Starwood Preferred Guest - Help - Need best platinum upgrade chance NYC

Hi,

I've done a lot of reading and searching and have read a lot of what folks have said on the various NY properties. The only definitive answer I know is that I will avoid the 2 Sheratons in Manhattan (we have stayed there before). The other info is a bit outdated, and as we all know, hotels can change overnight.

My wife and I have an opportunity to have a 'honeymoon'. We never had one and it looks like December 4th-7th is our chance to have no kids and a little break.

I'm going to use my points and would like to know your opinion on the best option for us in the NYC area? I'm a platinum and have been taken care of at a lot of properties around the country, but usually when I don't care (i.e, on business travel). I'm really looking forward to a property that has taken care of platinums in the past and offers us a quick way into the city (if in NJ).

Thank you in advance for your time and your opinion!!

Jeff

Both Sheratons are terrible! As its a honeymoon I would go to the St Regis as it is a level above everything else. If the points are too expensive I have stayed at the Westin and was treated very well. Either way I would call the night before and explain its your honeymoon and see if they can preblock you in a suite.

What the OP seek is the intersection of this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/174474-report-your-platinum-upgrade-successes.html

and this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/916453-nyc-starwood-properties-master-thread.html

Both threads are popular enough that they are commonly found on the first page as they are today.

My wife and I have an opportunity to have a 'honeymoon'. We never had one and it looks like December 4th-7th is our chance to have no kids and a little break.

I hate to rain on the honeymoon parade, but during weekends in NYC during the Christmas shopping season the hotels are all pretty crowded. Maybe not as much given the economy, but I think it's going to be tough.

Yeah. When it counts, book the room you need.

Were I in your shoes, I would book a standard suite at the St Regis or one of the nicer Ws (not the W NY!) and get in touch with the GM to let them know it's a special occasion.

If you're comfortable flying blind, the 2 W's in Murray Hill - W - The Cout and W - Tuscany, have really, really large rooms from a NYC perspective. There have been reports recently that these properties are starting to get a bit worn, and that they have not been as friendly with Platinum upgrades as in the past. But even some of the 'standard' rooms will be as big as, or bigger than many of the suites that you would get at other NYC properties.

I'm going to use my points and would like to know your opinion on the best option for us in the NYC area?

Jeff

Jeff,

first of all, I strongly recommend to book any hotel asap, if you really intend to use points, availability is already way down. I assume more or less all hotels will be sold out anyway during this weekend.

Additionally, I would contact the hotels and inquire inhowfar they are willing to give you anything special on top of your room reservation paid with points. They might be willing to give you something nicer, because it is your "honeymoon" , but you should also consider to offer same cash on top of the points, in order to get a really nice room or suite guaranteed.

Considering this special occasion, I would not be willing to play the usual upgrade roulette gamble, especially since everything will be booked...

Writing from the Junior Suite at Le Parker Meridien. Second time here and second time we've been upgraded to the suite. When I asked at check-in if we were in the suite, he responded, "of course." From what I read, this is standard for Platinums.

I really love this place. There is a thread about it been worn and moldy but I have simply not seen that at all. Love the location and at 12,000 points, it's a deal.

From experience I have to say the Parker Merdien can be hit and miss but it is my understanding that it has the best junior suite ratio to rooms of any of the starwood hotels in NYC.

I would say though I think it could be a very busy time in NYC with Christmas shopping etc and for that reason would not bank on a upgrade at any of the properties!

If it was my honeymoon and my points,and I am hoping for a Plat upgrade, my choices are reduced to the Westin Times Square and the Parker Meridien. I would not be holding my breath since the OP wants a weekend, but then you never know :D

Both properties offer nice rooms in the (likely) event that the upgrade does not materialize.

I would suggest booking your room at the hotel you want, regardless of the upgrade availability, then a few days before your trip, check availability at all the hotels and move your reservation to the hotel with the highest number of available suites. As everyone has said though, NYC at Christmas is like Cancun at spring break, if you want a sure thing for getting a suite, you should pay for it.... there are a lot of people out there with a lot more money than I that will pay for it. I think it will be better this year because the US Dollar is a little more healthy..

I'll throw in my $.02 for the W Hoboken. Yes, it's in Hoboken, but the ease of getting to Manhattan AND the fantastic view of Manhattan from across the river might be worth it for you. You might want to call them directly and see what they can do for you. It may not be as crowded as the Manhattan *wood hotels, so a chance at an upgrade might be better.

Yeah. When it counts, book the room you need.

Were I in your shoes, I would book a standard suite at the St Regis or one of the nicer Ws (not the W NY!) and get in touch with the GM to let them know it's a special occasion.

The W NY is tiny if you're not upgraded, but I just had a great suite upgrade for 4 nights last weekend (still a queen bed but a big living room and everything seemed brand new), so I wouldn't knock it completely. Would agree with the others that the St. Regis, Le Parker Meridien or the Westin Times Square are the best bets, though.

Thank you all for your opinions - yeah, we know the time of year, but its either now or not until late next year. I spend enough time on the road and we want to cash in these puppies. I have a lot of hilton points too, so may end up going that route for the DT suites time square.

Thanks again for your opinions!