Hilton HHonors - The Waldorf Towers

The Waldorf Towers (212-355-3100), an excellent private enclave atop NY's Waldorf-Astoria, is offering suites for $375/night. Valid Thursdays through Sundays until 8/2700.

doc - for those that hold AMEX Platinum or Centurion cards, there are other deals in New York. In addition to the usual "Fine Hotel" amenities of upgrade on check-in, 4pm check-out, complimentary continental breakfast for 2 every day, and a fourth amenity (which varies by hotel) such as tea for two, there are the following summer specials:

Big Apple Summertime 2000 Specials


The Carlyle will upgrade you to a one-bedroom suite, confirmed at time of booking, for $395 per night. You'll also receive a limited edition signed copy of a Bobby Short CD recorded live at the Café Carlyle.

The Peninsula New York is offering a complimentary fourth night when you stay three consecutive nights at the special rate of $390 per night for a Superior Room with an upgrade to a Deluxe Room based upon availability at check-in. For Thursday and Friday arrivals only.

The Pierre, a Four Seasons Hotel overlooking Central Park, is offering the following special rates: a Superior Room for $345, a Deluxe Room for $425, and a Deluxe Suite for $695 per night.

The Plaza is offering a $100 credit per room to Card members who stay two consecutive nights. The credit may be used in the new 9,000 sq. ft. Plaza Spa or for food, beverages, or gift shop purchases.

The St. Regis is offering upgrades to Deluxe Rooms for $491 and Deluxe Suites for $985 per night. Guests staying in Suites receive a $50 gift certificate from Bergdorf Goodman, and all guests receive a welcome fruit basket, mineral water, daily confections, and the complimentary pressing of two garments.

Trump International Hotel & Tower is offering an upgrade to a Deluxe Guest Room for $395 and to an Executive One-Bedroom Suite with a city view for $445 per night.

The Waldorf Towers is featuring a Luxury Guest Room for $349, a one-bedroom Waldorf-Style Suite for $425, and a one-bedroom Ambassador-Style Suite for $550 per night.

To make reservations at these members of Fine Hotels, Resorts & Spas, call PTS at 800-443-7672 or refer your travel professional to PTS.


doc, while the $425 rate under this program is higher than the $375 rate you quoted, the AMEX program includes all the additional amentities, plus it is available 7 days a week. I stayed at the Peninsula under this program, for an effective rate of about $290 based on the 4th night free. It was great!

You'll also receive a limited edition signed copy of a Bobby Short CD recorded live at the Café Carlyle.

Um, who's Bobby Short and why, exactly, do I want his free CD (which obviously isn't selling!)?

Cheers.

I just stayed at the W=T on this deal earlier this week. There are renovations going on, and they will put you on the floors where they are working. Provided that you aren't going to be sitting in your parlour during the middle of the day (and there is always the lounge) it is not much of an inconvenience.

Bobby Short is an entertainer, specifically a piano player/singer. He's been a fixture
at the carlyle since Ike was president(at least it seems that way, probably at least since Ford was president).

Beantown--- since all Centurion holders are automatically SPG Platinum you should be upgraded at the St. Regis anyway.

Bobby Short is a wonderful entertainer. He is most famous for his incredible repertoire of Cole Porter songs, which he sings and plays on the piano in a brisk, showmanlike style. If you stay at the Carlysle you can get the suite with Cole Porter's own piano. For a hefty fee Bobby Short will come up and do a private recital, if he's still in good health (he was having some problems last I heard).

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Get my trip reports mailed to you! http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/liontales

Most disappointed. Was hoping to bring a girlfriend over to NYC for the weekend and stay at the Waldorf. There was no availability in the hotel, but diamond rep rang towers to check. THEY DONT PROVIDE AWARD TRAVEL. This erks me greatly.

One very unhappy Daimond Member who racked up over 300k points last year and wants to use some.....

