Last edit by: lcpteck
Leaving Starwood on December 15, 2015
The W San Diego will be leaving the Starwood system on December 15, 2015. Reservations for dates on or after December 15, 2015, will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual.
The W San Diego will be leaving the Starwood system on December 15, 2015. Reservations for dates on or after December 15, 2015, will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual.
[GONE] W Hotel San Diego, left SPG 15 Dec 2015 [Master Thread]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: MCI/ORD/CDG
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 771
[GONE] W Hotel San Diego, left SPG 15 Dec 2015 [Master Thread]
I'm checking in today for a 4-night stay W Hotel San Diego), can I expect anything as a mere Gold? I can cry on command, if that would help.
Last edited by SanDiego1K; Jul 16, 2009 at 7:10 pm Reason: Prior reports at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/975933-w-hotel-san-diego-pre-2007-master-thread.html
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: MCI/ORD/CDG
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 771
I'm currently on my last night of a 4-night stay at this property and I am extremely disappointed with the experience. Day 1, my phone and one nightlamp wasn't working. It took them 2 hours to decide to move me to another room. Day 2, I entered my room at 5pm, only to find that they have yet to make my room. It took them another hour to get someone to do it and another 1/2 hour to get it ready. Day 3, Same as day 2. I looked for the Gm but he/she wasn't there. A front desk manager (Kyle) tried a good faith effort to compensate for the inconvenience by upgrading me to a Fantastic Suite today (4th day) for an upgrade fee of $100 (which I accepted) and was told that I he'll make sure to get it ready at 10:00 am this morning. Additonally, he said he'll give me 12,000 points.
Before leaving the hotel this morning, I stopped by the front desk to and looked for the manager that made the promised, but he wasn't there. I reminded who ever was there about the promised of getting me in the suite at 10am. I was told that they can only guarantee a 3pm check-in to that room.
I was running late for a meeting so I ignored it for the meantime. I'll be back at the hotel around noon. I can probably expect to not have the room available. Do I make a big stink of it? How would you guys approach this issue?
Before leaving the hotel this morning, I stopped by the front desk to and looked for the manager that made the promised, but he wasn't there. I reminded who ever was there about the promised of getting me in the suite at 10am. I was told that they can only guarantee a 3pm check-in to that room.
I was running late for a meeting so I ignored it for the meantime. I'll be back at the hotel around noon. I can probably expect to not have the room available. Do I make a big stink of it? How would you guys approach this issue?
Last edited by BlindPilot; Jun 9, 2007 at 10:22 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Liftime Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 1,752
This is not a good hotel. They have bad housekeeping service, rooms are noisy(thin walls/thin doors), lousy with upgrades(out of 10 stays I got upgraded to one of the middle suites once). The room service food stinks. The hotel is next to the county jail. Once they gave me a plat amenity gift that consisted of a box of expired/moldy chocolates. There are many better SPG options in San Diego.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: MCI/ORD/CDG
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 771
I'm currently on my last night of a 4-night stay at this property and I am extremely disappointed with the experience. Day 1, my phone and one nightlamp wasn't working. It took them 2 hours to decide to move me to another room. Day 2, I entered my room at 5pm, only to find that they have yet to make my room. It took them another hour to get someone to do it and another 1/2 hour to get it ready. Day 3, Same as day 2. I looked for the Gm but he/she wasn't there. A front desk manager (Kyle) tried a good faith effort to compensate for the inconvenience by upgrading me to a Fantastic Suite today (4th day) for an upgrade fee of $100 (which I accepted) and was told that I he'll make sure to get it ready at 10:00 am this morning. Additonally, he said he'll give me 12,000 points.
Before leaving the hotel this morning, I stopped by the front desk to and looked for the manager that made the promised, but he wasn't there. I reminded who ever was there about the promised of getting me in the suite at 10am. I was told that they can only guarantee a 3pm check-in to that room.
I was running late for a meeting so I ignored it for the meantime. I'll be back at the hotel around noon. I can probably expect to not have the room available. Do I make a big stink of it? How would you guys approach this issue?
Before leaving the hotel this morning, I stopped by the front desk to and looked for the manager that made the promised, but he wasn't there. I reminded who ever was there about the promised of getting me in the suite at 10am. I was told that they can only guarantee a 3pm check-in to that room.
