There's better Westins

The room I stayed in last week was very large but with a dirty bathroom and drab decor. I think the place needs a refurbishment and improved housekeeping procedures. On the plus side, the bed was wonderfully comfortable. My other issue with the hotel is its location - in the middle of nowhere. I think I'd try somewhere else if I returned to Fort Lauderdale.

Loved The Westin

My mother, father, brother and I visited this hotel during our vacation in the Ft. Lauderdale area, before and after a trip to the Bahamas. While on the way over from the airport, we saw it in the distance and joked that that was our hotel. We were floored when we got closer and saw that the pretty glass tower was indeed where we would be staying! I was 15, my brother 10 when we went. We had never stayed in a Westin and were very impressed with our room. The beds were awesome. This hotel isn't a very good vacation hotel though, as it is far from the beach. I would recommend it more for the business traveler. The pool area, however, is very nice. My brother and I had it to ourselves, save for one lady reading a novel poolside. When we returned to the hotel after our cruise from the Bahamas, we were so relieved to be back in those luxurious beds. We had a great night's sleep. No noise whatsoever from the other guests.

Very Nice!

Just returned from a week-long business trip - my first time ever to Ft. Lauderdale. Not being familiar with the area, my colleague and I had no idea where we should stay, so booked the Westin based on reputation and the great deal we got through HotWire. The front-desk staff were very friendly, and when we got to our room we were quite impressed with the furnishings. The beds are VERY comfortable, as are the numerous down pillows you are provided - we slept great here. I would definitely consider staying at this hotel again when I return to the Ft. Lauderdale area on business. As a vacation spot, I probably wouldn't pick it since I would want to be at the beach, but for business, I think it's a great spot.

My only complaint would be that, while housekeeping did come and tidy the room each day, they didn't, evidently, vacuum because the bathroom floor never really looked clean after the first day.

For work - A. For vacation - C.

A lot of reviewers seem to be down on this hotel. I've stayed here a few times now and I really enjoy it. It's not the newest hotel, and parts of it could use freshening up, but the staff are fantastic and friendly, and they upgrade me with my SPG card. The rooms all have high speed internet, the furniture in the rooms is fairly new, it's clean, the food is good, everything I need in a hotel. I really like the Westin Workout. The location is extremely convienent to my company's office, and access to the rest of area is easy on I-95 which runs right beside the hotel.

That said, I wouldn't recommend this for a vacation stay. It's in the middle of an office park, and is a bit secluded if you don't have a car to get around. Someone else said it's full of business people - it has been everytime I've been there. It's also about 8 miles from the beach. The pool area is nice, with teak furniture and pads, but gets boring after awhile.

For work - A. For a vacation - C.

Not a 4 star hotel!

I thought I got a 4 star hotel at a good price..........WRONG! Priceline rates this Westin as 4 stars but it is poorly maintained and I was disappointed. You should not have to be a Starwood guest to get a nice room. I stayed on the 11th floor and the furniture was worn and chipped. We requested a refigerator and they delivered one that did not work. I was upset to find spoiled/warm medication, drinks and food. I called guest services and reported the problem. No response for 2 hours and then I called the manager. He was helpful and responded immediately.

Yes, the beds are GREAT!

Well I liked the Westin!

I'm sorry but I just don't agree with most of the reviews here. I stayed at the Westin for 1 night prior to my flight home and after a long trip up from Key West. From the moment I walked into the lobby the service was excellent. Ok, so maybe being a Starwood preferred guest helps - I was upgraded to a preferred guest room, but service from the front desk to the bar to the restaurant was very good. My room was lovely, very large with an oversized bed and bathroom. (The Heavenly bed I wanted to take home!). The hotel was hosting a function but there was no noise whatsover apart from the function room. The restaurant food quality and service was very good. The only downside is that it is away from the beaches so maybe wouldn't be so good if you were looking for a Ft Lauderdale beach holiday but for short, stop-overs or business stays I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

Some technical problems at the Westin

My partner and I stayed here in April as "distressed travelers" diverted through USAir.

We needed basic, clean accommodations but were disappointed by some issues with the Westin.

Our phone did not work. No dial tone, nothing! Just dead air. We needed to notify family members of our delay and cell reception within the hotel was not very good. Although we notified the front desk right away, the phone was not fixed.

Also, the night we were there, there was some sort of "staff turnover" from a cruise ship. Around 1 a.m., the hallway filled with raucous yelling, running and door slamming. After a few minutes time allowance for this group to calm down, I went out in the hall and had to ask them to please be quiet; people were sleeping. I was yelled at and jeered at. Certainly this is not the hotel's fault, but had I been a fully paying guest, I would have been extremely irritated by the incidents described.

Disappointed

I stayed just 2 nights during a business trip. The front desk was nice enough and room was nice although not sure what all the hoopla is about their 'heavenly shower.' I ordered room service and was told it would take 55 minutes as they were running behind -- 1.5 hrs later, I call to find that the order was never put in. They sent up a complimentary deli platter... not a great dinner for someone who had not eaten all day!

When I checked out, noticed $39 worth of phone charges -- where I had used an 800 number to dial into work. Never have I been charged at any other hotel for this. The clerk said he would take it off my bill, I signed the new bill and left. A week later, I see a charge for the stay and then a 2nd charge for the $39! Talk about dishonest and sneaky..

now I have to go through the trouble of trying to get it off my charge card. Don't stay here.. total rip off and not worth the price.

Great Location, Some Improvements Needed

About what you'd expect for a Westin. Average Westin service with above-average bed. Decent food for a chain hotel. My biggest complaint would be the heavy guestroom doors, which tended to SLAM very loudly.

(There must be a cost-effective way to fix this problem.) The bathroom, and in particular the toilet, was in general disrepair and needed a facelift. Hopefully these issues will being addressed by the ongoing renovations at this property.

Terrible on all counts!!

I cannot find one good to write about this hotel. When we arrived the front desk (unprofessional and slow) could not find our reservation. The assosicates were irresponsive, customer service associate was rude.

The room felt like a green house -- very warm and the air condition location is not conducive to cooling the room. Outside noise from near by airport does not allow one to rest or to sleep.

Do yourself a big favor, choose one of many other fine establishments, but don't go here. They have many packages because very few stay here and we made a mistake!!