The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa

This hotel is highly regarded for its attentive staff and comfortable accommodations, creating a very enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere for guests. Its signature feature is its exceptional proximity to South Coast Plaza, easily accessible via a short bridge walk, making it an ideal choice for shoppers and leisure travelers seeking convenience. The hotel also caters well to business travelers attending conferences, with suitable event spaces. Families appreciate the clean, comfortable rooms and the overall welcoming environment, while couples find it a delightful spot for a staycation or anniversary celebration. For pet owners, the hotel offers a welcoming policy. To enhance your stay, consider clarifying parking charges upon arrival, as this is a recurring point of concern for many guests.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities that generally enhance the guest experience. The outdoor swimming pool is a popular feature, noted for being heated and suitable for laps, though some guests mention its significant depth. A well-equipped fitness center is available, providing a space for workouts, although some find it small. Guests appreciate the convenience of a Starbucks located in the lobby for coffee cravings and a pleasant lobby bar area. Conference facilities are also available and well-regarded for their layout. However, some guests have noted that the elevators appear dated, with control panels that seem to be older relics, which detracts slightly from the otherwise well-maintained property.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally praise the cleanliness of the rooms and the overall property. The beds and bedding are consistently highlighted as exceptionally comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, though a few guests found the beds to be hard. Rooms are often described as spacious, with some offering pleasant views. The bathrooms are typically modern and clean, with some featuring large showers. However, some rooms are reported to be dated, with issues like scuffed furniture, misaligned drawers, peeling mirror backing, or old iPod docking stations. Noise levels can be a concern, with reports of street noise, thin walls, and doors that slam loudly, potentially disturbing sleep. Some guests also experienced issues with the air conditioning not cooling effectively or lacking a bathroom exhaust fan.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options receive positive feedback, particularly for breakfast, which is described as excellent, fresh, and hot, with good variety. Guests appreciate the attentive service during breakfast, and elite members often receive a credit towards their meal. The restaurant and bar areas are noted for their pleasant atmosphere and quality offerings, including delicious cocktails like the "Ancho Margarita." Room service is also highly rated for its fantastic food and quick delivery. While the main dining experiences are well-received, some guests found the breakfast cafe area not very inviting, and one mentioned a limited selection of beverages like coffee or juice with certain breakfast options.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location, particularly for shopping and entertainment. Its direct proximity to South Coast Plaza via a convenient pedestrian bridge is a major highlight, allowing easy access to numerous shops and restaurants. Guests also appreciate its closeness to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, making it ideal for those attending shows. The hotel offers easy access to freeways and is a short drive from SNA airport. While the area is generally considered car-centric, there are many restaurants and other venues within walking distance. However, parking is a significant point of contention, with guests frequently citing the high cost for both self-parking and valet service, and some reporting issues with billing or inconvenient access from the self-parking garage.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight the attentive service provided by the valet team, who are described as efficient and quick, and the housekeeping staff, who are responsive to needs. The check-in process is generally smooth, with many positive interactions reported. However, feedback regarding the front desk can be mixed; while many guests commend their excellent service, some have reported instances of unhelpful, unresponsive, or inconsistent interactions, particularly concerning billing issues or room requests. Despite these isolated concerns, the overall sentiment is that the staff strives to provide a welcoming and accommodating experience.

Additional Information
The hotel is known for its pet-friendly policy, though some recent reviews indicate new charges for pets and challenges in finding suitable outdoor areas nearby. For Marriott Bonvoy elite members, benefits such as room upgrades and breakfast credits are often appreciated, but some loyal guests have expressed frustration with inconsistent application of these benefits or a perceived decline in recognition. A recurring issue mentioned by guests is billing discrepancies, including duplicate charges for parking or other services, which can be difficult to resolve due to unresponsiveness from management. During the holiday season, the hotel is noted for its beautiful Christmas decorations, including a massive tree, which adds to the festive atmosphere.