Free Friday at the W LA
Sep 9, 2000 | 9:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
Free Friday at the W LA
Girls dorm heh heh
I picked Hunnybear up at work in the white Pontiac convertible and we drove to Westwood to check into the W Los Angeles. It was cool and a bit cloudy in Southern California. Last night there were a couple scattered showers. We flipped on the TV and every channel had a special report on the crazy weather and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from this rain. And I thought Steve Martin was exaggerating in LA Story. These people go nuts if there are a few drops! They wouldnt last an hour in Seattle.
From the outside, the W looked like a concrete college dormitory with a big W slapped onto it as we pulled up. In fact it had originally been a UCLA girls dormitory. What memories these walls must have had. A team of the classic W black-garbed valets greeted us as we arrived. I asked how much the valet parking was and the first one didnt know but the second one said $10. Not bad. The steps up to the lobby had very cool waterfalls underneath them. The lobby interior was likewise cool with standard W fun plush furniture and a staggered checkin desk staffed by a team of starlets. I picked the best-looking one to check us in and she gave us a suite on the 12th floor (out of 16). I asked if it was the best available room and she said yes. We waited a long time for the elevator and then went up to our suite.
The dcor was much like other Wsblack painted furniture, plush sofas and chairs, and black-framed black-and-white printsalthough somehow the Seattle one still seemed nicer. The bedroom had the fabled Heavenly-like bed (an actual king), There was one closet in the bedroom and one bathroom in the front room. A minibar was stocked full of munchies, high-end liquors, and the trademark W intimacy kit. A Platinum amenity awaited us: three crisp Granny Smith apples and a half-liter bottle of water along with the standard printed note from the general manager. I hooked up the high-speed Interned access ($9.95), an old hand by now, and gave my email a quick check before we went down to try out the lobby bar. We waited at least five minutes for the elevator. It felt like I was back at school again.
The lobby bar was decorated very much like Whisky Blue in the W New York. Like the W New York, they had no signature drink here, unlike Seattles W which had the fabled Emerald Drop, so Hunnybear ordered a Lemon Drop while I felt like a Beefeater martini. Prices were pretty high for LA, around $10 a drink, but they were big drinks. My martini tasted funny so I ate all the olives and then brought it back to the bar. I told one bartender about it but he said policy was that they couldnt fix other bartenders mistakes. My bartender was talking to the manager at the register for about five minutes, both their backs turned. Finally I began waving my arms and a third bartender came over and repaired the damage. Meanwhile Tony and Judy had arrived and she made them a couple of drinks as well. Tony nearly tripped on an uprooted carpet on the way back to the table. He alerted a passing busboy about it but he just stepped on it for a few seconds and wandered off leaving a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Dinner was at Tanino, an Italian restaurant within walking distance. We got seated immediately at a table near the front and ordered an expensive bottle of Barbaresco, my favorite Italian wine. They had Gaja for $168 but we went with one under $100. When Gaja was being discovered back in the early eighties I went around to every Safeway in greater Seattle and bought up every bottle I could find for dirt cheap. Then I quit drinking for a couple years and at some point sold all my wine at a garage sale for like $5 a bottle. Somebody got a real good deal, but I wish I had kept that Gaja.
For starters I had a yummy beef carpaccio with capers capersat least thats what the menu said, and there were quite a few of them, like Little Caesars Pizza Pizza. They only had one veal chop so Tony and I split it and a beef chop. Both were fabulous. Hunnybear gave me a few tastes of excellent John Dory and Judy had a vegetarian pasta. As a rule I dont eat dessert but Tony ordered three so I just had a few tastes. Dinner came to about $70 each before tip, but $25 of that was the wine.
We walked back to the dorm and headed up to bed. There was quite a bit of street and hall noise but we had no problem sleeping.
------------------
I hope you enjoy my Lion Tales. For photos, past travelogues, subscriptions, and more, see www.liontales.com
I picked Hunnybear up at work in the white Pontiac convertible and we drove to Westwood to check into the W Los Angeles. It was cool and a bit cloudy in Southern California. Last night there were a couple scattered showers. We flipped on the TV and every channel had a special report on the crazy weather and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from this rain. And I thought Steve Martin was exaggerating in LA Story. These people go nuts if there are a few drops! They wouldnt last an hour in Seattle.
