UA-NYC

Happy to do so! Allows me to reflect on some of my favorite SPG stays over the years (up to about 180 unique *W properties stayed at). It's what got me to FT in the first place and what keeps me coming back, even as the SPG future may be murky...

Nice too to take a break from combating some of the anti-intellectual posts of late

dingo

I got distracted with some work disasters and am just now getting back here. Thank you for the great responses and information provided here.
@UA-NYC - thanks for all of the information. What I meant is that we'll likely ski for at least 3 hours, maybe as much as 5. Poorly phrased. I'm going to contact the hotel regarding equipment rental. We don't need anything fancy, so convenience is key for me. The hotel is already costing a bit so paying a bit more for the convenience of renting at the hotel would be fine by me.
@MSPSKI - bud. Love it, but will likely forgo on this trip. Love it though, and appreciate all of the tips here!

I may have further questions. We're in a 1 room suite, so we'll likely use the kitchen to our advantage in terms of some meals.

When we were there in the summer, the pool was actually a bit chilly one of the days. What is the pool like during the winter? I assume the hot tubs are, well, hot and hopefully there is bar service...?

Even w/ the kitchen, we're going to want to spend the evenings having some fun. By that, with a 7 year old, I mean eating at a steakhouse, eating with a view, or eating with some cool music in the background. I've got Red Lion, Campo de Fiori, Elways, and La Tour on the list of possibles. Hopefully there is some music at the Westin as hanging w/ a cocktail or pineapple juice works well for us. That said, any other music or dining (steak mostly for us) suggestions?

And wow! The responses here remind me of the best of FT and, to some degree, how it 'used' to be years ago. Thank you folks...very much appreciated.

evergrn

I'm studying the trail map.
If you're intermediate, am I correct that staying at Westin would be just as good an option as Autograph Collection?
Seems like vast majority of blue runs (and there aren't that many compared to Park City or Whistler) are on the right side of the trailmap, which is over by the gondola that comes up from Westin.

dingo

I'm not sure where the AC hotel is, but I've stayed at the Westin and am intermediate (on a good day!). How we got from the Westin to the slopes was to take our gear on the gondola right outside the Westin and then catch a bus that took us to Beaver Creek (where the Hyatt is). We didn't take the little lift from where the gondola drops you off so I can't speak to where that goes. We did it the way we did b/c our daughter was taking lessons and they were right outside the Hyatt at Beaver Creek. It wasn't bad at all honestly. That said, the convenience of the Hyatt is amazing. We're headed back up that way next week and are checking out Bachelor Gulch - the RC. I recall there being plenty of blues but don't recall any of them terminating at the small gondola that services the Westin.

evergrn

Autograph Collection is pretty much where the Park Hyatt is. It runs ~$150 more per night than Westin.
I was thinking to take the gondola from Westin and then take the lift from there up to Bachelor Gulch.
Having reviewed the map yet again, I just noticed that there is no way Westin is nearly as convenient as AG. Actually, from the aforementioned lift, you'd have to take yet another lift and you're finally at the top of several blue runs. From AG, it's just a one-shot ride up Strawberry Park Express. I guess there's a reason why the Westin is significantly cheaper than the other upscale hotels in the area. PH and RC are out of my price range. PH is running another $100 higher than AC.

I 40

If memory serves, you would need to take a third lift, as the 2nd one is only a couple of hundred yards above the RC Bach Gulch. You can ski down to get your ski legs warmed up, or just jump on the next lift nearby.

Its not that bad, and when the day is over, you can ski down to the Westin Gondola, and just take the quick ride back.

Of note, the Westin gondola closes around 4, and if you miss it (perhaps you had some cocoa in the RC), its a LONG walk back.. Brutal in ski boots.

The Mile Dog

Have stayed at the Westin a number of times, I will try to answer a few of the questions.

1. The hot tubs are yes...hot :-) If by bar service you mean will someone bring drinks to you whilst in the hot tub, then no. I do recall they had plastic cups by the door leading to the hot tub, so we just brought some beers from our room and transferred to the plastic cups for hot tub consumption.
2. The pool is heated in the winter, every once in a while I saw someone swimming in it. Can't say just how warm it is as I never tried it.
3. As for music, the Westin had live music in the lobby. Not sure every night, but probably weekend nights. Cool spot to hang out with a cocktail. Lots of couches, tables, comfy chairs, etc.
4. I didn't find the gondola to be that inconvienient, yes you do have to take it, then transfer to another chair to get up to Bachleor Gultch, a short warm up run brings you to the bottom of BG, then go from there. Bachelor Gultch is great if you like blue cruiser runs.
5. For more music, the Ritz at Batchelor Gultch usually has a guy with a guitar outside by the fire pit for apres' ski. Pretty fun place to hang out, then one last short run to the gondola home.
6. It seems like the gondola runs later than 4pm, but if it is not running there is a bus so you don't have to take a killer walk.
7. The hotels in Beaver Creek Village are nice if you like the restaurants, etc. in the village which tend to be higher end/pricey although reasonable optoins exist such as Blue Moose Pizza and the Dusty Boot. The Westin is walking distance to a number of restaurants in Avon which are more laid back, town vs. resort type feel.

dingo

Suite night awards funny business going on here.

