nevansm

Had another amazing stay here last weekend, probably around my 15th. Awesome service from everybody, not crowded, pool was great and my SNA's cleared and got an even better upgrade than usual

travellingcari

I know the consensus seems to be that you need a car to get anywhere from here, but what if you just want to veg and not see/do anything other than pool/beach. There's enough on property dining and sundries wise that there's no need to leave property, right?

Context, if it helps, is I'm debating between here and my usual FLL area base, the Westin FLL Beach for five days of nothing.

Thanks!

worldspan

The Diplomat is confining and even with a car, the parking garage which is now totally automated has got to be the very worst on earth. And that leads to my one criticism of the property (like otherwise) is that at dinner time there is just a choice of their steak house (super pricey) or their sports bar across the street underneath the parking garage, nothing in the middle!

Worldspan
Naples, Florida

travellingcari

Thanks, good to know.

The AAA Hot Deals promo has this priced v. competitively and the club floor is... enticing. At the moment I have both booked and will decide with a little more research.

Side note: my kingdom for a starwood on the beach in your neck of the woods. I'm such a west coast girl, but the TPA properties are too cold for my liking in December.

Starwood Lurker

This is what the wife and I did for three days. It was glorious, IMHO. I had a rental and we never used it except to go do laundry.

We dined at the Rivals Waterfront Sports Grille most often, but also took meals at BarSu, Splash Poolside Grille & Bar, and The Café. IIRC, there's also a grab & go option. If you want, you could also take the shuttle over to the Golf portion of the resort and eat at The Links Restaurant & Lounge or The Tack Room Lounge for lighter fare.

Resort dining options/hours here: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...ropertyID=1402

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

travellingcari

Thanks, Lurker! Wasn't aware of the shuttle between the two. I've heard that the boardwalk also has good dining and, in December, shouldn't be a bad walk.

Now to decide between the two. As booked, it's a ~$600 difference over 5 nights. I love the Westin FLL Beach and I got a steal of a rate, but is this property $600 better (AAA Hot Deals rate for both so the $75 resort credit is a wash). Has anyone been to the two to weigh in? It seems like the pool here is spectacular and the club room looks gorgeous. How's the service? I adore the service at the Westin FLL Beach as a regular visitor. I get treated well, and I love the walkable location to Las Olas, Beach Place, etc.

Medved

This is a long walk from the Diplomat to boardwalk -- a couple of miles. Either you go along the shore (pitch black at night) or along the road. Though lots of lights and safe, it's a narrow sidewalk, lots of cars passing buy, not much pedestrian traffic at all. Take a trolley instead which goes every 30-40 minutes until 10PM and cost $1 per head. It stop right by the hotel. If you eat late, cab is the only option back -- $10.

Service quality is a perception. Review for each and every hotel vary from abysmal to oustanding. When I got my corner suite (used SNAs) which is very nice, I had 3 technical issues: TV wasn't turning on, fridge not working, safe stopped working. I had to call Service Express 3 times (1 for each issue). Within 5 minutes technician would come and things were rectified. Fridge, for instance, was just replaced entirely. Service Express operator would call each time and leave an apologetic message asking how the issues was dealt with.^
Overall, this is a very nice hotel.

travellingcari

Thanks, good to know on all counts.
I'm leaning Westin FLL Beach on location in case I need to do some Christmas shopping but we'll see. Will advise post trip

KENNECTED

There isn't any shoping around the Westin Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

If you want to shop and can afford it, book the St. Regis. It's across the street from the mall.

travellingcari

I've done OK with shopping on Las Olas and the mall on Sunrise. Galleria, I think it's called?

Will check on St. Regis rates. I've stayed once on a ridiculous rate. Given what the Diplomat is going for, St. Regis might be doable with some of the promos.

Thanks!

LittleFlyer

Hi All--

I'm a gold member and am travelling to the Westin Diplomat over Christmas with my 1.5 year old. Besides getting a cabana, what else do you think I should try to arrange for before arriving/while I'm there? Any tips/tricks? We need all the help we can get... thanks!

LittleFlyer

KENNECTED

that would depend on what you and your family want to do. Do you really need a cabana? IMO, the pool area isn't kid friendly your kid would have more fun on the beach.

Eujeanie

The upper pool has a zero entry very shallow end which I think is very kid friendly.

Flews

It is indeed. Our two/three-year-olds loved it.

Also, regarding previous posts, there is a shuttle to the boardwalk if you don't like walking. Yes it's a hike, but our three-year-olds managed it quite nicely, as did we. Like William, we just let our rental sit.

We found the service and Plat recognition to be outstanding.

Cheers,

Eujeanie

Related question since we'll be there in January after a cruise...we like the hotel so want to stay again, but is Dec/Jan beach/pool weather? I'm afraid it's going to be chilly or is that my northern background worrying?