I was running late for a meeting so I ignored it for the meantime. I'll be back at the hotel around noon. I can probably expect to not have the room available. Do I make a big stink of it? How would you guys approach this issue?
I arrived at the hotel and hanged out at the lobby to do some web browsing to get my daily FT fix and waited until 11:30. 11:30 came and went and my room wasn't ready. At around 11:45am, I looked for Gabriella and was told that she's on her way down. Waited for 30 minutes at one of the lobby couches when a front desk employee informed me that Gabriella was pulled into a meeting and that she can't see me. I was told that my room is almost done, but not quite. They'll let me know, she said. This is already 12:15 or so. Finally, at 12:30 or so, the room is ready. Yippee!!
So frustrating. And makes me question if I made the right decision switching allegiance from Marriott to SPG.
I now even doubt if I'll get the 12,000 points I was promised. I may even be a sucker for agrreing to pay the $100 upgrade.
Not a pleasant experience, to say the least.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Programs: UA 2MM/GS; SPG Lifetime Plat; MHC Lifetime; Tar Heel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 12,152
Obviously, as at any property, YMMV. With my experiences, I wish I could more often afford to make my SD reservations at the W.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,959
If it were me I would file a complaint with SPG when this stay ends. You got the run around big time from management and I would be very unhappy after all that you reported. In the end I would be asking for a lot more then the 12,000 points offered. I call BS on the fact that all of house keeping starts at 10am . I have stayed here a few times and never one upgrade. This hotel is not even a choice when I stay in SD.
Good luck!
Good luck!
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
So frustrating. And makes me question if I made the right decision switching allegiance from Marriott to SPG.
I now even doubt if I'll get the 12,000 points I was promised. I may even be a sucker for agrreing to pay the $100 upgrade.
Not a pleasant experience, to say the least.
I don't believe you can question the switch, after one (or a few stays). This hotel has had bad reports for a while.
I would like to suggest, getting the promise of 12,000 points in writing, on the properties letterhead from Kyle before checking out. If he isn't available you need to get to the GM of this property and have him write it. This way you have proof, incase the points do not post.
I wouldn't wait to call starwood to lodge a complaint - and stick to the facts - about the service levels of this property.
Personally, the, "cleaning staff arrives at 10am" line is hard to believe.
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ann Arbor, Mi
Programs: SPG PLAt, NWA PLat
Posts: 61
W san Diego, goodwill points and a plumber needed
So I had a three day stint at the W San Diego last week over the 4th. It was my first time at this property. I usually stay at the West at Horton Plaza. Anyway, I got upgraded to a "cool corner room" which was pretty nice and spacious. But the thing wrong was the shower. It has the typical W "rain" type shower head. In order to get any hot water the pressure was so hard than when it hit various private parts it hurt, badly. So I had some protecting to do, no big deal right? So on the last day, the last shower in the firehose, I get the shampoo in, and all cold water is lost. None what so ever. The timing couldn't have been worse. I had to rinse in the sink. I told front desk manager, he offered 10k points and free upgrade to a suite on the next visit without me even asking for anything. I'll go back based on customer service alone.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: FB Plat/SPG Plat/HH Gold/LHW/SLH/SK Silver
Posts: 681
Just had a 2 night stay at W San Diego. Upgraded to cool corner room and received the amenity chocolates. Late checkout was not a problem.
My main annoyance is I left some papers for the front desk to fax. As I was in a rush I asked to pick them up later in the day. The fax was never sent and when I asked for the papers back they did not know where they were and still have not located them. I find this to be completely unaccpetable. I didn't remember the name if the front desk employee who was supposed to fax them but there was only one so I doubt it's that hard for them to figure out.
Had a late dinner at Rice which was empty although I found the food to be very tasty. The wine list however was unimpressive.
After my stay I switched hotels and tried the Hilton Gaslamp, Hardrock, and the Ivy. If I needed Starwood stays I would return to the W since it is my favorite *brand and I doubt the other Starwoods would be any nicer but otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to go elsewhere.
My main annoyance is I left some papers for the front desk to fax. As I was in a rush I asked to pick them up later in the day. The fax was never sent and when I asked for the papers back they did not know where they were and still have not located them. I find this to be completely unaccpetable. I didn't remember the name if the front desk employee who was supposed to fax them but there was only one so I doubt it's that hard for them to figure out.
