This was an oddly timed layover, since I was scheduled to land in Abu Dhabi at 12:55AM, and was scheduled to depart for Cairo at 12:50AM the following day. So I had a 23hr55min layover. I've been to Abu Dhabi more times than I can count, and my goal with this layover was simply to…
Continue reading: Review: Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
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what feeling do you get when you travelled through AUH ? A regular airport with all sorts of people or like your in a Middel eastern country ?
Just back from Abu Dhabi to Cairo (now staying at Le Meridien Cairo Airport whose category just changed from 3 to 2 since March 10th, wohoo~). I was looking forward to your review on this hotel (because I have stayed at all SPG hotels in AUH except this one, Platinum member). Near AUH airport, I have stayed at the following hotels : Radisson Blu Yas Island, Park Inn Yas Island (as Carlson gold member), Hyatt Capital Gate (as Diamond) and Hilton Grand Capital (as Diamond). This Westin hotel doesn't look impressive at all in any way "considering its relatively high price" ... so if I need an overnight stay near AUH, won't go there. Rather choose one of the above four hotels. Personally was quite impressed with Hilton Grand Capital (amazingly spacious spa & poo, very reasonably priced lively open bar near swimming pool, beautiful indoor blue bar, good exec. lounge etc.), and Carlson hotels also offer very good restaurants - Belgian beer café and Mexican restaurant. Although I was treated very well in Hyatt as Diamond, I think I would rater go to either Hilton or Radisson next time for overnight stay.
You once regularly seemed to check whether or not they were selling suites if they didn't upgrade you to a suite. You seem to have stopped doing that. Is it because you just got tired of fighting it?
@ Brian -- Just not worth the fight in most cases anymore. If I'm on "vacation" and value a suite I might do it, but for a quick overnight it's just not worth it to me.
@ Mark -- It's a pretty diverse crowd. There are lots of third world contract workers transiting the airport, so it's a pretty interesting mix between that and suited businesspeople.
Brian said: "You once regularly seemed to check whether or not they were selling suites if they didn’t upgrade you to a suite. You seem to have stopped doing that. Is it because you just got tired of fighting it?"
Lucky, I know you do this full time and your sanity has to be a factor, but please keep fighting for suites when you can. Knowing the suite policy when pressed is actually one of the more important aspects of a review IMHO.
I was quite disappointed to hear Your24 is honoured more in the breach, particularly in this case when it's for an airport hotel (where this has has far more importance). I hate it when loyalty programs over-promise and under-deliver, if chain management won't enforce it, don't hold it out as a program benefit.
This post has really highlighted to us the limitations of the Starwood Platinum upgrade benefit and also the Your24 benefit.