[Brie Brock]

Hello All,

I have seen many posts about the Marriott, wish we were staying there but our agency would like us to stay at one of 2 hotels of their choosing and the Marriott is not a choice. We are going to stay at the Westin. Has anyone stayed there recently? What is it like? Do you see other adoptive parents? What is close by? Do they have nice restraunts in the hotel? What is the pool area like? Do they have cribs for the little ones? Did you find the people (staff) friendly & helpful?

So many questions...just excited!!

Thanks for your help!

Brie

[HeidiAZ]

I sent you a PM.

Heidi

[Inanna]

We stayed there and loved it. We plan to go back in a few years and will be staying there again. The staff was phenomenal. When a chambermaid came to the door one evening and we told her we didn't speak Spanish she nodded and left. A few minutes later she was back with a porter who spoke English. She wanted to know if we wanted her to turn the beds down. A waiter in the restaurant even fed Daniel for us - we were having a late lunch and there weren't too many other patrons. The pool area was great. I wish I had spent more time there. I know you can get cribs but Daniel was over 2 years old and was in a bed so we didn't need one. We did see several other adopting parents there. At least five other couples were there picking their babies up at the same time as we were, and there were some just leaving when we got there, others just getting there when we were leaving. It seems to be a steady stream. A couple of the doormen seemed a little foreboding, but they sort have to be. They were friendly enough to us, but I wouldn't have wanted to come in there if I didn't belong there. Everyone else in the hotel and the gift shops and the restaurants was just wonderful. We really enjoyed our stay there.

[csw]

Hi
They have a new adoption floor which they did not have when I stayed there,,so it is probably alot better now..back last August I did not find it to be "baby friendly"..and do watch out for the old cribs they have..the slats may be wider than is now recommended.. the crib they gave us was at least 20 years old..we did not even use it...the food at the breakfast buffet was great..the dinner buffet I felt was so-so..there are alot of nice shops in the hotel and a huge outdoor pool..there is a disco across the street which kept me awake until 4 am with the loud music...if you are a light sleeper like me, you may have problems sleeping..maybe try to get a room on one of the higher floors to minimize the street noise..also the planes flying overhead from the nearby airport were very annoying..at the other hotel I stayed in close to the Westin..I never heard that much noise..it is a much newer and probably better sound insulated hotel...the Westin is lovely and they wait on you hand and foot...I think one reason some agencies..like the one I used..dont want people to stay at the Marriot is because they are afraid that you will talk with other adoptive families! Have a great trip...

[lam524]

We have stayed there 7 times and cannot say enough wonderful things about the hotel, staff, accomodations, food, pool, etc. They go above and beyond for anything you need. There were always a lot of families visiting while we were there and we would all hang out together. We plan on going back to visit in the fall and would not stay anywhere but the Westin. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM.

[SMS]

I stayed there on one of my 7 trips. It is very nice. I just prefer the Marriott because it is a little more friendlier..Camino Real(Westin) is extremly nice.....but I thought the staff was a little nicer at the Marriott.

[Belenbaby]

I lived at the westin for a month while fostering my daughter. the staff could not have been any nicer. they catered to my every need. the food was great at the restaurant and the pool was wonderful. it has a large area that is only about 8 inches deep. great for the 14 mo old I HAD. I could sit in the pool and she could splash all around without me having to hold her. the adoption floor is very kid friendy, many families , I stayed on the 9th floor though. The staff up there were the best. I had no noise problems, and my crib was fine. I highly reccommend it.

[bjholl]

Stayed twice at the Westin. We met lots of adoptive families both times. Staff was very nice and some even remembered us the second time and asked about our children we had brought the first visit. Food was good and the pool is very nice. Staff was always helpful. We would stay there again. Enjoy your time there.

BJ (mom to 2 new daughters from Guatemala, and 2 home grown sons)

[minemake14]

Stayed there on all 5 trips and would highly recommend it. Food was great,staff top notch and room delightful. They could not have been nicer to my children and really got to know them. Staff was always willing and helpful translating for me when needed. I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

[Tamhome]

Stayed at the Marriott and the westin during my 2 months fostering our 2 babies this last Dec - Feb... I much preferred the Marriott. The Westin is beautiful... but very very formal, not as many adoptive families. They do try to cater to the adoptive families in the rooms on their new floor by having a baby bath tub and potty ring and baby food bar (which is very expensive if you use any of it ) I hardly saw any other adoptive families there. The pool is almost impossible to get to with a stroller.
Also much of the staff did not speak good english when I desperately needed them to like trying to get a cab etc.
The marriott atmosphere was just very homey ! very accomodating to people with babies and the staff spoke good english. And the cribs were much much safer and nicer ! Also we found the Marriott to be cheaper with just as nice rooms and accomodations.
Tammy

[BuddyWendy]

I have been to Guat 7 times. I've stayed at the Clarion, the Westin and the Marriott. I loved the Westin the best. The Clarion is good, but the rooms aren't as nice and no pool---a definite downside with older children. The staff at the Clarion is wonderful and the food is better there than the other two in my opinion.

I know that almost everyone here loves the Marriott and I stayed there on my last trip based on all of the glowing recommendations. I was VERY displeased. The conceirge room was not open very often, the staff refused to help translate (something every other hotel gladly did and I desperately needed), didn't like the pool, no gym, no high speed internet access (except on two computers in the conceirge room that was always closed), and really there were very few other adoptive parents there when I was there. In fact, the experience was so bad that I actually filled out one of their questionaires to complain--something I have never done before.

On the rest of my trips I plan on staying at the Westin....

Donna