StarwoodGuy

Monday, November 9, 2015

Westin Puerto Vallarta - Hurricane Patricia

A few weeks ago I came back from one of my favorite holidays spots, Puerto Vallarta. The city offers a Sheraton close to town, the Westin at the Marina close to the airport, and the amazing St. Regis in Punta Mita, a secluded area around an hour from downtown Puerto Vallarta.

I typically stay at the Westin when I visit. The hotel has a large and airy feel, great rooms and amenities, and an amazing staff all for a very affordable price. Taxis or buses are an easy fifteen minute trip to downtown. The Sheraton is a little closer if you want to be able to walk into town, but it is much busier and has a pushy timeshare aspect. The St.Regis is amazing but it is isolated from all that Puerto Vallarta has to offer and the prices there have skyrocketed to above the average price for most other St. Regis locations.

We were upgraded to a Grande Deluxe Suite at check in which is split level and is one of the few rooms to offer in room DVD players. There is a secondary bathroom on the lower level along with coffee maker, sofa, television, and a patio with a hot tub, while upstairs there is the King bedroom, another coffee station, a secondary patio, and the master bathroom with both a shower and separate tub.

The Royal Beach Club or their version of the Club Lounge is on the 12th floor and offers a good breakfast and snacks and drinks from 5 to 8 pm at night. Angel who runs the Royal Beach Club is amazing, and goes out of his way to make you feel at home there. The hotel facilities are wonderful, with an above average gym and spa with separate men's and women's hot tubs, saunas, and steams. There are tennis courts, the marina golf course right next door, a good beach, and several beautiful pools. The beach service is wonderful as well with cabanas available right on the beach along with one set up for beach side massages. The marina is right there and offers popular restaurants and sports bars as well as a Starbucks and some shops. The Westin itself now has a Starbucks affiliated coffee shop next to the lobby bar.

I try not to go down to Puerto Vallarta until November, once hurricane season has ended, but this year I went down a little early on the 18th, unfortunately a little too early. By the 21st it was clear that Tropical Storm Patricia was headed in our direction. On the 22nd it had been upgraded to a hurricane and very quickly the media in Mexico and the US picked up the story. By the night of the 22nd the hotel had strongly suggested evacuation. The morning of the 23rd they told us to take the last bus leaving at 10:30 am. We debated about staying. A few others had decided to remain (they were later forced by the military into a shelter), but we grabbed two of the last seats on the bus and made the extremely slow journey to Guadalajara. With thousands of others fleeing what had become a category 5 hurricane and was now the largest ever recorded many tourists had panicked in their escape while the locals remained quite calm. It took 9 and 1/2 hours to reach Guadalajara in torrential rains with the streets clogged with cars and buses, twice as long as the typical drive. The drive even within the city was completely backed up. Fortunately not only had the Westin arranged the bus for us but they had also managed to get us a room at the Hilton, the Westin and the Aloft were already sold out with evacuees. It took about thirty minutes to get a room and then we quickly ordered room service, watched the news as the storm luckily turned at the last minute sparing Puerto Vallarta and we went to bed.

The next morning we were happy to discover that Puerto Vallarta had been almost completely untouched, the storm had hit Guadalajara worse. Many people were grabbing flights out to the US and Canada from there, but we decided to head back to Puerto Vallarta and to stay two extra days. Alaska Airlines had made flight changes free and easy making our extension an easy fix. Before we headed back to Puerto Vallarta, we took the opportunity to explore the historic downtown of Guadalajara, with its many churches and beautiful town square. The bus ride back was on Mexico's high end ETN bus with a packaged lunch, reclining seats, and televisions, an amazing way to travel for only $37.00.

Back in Puerto Vallarta the city was empty. The Westin gave us an upgrade to a Junior Suite and offered us an all inclusive experience. There was very little noticeable impact to the city, though the ocean was brown for around a day with quite a lot of runoff, there was a higher then normal tide with the Malecon being hit by large waves, and quite a lot of debris washed up on shore. Fortunately much better then what could have happened. As always it was a great stay, and the Westin took great care of us considering the difficult circumstances and rapidly changing situation brought about by the hurricane. The people of Puerto Vallarta were eager for everyone to know that the city is up and running and ready to welcome visitors.

I can't wait to get back in 2 weeks!

