carberrie

Today I checked into this hotel for a 1 night stay. I recall staying here a year or two ago and leaving with a bad taste in my mouth but clearly forgot this hotel until I pulled in. I was not upgraded to a suite again and was told there is a $25 charge for parking. Note that this hotel is far from the city and in an area with lots of open space, definitely not a hotel I would expect ANY parking charge from for hotel guests unless you leave you car while traveling somewhere.

Upon check-in I was told I have been upgraded to a Deluxe room. By looking online, deluxe rooms come with free parking and free breakfast. However, the hotel does not give these amenities to Platinums who get the upgrade (essentially, an upgrade to a higher floor with a view of highway).

Platinums, just note that odds of getting a suite upgrade are low. Parking costs $25/day (but you may be able to argue your way down to $10/day). This hotel has no lounge and offers only free complimentary breakfast in lieu of the 500 points.

I am here on a corporate rate of $125 and still plan to stay elsewhere next time, but maybe you'll enjoy here more.

wolfson292

I stayed here for 4 nights this past week, and experienced the same polices of the above poster, but they were all to be expected. The hotel was clean, internet was fast, and everyone was nice. I would stay here again.

ashley1245

Hi everyone,
I land at ORD at 1pm. My international flight doesn't take off until 7pm. Westin O'Hara has a day rate for $89. I was thinking I could use the gym, shower, nap, and then go back to the airport for my 7pm flight. Is this doable, using the hotel shuttle? Any decent places for lunch around the hotel that I could walk to? If my international flight leaves at 7pm, what time should I leave the hotel? (it's my first big international trip, so I'm not too saavy on the details, and have never been to ORD.)

My other option is to use a one day pass (I already have the pass) at the AA lounge, and not leave the airport. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

TRAVELSIG

With such a short time period- I would just use the gym at the Hilton (connected by under and overground walkways to ORD)- they sell day passes- then have a good lunch at the restaurant in the Hilton (the food is quite good actually)- and walk back over to the airport. I would arrive back at the airport by 17:30 as the queues for security can be quite long at Ohare.

ashley1245

Thank you! This sounds like a great alternative, I will check it out!

JNelson113

Any recent plat stays? Just wondering if the upgrades have improved.

UA-NYC

Yes - I got my favorite room two weeks ago, 12th (top) floor, all the way at the end of the hallway. Not a suite but even better IMO - massively high ceilings, bit of a hallway between entrance and the actual room.

I have gotten the actual suite a couple times, but I've had to fight a bit for it.

JNelson113

Thanks! I've gotten that room before and like it. I once had a very nice stay in a suite while I was snowed in waiting for the airport to reopen. But that was 2004, so awhile ago.

McGowan06

LOVE the high ceilings here!

FlytheTail

Spending one night here and wish I had chosen the Hilton or Intercontinental. Lobby is closed for renovation so entrance is on the side with lots of walking to the rooms. Room itself is decent, but no plat suite upgrade despite one available for sale. No hot breakfast amenity option so took the points. The cordless phone in the room doesn't work and the floor lamp is broken. Not impressed but at least they offer Starbucks drip in the room.

As a fairly new SPG Plat, I can't believe there's no consistent breakfast as a perk; I receive that as a Gold at Hiltons and Marriotts. Definitely not competitive in this area.

Starwood Lurker

They are supposed to offer you a selection of welcome amenities, one of which is Continental breakfast in lieu of Starpoints.

If you are saying they did not offer this, send us your SPG account number so we can follow up on it with the SPG Hotel Coordinators.

Also, I would definitely file a formal complaint on your other issues. You can do so by sending an email to Corporate Customer Service at [email protected], or if you prefer, we can handle that for you as well.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Songer5

Checked in last night for a 1 night stay before my 2PM flight. I booked a regular room, but was automatically upgraded the day before to an Executive Suite. I'm a new SPG Platinum as of late last year.

Given the construction, you have to drive around to the side entrance where there's no one to help you with your bags. Not sure if they normally have people or not, but they didn't yesterday. Made our way to the makeshift "Front Desk" where there was a line of people waiting to check in. I went up to see if there was a SPG Gold/Platinum check in but there was not. Not a big deal.

We received our suite (though I'm guessing it was because it was an auto-upgrade, and not because the FD was looking out for me). No mention of any amenities (breakfast option, wifi, late checkout, etc). I inquired what the Platinum breakfast option was and was told it was a "continental." Very insightful. We just decided to take the points instead, given we weren't having the best start to our stay.

The elevators are not working in the lobby, so you have to walk down the hallway to the narrow escalators to the Lower Lobby where you can then take the elevators to your room.

The room itself was nice and spacious, though we could have used a door to close off the bedroom to allow my toddler to nap in peace. But I won't complain since we were very happy to be upgraded to a suite in the first place.

As people mentioned, there were no bottles of water in the room (complimentary or otherwise) and the mini-fridge was empty. We actually prefer that so we can keep our kid's food in there, but just something to know if you're a business traveler or want convenient refreshments. We did have a set of Westin shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion though.

Check out was "efficient" in that I wanted to see my bill before leaving, but the 1 front desk agent at 12PM (normal check out time) was talking with someone who seemed to be a guest, but could have also been a personal friend. So instead of finishing up with the guest in front of me, she abruptly just said "you can leave your keys here and we'll email you the final bill." Fine with me, though I'll have to check to make sure I wasn't charged for in room wifi.

FYI, Wifi in the room came in 3 different speed packages. We just picked the $17.99 top speed package under the assumption an SPG Platinum wouldn't be charged. We weren't.

The airport shuttle was every 30 minutes on the hour/half hour. It arrived exactly at 11:55AM and we were on our way by 12:01.

mbluecpa

I just finished a brief one-night stay here prior to a morning flight. Construction is nearing completion, with a couple of areas off the lobby and the front driveway inaccessible. A few notes/updates:

1. The restaurant and bar are open and nicely built-out with an open kitchen. Significant downside was that a large area of the restaurant was curtained off for a private event, leaving the dining area with nine tables totaling 26 seats (the bar held another 15-20). For a 525-room hotel. I waited 30 minutes to be seated but once there service and food were fine.
2. Airport shuttle was running on an every 15 minute schedule and was prompt. I was at the last airport stop in just under 15 minutes.
3. The Blue Line station is close, about a 10 minute walk (the website notes two blocks). If on foot, you have to cross a parking lot, a freeway on ramp, and a six-lane road. There are sidewalks and a crossing light on the major street but I'd not recommend the walk in inclement weather.
4. I burned an expiring SNA on an Executive Suite, which had a spacious den area and a huge desk. The bedroom area was pretty tight, with barely enough room to walk around the bed.

therabbit

Platinum status, got upgraded to the executive suite on 12th floor. High ceiling and very nice living room. Staffs are nice. Not smart use of space for the bathroom tho...

Overall it is good.

UA-NYC

Should be noted the lobby just went through a MASSIVE renovation...looks more upscale, more work areas, a real/proper Starbucks, Benchmark bar looks new ^