The Weekly Flyer

I'm going next year and have reserved a 5 night stay for 80k. That breaks it down to 16k a night.

I think my report would be a litle to late for your stay though. Let us know if you choose the Eden and how it is.

Flyfarfar

qeialto

I can tell you my opinion as living in Rome. The Excelsior is amongst the best hotels in Rome, Eden is popular but not as the Excelsior. Both locations are great, with plus and cons for both.
If I would pick one I would go to the Excelsior all the times

free101girl

We just stayed at the Eden last month and were quite underwhelmed. I'd go with the Excelsior.

bhatnasx

I actually haven't stayed at the Westin, but I did stay about a block down from there when I was in Rome last year & I would recommend the Westin. Seemed like a great hotel & it defintely has a great location. Depending on how point-rich you are, I'd also go with saving the 18K points.

3timesalady

Stayed at the Excelsior a few months ago and loved it. Even though it was an award stay, I was upgraded to a HUGE HUGE HUGE suite, with a big spread of fruit, champagne, chocolates, and some other stuff in the sitting room when I arrived.

I would have a difficult time imagining a hotel worth 18k points premium. The location of this hotel is really good, I think. Quick walk to the train station (where the shuttle from FCO drops you), lots of shopping nearby, totally walkable to any other attraction, even Vatican City.

I think you'll be happy at the Excelsior. GREAT staff. ^

tadive

We stayed at the Westin Excelsior a few months ago and loved it. Not only was it a terrific location with great rooms, the staff was wonderful. I felt that the staff went above and beyond to treat us well. To me, good staff is a key reason to return to a hotel.

DCA_DR

Hello all!

DCA_Mrs and I (SPG Plats) are going to Italy in August. Splitting our time between Rome, Florence, and Venice. We just can't decide between Westin Excelsior or St. Regis. I've read all of FCTSTY et al's 2003-2005 discussions about the STR, and am wondering if anyone has any new thoughts.

My biggest concern is getting a suite or "great room." I've heard Plats have great luck at the Westin, not the STR. The STR is participating in the "buy 2 get 1 night free" special. The Westin is not. So, the STR will avg 197 euro per night, the Westin 290.

Clearly, we'd prefer to stay at the StR because of the rate. Any thoughts on upgrade potential at the STR? Ask Plat concierge for help? Show up with $50 in palm for front desk mgr? Does anybody have any "juice" at this property?

Thanks!

The Weekly Flyer

There is also the Hotel Eden in Rome.

IrishStephen

[QUOTE=DCA_DR]Hello all!

DCA_Mrs and I (SPG Plats) are going to Italy in August. Splitting our time between Rome, Florence, and Venice. We just can't decide between Westin Excelsior or St. Regis. I've read all of FCTSTY et al's 2003-2005 discussions about the STR, and am wondering if anyone has any new thoughts.

My biggest concern is getting a suite or "great room." I've heard Plats have great luck at the Westin, not the STR. The STR is participating in the "buy 2 get 1 night free" special. The Westin is not. So, the STR will avg 197 euro per night, the Westin 290.

Clearly, we'd prefer to stay at the StR because of the rate. Any thoughts on upgrade potential at the STR? Ask Plat concierge for help? Show up with $50 in palm for front desk mgr? Does anybody have any "juice" at this property?


I have stayed at the St. Regis many times before and I think it is one of the best SPG hotels outside of the Sheraton Grande in Bangkok. I have passed the Westin many times as there is a bar that I like near it however I think the Westin is a bit further out than the St. Regis and a bit more of a walk. I have always been given an upgrade and in fact am looking to go there again this weekend. You might help me here I am looking for the link for the buy two get one offer, if you have it.

Thanks

Stephen

NotSoFrequentTraveler

My husband and I will be spending three days in Rome at the end of June. We can get either one of these two hotels using points. I have searched and got information about both of them but was wondering if someone has stayed at both of them and can give me an idea of how they compare. My husband is both Hilton Diamond and Starwood platinum.

Greg76248

Hilton Cavalieri is maybe the nicest Hilton property I've ever stayed at. Great Executive Lounge, and I got a nice room upgrade as a Diamond. The downside is the location - you have to take their shuttle or a taxi to the heart of Rome. The Westin Excelsior is in a great location on Via Veneto, but their treatment of Platinums doesn't compare to the treatment of Diamonds at the Hilton.

NotSoFrequentTraveler

ThanKs for the info. How long does it take to get to Rome in the shuttle? I found out in another thread that the shuttle leaves for Rome every hour, but I could not find the lengh of the ride.

orfflyer

10 to 15 minutes to city center. A cab back to the hotel (if shuttle has stopped running) was very reasonable too (10 euro or so IIRC).

SanDiego1K

My personal preference is to stay in the city. Rome is such a great walking city that I found it frustrating to be at the Cavalieri, requiring transport every time I wanted to come into town.

I don't know the Westin property, so I am simply talking about my preference of staying in Rome versus staying on the outskirts of Rome, not the Hilton vs the Westin.

qeialto

Living in Rome I can tell you that the Westin is more popular and better located. But you have to go to the restaurant in the Hilton, called "La Pergola" that is one of the 3 best restaurant in Italy!!!!