Element by Westin – DFW
I recently traveled on a complicated itinerary / Mileage Run Vacation to Seoul South Korea. I will be writing about my experience over the following posts:
Seoul Trip Report – Introduction
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Minneapolis to Dallas Fort Worth
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Dallas Fort Worth to San Diego
Seoul Trip Report – JAL – San Diego to Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – JAL First Class Lounge – Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – JAL – Tokyo Narita to Seoul
Seoul Trip Report – Sheraton Incheon Hotel
Seoul Trip Report – Sightseeing in Seoul
Seoul Trip Report – Korean Air Lounge – Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Trip Report – Asiana Lounge – Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Seoul to Dallas Fort Worth
Seoul Trip Report – Sheraton Grand DFW Airport
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Dallas Fort Worth to Atlanta
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Atlanta to Miami
Seoul Trip Report – American Admirals Club – Atlanta
Seoul Trip Report – American Admirals Club – Miami – D15
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Miami to Minneapolis
Seoul Trip Report – Delta – Minneapolis to Atlanta
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Atlanta to Dallas Fort Worth
Seoul Trip Report – Element by Westin – Dallas Fort Worth North
Seoul Trip Report – The Club at DFW – Priority Pass Lounge
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Dallas Fort Worth to Beijing
Seoul Trip Report – Asiana Airlines – Beijing to Seoul
Seoul Trip Report – Aloft Seoul Gangnam
Seoul Trip Report – Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Trip Report – JAL – Seoul to Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Tokyo Narita to Chicago on 787
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Chicago to Minneapolis
Seoul Trip Report – Element by Westin – Dallas Fort Worth North
I had to do an overnight in Dallas again on this leg of the trip. I selected an Element by Westin as the rate was lower than the other Starwood options. The hotel also was participating in the SPG Keyless Entry program so I was excited to test that out at this location.
A day prior to check-in, I received a notification asking if I wanted to opt into the SPG Keyless Entry program for this stay. I accepted and I followed the prompts within the SPG app. It confirmed my credit card, room rate and the other reservation details. It did not offer a place to change the credit card. My expected arrival and departure times were requested and I provided them. The app said I would receive a notification prior to check in with the room number and instructions for access.
A few hours before I arrived at the hotel, I received a notice that said I needed to check in with the desk ask something did not work correctly with the SPG Keyless.
Upon arrival at the airport, I called the hotel and the agent greeted me and offered assistance. I requested the shuttle and the agent asked where I was located and she arranged for the pickup and she provided instructions on where to go.
Within 10 minutes of the call, a van pulled up and a cordial driver greeted me and welcomed me to the hotel. The driver confirmed I was staying at the Element before departing the airport for the hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel I was greeted by two agents at the front desk. The colleagues welcomed me and offered assistance. After I requested to check in, they asked for my ID and credit card. I provided them and the agent confirmed the details of the reservation and asked if I wanted to use the SPG Keyless Entry. I said yes and she said she would check me in that way and she processed the credit card and she informed me that the app would notify me within three minutes of the room number and the access instructions. She suggested I have coffee or water and relax in the lobby.
I waited for five minutes. The app did not notify me and when I reviewed the reservation details it said check in with desk. I returned to the desk and asked for a key. The colleagues tried to get my app to work but they were unable to. I requested a regular key and they provided it. The colleagues informed me about the breakfast and other hotel services and they presented the key and they wished me a good stay.
A few minutes after I arrived in the room there was a knock on the door. When I opened the door. I was greeted by a colleague that presented a fruit and cheese plate and she welcomed me to the hotel and thanked me for staying.
The fruit and cheese plate consisted of a banana, apple and orange with a small dish of cubed yellow cheese. The fruit was fresh and had a good taste and flavor and the cheese was also fresh. The note that came with the plate was not personalized.
I was assigned a king bed room on the second floor. The room was located near the elevator. The room consisted of a medium size living room area with wraparound couch, computer desk, television with media box and a view facing the parking lot. The room had a mini kitchen with a microwave, stove, refrigerator and dish washer. The kitchen was stocked with plates, dishes, glasses, flatware and linens. The hotel does not offer water bottles; however, it had filtered water available at the sink. The bedroom featured a king size bed with a TV. There was a separate bathroom with rain-shower.
The room was clean overall; however, there were some scratches on the table by the couch and the walls had some scuff marks on it. The television, telephone and lights all functioned. The WiFi connection was good.
The HVAC controls adjusted the temperature comfortably. The water temperature and pressure was good.
Element is an eco-friendly company and they have low voltage light bulbs, low flow toilets, showers and sinks and they have filtered water systems rather than water bottles. The bath amenities were in containers attached to the wall with the exception of a bar of soup and lotion. The pumps installed on the wall in the shower functioned and they had a pleasant scent.
The room was quiet and comfortable and I was able to rest and to do work on my laptop.
The lobby was clean and it had plenty of tables and chairs. The lobby is setup around the concept of having a big breakfast offering in the morning so there were a lot of tables available for that. Coffee was available throughout the day as well as water from a filtration system.
A small store was located behind the front desk which offered food that could be cooked in the rooms as well as snack items and beverages for purchase.
The hotel had a fitness center and the equipment was in good condition and the air was cool and comfortable.
The public areas were clean and they were maintained well.
The check-out process was efficient. I approached the desk and was greeted quickly and the agent assisted me with check out. The agent inquired about my stay and she confirmed the method of payment and offered a receipt. The agent offered transportation to the airport. The agent thanked me for staying at the hotel and she wished me a good day.
I approached the front entrance and the shuttle driver.
Overall the visit was enjoyable. I felt that the front desk staff was friendly and polite and they made me feel welcome. I was disappointed that the Keyless Entry system did not work as it would have been a cool experience. The breakfast was enjoyable and the food was fresh. The room was clean and comfortable. I would return again in the future.