MichaelJFK

Greetings:

I have booked a Junior Suite at the Westin Seattle for February and was hoping that someone could comment on this room type (and the hotel in general). Have search and found somereviews but non specific to their suites.

Thank you,

MichaelJFK

pinniped

I've been doing some Westin stays recently. It's a very middle-of-the-road Westin. I've never had a problem there: as a Gold, I'm usually on one of the top three or four floors with a nice view.

One small unpublished tidbit: the card in the room says that Broadband + Phone service is $16/day. But when you log in, you have two additional options: 24 hours of Broadband (no phone) for $9.95 or 30 minutes of Broadband (no phone) for $4.95.

If you just need to hit your corporate server and transmit/receive a bunch of emails, it's nice that there's a decent option for that.

The only two downsides to Westin are:
(1) No lounge. Okay, I wouldn't automatically get it every time as a Gold anyway, but I'd consider buying up to it if it were there.
(2) No casual bar food service for people traveling alone. There's a bar with no food and then a full-service restaurant, which I'm sure is nice. But a lot of times, I'm coming back to the hotel at 10PM after a long day of work and just want a burger. You gotta go do room service or off-property for something like this.

jmw1515

Stayed at this property last month and it was dismal. Called the property yesterday afternoon before check-in to request some complimentary bottles of water and see if I was upgraded, and was put on hold for 21 minutes. Spoke to the manager at the front desk, and basically expressed ultimate disappointment that it took that long to get a manager on the line for a Platinum guest that stays over 200 nights per year in Starwood properties.

Manager apologized sincerely, and told me that I would be taken care of upon arrival. I think it is funny that this ended up happening because I've tried my hardest to get into top-tiered rooms before and only been successful a couple times.

Now on to the room.

Upon check-in, I was thanked for choosing the Westin, greeted as a "Governor and esteemed friend of Starwood Hotels everywhere" and escorted up to the 47th floor to the Governor's Suite.


General Impressions:
Large living area with 3 chairs and 1 couch, 8 person dinner table, a kitchen, Plasma TV (I think 42"), and very spacious, especially for just 1 person. It would be easy to have a multitude of friends over and really entertain on the road given the large sq footage. I'm thinking 25-30 still wouldn't feel at all cramped

The room has a decent look and feel, but it is still old and worn IMHO. The room did not feel like it had been upgraded in 5-10 yrs! One would hope that an older property would at LEAST make sure that their top tiered rooms were of the highest quality and presentation. Westin Bellevue would be a 10/10 for aesthetics.

Aesthetics: 7/10

The coolest thing about this room is the view. Wow, what a fantastic view of SEA at night. The main room has an incredible view of the Space Needle and all surrounding areas. I will definitely snap a few shots for some memories before I leave. I stood sipping a drink for 5 minutes just mesmerized.

View: 10/10

The room itself is what I would consider nice, but it isn't immaculate by any stretch. The sleeping quarters are just a normal adjoining room, so once again, nothing special. You can definitely tell that this Westin has been around for a while, although it always gets me thinking about what kind of history the room actually has. Who might have stayed here, when, etc etc.

Overall:
For a normal weekly business trip to Seattle, the room is a little much for me. It is nice to have ample space and a small kitchen, but I would never book or request this room, even if money were no object. I'd stay at a better hotel, like the Westin Bellevue, since they have superior staff and facilities.

My usual gig has me in the Westin Bellevue, and I'd rate their corner suites a 9.5/10 for cost/space/luxe.

Taking everything into consideration, I'd give this room an 8.5/10

I still have 2 more nights in it, so I will update again before my stay concludes.

deckman

I booked a king room at the Sheraton down the street for $259 but upon arrival discovered I made the booking for this date in 2008. I guess I'm still not use to the new SPG site, but my bad. Of course the hotel was sold out. The nice person at the front desk told me the Westin had rooms for $207 available so she put me on the line with them. They told me the best rate was $280 for a traditional double bed room. I handed the phone back to the Sheraton desk person to she what she could do and she was able to get them down to $260.

