[SaraAvaandLileesMama]

I know this has been discussed at lot but can you tell me which one you liked better and why. If you have pictures of your room. the pool or any other place around the hotel. I am trying to decide where to stay for pick up. In 2/+ months with my 9 yr. old son.
Thanks

[jennandsteve]

We did not stay at the Westin, but walked through it when we were staying at the Marriott with Sophia. We stayed at the Tikal both times with Jeff. The Westin looked beautiful and the pool area was lovely. The pool there is outside. The pool at the Tikal is inside so even if its cool you can swim.

The Tikal is further away from the embassy so you will have to leave earlier. The Westin is close to some cute little shops that are around the corner from the Marriott. There is really nothing around the Tikal that has great gifts etc. It is attached to a mall that has the same kinds of things you could buy in a mall here.

I liked the Tikal alot, but I think the Westin looked nice too. My friend who just picked up her little girl a month or so ago stayed at the Westin for pick up and the Tikal twice for visits. She said she would stay at the Tikal for visits since it had the mall and you couldn't leave but would stay at the Westin for pick up because you could walk around that area and it was closer to the zoo and the market etc and you since you can leave...and it is closer to the embassy.

[beverlyanderic]

I haven't stayed at the Tikal, but we were at the Westin for 6 nights. We were very pleased with pretty much everything. The pool and work out area are very very nice! I know many people won't have time to exercise, but they have everything down there.

The entry way and first floor of the Westin is immaculate! Very very nice. Actually looks a bit formal, but I didn't feel out of place at all. The whole staff at the Westin was great! The bellhops and doormen were great- excellent English and helped with tons. The cleaning service was also exceptional. Since we were on our visit trip, we were in our room a lot with our little guy- my wife and I would go for a walk through the hotel and on the way out of our room, we would ask the cleaning lady if she could clean our room next- everytime she did- excellent!

The family room is on the 6th floor and was pretty nice. It's just a hotel room with a kitchenette (big refrigerator, bottle warmers, santitizer, sink, etc). There's also a couch, chair, a couple bouncy chairs, mat for babies to lay on, and other various toys.

One thing I didn't like about the Westin was how dirty the floors were in our room. Our socks were filthy. I hear it's the same at the Marriott. It wasn't too big of a deal, but still didn't like it. We just layed a bed sheet or towel for our little guy to lay on the floor.

We are staying at the Westin for sure on our pick-up trip. We also get Starwood points and have a boatload and prefer Starwood results.

Good luck with your decision!
Eric

[JillnChris]

We stayed at the grand tikal and loved it.
Here is a picture of the hotel upstairs, the gorgeous pool, and one that kind of shows our room. I didn't have any of the lobby but it is gorgeous! We stayed in the standard room with two double beds and it was adequate size. We probably could have used a little more space just because of all the stuff we had for the baby but it was fine.

[KY_Roni]

We stayed at the Westin for pick up and it was awesome!!!! Everything was so clean and the staff was very nice and helpful. We also like the location, we walked to the mall everyday.

[beverlyanderic]

can't forget about the heavenly beds at the westin- very nice and comfy!

[merkley3]

We have no experience with the Weston, but have stayed at the Grand Tikal Futura 2X and loved it. The staff are wonderful, there are so many conveniences, I can't begin to explain. We took our 10 year old with us and he had a great time at the arcade, the pool, the mall, etc. We are working on adopting another child and will definately stay there again!! Good luck!!

[SaraAvaandLileesMama]

Thank Guys! I am still no better making a decision then before! They both look great!

[beverlyanderic]

it sounds like you can't go wrong- maybe just go with the cheaper and save a few bucks.

[tinaedmond]

We're going to be at the GT for the first time next week. As for the price, the adoption rate for the executive suite is $155 a night, and that includes all taxes and the breakfast buffet every morning. It apparently also gives you access to the lounge where you can get all the free bottled water you want, as well as snacks, beer and wine.

Have never stayed at the Westin, so don't have a point of reference there.

You'll enjoy either, I'm sure!

Tina

[copper1578]

I stayed at the Grand Tikal for my visit trip. I had a suite and it was great for the visit trip. We enjoyed the mall to walk around in. I am going to stay at the Westin for my pick up trip. It is closer to the Embassy so I want to make it easier on everyone. I also won't have to stay in the confines of a hotel or mall, so the Westin should be great. Not to mention I have enough points to stay there for 3 nights free. That helps. I don't think you can really go wrong either way.

[Shilo32]

I stayed at the Marriott and Westin at the beginning of July. I have not stayed at the Tikal, but I would go with the Westin.

The Westin is amazing!! You can get a junior suite with two bathrooms and two rooms - family/bathroom for $150 if you want the extra space.

The service was great, the restaurants around the hotels were excellent and the breakfast buffet that was included was incredible. Also, you can get your food delivered poolside - so we felt we like we were on vacation.

CONGRATS!!! HAVE A GREAT TRIP!