room I was initially given was directly across from the elevator and a "standard" room. This was after I had waited for 45 minutes since the staff was learning a new computer system. Why the staff person and trainer couldn't have said "Ms. Ldsant this is a new system that we have no idea how to use and may take us awhile to get you a room - why don't you go and have a drink at the bar on us and we'll bring you your key when we've finished?" The most they would have been out is $3 for the diet coke and generated goodwill. However; I then called downstairs asking "this is an upgraded room?" Was then given a new room (two rooms that are adjoining) with a sound view.

The parking is outrageous. The person had said he would return my rental car (to Avis). Five days later I learned that this had not been done (when I called asking about my receipt). Every time I have had to get the car it is a huge hassle. For $31 per night I agree - there needs to be better service and the $31 is totally outrageous (especially since you're unable to self-park).

I went to the bar and asked if I could have a bottle of beer to take to my room. Was told flat out "no." I have learned since then that the reason is is because it would be "in transit" between the bar and the guest room. I guess this is not allowed by the WA State Liquor Board. :confused:

The attitude at this hotel is poor in so many ways. Everything is a hassle. It's not the "big" things; it is the little things that make it unpleasant. Paying $10 for internet when the Hampton Inn gives it free is just ridiculous - especially since they don't have wi-fi in any of the public areas. Paying $1 for a local call is stupid. I have used my cell phone the entire time so that I don't incur charges at the Westin.

There are several staff members who really do seem to "get it" though - Shawn at the check-in desk, Bill (the doorman), Ted (the concierge - AMAZING), and the woman who does the turndown every night - she always makes sure I get my two chocolates. What *wood seems to not recognize so often is that we are a guest in their hotel - make us, the customer, feel welcomed. I'm not on a PL stay - it's a full value stay for which I pay. I think that asking to not be ripped off in terms of parking and internet are very basic requests.

This hotel does not have any Platinum amenity such as a lounge or free breakfast coupons. I was told by the manager that since they are a convention hotel the lounge would eat into their meeting room space but they are looking into offering coupons in the future.

Thanks guys, that one is now definately OFF my world travel list :mad:

I usually stay at the Seattle Sheraton but decided to break up my stay with a night at the Westin to give it a try. As everyone else stated, parking is a bit more expensive at this hotel. Self park at the Sheraton is $24. When I asked about a possible upgrade for a Platinum member, I was told that I was on a club floor. Translation: Regular Room on one of many Starwood Club Floors. My stay was fine but I was not impressed.

At the Seattle Sheraton, I arrived early and the front desk made sure that they switched me to the last remaining Tower Room available. My tower room was a standard room but on the top floor.

Initially I was disappointed to learn that the Club Lounge was closed but I was informed that because I was upgraded to a Tower Room, I would be able to have the breakfast buffet at the restaurant or order room service. I opted for the buffet which normally costs $20 and it had a wide selection. As the club lounge was closed, they also offered me a $10 voucher to replace the evening snacks. After a night out, I returned to the bar to have a beer. I was tired and was ready to leave when the bartender asked if I wanted another beer since the $10 voucher would cover it and I could take it up to my room.

I know I'm not missing anything by staying at the Westin. :)

I too have had very good luck at the Sheraton and think it is more centrally located than the Westin. The Club lounge is very nice, with decent food. I was particularly impressed by the health club staff. One afternoon I lamented to the attendant that the pool opened on the weekend at a certain hour (7?), when I had a breakfast meeting at precisely that hour and would thus miss my morning swim. The attendant said that he would see if he could have the pool opened that weekend day an hour earlier so that I could get my swim. I came back from a dinner meeting, and there was a message from the pool attendant saying that he had arranged for the earlier opening. That's what I call service above and beyond.

Y'know, I actually do like this hotel. I enjoyed my room there at the end of September very much. Nice and spacious, good view, happy with the bed and bath as well as overall layout of the room. ^

It just is a busy busy property and can seem a bit disorganized at times, and they're unable to execute well on some fronts (like valet parking) as a result. :(

I just love the W Seattle, so if that's an option it's the one I'd take. Will have my first stay at the Sheraton coming up shortly and I look forward to being able to compare all (3) Seattle options. :) (I admit that I'm choosing the Sheraton precisely so that I'll have stayed at all 3, I'm such a geek. :o )

The Sheraton Seattle is one of my favorite Starwood hotels. They always recognize my Platinum status, placing me on the Towers floor. The breakfast and evening reception on the top floor are outstanding. The location is better than the Westin. I definitely recommend this hotel over the Seattle Westin.

The Seattle W is fun, but for my money (or points), I'll take the Sheraton any day.