From the outside, the W looked like a concrete college dormitory with a big W slapped onto it as we pulled up. In fact it had originally been a UCLA girls dormitory. What memories these walls must have had. A team of the classic W black-garbed valets greeted us as we arrived. I asked how much the valet parking was and the first one didnt know but the second one said $10. Not bad. The steps up to the lobby had very cool waterfalls underneath them. The lobby interior was likewise cool with standard W fun plush furniture and a staggered checkin desk staffed by a team of starlets. I picked the best-looking one to check us in and she gave us a suite on the 12th floor (out of 16). I asked if it was the best available room and she said yes. We waited a long time for the elevator and then went up to our suite.
The dcor was much like other Wsblack painted furniture, plush sofas and chairs, and black-framed black-and-white printsalthough somehow the Seattle one still seemed nicer. The bedroom had the fabled Heavenly-like bed (an actual king), There was one closet in the bedroom and one bathroom in the front room. A minibar was stocked full of munchies, high-end liquors, and the trademark W intimacy kit. A Platinum amenity awaited us: three crisp Granny Smith apples and a half-liter bottle of water along with the standard printed note from the general manager. I hooked up the high-speed Interned access ($9.95), an old hand by now, and gave my email a quick check before we went down to try out the lobby bar. We waited at least five minutes for the elevator. It felt like I was back at school again.
The lobby bar was decorated very much like Whisky Blue in the W New York. Like the W New York, they had no signature drink here, unlike Seattles W which had the fabled Emerald Drop, so Hunnybear ordered a Lemon Drop while I felt like a Beefeater martini. Prices were pretty high for LA, around $10 a drink, but they were big drinks. My martini tasted funny so I ate all the olives and then brought it back to the bar. I told one bartender about it but he said policy was that they couldnt fix other bartenders mistakes. My bartender was talking to the manager at the register for about five minutes, both their backs turned. Finally I began waving my arms and a third bartender came over and repaired the damage. Meanwhile Tony and Judy had arrived and she made them a couple of drinks as well. Tony nearly tripped on an uprooted carpet on the way back to the table. He alerted a passing busboy about it but he just stepped on it for a few seconds and wandered off leaving a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Dinner was at Tanino, an Italian restaurant within walking distance. We got seated immediately at a table near the front and ordered an expensive bottle of Barbaresco, my favorite Italian wine. They had Gaja for $168 but we went with one under $100. When Gaja was being discovered back in the early eighties I went around to every Safeway in greater Seattle and bought up every bottle I could find for dirt cheap. Then I quit drinking for a couple years and at some point sold all my wine at a garage sale for like $5 a bottle. Somebody got a real good deal, but I wish I had kept that Gaja.
For starters I had a yummy beef carpaccio with capers capersat least thats what the menu said, and there were quite a few of them, like Little Caesars Pizza Pizza. They only had one veal chop so Tony and I split it and a beef chop. Both were fabulous. Hunnybear gave me a few tastes of excellent John Dory and Judy had a vegetarian pasta. As a rule I dont eat dessert but Tony ordered three so I just had a few tastes. Dinner came to about $70 each before tip, but $25 of that was the wine.
We walked back to the dorm and headed up to bed. There was quite a bit of street and hall noise but we had no problem sleeping.
------------------
I hope you enjoy my Lion Tales. For photos, past travelogues, subscriptions, and more, see www.liontales.com
Sep 9, 2000 | 4:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: WILD ANIMAL PARK (SAN), CA> GOLD-CO, MARRIOTT, HH, STARWOOD, HYATT,
Posts: 1,373
I am wondering when you are scheduling your next SENSITIVITY TRAINING for improved service and upgrades at favorite Hotels, Restaurants, and Airlines for the Junior members?
Put me on the wait list. There is a lot more, that I need to know, and I know that I am missing something! Your results are Superior to any I read on here.
You could add GRAND MASTER as an alternative UserName!
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It is never too late to have a HAPPY CHILDHOOD!BEEP! BEEP!
[This message has been edited by ROADRUNNER (edited 09-09-2000).]
Put me on the wait list. There is a lot more, that I need to know, and I know that I am missing something! Your results are Superior to any I read on here.
