I stalked this place for too long planning for a maybe Shenzhen trip and it happened! Yay. Thanks to my bro who was there for work over the Labour Day long weekend and we decided to go and keep him company.
Initially, the idea was to gatecrash his room too but we found out that the cost of adding 1x extra bed + 2pax breakfast was only RMB250 difference from getting our own room, and so we did. Also because 3pax and 1 bathroom sucks.
ADDRESS – 9028-2 Shennan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053. Website. Tel: (86)(755) 26988888.
GETTING THERE – Westin is connected to Windows of the World MRT station (世界之窗站）via Holiday Plaza (益田广场）but taking the train from the airport required us to change MRT lines so we took a cab instead – the fare was RMB88 to get to the hotel. But we gave him RMB100 as a token la. He looked abit forlorn during the drive.
LOCATION – As mentioned above, being connected to Holiday Plaza was a huge plus as I spent my first afternoon there including dinner. It has plenty of options for your budget (RMB5,000 for a dress! RMB3,600 for a cardigan – but super nice!) and sheltered access to the MRT means you can get anywhere without a need for cab. Other than that, there is no interesting stuff around the hotel itself other than Windows of the World but too touristy so we gave it a miss. Not to mention the mountains of heads we saw from our window every day.
CHECK IN – Fast and quick including noting I have requested for a set of the workout gear. A room closest possible to my family had been accommodated – in fact right next to it – appreciate it. But the SPG Gold upgrade was not fulfilled as the property was running full.
ROOM – My Deluxe room was 919 and felt a bit squeezy at its 35-39 SqM. Cleanliness and comfort was no problem at all BUT the placement of the bathtub perplexed me. It was planted right smack in the middle of the bathroom and the sliding doors, which makes impossible to arrange it in such a way that you can walk easily in and out – believe us we have tried all permutations. I would much rather have an option of not having a bathtub and have more space. A strange design which I have not seen anywhere.
ROOM SERVICE – I ordered room service on 2 occasions and a light night supper was efficiently delivered, but during my 2nd attempt at ordering a plain bowl of porridge (I was sick) during breakfast times, it took 3 calls to get that delivered – I don’t understand the delay but they took it off the bill and counted it in lieu of my bfast quota at Seasonal Tastes so credits to them.
WESTIN LENDING GEAR – I requested for an M size but they have me a XS size top and a S size bottom. Perplexed again. Had to call the gym to get that replaced.
FACILITIES – Gym was rather sufficient for a short workout. Steam room had no steam. Also didn’t manage to try the pool but it looked quite nice.
SERVICE – I didn’t experience Westin service standards due to some lapses as mentioned above. And one particular issue stood out – I was taken quite ill on my day of depart but I didnt need to leave the hotel until 2pm. I called the concierge in the morning to ask if there is any in-house doctor but they said they don’t, and only offered to call a cab for me to the hospital – which I declined. But otherwise, there was no show of concern, or even attempt to ask what I was down with as I imagined a 5-star property will have basic medication on standby for emergencies. The entire process was very cold and nonchalent which I found disappointing.
CHECK OUT – Fast and efficient, and hassle free.