Suite Downstairs Bathroom

Suite Downstairs Living Room

Suite Downstairs Balcony

Suite Downstairs Living Room

Suite Bedroom

Suite Master Bathroom

Suite Welcome

Starbucks in Lobby

Beach Bar

Beach

Suite View

Hurricane Patricia Preparations

Westin Lobby

Westin Bar

Hurricane Patricia Evacuations

Guadalajara

Guadalajara Bus Station

ETN Bus

Back in Puerto Vallarta

Hurricane Patricia Aftermath

Empty Westin!

Hurricane Patricia Aftermath

Junior Suite Living Room

Junior Suite Living Balcony

Junior Suite View

Junior Suite Living Room

Junior Suite Bathroom

Westin Gym

Westin Spa

Westin Tennis

Westin Pools

Monday, October 12, 2015

Parker Palm Springs

      One of my best friends is a huge fan of the Parker in Palm Springs and wanted to celebrate his birthday there this year. We had planned it out a few months in advance and had booked using SPG points when the point redemption rate was still only 12,000 points per night, now increased to 20,000 with the addition of a $30.00 resort fee per day. Despite this it remains one of my favorite hotels. We had both used Suite Upgrades to secure a suite for our stay. I managed one of the larger suites in the main building, while my friend Sean gave up his suite in favor of a patio with a terrace right out onto the North Pool.

     After driving in from the airport and checking into our rooms, amazingly decorated in Johnathan Adler furnishings matching the property's mid-century modern architecture, we headed right out to the beautiful main pool to take in some sun. The nearby Lemonade Stand makes delicious cocktails and the service at the pool is excellent, with the staff monitoring the pool to make sure only guests are using it.

     The grounds at the Parker are tranquil and relaxing. We played some croquet, jumbo chess and ping pong, before heading into the Palm Springs Yacht Club, the hotel Spa. The interior is so relaxing even if not getting a massage, with separate men and women's steams and saunas, ample indoor and outdoor quiet seating, two hot tubs, and a large pool. The relaxation room is a dark cushioned room lit with dozens of candles. Amble fruit is out and the coolers serve either water or a vodka mix with the Yacht Club's manifesto stressing a cocktail encouraged environment.

     After relaxing and showering in the Yacht Club we got dressed for dinner, stopping in the lobby bar for cocktails before heading out for dinner downtown.

    The next day we went for a hike up the Araby Trail, conveniently located right next to the hotel and passing by Bob Hope's iconic home, an easy intermediate hike. After showering it was breakfast at the Parker's main breakfast and lunch restaurant, Normas. Book early since it gets very busy. We had a continental breakfast included as a platinum benefit but we added one breakfast quesadilla to share which was delicious as are the pancakes at the hotel. Next it was off to the North Pool for a day in the sun, and then a return to the Yacht Club, drinks in the lobby bar, and another meal in town and on to the fun Spa Resort Casino for some gambling.

    On our last morning we went for a long walk into town, grabbed coffee at Starbucks, and then had breakfast at Normas before a return to the main pool before heading out for our next top the Sheration Anaheim for a weekend at Disneyland.

     The Parker is truly one of the best properties in the Starwood Family, with amazing restaurants, service, and grounds. Well worth a visit for a relaxing stay in Palm Springs which itself offers so much to see and do.

San Francisco Birthday Weekend at the Park Central

Just on my way back from a quick weekend in San Francisco. We stayed at the Park Central (formerly the Westin on Market) for a birthday trip with a few friends and my cute boyfriend.

On the way out of Seatac heading down to San Francisco I had a quick stop at the American Express Centurion Studio at the airport. It is a small space compared to the larger but dated Alaska Airline's Board Room, and the new Centurion Studio sadly only offers wine and beer, but the table service, food, and staff were excellent (as was the wine but no cocktail here). The furniture and decor were also stylish and modern (hopefully the upcoming Alaska N gates lounge will have this as well).

The Alaska flight was easy with great service on an updated plane (737-900) and the ride on the BART was simple to reach the hotel. The hotel's location on Market St. and the SOMA area is convenient for Union Square and access to shopping, museums, and much of what San Fransisco has to offer.

I used 2 Suite Upgrades to confirm a large suite which did come through and we were given a large room with living room and bar area, and the separate bathroom and bedroom area with great views out over the Bay and the neighboring Luxury Collection Palace Hotel.

