I had over 75 nights at Starwood properties each of the last two years, several of them at a Westin, yet I had no idea that they offered a New Balance lending program until a trip to the Westin Dublin a few weeks ago. The program has been in the trial phase at select properties since late 2010 but is set to be rolled out brand-wide over the next few months.
According to the promotional card in the room advertising the service “We know that while you strive to maintain a daily exercise routine, it can often be difficult while traveling. Strict carry-on requirements make it harder to pack shoes and apparel creating additional challenges. Westin has recently partnered with New Balance to provide athletic shoes and apparel during your stay, for a nominal fee. Simply dial Service Express and request your shoe and clothing size and they will be conveniently delivered to your guest room. Shoes come with socks that are brand new and apparel is provided fresh and clean. Upon departure, simply leave the items in your room in their mesh bag.”
At the Dublin property the service was being tested at a charge of five Euro or alternatively could be selected as one of the Platinum welcome gifts. The New Balance gear included a pair of sneakers, a moisture tech tee, shorts, and new socks. So, what are your thoughts on borrowing workout clothes (yes, they are washed of course)? My gym shorts and tees don’t take up that much room so I don’t know that I plan to utilize the service, but it is nice to know that it’s there if I forget something.
You can see a sample of the gear here. There is not yet a detailed listing of properties with the service, though some properties that do have it reflect so on their website, like the Westin St. John.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
10 comments
I saw this offer recently at the Westin Market St in San Francisco. My first thought was “oh cool…” quickly followed by “I don’t want to wear shoes someone else has sweated in, even with new socks”. Ewwww.
@Kristina – Haha, i had the same thoughts, though was relieved to see that the program was so new that the gear was still packaged!
Thx for the info. Cool concept. I also was thinking if I want to wear things strangers wore.
@Mike – agree, at least in the first few months there’s a good chance you’ll get new ones
Fairmont gives this benefit by addidas free to their platinum, this way it should be for SPG plantinum plus get another amenity.
@udontknow – Agree, i believe some Westin properties are including this in addition to a normal benefit while others are making it the benefit.
Tks but NO Tks!!!! One can say that towels and bed linens are also used by someone else and washed so you can reuse them again. However, washed used gym clothes it is kind of going too far for my taste. How about pillows? I always think about those since they are not washed and by just changing the pillow sham does not make the smell or sweat go away.
@Santastico – Agree with you on the sweat/smell for pillows… hopefully there’s other protection that we don’t know about. I know several brands are using pillow and mattress protectors now, though you could argue that they too would be exposed.
I tried it at the West in Imagine in Orlando last month. Awesome! I wrote a review about it on my blog. http://Www.runmorganrun.com
@ Dan great post! I’m following now, thanks again.