Movie

While my main destination in South Florida was the St. Regis Bal Harbour, I decided to make a one-night stopover at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Florida, on the way down. It was available on Cash & Points, so cost only 4, 800 SPG points plus $90.

A few days before my stay the Starwood website showed that I had been upgraded to a one bedroom suite, though the morning of my arrival that unfortunately switched to a grand deluxe room.

I arrived at the hotel at around 4PM and left my car with the valet as I checked in.

Hotel exterior

Check-in was efficient and friendly, and within a few minutes I had keys to my room. I asked about the possibility of a suite upgrade, though the agent said they were fully committed that night, which the Starwood website seemed to confirm.

I went outside to park my car. Valet parking is available for $25 and self park is available across the street from the hotel for $20, and I went with the latter.

Lobby

I was assigned room 3245, in the south tower (which I recommend staying in if you can, since the views are better looking south than north).

Hallway

While the room wasn’t a suite, it was spacious (especially since I was staying alone) and beautifully decorated.

Room entrance

The room featured a king size heavenly bed, a comfortable couch, and a desk.

Room

Desk

The entrance to the bathroom was by the door of the room, though there was also a “panel” door that could be opened so that you could look from the bathroom to the bedroom.

View from the other side of the room.

The bathroom featured a single sink, bathtub, toilet, and Heavenly shower (with Westin bath amenities). Both the water pressure and temperature control were excellent.

Bathroom

Tub looking towards bedroom

Shower

Toilet

The highlight of the room was no doubt the balcony, which featured beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Being so high up and looking south was pretty awesome, since you could look down the Florida coast for miles and also out over the Atlantic. It was almost like being on a cruise ship.