I checked in at the Westin and the person at the counter told me they didn't have any king rooms or upgrades available. I went to my room and realized when I got there he never asked about the platinum amenity.

First thing I did was get on line to check availability. Guess what, plenty of rooms nicer than mine were available and most for less than I am paying. The room I was in was available for $207, but listed as an Internet only rate. The "best available rate" was $240. I called downstairs to ask what was up and the guy tells me the internet rates are not the same rates the hotel can quote. He then asks if i want to be moved to which I say yes. I ended up going from the 21st floor to the 29th and into a king. Otherwise it's the same room.

I feel like I've been treated kind of shabily and worse lied to by the person who checked me in. What would you do?

ghostboy

Hi there - I have a reservation for next Fri-Sun at the Sheraton for US$150 + tax & the Westin for US$165 + tax; I've not stayed at either property as Plat and the swing vote for me would be the club lounge at the Sheraton (assuming it's open on weekends)?

I've read both the Sheraton & Westin Master threads; but thought I'd check with FT's for recent (unreported) reports?

Cheers, Simon.

ldsant

I live in Seattle and lately I find the Sheraton to be a MUCH better property. I would not have said this 6 months ago. The club lounge is lovely (I'm not sure if it is open on the weekend - you may want to call), and the rooms (standard) are spacious. As long as there is not a convention being held you should enjoy yourself there.

ghostboy

I just called them and was told the Club Lounge was open everyday 5-8pm; and in the mornings for breakfast. The lady mentioned I would probably get upgraded as Plat as well; me thinks I'll put a call through next Thu afternoon before my Fri check-in. Thanks again for the info ldsant

Cheers, Simon.

ldsant

As a reminder, they do not upgrade you until close to arrival time. This hotel especially since they usually have well over 50 Platinums in house on any given day. They will make sure you receive lounge access though (they are rather protective of that) but I didn't want you to get disappointed or anything.

Also, I would suggest that you make sure you do eat outside the hotel - there are so many great restaurants right downtown (within walking distance of the hotel). Enjoy your stay and bring your fleece!

BlissWorld

Any recent stays at this property? Pictures? The renovated rooms look nice, but I am considering this hotel because the view looks amazing.

ldsant

It's nothing special. The Sheraton Seattle is much better imo. (Recent stays at both about 6 times in the last 4 weeks).

sinner7

Anyone with a recent stay at the Westin Seattle and care to give a review?

Thanks in advance.

EricH

Stayed this week. Got a room on the 30th floor of the North Tower, water view (I'm Plat). I like the hotel. It's become my preferred *wood in Seattle.

The pool is closed, but the gym is pretty good (better than the Sheraton or W). There's construction on the west side of the hotel with pretty long work hours, so there may be noise problems on lower floors, but it wasn't a problem for me. I think there's free wifi in the lobby (I didn't try), but only wired for a fee in the rooms.

ldsant

Not sure how one month ago isn't considered "recent" but I no longer enjoy the Westin. The Sheraton has made huge improvements both in terms of their physical facilities and their staff and win hands down imo. Lounge for Platinums, nice suite upgrades, etc. The only "downside" to the Sheraton is the $35valet parking charge and the only way around this that I can find is that if you are only staying during the day o nthe weekend it's $6 across the street for the entire day but no overnight.

cartman13

wish i had read this thread earlier. Just got back from a stay at the Westin Seattle. Wasn't really all that impressed.

Got stuck in a 2 double bed room. Then i find my minibar is locked (i called 3 times to get it unlocked) and instead of sending someone up to fix it, they try to unlock it electronically every time despite me telling them i already asked before. No do not disturb to sign to be found, and a locked safe.

All fixable with calls, but i just got sick of calling and asking for things. Bathrooms had a slight mildew smell as well. Not really on Par with other Westin's I've stayed at. Maybe just my bad luck.

At least they gave me late checkout w/o any problems.

BenMeddle

I just spent five nights at the Westin Seattle on a cash & points booking. I had a very large king room that was immaculate except for a few carpet stains (can't change the carpet after every guest). Bathroom was large and clean, room was spacious and I had a perfect view of the Space Needle. I ended up checking in around noon without a problem.