Ronny M.
Yelp
A friend and I stayed at the Westin La Paloma for New Year's Eve and attended their event. It was terrible. When we originally went to the main bar area for dinner, there was an abundance of bartenders (probably too many) and servers. However, at the event that evening, only three or four bartenders were present, and they couldn't keep up with all the drink orders. It took forever to get ours. The appetizers were pathetic. They served mini hot dogs with beans, breaded shrimp that looked like it came from Costco, and something wrapped in bacon. That was it; nothing else; no other choices; no mini desserts; nothing. And most of the food was gone by the time we got there.
The DJ was awful as he only played rap music, so hardly anyone was dancing. Clearly, he did not know how to read the room. When he finally played a few songs that got people on the dance floor, the dance floor came apart - literally. The frame broke away from the floor. One woman fell because she tripped over the frame, and the dance floor squares separated as people danced on them.
As part of the event fee, everyone was to get a glass of complimentary champagne. That did not happen. No servers came around with trays of champagne to give the guests, and good luck going to the bar to get your glass because the bartenders would not have been able to serve you.
I have planned and executed many high-end caterings and major events before, successfully, I might add, having worked (and still work) in the hospitality industry, and I never would have allowed these things to happen. The La Paloma is a resort, so one would think their event planner would have planned better, making this an over-the-top experience. This event looked like a rookie planned it. After midnight, we returned to our room as we could not take it anymore.
Oh, and did I mention that our TV did not work either? When we called the front desk, no one answered. Go figure.
Then, the next morning, when we went for breakfast, we asked if we could order off the menu rather than eat at the $65 buffet. (I'm sorry, but who will eat $65 worth of buffet food? Was there caviar, wagyu beef, oysters, or foie gras? I did not see any). The hostess told us we could order off the menu. However, when our server came, he informed us that the hostess was incorrect, that she did not understand, and that we had to get the buffet instead. When we got up to leave, the server asked us to wait while he checked. He returned a few minutes later and said we could order from the menu. Finally, a win.
Notwithstanding this botched event, the other little things, like our TV not working, the fact that you had to push the toilet handle up to flush it, or being told we cannot order from the menu, are glaringly noticeable faux pas. We spent good money at this resort, and I expected much better. The only upsides were the views, the overall condition of the room, and, oh yes, our breakfast from the menu. That did taste good and was presented well. Also, the staff deserves credit. Those that we did interact with were pleasant and attentive. Hence, the two stars. I will not return to La Paloma.