Jon

PS Mr Burke, if you can help I would appreciate it.

jon

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by jongar:
Most disappointed. Was hoping to bring a girlfriend over to NYC for the weekend and stay at the Waldorf. There was no availability in the hotel, but diamond rep rang towers to check. THEY DONT PROVIDE AWARD TRAVEL. This erks me greatly.

One very unhappy Daimond Member who racked up over 300k points last year and wants to use some.....

Jon

PS Mr Burke, if you can help I would appreciate it.

jon</font>

Jongar, it now supposedly is a Conrad. Try Conrad website? or Conrad reservation # ?

This was an award stay though not paid

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by jongar:
THEY DONT PROVIDE AWARD TRAVEL. This erks me greatly.
</font>

This is just another horrifying example of marketing vs realities with the Hiltons and another reason to follow me and sa_boy (if I remember correctly, sa_boy? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) to SPG...

No blackout dates or capacity controls for reward stays: if you can pay for a room, you can get it for points!

This is obviously something HHonors should have had - at least for their Diamonds - all along??

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001783.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001817.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001975.html



[This message has been edited by andersja (edited 06-14-2001).]

Sorry if this is in another post, but I did not find it after a brief search...

Over Labor Day weekend we'll be in NYC for a wedding and I wanted to book 2 rooms for the weekend (Sat, Sun, Mon) using points at the Waldorf. I'm only Gold this year. My question is, is there any way to specify my preference in getting rooms in the Towers? If not, any way to improve my odds of getting rooms in the Towers?

My other question is, has anyone had the Waldorf Sunday Brunch lately? Is it still good (understatement)? Do you know if the 50% off meal vouchers apply to this?

Sorry for all the questions- I wanted to make it a very special occasion for my family!

Thanks.

The Towers is a separate hotel from the rest of the Waldorf. I'm not sure how point redemption works there because I've only ever had paid stays.

There is also an executive level in the main Waldorf hotel that you may be able to upgrade to.

If you book stay at the Waldorf=Astoria, then there is next to zero chance you'll get an upgrade to the Waldorf Towers.

As a Gold, you'll probably not get much of any type of upgrade. I have a hard time as a Diamond, and I even stay there weekly. But I'm there during busy weeks. You'll be there during a holiday weekend, so you might get an upgrade to the Executive floor(something I have yet to see after 5 stays as a Diamond)

I called today to see if I could book 2 rooms with points and they said no problem. I asked if there was anyway they could put me into the Towers, and they said no, it didn't show any availability. I then spoke with Guest Services at the Waldorf and they did mention that I could likely get upgraded into the Towers side that weekend because it has been typically pretty empty that time of year.

No one seemed to be able to tell me for sure if I could use the 15% meal discount or the Buy 1 get 1 free discount at the Peacock Alley though. Guest services said yes, the restaurant reservations desk said no... anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

I wanted to redeem points for a stay at the Towers but was unable to do so.

I was told by many people that they participate for point earning but not for redemption.

With that said, I think your chance for an upgrade are less than zero!

TW

I'll second the upgrade less then zero, they will go out of their way to leave those rooms empty before they will upgrade somebody to them. I know people have been upgraded, but it's certainly not their business practices there.

Brunch is $59, even at half off it's still way overpriced. It's actually quite funny reading, their menus and the rest, Eggs Benedict for $31, etc.

We recently stayed at the Waldorf Towers on the Producer's Package (including tickets to see Mathew Broderick and Nathan Lane perform before they left the show). You had to book the Towers 1 BR suite to get the tickets.

Once we got there we were *very* impressed with the suite assigned, even by our somewhat jaded standards. The service was mostly great, although if you are used to doing things for yourself like pushing buttons in the elevator you may find it cumbersome having all those employees helping you.

We were so happy with the accomodations, I talked to the internal reservations to see if we could extend our 2 night stay by redeeming points and was told they do not accept points for redemption. You can earn but not redeem.

I know people are sometimes bumped up from the regular Waldorf; on some lower floors the two hotels even connect. But this is a rare event.

