GONE : Westin Diplomat, Hollywood, FL [Master Thread] : Left Starwood 30 Oct 2014
Aug 29, 2014, 6:36 am
#691
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold,Amex Centurion,Marriott LT Plat Prem Elite +AMBASS,Hilton Diamond,Priority Club Plat,VS Gold
Posts: 371
Aug 29, 2014, 6:46 am
#692
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
Sad news. Loved the pools and general plat treatment - though the lounge had been on a downward slide for a few years.
I can only guess what hilton category it will be...
I can only guess what hilton category it will be...
Aug 29, 2014, 7:21 am
#693
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC area
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, American Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 106
That is a shame. As has been said and will be said by many others, this was one of the best SPG properties, especially when it came to Platinum/preferred treatment.
Aug 29, 2014, 7:32 am
#694
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Ouch. This one has been on my to do list because so many people here rave about the experience for a Plat.
Aug 29, 2014, 7:42 am
#695
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
Very sad new ! Fantastic hotel for family vacation, location, Plat suite upgrades, lounge! 
Aug 29, 2014, 7:44 am
#696
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I just made a reservation there the other day for far in the future - Cash & Points no less - what will happen to it?
Well, they are still booking as a Starwood through February 2016 (yes, sixteen) with no mention of an end.
Well, they are still booking as a Starwood through February 2016 (yes, sixteen) with no mention of an end.
Last edited by Eujeanie; Aug 29, 2014 at 7:51 am
Aug 29, 2014, 7:54 am
#697
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: ACMM SE100K; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum Elite
Posts: 957
Bummer 
What a lousy way to start a long weekend. The Diplomat is (was) my go-to South Florida hotel.
What a lousy way to start a long weekend. The Diplomat is (was) my go-to South Florida hotel.
Aug 29, 2014, 8:35 am
#698
Join Date: May 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: AC-E, SPG-Plat, GP-P, HH-G
Posts: 163
I have fond memories of this hotel as it was one of the first hotels to provide a truly great upgrade shortly after I first became an SPG plat member. I still remember first becoming a Plat member and thinking -- nothing special (most of my initial travel was in North America). Until I attended a conference at this hotel. Wow, a fantastic upgrade and a great executive lounge (especially travelling with my family). As a result, on every Florida vacation we always spend time at this hotel. I have lost my HH status as I very rarely stay at Hilton hotels. If I recall, on every subsequent occasion, I was always upgraded to an ocean view suite or a corner suite. Even on 4th of July weekends, etc...
Aug 29, 2014, 9:00 am
#699
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
I know people love this property and the lounge was very good and there is/was good elite recognition.
I would not call this property "iconic", but solid. For me the location was a major negative so I rarely stayed, but overall it will be missed by many.
On Hilton's website, I checked some dates in December, January and don't see this property listed.
Is there a link with the announcement?
I would not call this property "iconic", but solid. For me the location was a major negative so I rarely stayed, but overall it will be missed by many.
On Hilton's website, I checked some dates in December, January and don't see this property listed.
Is there a link with the announcement?
Aug 29, 2014, 9:01 am
#700
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: GRB, MKE, ATW
Programs: DL DM & MM, Hilton Diamond, IC Plt Amb , Marriott LTP, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 572
Flagship property. Very sorry to see it go. Awesome lounge, always great upgrades and the one of the two best concierge I have ever met (Santiago).
I also have a vacation already booked for this hotel in January, don't know exactly what to do now. Too much swank for me at the W.
May have to check out the Keys.
I also have a vacation already booked for this hotel in January, don't know exactly what to do now. Too much swank for me at the W.
May have to check out the Keys.
Aug 29, 2014, 9:03 am
#701
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold,Amex Centurion,Marriott LT Plat Prem Elite +AMBASS,Hilton Diamond,Priority Club Plat,VS Gold
Posts: 371
I know people love this property and the lounge was very good and there is/was good elite recognition.
I would not call this property "iconic", but solid. For me the location was a major negative so I rarely stayed, but overall it will be missed by many.
On Hilton's website, I checked some dates in December, January and don't see this property listed.
Is there a link with the announcement?
I would not call this property "iconic", but solid. For me the location was a major negative so I rarely stayed, but overall it will be missed by many.
On Hilton's website, I checked some dates in December, January and don't see this property listed.
Is there a link with the announcement?
Last edited by IrishStephen; Aug 29, 2014 at 10:41 am Reason: typo
Aug 29, 2014, 11:20 am
#702
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum+Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Delta Plat, United Silver, AX Biz Cent
Posts: 705
Almost certainly the hotel will honor the reservation at that rate, however you will not receive any SPG benefits. If you happen to have HHonors elite, too -- you might be able to swing that, but it would probably come down to showing your HHonors card at check-in.
Aug 29, 2014, 11:20 am
#703
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
I was completely surprised when I just logged in to the Diplomat's website and saw this message:
I, too, have an upcoming reservation post October. Clarification for guests with upcoming reservations is needed!
PLEASE NOTE:
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida will be leaving the Starwood system on October 27, 2014. Reservations for dates on or after October 27, 2014, will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual.
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida will be leaving the Starwood system on October 27, 2014. Reservations for dates on or after October 27, 2014, will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual.
Last edited by mke9499; Aug 29, 2014 at 11:28 am
Aug 29, 2014, 11:24 am
#704
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
If you want starpoints and stay/night credit I would book a backup plan now.
Aug 29, 2014, 11:25 am
#705
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum+Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Delta Plat, United Silver, AX Biz Cent
Posts: 705
Flagship property. Very sorry to see it go. Awesome lounge, always great upgrades and the one of the two best concierge I have ever met (Santiago).
I also have a vacation already booked for this hotel in January, don't know exactly what to do now. Too much swank for me at the W.
May have to check out the Keys.
I also have a vacation already booked for this hotel in January, don't know exactly what to do now. Too much swank for me at the W.
May have to check out the Keys.
By comparison, Hilton has the Casa Marina (a fantastic property), and SPG has either the Sheraton (very poorly located, and not a very 'classy' build), and the Westin (which is OK, but certainly not in the same league as the Casa Marina).
Yeah, they do have Sunset Key and ST Regis Bal Harbor at the extreme high end -- but in the $200-400 range, they now have some huge gaps.
I haven't stayed at the Westin Diplomat in a number of years, since I now live very close by -- but I used to go to that property every year, which is what introduced me to the area in the first place. It was always a great experience, v good SPG Platinum treatment/upgrades, v good beach, Beautiful building, etc etc...