OK, I’ll admit it – this picture was from my first paid Starwood Hotel stay in quite a while. For the record, no…that’s not my bed after I left for the day and hung the do not disturb sign on the door. That’s how I found things after I returned from a day of work with the rest of the room appearing to have been cleaned. And yes, I took that picture to the front desk that night, and that scene was not repeated.
I didn’t have a falling out, I didn’t “break up” with Starwood, it’s just that my travel patterns evolved and other hotel brands began to fit better. I was actually excited to be returning to Starwood, and the Westin brand. Frankly, other than the picture above, the stay hasn’t been totally terrible, it’s just been mediocre….starting with check in and continuing throughout the stay – lobby restaurant and lounge excepted.
I’m an SPG Gold member. No big deal…not high level status. I make a reservation for myself and a colleague with his own SPG number. Non-status colleague gets room on executive floor, lounge access, etc., I get room on floor below. Not a huge deal as the truth is….I rarely visit the lounge. I don’t have that many SPG stays recently, and I don’t expect much. I do, however, expect my bed to be made, and a minimum loyalty check in conversation to happen. Since Starwood says that even a lowly Gold gets complimentary internet access, 4pm late check out, an “enhanced” room at check-in, etc, I would expect at least some acknowledgment….something that might acknowledge loyalty. Instead, I got nadda. Nothing. Not even a “thank you for being a Gold guest.” I also got a bed that looked like it did.
So, Westin – Alexandria, it’s probably going to be a minute before you see me again. You won’t miss me, but I won’t miss you all that much either.
-MJ, April 24, 2015
I don’t like that property but they always have super cheap rates