How is a Westin different to a Sheraton Grand?
Feb 26, 2017, 12:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
How is a Westin different to a Sheraton Grand?
Apologies if this has been answered before, but I'm a reasonably new convert to SPG (unfortunate timing given the merger, I know!). How *exactly* is a Westin different to a Sheraton Grand?
Historically, I get that Westins have generally been a bit newer/more up-to-date and slightly more upmarket than Sheratons, but with the most upmarket Sheratons now becoming Sheraton Grands I'm finding that I can't tell which is meant to be the more premium hotel in places that have both. Is a Westin still in general meant to be more expensive per night than a Sheraton Grand?
Historically, I get that Westins have generally been a bit newer/more up-to-date and slightly more upmarket than Sheratons, but with the most upmarket Sheratons now becoming Sheraton Grands I'm finding that I can't tell which is meant to be the more premium hotel in places that have both. Is a Westin still in general meant to be more expensive per night than a Sheraton Grand?
Last edited by lost_in_translation; Feb 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Feb 26, 2017, 12:38 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,135
Every hotel is different, and Starwood considers brand standards to be a trade sevret, so there is no good answer to this.
I wouldn't say that any brand is meant to be more expensive than any other.
I wouldn't say that any brand is meant to be more expensive than any other.
Feb 26, 2017, 12:53 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Apologies if this has been answered before, but I'm a reasonably new convert to SPG (unfortunate timing given the merger, I know!). How *exactly* is a Westin different to a Sheraton Grand?
Historically, I get that Westins have generally been a bit newer/more up-to-date and slightly more upmarket than Sheratons, but with the most upmarket Sheratons now becoming Sheraton Grands I'm finding that I can't tell which is meant to be the more premium hotel in places that have both. Is a Westin still in general meant to be more expensive per night than a Sheraton Grand?
Historically, I get that Westins have generally been a bit newer/more up-to-date and slightly more upmarket than Sheratons, but with the most upmarket Sheratons now becoming Sheraton Grands I'm finding that I can't tell which is meant to be the more premium hotel in places that have both. Is a Westin still in general meant to be more expensive per night than a Sheraton Grand?
Sheraton Grand Hotels - new designation
Feb 26, 2017, 1:14 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
Perhaps neither a Sheraton Grand or a Westin is meant to be more upmarket than the other, but this is surely not true for all SPG hotel brands in general. A St. Regis is always going to be targeted at a higher price point than a Sheraton in the same location.
Feb 26, 2017, 1:20 pm
#5
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: 100,403
Rates within individual hotels can be highly variable due to yield management, so it can be difficult to see whether a given hotel is more expensive than another one on average.
My impression is that Sheraton Grand is likely to be a large (often convention but upscale) hotel (for example, Chicago) while most Westins are smaller (although Atlanta is a counter example and is also a convention property).
The obvious difference (again, not consistently) is style, with Westins meant to be relaxing with an almost spa like atmosphere and often green/cream/taupe colors.
My impression is that Sheraton Grand is likely to be a large (often convention but upscale) hotel (for example, Chicago) while most Westins are smaller (although Atlanta is a counter example and is also a convention property).
The obvious difference (again, not consistently) is style, with Westins meant to be relaxing with an almost spa like atmosphere and often green/cream/taupe colors.
Feb 26, 2017, 2:38 pm
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
Sheraton Grands tend to have a more traditional/classic feel, and normally have a 'signiature' restaurant, high-end spa, and are the buildings frequently have more architectural heritage and character than Westin.
Feb 26, 2017, 3:23 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
OP, I wouldn't lose any sleep over this otherwise you'll never be able to cope when they merge Starwood's 11 brands with Marriott's 19 brands. 
Feb 26, 2017, 3:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Westins overseas are engaged with local artists and have local music playing in the lifts. They're distinctly French boutique, and generally somewhat interesting, if not always perfect.
In the US they seem to be more about health, with superfood nonsense on room service and of course the omnipresent green leaf soap and the Westin perfume.
In the US they seem to be more about health, with superfood nonsense on room service and of course the omnipresent green leaf soap and the Westin perfume.
Feb 26, 2017, 3:32 pm
#9
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,914
Feb 26, 2017, 3:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Almost all Westins I've seen overseas have a little sign in the lift where it highlights the local music they're playing, Barcelona was the last place I saw it. There's usually at least a plaque elsewhere explaining the art, and sometimes they've got exhibitions or galleries (like Siem Reap, from memory).
Feb 26, 2017, 3:47 pm
#11
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
Given your stated location of 'In the air', where is 'overseas' exactly ? 
Feb 26, 2017, 3:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Feb 26, 2017, 4:10 pm
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
Feb 26, 2017, 4:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Let's call it non-North American then.
Feb 26, 2017, 5:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,387
Almost all Westins I've seen overseas have a little sign in the lift where it highlights the local music they're playing, Barcelona was the last place I saw it. There's usually at least a plaque elsewhere explaining the art, and sometimes they've got exhibitions or galleries (like Siem Reap, from memory).