Had a late dinner at Rice which was empty although I found the food to be very tasty. The wine list however was unimpressive.
After my stay I switched hotels and tried the Hilton Gaslamp, Hardrock, and the Ivy. If I needed Starwood stays I would return to the W since it is my favorite *brand and I doubt the other Starwoods would be any nicer but otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to go elsewhere.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA *G; Delta Diamond; AA EXP; Marriott LT Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 480
So I had a three day stint at the W San Diego last week over the 4th. It was my first time at this property. I usually stay at the West at Horton Plaza. Anyway, I got upgraded to a "cool corner room" which was pretty nice and spacious. But the thing wrong was the shower. It has the typical W "rain" type shower head. In order to get any hot water the pressure was so hard than when it hit various private parts it hurt, badly. So I had some protecting to do, no big deal right? So on the last day, the last shower in the firehose, I get the shampoo in, and all cold water is lost. None what so ever. The timing couldn't have been worse. I had to rinse in the sink. I told front desk manager, he offered 10k points and free upgrade to a suite on the next visit without me even asking for anything. I'll go back based on customer service alone.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,297
any recent updates with this property? I am planning to take my friend down for her 21st bday using 50PRG in april. So I will most likely ended up with a cool corner room on the weekend (sat?)? or i should move my reservation to other property in the area (like US grant ) for same amount of points?
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Santa Monica, San Diego
Programs: SPG Plat, HH Diam, MR Plat, AA Plat, CO Elite Plat., Hertz Gold
Posts: 140
anchor79,
I'm from SD and it sounds like for a 21st, you would want to be closer to the Gaslamp. That's where all the restaurants, bars and clubs are located. Between 4th and 6th. From Broadway south to about Market St. I would recommend the Westin Horton Plaza. Rooms are pretty nice and plats always get upgraded to suites. The bonus is you are only steps away from the Gaslamp. The W is about 6-7 blocks away.
The W is a great place to be when it's warmer. You can enjoy the outside bar (sand included).
I'm from SD and it sounds like for a 21st, you would want to be closer to the Gaslamp. That's where all the restaurants, bars and clubs are located. Between 4th and 6th. From Broadway south to about Market St. I would recommend the Westin Horton Plaza. Rooms are pretty nice and plats always get upgraded to suites. The bonus is you are only steps away from the Gaslamp. The W is about 6-7 blocks away.
The W is a great place to be when it's warmer. You can enjoy the outside bar (sand included).
#13
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: UA MP 1K, Starwood Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 32
I just stayed there 2 weeks ago, got a Fantastic Suite at a rate of $700 +$50 for my two guests. A bit disapoointed, the Fantastic Suite is really just two rooms with the middle doors open. One room is converted ino a living room but is essentially the same thing. Could just as well get two rooms and it would be cheaper. Checked in at 5pm and our room wasnt ready when we arrived. Also, there were no sheets on the fold out bed and after calling down for the sheets they never showed up. In the morning when we woke up they were laying outside the door.
Loved the hotel, the staff was great. Put the Whatever/Whenever to the test by calling before I left for my flight and asking that they pick up a laptop charger for me and it was there when I arrived. Just expected a bit more for my $800 a night.
Loved the hotel, the staff was great. Put the Whatever/Whenever to the test by calling before I left for my flight and asking that they pick up a laptop charger for me and it was there when I arrived. Just expected a bit more for my $800 a night.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Diego, California
Programs: *wood LifePLT, UsAir CHAIR
Posts: 47
I was by the W San Diego last night and they are performing major renovations of the lobby area. You now check in where RICE was /is located and they have a small bar there. The beach bar is still open on the 2nd floor.
Hopefully, the front end reservation and lounge area will be back better than ever. Also, the Acura car service is there until the end of the year. They will take you to Coronado Island, Gaslamp, La Jolla, etc from what I understand.
Hopefully, the front end reservation and lounge area will be back better than ever. Also, the Acura car service is there until the end of the year. They will take you to Coronado Island, Gaslamp, La Jolla, etc from what I understand.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,297
Just Checked...all the cool corner room sold out already for my date of arrival. They said the best they have is the penthouse level wonderful room...what're the major difference between the regular and the penthhouse? which room (numbers) are the better rooms in your opinion?