You could add GRAND MASTER as an alternative UserName!
------------------
It is never too late to have a HAPPY CHILDHOOD!BEEP! BEEP!
[This message has been edited by ROADRUNNER (edited 09-09-2000).]
Sep 9, 2000 | 4:34 pm
#3
In Memoriam, Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 6,879
Good report. I am posting this from the $9.95 internet access at the W LA where Stimpy and I plan to mae the hotel walls re-live their "college days".
I am off to the pool bar. Will report more at a later time.
auh2o
I am off to the pool bar. Will report more at a later time.
auh2o
Sep 9, 2000 | 8:05 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
Yep, I'm here too, using the high speed internet connection. QL, I can't believe you missed the steps leading up to the hotel. You're walking on a waterfall.
The pool was way trendy with TV's in the cabanas so the tennis fans could watch Venus win. The bar and restaurant are also quite trendy and we couldn't even get reservations for dinner! Starwood Platinum doesn't count for squat at the restaurant. But the very nice concierge set us up at Jones which is a happening Hollywood place for food and drinks. She also got us on the list at a couple of the hotter clubs tonight (no lines for us Koko!).
The lobby in this place was designed by an Oscar-winning Hollywood Set Designer and it looks very LA. The rooms are a bit of a disappointment to me. They are not nearly as modern and fancy as some of the new Westin's I've stayed at such as Melbourne. But I guess they are all suites. My living room is nice, but I have a very small bedroom which is entirely taken up by the king bed.
Each room has a VCR and stereo. Supposedly there are tapes and CD's somewhere here in the room, but I haven't found them yet. Oh well, off to dinner now.
[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited 09-09-2000).]
The pool was way trendy with TV's in the cabanas so the tennis fans could watch Venus win. The bar and restaurant are also quite trendy and we couldn't even get reservations for dinner! Starwood Platinum doesn't count for squat at the restaurant. But the very nice concierge set us up at Jones which is a happening Hollywood place for food and drinks. She also got us on the list at a couple of the hotter clubs tonight (no lines for us Koko!).
The lobby in this place was designed by an Oscar-winning Hollywood Set Designer and it looks very LA. The rooms are a bit of a disappointment to me. They are not nearly as modern and fancy as some of the new Westin's I've stayed at such as Melbourne. But I guess they are all suites. My living room is nice, but I have a very small bedroom which is entirely taken up by the king bed.
Each room has a VCR and stereo. Supposedly there are tapes and CD's somewhere here in the room, but I haven't found them yet. Oh well, off to dinner now.
[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited 09-09-2000).]
Sep 10, 2000 | 8:22 am
#5
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
I think I did mention the waterfalls stimpy---maybe you should get that Lasix eye surgery to correct your vision. 
I get the vaunted invite
I was up early, writing and checking email, when my cell phone rang. It was Barton asking if I fit into my tux because he had an extra ticket to tomorrows Emmy Awards for me. I said Id make do some how, thanked him, and started jumping up and down whooping and hollering to Hunnybear that I was going (without her) to the Emmys!
Later, after I had showered and bandaged all my bleeding parts, it was time to check out. The video checkout didnt work so we called down to the valet to bring the Pontiac around and then checked out with the supermodel at the front desk. There were no phantom charges so we just left the drinks, Internet, and parking on the Sheraton Optima card and went down the waterfall steps to the curb. I handed the ticket to the valet who found my car parked at the curb and pulled it around to us. The doorman loaded our luggage into the back so I gave him a couple bucks in plain view of the valet and let them work out how to share it.
We stopped at the Coffee Bean in Westwood, across the street from Starbucks, for some coffee. The bouncy coeds staffing the small shop looked like they didnt need any more coffee today. We verified with them that their wares were superior to Starbucks (oh for sure!) and noticed a sign on the wall saying that it was quicker for them to roast beans than to have them shipped from Seattle. We are waiting for Tullys to open in LA.
We drove to LAX to pick up Hunnybears brother Carl. The crazy weather has vanished and it was once again a perfect day in paradise. We parked in the Terminal 2 lot and walked up and over the skybridge to the gates. This was home to Northwest as well as Air Canada. It was a depressing, run-down terminal with non-functioning video monitors. We finally found a working one to tell us to wait at gate 21. The monitor continued to show on time even when the flight finally arrived a half-hour late. We scooped up Carl and headed home.
