lilpisher

I booked an award stay on May 2 (for the end of the year), and the following was included in my confirmation email:

"A resort service fee of $25 per day applies to all rooms, including those booked with SPG Starpoints®."

atxtraveler

Confirmed, $25 resort fee. I can definitely tell you that the money is fairly well served, as towels are free, the staff seems nice, and most have been very helpful.

I was upgraded without prompting to the oceanview premium, and the only difference between oceanview and premium is that the premium is on the end of the row, and has two patios versus one.

Their term suite is definitely different than mine. I would call it "nice room with view".

Antonio8069

Does the resort waive the fee for PLATs?

niteowl94

No, everyone pays the resort fee

broadwayblue

Do hotels that don't charge a resort fee now charge for towels? I haven't seen this before. And employees should only be friendly and helpful if one pays an additional extortion fee above and beyond the daily room rate?

idealguru

Cant decide between a premium ocean view at the westin or club arias B&B #1 rated B&B

they are both very different .. one is a tourist hotel and the other is a B&B located in a not so touristy part of the island

Wondering if the ocean view trumps the homeliness of one the highest reviewed B&B in a different part of the island (Savaneta)

anyone who has been to the island and is familiar care to comment?

idealguru

if i book premium ocean view room what is the next level upgrade that can be hoped for as a Preferred Plus member

Starwood Lurker

Upgrades to a next level category room type are not among Preferred Plus member benefits, but you might be able to get an enhanced room in the same category you originally book, subject to availability at check-in.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

alrvd83

I have a 2 queen bed room booked on points for next week....4 days 3 nights. Anymore recent feedback?

I am now having mixed feelings and may stay at the Marriott instead lol

Is this place that bad?

PHLGovFlyer

I've stayed at the Westin, Surf Club, and Stellaris and no, the Westin is not that bad. It's not as nice as the Stellaris, but it is also a lot less $$$.

alrvd83

Ok thanks. I'm using 30k starwood pts for the westin for 3 nights so I'll just keep it.

The stellaris is like 105k pts for 3 nights. I'll pass

gwhite216

Ouch...We arrived last night around around 10:45 from MIA. We were greeted without a bellhop on staff and unloaded luggage for 2 adults and 2 kids for 5 days. Upon waiting for 20 minutes to check in we were offered an upgrade to a Ocean Front Suite and were please. We were presented with arrival amenity and explained the $25/day resort fee. I chose the drinks at the bar and was told it is good for 2 and they will give us a non alcoholic drink for each child. I asked if there was a crib in the room as requested and the he said he would send one up.

The first impressions of the lobby were nice. It seemed updated and clean. As we dragged our luggage upstairs to 1102 in 2 trips we noticed the halls and walls are in need of repair. Our room is fairly spacious but in needs of some TLC. It seems as if it was updated a few years ago and never maintained. The TV is fuzzy, bathtub is chipped, no robes (but hanger touting them), sagging sofa, and scuffed walls. Needless to say we were no wowed by first impressions. After 30 minutes of waiting for a crib I called down again. 30 minutes later I walked down to talk to the front desk. Before I talked to them I decided to grab the amenity drinks at the bar. I asked for 2 mojitos but they did not have them. So settled on a standard vodka/soda. As the bartender came with the drinks I mentioned what the FD said about the amenity and asked for 2 bottled waters. He told me that the certificate only covers 1 drink. I went to the FD but no one was working. When someone came out I expressed all of my frustrations and she told me things would get better and comped our drinks and breakfast. Needless to say there was still no crib.

As I returned to the room, I booked the Hyatt down the street for the next 3 nights. Today continued the bad experiences. The food is horrible, service is lacking, and overall experience has been memorable in the wrong way. It takes a lot to book another hotel mid stay but I did it. I would suggest staying away from this property.

FlyertalkST

I am at this property now on my honeymoon, taking a break from the sun to let my skin recover while my wife takes a nap. I have been happy with all service so far as everyone has been happy, attentive, and available to help as needed.

I'm on the front-end of my stay, so I will withhold any final review until the trip is over, but if anyone has any questions about the property that might require a report on current conditions "from the ground", I'd be happy to check things out for you, snap a photo, etc. This forum has been an endless supply of traveling wisdom to me so I'm happy to be in a position to help instead of be helped!

pointsjunkie53

does anyone know if the westin aruba is being rebranded? i tried to book rooms from 3/14-8/14 and site will not allow me.

Beachsc

RIU officially notifies Aruba government they will purchase Westin Resort

http://themorningnewsaruba.com/local...westin-resort/