The Westin Tempe — Hotel in Tempe

While branded as Westin, this is a franchised Westin operated by a third-party management company. ||||Instead of getting a Westin or even an upscale/luxury experience, you get at best a Fairfield or Courtyard experience with the only difference being the presence of a full-service restaurant and rooftop bar. The Westin Tempe is NOT a 4-star or 5-star hotel.||||In fact, the nearby AC Hotel is actually better, not least because its best rooms (suites) have balconies. No rooms or suites at The Westin have balconies.||||Also, the pool at The Westin is tiny and shallow (less than 4 feet deep). It's really just a soaking pool that, at best, can accommodate maybe 20 guests squeezed in. Compared with other hotel pools, especially hotels that charge a nearly $30 nightly resort/destination fee, the pool is pathetic.||||Worse yet, the hotel sells day passes for the pool and then has a lot of Thursday-Friday-Saturday rooftop bar and pool events geared toward college students at nearby ASU. To make money, they're shafting guests and going for the rooftop nightclub vibe.||||The location is about the only good thing I can say about The Westin.||||Otherwise:||||1) Hotel cheats Bonvoy elites. I applied an upgrade certificate to my reservation and selected an executive suite. The suite was available including on the day of arrival. But the upgrade did not clear. Instead, the hotel was SELLING the suite for an upgrade fee of $110. They even sent me a text message offering me the upsell, even though I should have received the upgrade either complimentary by virtue of my Bonvoy status or because of the upgrade certificate.||||2) Not only did I not receive a suite upgrade but I didn't get any kind of upgrade. My room faced directly into the Omni Hotel across the street. Every category of rooms above mine was available, including several mountain view rooms and mountain view corner rooms.||||3) No Bonvoy recognition of any kind. No amenity, no welcome note, no pre-arrival email, nothing.||||4) Hotel cheats on Elite Welcome Gift. At a Westin, Bonvoy platinum and higher elite status guests are supposed to receive a choice of 1,000 points, breakfast in the restaurant or an amenity. They only offered points or breakfast. And even then the breakfast is not a real breakfast. You get a voucher for $20 that doesn't even cover the cost of breakfast. I invoked the compensation and after a back-and-forth with a manager received $100 cash compensation.||||5) Hotel requires you to valet park. Fine. I actually enjoy having my car parked for me. But there is no doorman, bellman or valet to assist with luggage. Front Desk offered no assistance of any kind.||||6) No robe or slippers in the room. Basic amenities that you expect at a Westin like mouthwash were missing. No stocked mini-bar. Supposedly, room service is available but there's no room service menu card to hang on the door for breakfast.||||7) No rooms with treadmills or bikes, as you normally have at a Westin.||||8) Weird lobby layout. You can check-in and not even know there is a lobby restaurant and lobby bar. The lobby bar is hidden behind the restaurant's dining room, which has cheap-looking furniture of the kind you might see in the breakfast room of a Fairfield Inn. They have a great open kitchen but all of the tables in the dining room are orientated away from the kitchen. The bar should be at the front of the dining room to capture guests as soon as they check-in at the front desk. Meanwhile, the signature Westin vegetation wall is hidden in a back corner. Seriously, who was the idiot who designed this?||||9) Last but not least, basic room maintenance is lacking. The walk-in shower was starting to show mildew/mold/grime. Needed some re-grouting of the tiles. Some of the electrical and USB outlets did NOT work. The black pad that functions as a keycard scanner on the door was missing. It either broke off or someone stole it. I saw the same in the elevator. Some of the elevators were also missing theirs. This hotel is around 3 years old. So, you're starting to see some things that need fixing or replacing.||||Basically, the hotel can't figure out if it's a Westin or a bar and party hotel for ASU students. They can't be both. Right now, they're failing to get even the basics of an upscale 4-star hotel right.||||While rooms are being given away with under $140 nightly rates, the restaurant is overpriced by $10 for main courses. I had a salmon main course that was actually very good but it came with no sides of any kind. I didn't even get bread. For $35, you expect more. At any comparable restaurant, the salmon main course would be maybe $25-$28 maximum, especially without sides.||||All things considered, I cannot recommend The Westin. Save yourself $20-$40 per night and stay at the nearby AC, which has better rooms, better amenities, and a better...

Peace Be With You,

As a seasoned LYFT BLACK, UBER BLACK, and a Private Driver, I’ve had the opportunity to pick up and drop off so many passengers to multiple Hotels & Resorts. I’ve also had the opportunity to use many of their amenities as a Resort pass holder. So i’ve added a “Hotel Reviewer, to my repertoire. lol! I've had the pleasure of experiencing various accommodations, but The Westin Hotel Tempe stands out for several reasons.