I’ve got a three night stay, paid with points. My four upgrade options were and remain available for booking and we check in tomorrow. Grrrr.

dingo

Here right now.

Issues:
- No free breakfast for Titanium
- Late checkout not honored, partiall honored
- Didn't want to upgrade at checkin

Marriott had an issue with my SNA's. They took them, the rooms were all available, but they never cleared. And my nights still haven't been returned to mh account. Bonvoy customer service told me it takes 3 yo 5 business days to get them returned to the account...that's not been my experience so I think I'm in for a Bonvoy Adventure.

At checkin I asked about an upgrade. I was told there were no rooms available, despite me having spoken to someone a few hours prior. Then the agent finished with 'we're at 90% occupancy'. I said there is a difference between 90% and no rooms, and asked again. I was told no, there were no rooms....clean. I said I'd wait for them to clean one of the rooms, which I did.

There is an event at the hotel for Edward Jones; they've taken over a lot of the hotel. Breakfast is in the lobby / bar area. Buffet only.

Today (Sunday) my wife, daughter and I sat down to eat breakfast. I handed the waitress our card and said we'd use it for my wife and I and I'd pay the kids rate for my daughter. She responded that today the buffet costs $45 so they would charge $10 each for my wife and I. I said I think that is wrong and asked her to check w/ her manager. Her manager came over and confirmed that b/c there was an omlette station and there would be jazz 'later', the cost woud be $10. We didn't have an omlette, and there was no jazz at 7:00 when we were there.

We're checking out tomorrow so I called service express to request a late checkout. We don't have much to do before heading back to Denver so I thought we could use the pool. I asked for 4:00. The service express person said that checkout is 11:00 and the latest they could give me is 1:00. I explained Titanium benefits to her, she said it isn't 4:00 it is 1:00, but she would ask and call me back. When she did, she said it is 4:00 for Titantium, but her manager said they can only offer 2:00 because it takes 90 minutes to clean the room and it has to be ready for checkin for the next guest at 4:00.

This hotel, IMO, hates elites and openly goes against the rules. It is a nice hotel, but has not seen any updates at all in years. I think there are some coming soon, and they are sadly needed.

#Bonvoyed x 3

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

Dear Dingo,

We are sorry to learn that some aspects of your stay did not satisfy your expectation.

Kindly advise that Platinum Elite Members and above may check out as late as 4 p.m. local time of the Participating Property. This benefit is guaranteed at all Participating Properties, except at resort and convention hotels and Design Hotels, where it is based upon availability. As The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Vail Valley is a resort, the late check out would be subject to availability. We appreciate for your understanding.

Regarding the SNA not returning and the breakfast issue, if you can send a private message to us with below information, we will be pleased look into further for you.

- Your member account number
- Your full name
- Your recorded email address
- A past stay recorded in account (hotel name and stay date)
- Your stay date at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Vail Valley or reservation number

Thank you.

Please feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance.

Best regards,

Carrie L
Specialist Social Media Care
Marriott International
[email protected]

dingo

I will a bit later. I've not yet completed my PHD in the complex area of when Bonvoy benefits are required and when they are not.

1mileman

its pretty clear and you don't need a phd.. if a hotel is a resort or convention center, late c/o is based on availability. if it is not, then you get 4 pm.. if you want a 4pm checkout then don't stay at a resort or convention center.

dingo

Yeah. Didn’t reference the late checkout specifically with that comment. Meant it to apply to when upgrades are extended and when not, when breakfast is available and when not, and the blanket “participating properties “ language. But point taken on the late checkout specifically.

I 40

Checking in tomorrow for my annual Labor Day stay (10+ years). Couple of thoughts:
Never had an issue with breakfast and they include the tip in the benefit, which is great for quick exits.

Late checkout to use the pool- Fantastic spa there, checkout, store luggage, enjoy pool, shower/change/ refresh at no cost.

Hates elites? My experience has always been the opposite, to the point I get the room number I want (corner/ west side).

Will post a review after this weekend.

dingo

Sounds like inconsistent delivery. Worse than failed delivery in some respects.