W South Beach, Miami Beach [Master Thread]
Aug 1, 2011, 6:50 am
#526
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QFWP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 203
I agree, but then I'd say the same applies for most hotels.
I scored a suite upgrade (Fantastic Suite) at W South Beach last year without even asking. It was a nice little suite too - certainly one of the more impressive W upgrades I've had (I find Ws to be the stingiest SPG properties when it comes to upgrades, world-wide).
I find Westins the best with upgrades - have had some amazing upgrades in Asia and the US....just unfortunately not Australia, where the majority of my Westin stays are.
Cheers,
- Febs.
I scored a suite upgrade (Fantastic Suite) at W South Beach last year without even asking. It was a nice little suite too - certainly one of the more impressive W upgrades I've had (I find Ws to be the stingiest SPG properties when it comes to upgrades, world-wide).
I find Westins the best with upgrades - have had some amazing upgrades in Asia and the US....just unfortunately not Australia, where the majority of my Westin stays are.
Cheers,
- Febs.
Aug 2, 2011, 10:02 am
#527
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UsA
Programs: Starwood
Posts: 658
Paid Upgrades
I will be at the W South Beach Aug 18th-22nd. I reserved a marvellous suite but I am afraid it may be too small for a party of 3. If possible I will like a 1BR bungalow or the 2 BR suites.
Does this hotel allow paid upgrades? I am not anticipating any free upgrades.
Anyone with "paid upgrade" experience?
Thanks.
Does this hotel allow paid upgrades? I am not anticipating any free upgrades.
Anyone with "paid upgrade" experience?
Thanks.
Aug 2, 2011, 10:57 am
#528
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hoschton, GA
Programs: Delta DM, SP Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 432
Aug 3, 2011, 8:08 am
#529
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UsA
Programs: Starwood
Posts: 658
look closely in the "We are looking forward to your arrival" email and you will see a note that states the following -
"Due to the popularity of suites, we are very often unable to provide upgrades. We realize that a suite may be very important to you. If you wish to be assured of staying in one, we strongly recommend making your reservation for a suite, at the corresponding price or Starpoints value."
They are basically telling you to reserve a suite, if you want it sooooo bad....lol....cant blame them, their suites are REALLY POPULAR....
Last edited by Madefornow; Aug 3, 2011 at 8:09 am Reason: typo
Aug 3, 2011, 8:16 am
#530
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 886
I can confirm that the "no upgrades" or "unable to provide upgrades" verbiage did not appear on the confirmation email I received yesterday. A reservation I made about 2 weeks ago (that I later cancelled) did have this stipulation.
Aug 4, 2011, 8:23 pm
#531
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hoschton, GA
Programs: Delta DM, SP Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 432
look closely in the "We are looking forward to your arrival" email and you will see a note that states the following -
"Due to the popularity of suites, we are very often unable to provide upgrades. We realize that a suite may be very important to you. If you wish to be assured of staying in one, we strongly recommend making your reservation for a suite, at the corresponding price or Starpoints value."
They are basically telling you to reserve a suite, if you want it sooooo bad....lol....cant blame them, their suites are REALLY POPULAR....
Aug 16, 2011, 8:45 pm
#532
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
I was thinking of using my FRN at the W South Beach in Sept. But after reading the reviews on trip advisor and just the last few posts here, I decided to just pay for a room at the Hyatt Regency instead, very reasonable AAA rate with breakfast.
Aug 27, 2011, 4:47 am
#533
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Flying Blue Plat
Posts: 117
I know they are very different properties in terms of price and cachet but it's interesting to compare how both hotels have dealt with a pre-request.
I had reserved my free 3 nights at the W SOBE for next week (Weds-Sat) and asked the hotel if I booked an Oasis suite for the Monday/Tuesday whether they would leave me in the suite for the remainder of my stay. 3 exchange of e-mails later, they still wouldn't commit and maintained the line that it was subject to availability. Fair enough I understand and respect that.
Meanwhile up the road at the W Fort Lauderdale I made a similar request for the Spectacular Flat. Now that isn't part of the upgrade pool but we have been upgraded to it before and love having a full kitchen when on vacation. 2 exchange of e-mails later, they confirmed that whilst it wasn't standard they would make a special exception and allow me to stay in the flat for the full stay.
Not making any judgements but thought I would share.
I had reserved my free 3 nights at the W SOBE for next week (Weds-Sat) and asked the hotel if I booked an Oasis suite for the Monday/Tuesday whether they would leave me in the suite for the remainder of my stay. 3 exchange of e-mails later, they still wouldn't commit and maintained the line that it was subject to availability. Fair enough I understand and respect that.
Meanwhile up the road at the W Fort Lauderdale I made a similar request for the Spectacular Flat. Now that isn't part of the upgrade pool but we have been upgraded to it before and love having a full kitchen when on vacation. 2 exchange of e-mails later, they confirmed that whilst it wasn't standard they would make a special exception and allow me to stay in the flat for the full stay.
Not making any judgements but thought I would share.
Aug 30, 2011, 5:17 pm
#534
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA EXP(4mm), DL Gold, UA Gold (1mm), HH Diamond, Bonvoy Amb(l/t Titanium). Former EA/PA elite
Posts: 994
I just arrived to the W SOBE today using my 3 Free Resort Nights earned. I was also upgraded to a Spectacular Suite......without asking. Big ^ to the property for this.
On the other hand, I called Whateven Whenever 5 times this afternoon to place a room service order. They kept putting me on hold and then not returning to the phone. I kept having to hang up and dial again. Big
to the property for this.
