Westin Resort and Spa, Cancun

[Snowonbeach]

Earlier this week, we spent a couple of days at the Westin Resort and Spa before our regular stay at Westin Lagunamar. We booked an ocean view studio and were assigned the 4th floor in the renovated section. Although we found the space a bit tight (mostly because we are used to one bedroom units), we did have a king bed and a full sized refrigerator. Everything was immaculate and looked freshly updated. We did not see any barbecues but neither did we ask if there were any. That would be a deal breaker for us plus the distance from grocery stores. If the weather had cooperated, we would have enjoyed good snorkelling as this Westin is close to the reef plus it is more sheltered for swimming. We enjoyed eating in the Sports Bar and Sea and Stones but would have tired of eating there for more than two days. Our Owner's Update lasted less than the 75 minutes that was required and we received 30,000 points and a taxi to Lagunamar. We were encouraged to purchase Westin Adventuras and trade in one of our Lagunamar units but we declined the offer and that was the end of it. All in all, a pleasant stay.

 

[DannyTS]

Earlier this week, we spent a couple of days at the Westin Resort and Spa before our regular stay at Westin Lagunamar. We booked an ocean view studio and were assigned the 4th floor in the renovated section. Although we found the space a bit tight (mostly because we are used to one bedroom units), we did have a king bed and a full sized refrigerator. Everything was immaculate and looked freshly updated. We did not see any barbecues but neither did we ask if there were any. That would be a deal breaker for us plus the distance from grocery stores. If the weather had cooperated, we would have enjoyed good snorkelling as this Westin is close to the reef plus it is more sheltered for swimming. We enjoyed eating in the Sports Bar and Sea and Stones but would have tired of eating there for more than two days. Our Owner's Update lasted less than the 75 minutes that was required and we received 30,000 points and a taxi to Lagunamar. We were encouraged to purchase Westin Adventuras and trade in one of our Lagunamar units but we declined the offer and that was the end of it. All in all, a pleasant stay.

30,000 points is pretty good.

 

[Snowonbeach]

We thought so!

 

[DannyTS]

we wanted to try Westin Cancun but every time i look at the staroption chart and compare to Lagunamar i say to myself that it does not make sense to book a smaller condo in a less convenient location (no grocery store, restaurants etc in proximity), smaller pools and possibly stay on the lagoon side. Yes, it is newly renovated but that does not make up for everything else IMO since the condos at WLR are nice enought.

 

[Sea Six]

we wanted to try Westin Cancun but every time i look at the staroption chart and compare to Lagunamar i say to myself that it does not make sense to book a smaller condo in a less convenient location (no grocery store, restaurants etc in proximity), smaller pools and possibly stay on the lagoon side. Yes, it is newly renovated but that does not make up for everything else IMO since the condos at WLR are nice enought.

It is not on the lagoon, it is on a protected area of the Caribbean.

 

[dioxide45]

When we were deciding to extend our stay in Cancun for three days we actually booked the Westin Cancun Resort & Spa using StarOptions. The number of options was the same as it was for Lagunamar for those three nights. After booking, we read reviews and they sounded horrid. Perhaps they put the hotel guests in the worst of the worst rooms. I don't know. We just didn't like the fact it was so far away from everything and it would have been a chore to just get to a convenience store. We opted to stick with Lagunamar and Owner Services happily cancelled our Westin Cancun reservation without penalty (no $75 fee and unrestricted options). Definitely interested in learning more about the property, just not sure I could ever bring myself to book it.

 

[dioxide45]

It is not on the lagoon, it is on a protected area of the Caribbean.

There are "Lagoon Side" view units. We also didn't like that not many of the units had a balcony. It seems that only the top floors have balconies.

 

[DannyTS]

this is how small the pool is

 

[dioxide45]

this is how small the pool is

View attachment 10082

Isn't there more than one pool though?

 

[DannyTS]

Isn't there more than one pool though?

from all the pictures i have seen that one seems to be the largest believe it or not. This is the 3d Google maps view

 

[DannyTS]

if this were a mountain resort i would probably be ok with the pool but it seems very small especially in comparison with the ones at Lagunamar.

 

[dioxide45]

I think there is also a pool on the back side (Lagoon Side). Though from what I could tell from photos on TripAdvisor, there were no stairs in to the pool, only a ladder.

Aren't those blue/green triangles also pools?

It obviously doesn't come close to Lagunamar, but it is a hotel conversion afterall.

 

[DannyTS]

Aren't those blue/green triangles also pools?

They are pools but even smaller than the "big" pool

 

[DannyTS]

I think there is also a pool on the back side (Lagoon Side).

you are right, still very small though as far as i can tell

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

The benefit of the backside / lagoon side pool is that it is facing the SUNSHINE in the late afternoon.

We stayed at Raintree - Club Regina - the TS across the driveway in Feb 2015. There is / was a share agreement with the Westin hotel .

We would go to the lagoon side after 4pm for the late afternoon sunshine . We actually did not stay at the pool . There was a palapa lounge area closer to the lagoon .

 

[Snowonbeach]

I agree Lagunamar has far more to offer. Westin Resort and Spa does have smaller pools and is a smaller resort overall. It is far from grocery stores. The building we stayed in is newly renovated and every room has a balcony. When the remaining sections are converted, they will also have balconies according to what we were told. The beach is usually much calmer than Lagunamar, however, due to the proximity to a cove. There can be good snorkelling in front of the property next door depending on the weather. We much prefer Lagunamar but did enjoy our two day stay here.

 

[DannyTS]

the Marriott website probably reflects the demand for the 2 resorts and Lagunamar is usually 45-60% more expensive.

I would like to try it out but not more than 2-3 days when we book a week at wlr. I am not sure it is worth wasting 1/2 day though with packing/unpacking for 4, check out/check in etc.

As far as i can tell for us the only reason to book there is for snorkeling.
However i guess that going to Cozumel from Wlr for 1/2 day would probably be a better use of our vacation time