11/11/08

Needs a facelift but treated Platinum Members well

by Platx2

We just returned from LA and staying at the Bonaventure. We are double plat with Starwood and were upgraded to side by side suites. Complimentary internet and winetasting in the 35th floor bar. Not sure if that's standard or because we are plat. Nice views, comfy beds, and very quiet. Actually slept VERY well, but I always travel with earplugs anyways. But was quiet enought that I didn't neede them. In definite need of a facelift...I can't stand small tubs in a nice suite! Valet parking is pricey at $42 per day. Staff was quite pleasant. Room service very prompt. Rooms were very clean. Marble in bathroom, but still in need of an overhaul. Would definitely return, but from the other reviews, only if we could get suites again.

• Pros: Nice suites
• Cons: Pricey valet at $42 per day

06/29/08

Bonaventure the Terrible

by bev1

I had the extreme displeasure of staying at the Westin Bonaventure in not so picturesque Downtown Los Angeles. We heard that Downtown LA was going through a rebirth, and after our weekend sentance at this sty, we found it to be more like afterbirth. On the first night, we were placed in a shoebox sized room with an ajoining door on either side. As luck would have it, we were kept awake by one of the most obnoxious couples on earth who decided that 4 am was a good time to start an in depth conversation that covered an array of subjects from marine biology to the mysteries of the universe ( and yes, that's how thin the walls are). We called the concierge to complain after listening to 3 1/2 hour of their psychobabble. We were told that security was going to be notified and they would handle the situation as quickly and professionally as they could. The only hotel staff that arrived to their room quickly was room service! In an effort to make up for the unpleasantness, we were given 2 complementary breakfast buffets. Nothing hits the spot like day old danish and dried out Eggs Benedict, tres gourmet. There was no relief from the mediocrity at the restaurants inside the hotel either. LA Prime was very LA, and not so Prime. Jyokamachi Sushi Bar is outrageously priced for horrible food and terrible service. The only small beacon of hope was the Bonavista Lounge on the 35th floor. Moderately priced drinks and appetizers with a great ambiance and 360 degree view of the city (the lounge rotates even before you start drinking). The cherry on the top of this cow pie sunday,was the $42 valet parking fee. If you ever have the opportunity to stay at this farce of a hotel, just flush $500 down the toilet and stay home, it will be more enjoyable that way.

• Pros: Bonavista Lounge
• Cons: Bonaventure Hotel and almost everything else in it

01/08/08

Like staying in a mall

by sebastien07

I stayed for a weekend in this hotel. Definetly not a four star hotel. The staff are very nice and helpful. The rooms are small and are very dated and in need of a facelift, bedside lamps were falling apart the tub shower area was held together with caulk and veneer was peeling off the TV cabinet. Also there was no ventilation in the Bath/shower. The downstairs lobby is nice till you start exploring the floors above and discover the "mall" style food courts and restaurants. luckily there are some good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. If you do stay here remember it will cost an additional $42 in parking on top of your room rate. I would not stay here again.

• Pros: Nice staff
• Cons: Rooms and food

11/20/07

Smelly..rundown hotel

by skoles33

Visited this hotel in November 07 .

I was very dissapointed ..This hotel was very rundown and the rooms smelled awful.

We switched rooms and the new room smelled the same.

The rooms are very small with old fixtures and air conditioning that barely works !

I would not reccomend this hotel for anything other then business

• Pros: cant think of any
• Cons: small smelly rooms and expensive valet only parking

10/30/07

NIce Place for What Our Stay Was Intended For

by skelaxin99

My GF and i stayed here on our week long LA vacation and i must say that it was a quite nice stay.

I had read some reviews ahead of time so i was a bit weary of the hotel in general but after staying there for one entire week, i feel that it was well worth it.

Frist of all, it's location is a good one. Not GREAT but good. If you want to explore downtown LA, everything is pretty close. From Olvera Street to the Amtrak station, to the jail, to China Town, it's all withing a few miles away.

