Westin Buffalo checks in boutique experiences
Chain centres on nature and wellness, from its furnishings to its spa, fitness and food
BUFFALO, N.Y.— It can be difficult for a large hotel chain to feel special or compete with more tailored boutique offerings in any city, but the new Westin Buffalo manages to do just that. With free shuttle service and family-oriented perks, a fantastic new restaurant on the main level and a budding partnership with a local spa, it’s a great new addition to the hotel scene here.
Family-friendly rooms
The hotel’s 116 rooms and suites feature contemporary decor in warm, earthy tones. The layout, artwork and furniture are subtly designed to mimic imperfect lines and angles found in nature. Extra-wide hallways enable guests and staff to easily manoeuvre luggage and strollers. Travelling with kids? Opt for a junior executive suite, which comes with a handy kitchenette and the option of a fully stocked fridge upon arrival, courtesy of a grocery-buying service arranged by hotel staff for an extra fee.
Serene sleep
The Westin is known for its heavenly beds and sleep well program, which includes an in-room dining menu of sleep-enhancing superfoods developed in partnership with SuperFoodsRx. The beds are piled high with plush goose-down duvets, hypoallergenic pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets. If you can’t part with the bedding, all of it — including the mattress and box spring — is available for purchase through the Westin home collection. Bonus: You’ll find a tiny bottle of lavender and camomile essential oil on your nightstand to rub on your temples before bed. Average nightly room rates start at $190.
Refined dining
All hail chef Homer Ford, who re- turned to Buffalo after several years in New York City. He spends his days presenting mouth-watering small plates designed for sharing at Patina 250in the hotel. The restaurant has a casually sophisticated, lounge-like atmosphere, and guests can enjoy craft cocktails, wood-fired cooking or a full dining experience in a variety of areas. The bar can get rowdy on a Saturday night, especially if a Sabres game is on. Don’t check out without trying the lemon ricotta pancakes made with huckleberry compote and salted honey butter.
Theatre night
The Westin is minutes away from Buffalo’s vibrant theatre district, where you can catch a musical, comedy or Broadway show at Shea’s Performing Arts Center — a stunningly ornate, baroque-style historic theatre where I saw An American in Paris — or the more intimate Shea’s 710 Theatre, where I saw Mrs. Warren’s Profession. Afterward, enjoy a cocktail at the delightfully retro Bijou Grille and if you’re too tired to walk back to the Westin Buffalo, take advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle, that will take you anywhere within a five-kilometre radius.
Work out like a pro
On two separate visits to the hotel’s impressive 2,400-square-foot, stateof-the-art fitness studio, I had the entire place to myself. Guests enjoy 24-hour access to a wide variety of high-tech and rarely seen equipment, including 100-pound dumbbells. Start your day with an energizing workout at the hotel or ask the concierge for a local running map. If you don’t travel with active wear, the hotel can deliver New Balance workout gear right to your room for $5 (U.S.) — so, no excuses.
Medical spa
Located in the same building as the Westin Buffalo, the OWM Spa Downtown offers an assortment of esthetic and therapeutic services that focus on the natural healing potential of the human body. Dr. Leonard Kaplan, an osteopathic physician and regenerative medicine specialist, oversees a team of certified professionals that provide a complete wellness experience, including spa treatments, yoga, meditation, nutritional coaching and private fitness classes. Guests of the Westin Buffalo can book an in-room massage treat- ment and receive a 10-per-cent discount on services at the spa.
Outdoor courtyard
In keeping with the hotel’s philosophy centred on nature and wellness, a large open-air courtyard that doubles as an outdoor space for special events is available for guests to enjoy in the warmer months. Some of the rooms look out onto the courtyard’s collection of bistro chairs and tables, swish sectional seating, modest garden and water wall feature. There’s also a more traditional indoor ballroom that’s drenched in natural light coming from floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic city views. Toronto writer Denise Dias ( denisediasto@gmail.com) was a guest of the Westin Buffalo, which did not review or approve this story.