[Long Beach] [Hotels] Westin Long Beach, CA - Bi-Levels Penthouse Suite

The Westin Long Beach

333 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 436-3000

For more pictures of this hotel including the room, please visit (http://travelsmart8.blogspot.com/2010/04/westin-long-beach-ca-bi-level-suite.html)

A Typical Business/Convention Hotel located a block away from Long Beach Performing Art Center and Metro Station.

Location: As described above, its convenient even if you are not driving (proximity to the LA metro, if you do rely on LA's public transportation system).

Exterior: Fan Shaped, give the room facing the ocean excellent unobstructed view towards the harbor, other rooms have the view of the city.

Lobby: Very grand with 3 stories tall atrium gives plenty of sunlight in the lobby during the morning hours. Complimentary WiFi in the lobby area.

Check-in: Very fast since there were no line. Staffs were efficient. Some were very nice and trying to help yet others were just trying to finish their shift, the staff's quality varies a lot during my stay.

Room: The room itself started to show wear and tear (The hotel was renovated 4 to 5 years ago). The decor is not as modern as you would expect at a Westin Hotel but still the Heavenly Bed is always Heavenly. Its still very clean and comfortable.

The room I got was actually one of their bi-level suite. The view was awesome. top floor with the 2 floors tall window. The room itself break into wet bar, guest bathroom, dining room for 6, and living room with Bose sound system (first floor). On the second floor, there are two offices, bedroom, and a master bathroom with dual sinks and a jacuzzi tub/shower combo. Its definitely big enough to host a big party in this room.

Fitness Center: Located on the 5th floor with cardio and weight equipments. There's also a sauna , jacuzzi and swimming pool. Many people were sunbathing during my stay.

Parking: $15 with in & out privileges

Overall: Nice business hotel. I wouldn't recommend people to stay here if they want to sight see LA but its definitely nice for business travelers.

[New York] [Hotels] W New York Hotel, The Court - Fantastic Suite

W New York - The Court

130 E 39th St
New York, NY 10016

(212) 685-1100

For More Pictures of this Hotel, including the detail pictures of the room itself. Please visit (http://travelsmart8.blogspot.com/2010/04/w-new-york-court-fantastic-suite.html)

Nice hotel situated in a quiet neighborhood in NYC. 3 blocks away from Grand Central Station so its an easy walk. Not far from tourist attractions as well. This is one of the hotel that provides bigger room in NYC as well so if you want more room, this is a good choice for you.

Lobby: Small but adequate. There's a wetbar adjacent to the hotel. Very trendy looking, packed with people every night but due to the size of the lobby, they are not like the typical W that you have seem elsewhere. Got in around 830am due to red eye flight. The lady whom checked me in explained to me that room wasn't ready so I dropped my bag then started to explore the city. Room was ready by noon-ish.

Room: Got upgraded to Fantastic Suite on 3rd Floor. The room is Huge (esp for NYC standard). Living room had a nice B&O stereo system, a sofa bed and a wet bar thats perfectly suitable for a party! The bedroom is very spacious too. Typical W standard (older standard, more dark feeling than the new white/metallic furniture that other W's uses). AC works fine (Thanks, no motion sensor). The only complain is the bathroom. Very small! They don't even have much space if you have more than 1 person to put all of ur stuff on the counter.

I was told that this hotel was going to renovate their room, but due to the economy situation, this plan has been postponed. However, the room itself is very comfortable and clean. It may be slightly outdated for W standard but I would still recommend this hotel when visiting NYC.

Acura experience is very cool! Save me some time travelling to the station and I feel like VIPs!

The Hotel is no longer a part of starwood hotels starting 4/15/2010.