I really liked the Ex West when it was the crew hotel in the early 90's. It's funky but the resturant has a great buffet and the staff is nice. They had, maybe still have, a good rate for UPSer's, and I always stayed there when I was on my own dime. Now that I'm an ONT guy, we have to stay at the Holiday Inn Hurstbourne, which I'd not overall rate above the Ex West except for the fact that I can walk to Smokey Bones BBQ.
Some guys hated the Ex West, and the union got it removed from the approved list (at one time), much as the Clarion is today. And the Envoy (old Four Points) I believe is removed, though I was there a year ago for long term training and I didn't think it was that bad.
Just did CLW at the Hyatt Place (old Amerisuites) on Hurstbourne. Very nice remodeled hotel, great location, great staff, but UPS would never pay to put operating crews up in such a nice place unless they had to.
It really puts things into perspective when you compare the Hyatt Place for three days vs the Holiday Inn for three days. CLW where management is trying to pump you up and is involved in meetings = nice hotel. Normal operating line slug doing the job day to day = just okay hotel.
Not sure that's what I was supposed to get out of the Captains Leadership workshop, but the hotel quality comparison is pretty hard to miss.