ajnaro

The existence of a lounge is definitely a deciding factor for me in the following situations: (1) There are two Starwood hotels in the location, one with and the other without a lounge. In this case I invariably choose the hotel with a lounge, unless I happen to know that the other hotel provides a breakfast voucher. This true even if the hotel with lounge is more expensive, although normally just the opposite is true. (2) There is a Homewood Suites, or similar, in the same location. This sort of hotel has the advantage of also providing more space, internet access, parking, and sometimes even a light dinner. But the features that really pull weight with me are (in order of importance): internet access in the room, breakfast, parking. I can dispense with the cocktail hour, and even the lounge itself. So the developer need not lose space as far as I am concerned. But then, how often is the average hotel completely full? Not very often in my experience!

etsmyers

I am at the Westin in Virginia Beach currently. I have stayed here 3 times previously. In the past, a mediocre lounge, but well appreciated.

I check in tonight for one night, I ask about an upgrade if there are any suites. There are, but I would have to charge you????? Even as a platinum???!!!!! Now, I just drove for 6 hours and not in the mood to fight. I ask for my key to whatever room, 12th floor not an spg floor, but I can get water from the lounge.

I drop my bags, grab my book and head up to the lounge on 15, closed????

I go to the desk and find out the closed the lounge in November because by Westin standards they are not required to have it? So as a summary:

No free internet
No upgrade unless I pay
No lounge (see as a breakfast and beverages)

Where am I??? a courtyard????

etsmyers

and, as a note, yes, I do and will continue to choose properties based on what amenities are offered. I will stay at a property offering extra points or amenities over those that are not

SleepDoc

Well, if there are standard select suites available they should've upgraded you as a Platinum. As Cheap Elite would say, take care of the problem on site and get it elevated thru the appropriate channels including Customer Service if it has to get to that point. Hopefully you'll get the issue resolved to your satisfaction. Sucks that the lounge is closed... not really sure if you can do anything about that though. Let us know what transpires.

Starwood Lurker

About all I can confirm that no suites are being sold through any Starwood source for the remainder of this week, so I'm not sure where he would have produced one from even if you had agreed. That being said, this property only has two suites and neither of them is on this property's SPG3SU rate plan. In fact, that rate plan does not exist at this hotel, so I can't confirm if these are standard suites or not and eligible for Platinum upgrades. Sounds like to me that they hold these out of inventory for their sales department, which is fairly standard for a hotel with so few suite options.

That would be true. Westin brand standards do not require the existence of an executive lounge, so they can either have one or not have one at their own discretion.

My take...it seems like they are 1 for 3 in being right at the front desk so far, but nothing that I can see as being non-compliant with SPG Terms and Conditions.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

etsmyers

william,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Can you tell us what SPG brands are required to have a lounge and allow gold and platinums access?

Starwood Lurker

I don't know of any brand where this can be said to be an absolute brand standard, but my best guess is that the Sheraton brand comes the closest.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

KENNECTED

I just looked at the website for The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center.

If you click on the features and amenities box you will see a listing for a....

------> Club Floor Lounge <-----

etsmyers, I would speak with the General Manager immediately as they have not properly updated their website and if you chose this location based on that information, they have misled you!

You say no free internet, don't they provide free internet in the lobby? You were going to have to leave the room anyway. Since no lounge, ask if they can give you free internet for your troubles.

In regard to the suites, if they don't have them, they don't have them - it is what it is.

Go talk to the GM and call customer service.

dfwflyguy

Why westin has no lounges? I have recently checked in Toronto Harbour Castle Westin and Time Square Westin and none have the lounges.
Are the westins closing the Execute/club lounges ?

HomerJ

...in fact some of the best lounges I've been in.
Hey lots of Sheratons dont have 'em anymore either...sign of the times.

SanDiego1K

Starwood Lurker had posted that it is not a brand standard for Westin. I, too, find it disappointing.

KENNECTED

Here is some existing discussion on the topic. Please note posts by Starwood Lurker.
Starwood lounges at Westin Properties..
For the Starwood Lurker crew re lack of lounges in new Westins

DCBob

You are wrong about the Westin Times Square. It most certainly does have a lounge. It's called the Executive Club and it's located on the 8th floor of the hotel. It serves continental breakfast in the morning and light snacks in the evening.

KENNECTED

According to recent post in the Westin Times Square master thread, the lounge is or has already closed (for an indefinite time).

Flews

Few if any Westin lounges in Canada, or even North America. There used to be more in Canada, they seem to have all faded away.

Yet Asia has some dandys. Sydney Westin also has an oustanding lounge.

Westin Harbour Castle has more issues than just lacking a lounge imo.

Cheers,