Exceptional Staff & Memorable Encounters

One particularly touching experience at The Westin was during a visit to the coffee shop, where I engaged in my usual rapport-building with the staff. Angelita, a former employee, overheard my conversation with my sister Sydney. Sydney, visiting Arizona from New Jersey for the first time to support me after our mother's passing in October 2021, was initially planning to stay at another hotel. However, Angelita's kind intervention convinced me to persuade Sydney to book her stay at The Westin. This thoughtful gesture significantly enhanced Sydney's overall experience during a difficult time, demonstrating the exceptional service and empathy of The Westin's staff.

Consistent Professionalism & Kindness

Throughout my numerous visits, the staff's professionalism and kindness have always been remarkable. Special recognition goes to Austin, Khalil, Keisha, Kristen, Aaliyah, Jade, Ellie, Isabel, Daniel Cruz, and Anthony from Maintenance/Security. Austin, in particular, has always been respectful and accommodating, especially towards my six-year-old daughter, who loves the hotel's amenities.

Pool Access & Resort Pass Experience

One of the highlights of my visits is using the rooftop pool as part of my self-care routine. Initially, there was a discrepancy in the price of the day pass—advertised online for $10 but charged $25 at the hotel. Austin promptly resolved this issue, allowing me to continue enjoying the pool. However, it's worth noting that the pool hours (7 AM - 11 PM) aren't always convenient for early risers like myself. A recent misunderstanding occurred when I accessed the pool early using a key card given to me by a manager, leading to an interaction with Anthony from Maintenance/Security, which could have been handled more respectfully.

Positive vs. Negative Reviews

As someone who frequently finds reasons to give compliments and writes reviews when warranted, I believe in highlighting positives to balance out the often overwhelming negatives. I've consistently praised employees verbally and attempted to leave reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp. Despite technical issues preventing me from accessing past reviews, I want to ensure my appreciation is recognized.

Recent Misunderstandings & Feedback

A recent incident involved Anthony from Maintenance/Security, who was tasked with addressing concerns about my interactions with staff. While I understand the necessity of such checks, the approach felt more scrutinizing than necessary….TO BE CONTINUED!

Despite this, I continue to value the excellent service from most of the staff and the overall environment of the hotel.

Final Thoughts

The Westin Hotel Tempe remains a favorite for my daughter and me due to its location, amenities, and friendly staff. However, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in communication and handling customer interactions with greater sensitivity. I'll continue visiting and recommending The Westin, but I also plan to explore other options to ensure the best experiences for my family and clients.

Peace...

Title: Enjoyable Stay with Stunning Views, Convenient Location, and Excellent Amenities - The Westin Tempe Review

Rating: ★★★★☆

During my recent stay at The Westin Tempe, I was delighted to discover several additional features that further enhanced my experience. Here's an updated review with the latest information:

Pros: Clean Room: The cleanliness of the room was impeccable. From the moment I entered, I could tell that great care had been taken to ensure a spotless environment. Utility: The room was thoughtfully designed with various amenities and utilities that enhanced my stay. I appreciated the attention to detail in providing everything I needed for a comfortable stay. King Size Bed: The Westin Tempe certainly knows how to prioritize guest comfort. The king size bed was incredibly comfortable, providing a restful night's sleep after a long day of activities. Walk-In Shower Room: The spacious walk-in shower room was a highlight. The sleek design and refreshing water pressure made for a rejuvenating experience. Modern Style: The hotel's modern aesthetic and contemporary design elements created a visually appealing atmosphere. I appreciated the stylish decor throughout the property. Good Views of ASU Campus: One of the standout features of The Westin Tempe is its stunning views of the ASU campus. Whether from the room or common areas, you can enjoy panoramic vistas that showcase the vibrant campus and its surrounding areas.

Additional Amenities: 24-hour Small Gym: The Westin Tempe understands the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, even while traveling. The hotel provides a 24-hour small gym located on the 2nd floor. It offers a range of equipment, allowing guests to continue their fitness routines conveniently. I found the gym to be well-maintained, nicely equipped, and clean, making it a great option for a quick workout during my stay.

Cons: Mandatory Destination Fee and Tax: One aspect that I found slightly disappointing was the mandatory destination fee and its tax. It would have been preferable to have the option to opt out of these charges, as they added an unexpected expense to my stay.

Location and Nearby Restaurants: The Westin Tempe's excellent location not only offers stunning views and proximity to the ASU campus but also provides convenient access to a variety of dining options. The hotel's surroundings are dotted with numerous restaurants catering to different tastes and preferences, ensuring that guests have plenty of choices. Whether you're seeking a quick bite or a fine dining experience, you'll find a range of restaurants within walking distance or a short drive from the hotel.

In summary, my stay at The Westin Tempe was highly enjoyable. The hotel not only provided clean and comfortable accommodations with breathtaking views of the ASU campus but also featured a well-maintained 24-hour small gym, allowing guests to stay active during their visit. The location was convenient for exploring the university and offered a diverse selection of nearby restaurants. While the mandatory destination fee and tax were a slight downside, they did not significantly diminish the overall positive impression...