StarwoodGuy

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Westin Puerto Vallarta (Working Holiday)

So it was time for an escape from the rainiest Seattle winter I can ever remember. Since I can work remotely and I am trying to burn through my Starwood points in anticipation of the Marriott takeover, I booked an 8 night stay down to the Westin in Puerto Vallarta, my favorite hotel. As always, the hotel takes such good care of its guests especially Angel in the Club Lounge/Royal Beach Club. I can get lots of work done while still having plenty of time for the beach and gym.

Angel is still outstanding, and while many regulars complain the warm options have been removed from the night time selections in the Royal Beach Club, there is still a selection of cheeses, sandwiches and desserts and they keep the cocktails flowing, and the breakfast has remained extensive. The hotel is gearing up for major renovations with the Royal Beach Club scheduled for large changes this year. It is difficult to know at this time how many changes will come with the new merger but only time will tell. Also, the guys who work the beach and seating area next to the beach are the best, the drinks seem to get stronger every year, all while doing hard work in the heat keeping the guests happy.

As with the lower Canadian dollar, the Peso is noticeably weaker, with food and drinks in the hotel and in Puerto Vallarta in general being a great deal for Americans. The only huge downside currently is how busy the city has become. I have been coming down since 1998 when Alaska Airlines had one flight and there were only a few other options for coming down to Puerto Vallarta. Now the airport is overflowing with planes stuck on the tarmac for hours and not enough gates to accommodate the increased traffic. I cannot remember ever seeing Delta Airlines here a few years ago and now the seem to be every other plane taking off with wide body plans coming in from Canada and even England now. The airport, only recently expanded a few years ago, is already in need of another expansion due to the huge demand. It is likely only a seasonal issue from November through March with spring breakers coming in at the latter month, but the increased business is a great thing considering the close escape the city had with last year's hurricane.

Typical with this time of year the humpback whales were out in full force. I see them occasionally off of the hotel, but this year we were treated to a mother and calf who spent an entire day splashing and jumping just off of the beach. A truly amazing sight to see all day long from the Royal Beach Club, your balcony, and just watching on the beach.

The grim news was of course the Zika virus with Alaska Airlines and the Canadian carriers announcing waivers for passengers wanting to avoid Mexico. So far there is no indication of any slow down in Puerto Vallarta, but the Westin leans towards the older side of guests except when there is a conference or a wedding, so the Zika virus is likely less of a concern for most here.

I did manage a large walk along the beach all the way up to Nuevo Vallarta.

As always, an amazing stay, great service, and perfect weather! Hopefully all changes under Marriott will be for the better...or please make no changes at all!

Welcome Gift

Supersized Westin Beach Happy Hour

Whales playing off the Westin beach

Sunrise over the hotel

Unusually active surf at neighboring beach

Ruins on Beach Walk

Beach Bars on walk to Nuevo Vallarta

Nuevo Vallarta

Empty Seat On Flight Home!

Turtle Sanctuary on Walk to Nuevo Vallarta

View at Night

Hotel Gift

US Coast Guard Departing

Local Wildlife

Sunset From Royal Beach Club

View from Westin to downtown Puerto Vallarta

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre

I just had another quick work trip to Vancouver, BC and stayed at the Sheraton Wall Centre once again. The hotel is still undergoing large renovations, now with the entire South Tower (containing all of the suites) closed. The exception to the South Tower closure is the temporary Club Lounge which is still located in the South Tower on the Third Floor. Though there are no complimentary drinks at night, the food offerings in the morning and evening are quite good, as is the service. Once the renovations are complete the Club Lounge will be upstairs again offering some of the best views of the city.

The North Tower was only built in 2001 and remains one of Vancouver's tallest buildings, but despite this relatively young age the rooms in this tower have now been recently renovated very nicely. Though not as large as the suites in the South Tower, some of the rooms on the upper floor of the North Tower are spacious and offer panoramic views out over English Bay and the city. The standard sized rooms in the North Tower are curved along the shape of the building and are quite nice, but noticeably on the small side.

The location of the hotel remains one of its strong points. With the current low Canadian dollar the prices for a stay in a major city are so much less in comparable to the average US city currently. At around 70 cents to the US dollar everything from the room price itself to dinner or drinks seems like a steal.

After finishing work the trip consisted mainly of shopping on Robson Street, in the new impressive Nordstrom (formerly Eaton's and briefly Sears), at Pacific Centre shopping mall, and at Holt Renfrew. The prices for many items have yet to be adjusted to the swift collapse in the Canadian currency and many goods were much less then back in Seattle.

After this it was Happy Hour drinks at the Cactus Club on English Bay for the stunning views out over the water with my favorite sunset sodas (vodka and a splash of blended bellini) at only $2.50 US. After a walk back to the hotel and a quick workout I met up with friends for dinner in Yaletown at the Flying Pig, one of my favorite restaurants in the city. It is currently Dine Out in Vancouver with many restaurants offering exceptional dining deals.

http://www.dineoutvancouver.com/

Now is the time to go to Vancouver for shopping, skiing, dining or other tourist sights!

Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Welcome Gift

Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Room View

Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Room Bathroom

Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Room View

Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Room

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Platinum 100/ Renewal Present

Nice gift from SPG!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Victoria BC for Christmas

I had an early trip back to Victoria this year to visit my father for Christmas since he was heading to Hawaii with my step-family. Also, one of my best-friends from university was coming into town with her husband so I took the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria in mid-December to meet up with everyone.

