pricesquire

I've been to Aruba twice. Just got back yesterday. Marriott really has a hold on this place...Ritz, Marriott, Surf Club, Ocean Club...

Then you have the Radisson. Easily one of the best resorts on Palm Beach.

The other good hotels, I think, are mostly local establishments.

Sad to see the Westin go, even if it needed a remodel. Location is great and the building is an art deco beauty. Reminds me of south beach Miami.

lilpisher

We can add this to the "very much a rumor" category with two extra grains of salt..but, when I was chatting with an employee in the casino there a couple weeks ago, he mentioned that even with the sale of the hotel, Starwood still owned an adjacent, currently undeveloped parcel of land next door (which was likely the intended location of the timeshare property). I'm hoping they decide to develop it as an SPG hotel

YYJMSP

That was the site of the planned SVO (IE timeshare property) which never happened.

I was under the impression from a post on another site that the land had also been sold by Wells Fargo as part of the deal with RIU?

Sweet Willie

poor planning with the large outside clock though, the hash marks where numbers are, are lit, but nothing else is, so you can't read the time at night.

pricesquire

Completely agree. I guess what I was getting at was: there's a solid foundation there. Yes, it needs a renovation bad, but I'd still hate to see the Westin go

lilpisher

I guess it depends on how much credence you give to a rumor passed along by an employee at the hotel casino

Doublejade

I am planning to go to Aruba in August and saw tons of availability at Westin Aruba a month ago but I was waiting to finalize my flight tickets before I book the hotel. I made a mistake....

I checked on SPG... looks like anytime after Feb, this hotel does not have even regular rate available anymore. Is that the hotel is leaving SPG? It's showing sold out on expedia. Very weird... Any thoughts?

Oxon Flyer

I've merged your question into the thread which should answer it.

87155

according to *w website "The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba will be closing and leaving the Starwood system on February 27, 2014. Reservations for dates on or after February 26, 2014, will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual."

My question is how are they going to handle reservations that they currently have? I have mentioned before on FT that we have non refundable airfare for the fall and are staying on an award reservation. What is the hotel and or *w going to do for my loss of tickets? Are they going to honor reservation's at another property or are they going to pay the change feed for my flights. This is such a problem for so many people as the notice for closing and leaving the program is only 2 months.

Starwood Lurker

An email was sent to everyone who has a pending reservation for this property detailing the next steps. If no email address was on the reservation, letters and phone calls will be made; however, the reservation date probably dictates that those who are impacted first will be contacted first.

If you have a pending reservation for this property, I'd be glad to check with the department handling this issue to be sure you are on their list to contact. Just send me the confirmation number via Private Mail or by email.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

unrdchi

Has anyone with a reservation been contacted about SPG's alternate plans? I have a stay in late March and in the e-mail that I received was told that I would be contacted by Feb 4.

Just curious if anyone has already been contacted by SPG and told what they plan to do with your stay.

Edavid14

I am one of those people with a reservation at the Westin. We are scheduled to arrive March 1st, 2 days after it closes.

I still have not been informed where my new reservation will be, but I did finally get somebody to call me after posting a complaint on the Starwood resorts Facebook page. They are very sensitive to pressure on social media sites!! It appears the group working with the new owners (the RIU next door) is based out of Ireland.

The last email I received from her was on Monday morning 1/27 and she said..."We had a call with the Riu Team on Friday and they were hopeful that we would have the name of the relocating hotels either today or tomorrow. I have sent the team from Riu your information and have asked that they get back to me ASAP with information regarding your stay. I have asked the team to let me know where you reservation has been relocated to at their earliest convenience. My hope would be that your reservation will be moved to the Riu which is right next door to the Westin however I can’t confirm at this time. I know this is disappointing but I do hope to have information very early this week for you."

I then quickly followed up, asking "if we get sent to the Riu, will we get the all-inclusive experience as well?" Her response was "I’m not 100% sure on the all inclusive piece yet but I am hopeful if this is where you are relocated to then it most certainly will apply." While I am not necessarily interested in an AI vacation, it would save us a LOT of money and might make up for the inconvenience and anxiety they have caused us.

Needless to say, Monday and Tuesday have passed with no word from Starwood. I continue to contact my new friend daily to keep on top of her mind. I'll post an update when there is news.

In the meantime, as this is our first trip to Aruba, can any of you please advise of the quality of the Riu, if we are indeed being relocated there?

AlxStevens

As background, I've been traveling to Aruba at least once a year for the last 10 years and was there 3 weeks ago.

The Riu is a very nice property - newer and nicer, in fact, than the Westin. As far as the all-inclusive goes, the Riu has good options but part of what makes Aruba great is the wealth of excellent restaurants, quite a few of which are walking distance from the Westin/Riu. I advise people not to go AI there, though of course if they're giving it to you free then you can use it to the extent that you want.

KENNECTED

Pick up the phone and call Starwood CCS. Be proactive and approach this from more than one front!

Starwood Lurker

Respectfully, that is not going to help. There is a dedicated team handling the deactivation and relocation of guests for this property and they have asked that those who are affected give them until February 4th to be contacted about their alternative arrangements.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]