I stayed in the Westin in 2010 and 2011. I wouldn't stay there if I had to pay con rate, but I was able to get it for about half the con rate thanks to HotWire. Not that there's anything wrong with the Westin, I just don't like paying $200+ for a hotel room. I'd probably be back again this year if I hadn't got good deal on the Hilton through LastMinuteTravel. Follow xiandesi's LJ link that archersangel provided for other reviews and how to do that.
The Westin was a perfectly fine hotel, though I don't utilize housekeeping that much. In fact, I put the "Do Not Disturb" sign out when I first get there, and don't take it down till I leave. The amenities were just fine, though I usually use most of my own toiletries instead of those provided. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I can't comment on that perk. However, I was cheated out of 2 days of the $5 coupon for not using fresh linens. I'm not sure if that was due to a cap on the number you can receive, or what. (I stay 5 nights.) I may have also waited too late to put out the door hanger on the knob.
The "Heavenly"(tm) shower was fantastic though. The water pressure was good, and it and the temperature remained constant. I did find it performed better by turning off the second shower head though. The "Heavenly"(tm) bed was less fantastic. While the mattress and linens were fine, I couldn't find a pillow with the right firmness despite having a dozen or so to choose from. I think I'm gonna start bringing mine from home.
As I recall, the wetbar fridge was locked up the first time I was there. On the second visit it was unlocked, though perhaps accidentally, so don't rely upon that. I also used a bellhop for the first time last year, and was quite pleased with the service, though I did not let the valet park my car. This caused a bit of confusion/tussle with the valet, though that may just because I was handling it wrong. I'm not use to staying in nicer hotels with lots of stars.
Speaking of parking, that's the second biggest drawback to the Westin. Their self-park garage is a hot, claustrophobic, twisty nightmare. The ramps up/down are one laned game of chicken death traps. On top of that, it's ridiculously expensive. If you're there more than 3 days, it's cheaper to "lose" your parking ticket than pay the actual rate. Last year I did the park at Lennox Station and take MARTA in trick. As far as I'm concerned, that's the ONLY way to do parking, and it's vastly cheaper.
The biggest drawback to the Westin is the cell phone reception. In 2010, my AT&T phone could not get voice or data reception. In 2011, my Verizon phone was able to do both. I discussed this in more detail here: http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2820795.html?thread=31637179#t31637179 (http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2820795.html?thread=31637179#t31637179)
I also discuss some other aspects of the Westin here: http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2817739.html?thread=31647691#t31647691 (http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2817739.html?thread=31647691#t31647691)
Unless you've got some sort of disability or really big/hot costumes, the walk from the Westin to the other hotels isn't that bad. In fact, there's a shortcut that will take you through the air-conditioned comfort of the Peachtree mall. I discuss that in detail here: http://xiandesi.livejournal.com/22771.html?thread=115955#t115955 (http://xiandesi.livejournal.com/22771.html?thread=115955#t115955)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-03-29 05:38 am (UTC)The Westin was a perfectly fine hotel, though I don't utilize housekeeping that much. In fact, I put the "Do Not Disturb" sign out when I first get there, and don't take it down till I leave. The amenities were just fine, though I usually use most of my own toiletries instead of those provided. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I can't comment on that perk. However, I was cheated out of 2 days of the $5 coupon for not using fresh linens. I'm not sure if that was due to a cap on the number you can receive, or what. (I stay 5 nights.) I may have also waited too late to put out the door hanger on the knob.
The "Heavenly"(tm) shower was fantastic though. The water pressure was good, and it and the temperature remained constant. I did find it performed better by turning off the second shower head though. The "Heavenly"(tm) bed was less fantastic. While the mattress and linens were fine, I couldn't find a pillow with the right firmness despite having a dozen or so to choose from. I think I'm gonna start bringing mine from home.
As I recall, the wetbar fridge was locked up the first time I was there. On the second visit it was unlocked, though perhaps accidentally, so don't rely upon that. I also used a bellhop for the first time last year, and was quite pleased with the service, though I did not let the valet park my car. This caused a bit of confusion/tussle with the valet, though that may just because I was handling it wrong. I'm not use to staying in nicer hotels with lots of stars.
Speaking of parking, that's the second biggest drawback to the Westin. Their self-park garage is a hot, claustrophobic, twisty nightmare. The ramps up/down are one laned game of chicken death traps. On top of that, it's ridiculously expensive. If you're there more than 3 days, it's cheaper to "lose" your parking ticket than pay the actual rate. Last year I did the park at Lennox Station and take MARTA in trick. As far as I'm concerned, that's the ONLY way to do parking, and it's vastly cheaper.
The biggest drawback to the Westin is the cell phone reception. In 2010, my AT&T phone could not get voice or data reception. In 2011, my Verizon phone was able to do both. I discussed this in more detail here: http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2820795.html?thread=31637179#t31637179 (http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2820795.html?thread=31637179#t31637179)
I also discuss some other aspects of the Westin here: http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2817739.html?thread=31647691#t31647691 (http://dragoncon.livejournal.com/2817739.html?thread=31647691#t31647691)
Unless you've got some sort of disability or really big/hot costumes, the walk from the Westin to the other hotels isn't that bad. In fact, there's a shortcut that will take you through the air-conditioned comfort of the Peachtree mall. I discuss that in detail here: http://xiandesi.livejournal.com/22771.html?thread=115955#t115955 (http://xiandesi.livejournal.com/22771.html?thread=115955#t115955)