Unfortunately I chose December 12th as my departure date right when a huge storm hit the Pacific Northwest. I was on the 9:00 am Clipper and we were warned of a rough trip so we departed a little early to get ahead of the waves. I have taken the Clipper over 100 times, usually in calm seas, but this was one of the roughest crossings I had sadly. It took a little longer then was typical as the crew made an effort to avoid some of the harshest weather but the 6 foot swells gradually increased to 10 but fortunately we arrived into Victoria before the worst hit.

The first night I was betraying my Starwood loyalty since my friends had booked at the Delta Ocean Pointe which is just over the blue bridge in downtown Victoria. The hotel has just completed a great renovation and I had a good room with a view of the water, very modern and functional, reminiscent of an Aloft to me. That day was spent catching up with friends and with a wonderful meal at 10 Acres downtown, though the heated and covered outdoor patio was buffeted by the winds and rain that night, before we headed inside to the Bard and Banker which is a beautiful pub on Government Street which had an amazing live band playing.

The next day I had an early workout in the good but not too elaborate gym before I checked out and made my way out into the second wind storm. I had lunch with my godfather, father and stepmother at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club where I had sailed as a child and where my father was still a member. They put on a delicious Christmas Buffet. After, it was a walk around Oak Bay Avenue with quaint stores and plenty of Christmas cheer before walking downtown to the Empress Hotel, back to Government Street to buy some books at Munros' bookstore and some Chocolate at the famous Roger's Chocolates, a quick walk around Chinatown and the Christmas square set up with a carousel and another live band at Town Hall, and then a stop in at the Laurel Point Inn too see the Gingerbread houses they had set up. After, I picked up my rental car and headed out to Bear Mountain.

I was given a suite upgrade to my favorite room (other then the massive Penthouse), one of the corner suites with a large kitchen and dining area, a living room, bathroom, balcony, and then a separate bedroom and bathroom. I had a quick workout that night before going to bed early. The next morning I got up for a long workout at the gym, still one of my favorites of any hotel, before then heading into town to get some work done. After, I had time for a quick hike up Mt. Douglas to get some great views over the city and then I rushed back downtown to drop my rental car and meet my father and godfather for a quick trip before jumping back on the Clipper, fortunately on a perfectly calm and sunny day this time.

As always Victoria is great to go home to and it was wonderful to see so many friends and family though I missed many as well. The Westin was one of my favorites as per usual and the heated outdoor pool and hot tub at Christmas give it a very festive feel with the trees lit up and various scheduled visits from Santa at the hotel over the holiday season.

Parliament Buildings In Victoria

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite Guest Bath

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite Dining Area

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite Kitchen

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite Bedroom

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite Main Bathroom

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite Living Room and Fireplace

Westin Bear Mountain Gym Main Workout Area

Westin Bear Mountain Heated Outdoor Pool

Westin Bear Mountain Corner Suite View of Golf Course

Westin Bear Mountain Lobby at Christmas

Hike up Mt. Douglas

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Sheraton Seattle Early Christmas

I received a free Sheraton weekend night as part of a Sheraton promotion and needed to use it up before December 13th. I was planning on using it in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada but when my plans changed I ended up using it as a stay-cation night in Seattle. On my previous stay at the hotel I had been disappointed by the service and the busy atmosphere. On this trip everything was different.

The check-in was very speedy and I was given a complimentary upgrade to a massive Suite on the 26th floor. The room featured two entrances, two bathrooms, a large living area with a kitchen and dining room, and a large bedroom as well. The rooms in this original tower are slightly dated but the views and bench seating at the windows were great.

Every year the hotel hosts Seattle's gingerbread house competition, and this year it was a Star Wars theme. There is a suggested $5 donation to charity and this year was no let down, the entries were amazing with a great deal of detail for any Star Wars fan to enjoy or those who just love gingerbread houses.

I had a Christmas party to attend that night but upon my return to the hotel a lovely chocolate amenity had been left in the room for me.

In the morning I used the great rooftop gym with views out over to Bellevue and the East side before having a quick breakfast in the Cirrus Ballroom which was filling in for the Club Lounge. Here on the rooftop are more amazing views over downtown. The Club Lounge was open throughout the day for coffee and tea and had its own lovely Christmas tree. I then headed out to grab the Victoria Clipper, the high speed catamaran service to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

A great stay especially for the holidays and the hotel itself is in a perfect location to get to Pike Place Market and to many of the attractions in downtown Seattle.

Sheraton Seattle Suite Living Room

Sheraton Seattle Suite Small Kitchen

Sheraton Seattle Suite Bedroom

Sheraton Seattle Suite First Bathroom

Sheraton Seattle Club Lounge Coffee and Christmas Tree

Sheraton Seattle Club Lounge

Sheraton Seattle Gingerbread competition

Sheraton Seattle Turn down amenity

Monday, December 7, 2015

Westin Puerto Vallarta - November/December 2015

Well since I am in love with the Westin Puerto Vallarta I came back for another visit over the US Thanksgiving holiday. The hotel does a great job of making my life easy, especially Angel in the Club Lounge, allowing me to get a great deal of work done while I am down here.

Most of my stay was spent working, working out in the great fitness center, and managing a few hours by the pool.

I had a group of friends who were staying with their family in town so I met up with them in downtown for Thanksgiving dinner a La Palapa, one of my favorite beach-side restaurants.

I have loaded many pictures before of the Westin in Puerto Vallarta so below I will just add a few shots over Thanksgiving and as the Christmas decorations went up. I typically fly Alaska Airlines who are always wonderful but I had a last minute work change and could only get out on an American Airlines flight via Phoenix which was very good.

It was a great stay as always!