ENIAC

Another couple of weekend stays and some more updates.

Good changes: On my last stay they had the breakfast voucher waiting for me -- no need to demand it. There was a "message" code in the computer to alert the agent to give it to me. I saw another one sitting there, so assume this is for all platinums. Hope it lasts. Also, as well as the breakfast voucher there was a $10 voucher to use for an appetizer in the restaurant (open until 10pm in the evening). That made for a nice evening snack. (As the previous poster pointed out, the dinner menu is still pretty fancy). Also the room rates just get lower and lower at the weekend.

Bad changes: More than most other Westins they are skimping on in-room ammenities. One soap, no bathrobe on the last few stays, still no shower gel. The nice Aqua Panna water seems to be gone for good.

Gripe: Two stays running had bogus charges after checkout -- one for $6, one for $23. I wrote a letter to the GM, dropped it at the front desk -- six weeks later no reply. So I'll have to send it to corporate customer services.

izzik

This is the first property in a long time that did not upgrade in advance.. even at check-in, it's almost like one has to beg for it.

"What kind of room is it?"
-"Traditional"
"Don't you upgrade Platinums?"
-"Yes, we do."
"Well...."
*blank stare*
-"Would you like a suite?"

In the end, I didn't bother taking it because they seemed so reluctant to offer it. Sheesh.

moulder3

I stayed there a few weeks ago and asked about a suite when I checked in (since they didn't mention it). I first told they did have suites, but then another agent clarified that they "needed to hold them." Here's my favorite part though...

The hotel was "oversold" and rather than turn people away, they were taking suites and converting the living room to rooms. They offered people 1,000 points to take it (and they'd provide a rollaway).

So not only did they have what were technically 'available' suites when I checked in, the hotel was actually capitalizing on being oversold.

Nice property, but there are plenty of *wood hotels around suburban Chicago. I'll stay at one that is willing to recognize my status.

izzik

Just completed another stay here -- great Sunday night rates that qualify for Amazon promo ... anyway, it looks like they are removing the bottles of shampoo/conditioner/bodywash and replacing with dispensers in the shower. There is also a survey they are doing to evaluate everyone's reactions to it (250 point bonus for completion).

Not sure if the dispensers are in all the rooms yet.
There is still a bar of the leaf-shaped soap, as well as lotion bottles.. but that's it.

chrisw73

That restaurant is called Coopers Hawk and its a great moderately priced option thats within the same parking area.

kalorama

Friday night stay. Breakfast coupons for the restaurant as the club lounge does not serve breakfast on the weekends. Club lounge otherwise open for sodas and fruit/granola bars (but no appetizer coupons offered). Rooms were very well maintained, comfortable, and clean. No soap/shampoo dispensers as previously posted. Honestly, one of the more pleasant Westin stays I have had in a long time. This property reinforces that the Westin Michigan Avenue (obvious excellent location aside) is no better than your average Holiday Inn.

UA-NYC

Agreed, my go-to anytime I'm on the North Shore. AM breakfast is great, awesome gym. Always up for a nice meal too at Cooper's Hawk!

gypsyinabigtown

I am staying there these days so would like to try this - especially because the room service selection is a bit uninspiring: After a day with some heavy/greasy meals I ordered a vegetable salad, hoping to have a healthy dinner; only to receive it with a hefty dollop of bacon and blue cheese on top of it!

Off-topic question: Do we earn SPG points with the spend in Saranello / Tramonto?

pseudoswede

Mrs. Swede and I will be staying here in June for a wedding. We will both need to work on Friday. Do the traditional rooms have enough space for two people to work? Is there space in the business center to do proper work?

Would the $20 trick work on getting us a Junior Suite?

pseudoswede

To answer this question, I've been told by a hotel employee that there are three cubicles in the business center.

peteke

Stayed here a couple of nights this week.

Positives: Property is in good shape and still feels fairly new, located a quick jaunt away from either 94 or 294

Negatives: fairly indifferent service, no breakfast available in lounge on Friday morning, parking lot is quite a hike away from hotel, very stingy on bath products and few and poorly located outlets.

Paid over $200 for my room, which I thought was about $75 too high for the experience delivered.

Although it felt more Westin than Sheraton/A-loft, this was one of the more uninspiring stays I've had at a Westin ever, despite the relatively nice condition of property.

northsider

We live close by, and Tramonto's was our go-to steak place in the northern suburbs...we ate there last month celebrating our son's birthday, and this past Friday our daughter chose it for her birthday dinner. Well, I called at 4 pm to make a reservation, and the call bounced to the front desk. Weird. The guy took my reservation info, said he'd pass it on to the restaurant, but he wondered why they hadn't answered the phone...he mentioned that as of today (Friday, 8/9) the hotel was no longer a Starwood property - it would still be called "Westin," but it was taken over by TPG. Huh??

At 6:00, I figured I'd better call back because we had to go somewhere and maybe I needed to make alternate plans? The guy who answered the phone this time stated that "as of yesterday (Thursday) Tramonto's was closed for good." OK...so we went across the street to Pete Miller's and had a great dinner, but Tramonto's will be missed!!

Checking the Starwood website, it's still showing as an spg property, so I don't know what's going on, all I can say for sure is that Tramonto's is closed.

Jumpgate

I just stayed here earlier this week.

I typically try not to air my grievances on FT but all attempts at reaching this hotel since check out have gone unanswered.

When I arrived around 9 PM I called down and ordered dinner from room service. About an hour later (just after 10) it hadn't yet been delivered so I called Service Express. The phone rang and rang and rang and didn't pick up. I tried again 10 minutes later and the same thing happened - so I just went to bed without eating any dinner.

I've since e-mailed the hotel and also filled out their survey expressing what happened and not a peep.

I'm not looking for $$ or even substantial points, I just want an apology.

Starwood Lurker

My apologies if the hotel has been unresponsive. Have you filed a complaint with Corporate Customer Service? You can reach them via email at customercare@starwoodhotels or by phone at 800-328-6242. Or, if you prefer, send us the details and we will open the complaint on your behalf.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Jumpgate

Thank you William - I've just sent you an e-mail.