The only caveat i have with our entire stay, is the Parking situation. While getting our car took no less than 5 minutes EACH AND EVERY TIME WE NEEDED IT (EVEN ON THE WEEKENDS), the price was a little steep (about 30 bucks a day). However, on the weekends they provided us with bottled water and coffee and while we waited. And the parking area was covered and had plenty of seats to wait on if neeeed.

The rooms were on the smallish side, but we weren't staying there to enjoy the hotel, we stayed there to sleep and shower in betweed sightseening.

The TV was of the older kind although they did have internet access (for a price). We stayed on the 33rd floor and the vies were specactular especially at night.

Room servec kicked major butt and was very prompt.

All the staff was nice and very cordgial offering in one instace to take our picture together in the lobby.

And for all the people that complain about this place it's because it ain't no Roosevelt Hotel. It's mainly for use by the business traveler. So yes the rooms were kinda close to one another and with no frills, but that's the type of hotel it is. The beds were great though!! I would stay here again if i had to. And the way i see it is, if Quantas Airlines uses it for their crews, it must be allright for me!

• Pros: Nice Place Overall, Best for Business Travelers
• Cons: Hotel Parking A Bit Steep

07/20/07

it was a loud stay!!!

by sheesh24

i thought the hotel was beautiful,even though its in downtown la it is a huge hotel and the staff were all nice and helpful, it was confusing getting parking...but my biggest gripe was that the room i had was so close to the room next door that only a wall with a door was between the two rroms, i had a huge suite but the people next door were noisy and i wanted to scream, i didnt sleep the whole night and was too tired to complain....so if someone that works at this hotel reads this maybe you guys could get a remodel or something or ask your guests where they would like to be so they could enjoy their stay, because mine was loud and not very pleasent....

• Pros: beautiful,old hotel...good service
• Cons: rooms are too close to eachother

06/08/07

Westin - The Worst

by lp1107nj

I normally don't write reviews - but after staying at a Westin - and reading so many other poor reviews - I felt it's necessary to warn other potential customers who are expecting anything beyond below-average. My entire Westin experience was horrible. The staff members there all work together to make sure they treat THEIR GUESTS (who essentially pay their salaries) like second class citizens. It's entirely shameful on them. Their restaurant staff (including managers) are ill-educated in the bar/restaurant business beyond anything I've ever experienced. It makes me wonder what their hiring process consists of. Again, SHAMEFUL. As other reivews have mentioned all the employees are uneducated, rude and unsophisticated in the business of "hospitality" - I would challenge any of them to write a definition of the word. Too many bad experiences within my 4 day stay to mention but I can definately say I will NEVER stay at a Westin ever again. Their Heavenly Beds? Sure - they are nice, but nothing near worth everything else you must 'endure". in a word - DISPICABLE!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: none
• Cons: many

05/21/07

Will stay again!

by seaken75

Was in LA for a business trip and this hotel is located close to the convention. Room is clean and spacious, service was excellent. The breakfast was great too! For the price per night, it is worth every penny!

04/06/07

pig with nice dress

by andali

A thin veneer of classiness covers what is really a very below average, and dumpy hotel. Stayed here for two weeks of LA area govt work. First time at this hotel; last time at this hotel. Would have changed hotels after third day but could not find a room anywhere else in area for my required government rate. Room was tiny and barely fit the bed (though a nice bed); had to move an office chair around to move about space; poor payperview system; chipped paint; broken overhead lamp cover; piece of wallpaper torn off. Dumpy. Forced $35 daily valet with no system for guests to bypass sometime VERY long lines of conference attendees/day visitors waiting on valet line. Even the toiletries were cheap. You would not expect this from the looks of the mighty lobby.

• Pros: nice bed
• Cons: tiny dumpy rooms; long valet lines during conferences with no bypass for guests; $35 daily parking fee.

11/10/06

Comfortable Room

by tanikka

This is a high class do it all in the same place hotel. All in one is the term I would like to use. You have a nice comfortable room and bed, and plenty of shopping and restaurants to go with it. I recommend this hotel to anyone just wanting to get away even if it is just for the weekend.

• Pros: gym, shopping, restaurants inside of the hotel
• Cons: kinda pricey