Aug 30, 2011, 5:47 pm
#535
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,847
Used my free resort nights at this property last weekend. Was not given any upgrade. Had to call 3 times to get a slightly later check out time.
The staff was very nice but really no benefit at all to being a Platinum member aside from the 500 point amenity.
The staff was very nice but really no benefit at all to being a Platinum member aside from the 500 point amenity.
Sep 1, 2011, 5:10 am
#536
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2
Used my FRN nights on Aug 20 - 21. Called a week earlier inquiring about an upgrade. Manager agreed to confirm an upgrade to a Fantastic Suite for $50/ night. reluctanly, I agreed. I though this was sort of strange in that I was a Platinum member.
Check-in was quick and they had reserved a suite on the 4th floor. I inquired about a suite on a higher floor and they placed me on the 14th Floor. Room was great, service was great, view was great. Overall, stay was one of the best @W so far.
My wife and I would leave th hotel every morning and return ~ 2pm - 3pm. Room was always clean at that time. The only drawback was that we would get a knock on the door ~3pm (exactly when we were relaxing, taking a shower, etc) to check the mini-bar. This was nconvenient. A week after check-out we noticed an extra charge on our credit card for wine from the mini-bar (which we did not incur). Notified management and they quickly credited our CC.
Check-in was quick and they had reserved a suite on the 4th floor. I inquired about a suite on a higher floor and they placed me on the 14th Floor. Room was great, service was great, view was great. Overall, stay was one of the best @W so far.
My wife and I would leave th hotel every morning and return ~ 2pm - 3pm. Room was always clean at that time. The only drawback was that we would get a knock on the door ~3pm (exactly when we were relaxing, taking a shower, etc) to check the mini-bar. This was nconvenient. A week after check-out we noticed an extra charge on our credit card for wine from the mini-bar (which we did not incur). Notified management and they quickly credited our CC.
Sep 1, 2011, 10:10 am
#537
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UsA
Programs: Starwood
Posts: 658
Used my FRN nights on Aug 20 - 21. Called a week earlier inquiring about an upgrade. Manager agreed to confirm an upgrade to a Fantastic Suite for $50/ night. reluctanly, I agreed. I though this was sort of strange in that I was a Platinum member.
Check-in was quick and they had reserved a suite on the 4th floor. I inquired about a suite on a higher floor and they placed me on the 14th Floor. Room was great, service was great, view was great. Overall, stay was one of the best @W so far.
My wife and I would leave th hotel every morning and return ~ 2pm - 3pm. Room was always clean at that time. The only drawback was that we would get a knock on the door ~3pm (exactly when we were relaxing, taking a shower, etc) to check the mini-bar. This was nconvenient. A week after check-out we noticed an extra charge on our credit card for wine from the mini-bar (which we did not incur). Notified management and they quickly credited our CC.
Check-in was quick and they had reserved a suite on the 4th floor. I inquired about a suite on a higher floor and they placed me on the 14th Floor. Room was great, service was great, view was great. Overall, stay was one of the best @W so far.
My wife and I would leave th hotel every morning and return ~ 2pm - 3pm. Room was always clean at that time. The only drawback was that we would get a knock on the door ~3pm (exactly when we were relaxing, taking a shower, etc) to check the mini-bar. This was nconvenient. A week after check-out we noticed an extra charge on our credit card for wine from the mini-bar (which we did not incur). Notified management and they quickly credited our CC.
oh my!!! thats crazy.....am an SPG Gold member and i got upgraded to an Oasis Suite that same weekend. I reserved the spectacular rooms using FRN and was shocked to see Oasis suite upgrade 3days before arrival
. 8/20-8/22, unfortunately i cancelled the reservation due weather cancellation. 
my friends that are Gold members didnt get upgraded either for thesame weekend.....
Sep 1, 2011, 10:13 am
#538
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UsA
Programs: Starwood
Posts: 658
+1
I just arrived to the W SOBE today using my 3 Free Resort Nights earned. I was also upgraded to a Spectacular Suite......without asking. Big ^ to the property for this.
On the other hand, I called Whateven Whenever 5 times this afternoon to place a room service order. They kept putting me on hold and then not returning to the phone. I kept having to hang up and dial again. Big
to the property for this.
I just arrived to the W SOBE today using my 3 Free Resort Nights earned. I was also upgraded to a Spectacular Suite......without asking. Big ^ to the property for this.
On the other hand, I called Whateven Whenever 5 times this afternoon to place a room service order. They kept putting me on hold and then not returning to the phone. I kept having to hang up and dial again. Big
to the property for this.
Sep 1, 2011, 10:32 am
#539
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,847
Yes, spectaculars are the standard room booked through the free resort nights so paying $50 extra for it as a Platinum, you got ripped off. I had a spectacular booked from the start. When I checked in I asked if there were any suites available and was told, oh no, you should keep what you have, as the views are amazing. Well I saw a slice of the ocean and had a view of the hotel next door--hardly amazing.
Solea on Sunday also sucked. The only option is the lame brunch. Could not get anything else and did not want to pay $31 to have a little fruit which is all I wanted. Walked out after being seated and just went to Whole Foods instead.
The cleaning staff was great and the room was not bad for paying nothing but I certainly would not have paid $500/night for it.
Solea on Sunday also sucked. The only option is the lame brunch. Could not get anything else and did not want to pay $31 to have a little fruit which is all I wanted. Walked out after being seated and just went to Whole Foods instead.
The cleaning staff was great and the room was not bad for paying nothing but I certainly would not have paid $500/night for it.
Sep 1, 2011, 1:19 pm
#540
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167