The end.
------------------
I hope you enjoy my Lion Tales. For photos, past travelogues, subscriptions, and more, see www.liontales.com
I get the vaunted invite
I was up early, writing and checking email, when my cell phone rang. It was Barton asking if I fit into my tux because he had an extra ticket to tomorrows Emmy Awards for me. I said Id make do some how, thanked him, and started jumping up and down whooping and hollering to Hunnybear that I was going (without her) to the Emmys!
Later, after I had showered and bandaged all my bleeding parts, it was time to check out. The video checkout didnt work so we called down to the valet to bring the Pontiac around and then checked out with the supermodel at the front desk. There were no phantom charges so we just left the drinks, Internet, and parking on the Sheraton Optima card and went down the waterfall steps to the curb. I handed the ticket to the valet who found my car parked at the curb and pulled it around to us. The doorman loaded our luggage into the back so I gave him a couple bucks in plain view of the valet and let them work out how to share it.
We stopped at the Coffee Bean in Westwood, across the street from Starbucks, for some coffee. The bouncy coeds staffing the small shop looked like they didnt need any more coffee today. We verified with them that their wares were superior to Starbucks (oh for sure!) and noticed a sign on the wall saying that it was quicker for them to roast beans than to have them shipped from Seattle. We are waiting for Tullys to open in LA.
We drove to LAX to pick up Hunnybears brother Carl. The crazy weather has vanished and it was once again a perfect day in paradise. We parked in the Terminal 2 lot and walked up and over the skybridge to the gates. This was home to Northwest as well as Air Canada. It was a depressing, run-down terminal with non-functioning video monitors. We finally found a working one to tell us to wait at gate 21. The monitor continued to show on time even when the flight finally arrived a half-hour late. We scooped up Carl and headed home.
The end.
------------------
I hope you enjoy my Lion Tales. For photos, past travelogues, subscriptions, and more, see www.liontales.com
Sep 10, 2000 | 10:46 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Oslo, Norway.
Programs: SK EBD, AX Cent, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Club-A Plat, Avis' PC, CC Gold,Hertz PC, CX Diamond,BA Bronz
Posts: 683
Great report, but I nearly died when you sold the Gajas. (My two favourite Italian wines being the '78 and '85 Sori Tildin!!)
[This message has been edited by The Viking (edited 09-10-2000).]
[This message has been edited by The Viking (edited 09-10-2000).]
Sep 10, 2000 | 2:37 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
Sorry I missed that part QL.
We spent this morning in our own poolside cabana eating breakfast and watching football. We had to ask housekeeping to bring down the remote for the cabana TV and there was only one waitress for the whole pool area, but other than that it was great!
Last night we had an excellent dinner at Jones where our concierge arranged a free bottle of wine. Then we went to Barfly which was a pretty awesome Sunset Strip club. Then back to the W's own trendy club where we had to show our room keys to get in. Lots of comfy couches and quirky furniture. They closed the bar at 2 and starting herding people out the door. Since we had room keys we got to stick around in the lobby, but they said we couldn't keep our drinks. Then we tried to go out to the pool but they said that was off-limits. We soon realized that after 2am you are confined to your room at the W in LA.
Surpises on my bill include $21 for parking when we were told it would be $10. And zero Starpoints. But I haven't checked out yet and expect to rectify those issues.
We spent this morning in our own poolside cabana eating breakfast and watching football. We had to ask housekeeping to bring down the remote for the cabana TV and there was only one waitress for the whole pool area, but other than that it was great!
Last night we had an excellent dinner at Jones where our concierge arranged a free bottle of wine. Then we went to Barfly which was a pretty awesome Sunset Strip club. Then back to the W's own trendy club where we had to show our room keys to get in. Lots of comfy couches and quirky furniture. They closed the bar at 2 and starting herding people out the door. Since we had room keys we got to stick around in the lobby, but they said we couldn't keep our drinks. Then we tried to go out to the pool but they said that was off-limits. We soon realized that after 2am you are confined to your room at the W in LA.
Surpises on my bill include $21 for parking when we were told it would be $10. And zero Starpoints. But I haven't checked out yet and expect to rectify those issues.