The restaurant MaSo is dark and great for drinks and dinner, and while the buffet breakfast was good it is a little dimly lit in the morning hours.

I failed at all attempts to use the gym which was larger then I had expected for a city hotel and surprisingly busy on a weekend.

As for the weekend in San Francisco, there was plenty of walking along the water, a trip to the Presidio, the Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, an amazing lunch at the Rontunda Room, dinner with friends, drinks in the Castro (repeatedly) and an overall amazing time.

The trip out involved a quick stop at the American Express Centurion Lounge in the United Terminal at SFO, an amazing but packed space, before heading to the Cathy Pacific Lounge at the International Terminal (empty!) which for the next few years Alaska Airlines Board Room can take advantage of until the airport renovations are complete and the new terminal and Board Room are complete. If you fly out of SFO on Alaska it is well worth getting a membership while the deal lasts. The staff is lovely, the modern furniture and calm space is great, there is a shower suite is needed, excellent wine, but the food offerings dip when their is no Cathay Pacific flight departing, at times closer to their flights a noodle bar and more British offerings such as cucumber sandwiches are on offer.

A great SPG trip, thanks to Alaska Airlines, The Park Central, the American Express Lounge staff at SEATAC and SFO and the Cathay Pacific Lounge, Mat, Josh, Travis, and Jake S. and Sean for holding down the fort!


Amex Centurion Studio SEATAC

Amex Centurion Studio SEATAC

Train to N Gates

Castro dinner at Harvey's

Sea Lions at Fisherman's Wharf!

San Fran

Nob Hill

China Town

Rotunda Room

Park Central San Fran Bedroom

Park Central San Fran Living Room

Park Central San Fran View

Park Central San Fran Lobby

Park Central San Fran Gym

Run along the water

Golden Gate Bridge

Run along the water

Aquarium

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO

AMEX Centurion SFO Lounge

Wine Tasting AMEX Centurion Lounge SFO

Monday, August 17, 2015

Sheraton Seattle

This last weekend I checked into the very busy Sheraton Seattle hotel. I waited ten minutes in the Gold/Platinum line while people from the main line were helped first and wondered what was going on at the front desk, for such a busy hotel more then two desk agents are definitely needed. One of the guests in the other line was nice enough to point out to the front desk manager that I had been waiting longer (the other line was now 15 or so guests deep) but the manager said someone else could help me. When an attendant finally called me over I was given a standard room.

I was using this visit as a little test on Starwood Hotels since it happened to be my 75th and 76th nights at Starwood for the year at 225 days in, so a third of my year spent at Starwood hotels. Even though I was told by the spg phone line, their website, and the hotel directly when I had just called that suites were available, no upgrade was given at check in. Gold memebers are to be given an upgrade at check in, Platinum an upgrade up to a suite if available excluding Presidential/Honeymoon etc...I have found these upgrade happens with ease in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia, but not within the US itself where the company is of course based.

The room itself was in the old tower, updated nicely with a good city view. The hotel's location is right in the heart of town and close to Pike Place Market. The gym and pool on the roof are quite nice, parking in the driveway is a bit of a nightmare and valet it very expensive at $50.00 per night.

The Club Lounge is large but always overflowing. Right at 10:00 am the limited staff begins ripping food away from guests on weekdays, it is later at 11:00 am on weekends but the removal of food is the same. The Club Lounge staff complained in front of guests that they had no manager up there and another guest who asked for a vegetarian option was told they were out and that she would have to go to the restaurant. When I get Club access for being platinum I typically do not complain about it since it is a free perk, but if I was one of the guests who had paid for a Club Room and Lounge access I would have been quite upset. On two occasions I was working in the Club Lounge, as is common for many people, and they began vacuuming around my feet. Unbelievably unprofessional and far from a relaxing experience.

I have attended a few charity events at this hotel over the years and at the nearby Westin. If the prices are comparable pick the Westin, it has better service and even when it is busy it is a much more relaxing experience. There is also the W and a Four Points in Seattle as well, with the W near to the library and a few blocks away in the business area which can be quiet at night and on weekends, the Four Points is close to the Space Needle and Seattle Center but basically in lower Queen Anne, not right downtown.