The Waldorf Astoria has a club lounge and concierge level (the Astoria level?). I believe an upgrade to that level is appropriate for upgrade situations (Gold, etc.) but I've heard they are sometimes not forthcoming. The food service in the Astoria lounge was IMHO significantly below the level of other lounges in the Hilton system. Plus I didn't like that they kick you out, literally, when breakfast is over, for several hours of cleaning before re-opening later in the day.

Waldorf Towers guests automatically have access to the Astoria lounge in the main hotel, although almost none took advantage on our stay - I checked the signin list.

Charles

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The food service in the Astoria lounge was IMHO significantly below the level of other lounges in the Hilton system.[/B]</font>

This past Saturday afternoon the food service was a spectaular serving of "pigs in a blanket" and "chesse chunks". The lounge door is now locked and your room key needs to be programmed to enter.

I do find the morning coffee very good though!!

I will be in NYC in June. When I compared rates between the Astoria and Towers, the Towers were about $80 higher per night. Is the Waldorf-Towers worth the extra money over the Astoria?

What gets me is the published size of rooms. According to my current reservations, they put me in a 240sqft room. I don't even think there's a room that small in the towers... they list the room sizes on their website.

I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope for the upgrade, any upgrade, to come through.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by W-N:
I will be in NYC in June. When I compared rates between the Astoria and Towers, the Towers were about $80 higher per night. Is the Waldorf-Towers worth the extra money over the Astoria?</font>


Yes, if you are looking for a more exclusive hotel with somewhat nicer decor/amenities. The Towers have their own entrance, a much more quiet ambience, and a highly dedicated staff. I have never stayed in a standard room in the Towers, but having seen some of the nicer rooms in the regular Waldorf, I'd have to guess that they're about the same size. It's only the amenities that seem to differ.

If you're just in NYC to have some fun and not spending much time in your room, I'd go with the regular Waldorf.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by W-N:
I will be in NYC in June. When I compared rates between the Astoria and Towers, the Towers were about $80 higher per night. Is the Waldorf-Towers worth the extra money over the Astoria?</font>

Dupe.

[This message has been edited by jja34-1 (edited 04-10-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EXP_Cougar:
What gets me is the published size of rooms. According to my current reservations, they put me in a 240sqft room. I don't even think there's a room that small in the towers</font>

There are definitely rooms that small in the Waldorf. I always like to look at floor plans when I get into my room to see how my room compares to other ones. When staying in what I view to be a standard room there(about 300-350 sq. feet), the floor plan would have me believe that there are rooms smaller. As a Gold or Diamond, you can hope to at least be upgraded to a slightly larger one, maybe a corner.

Whenever I am in NYC, I like to eat like New Yorkers and head to Essa Bagel (on Third Ave I believe). Great bagels, deli food, etc. Ask the front desk for directions--a short walk.

I am planning a weekend in NYC and considering either the Waldorf Towers, or the St. Regis Club At The Essex House. I have stayed at the STR Club before, and got an astor suite which was quite nice. As a Diamond if you book a towers room, what sort of upgrade do you get? What sort of breakfast coupon or other ameneties as diamond? Also the best rate I am finding for the Towers is $404 AAA rate on the web site....looks like the regular web site rate is $426. There appear to be no special offers listed, and my corp number would not bring any discount up. Is it true that the Diamond desk has access to "special" rates at this hotel. How does $404 sound....like too high, just right, or too low....well its all relative, but you get the point. Thanks.

Second the vote for Essa Bagels for breakfast. Went with friends May,2001, stayed at the Waldorf and was upgraded as a Gold to a suite in the Waldorf and our friends, who are silver, to a suite in the towers. We paid under $200. each for standard rooms. I called the Waldorf and explained that this would be my girlfriends first time visiting NYC. Even though she is from CT, she had an abnormal fear of the city. They told me to write down everything I had told them and send it to the General Mgr. We got to the hotel, asked for an upgrade for gold and they were pretty quiet as they took us to our suite, which had sparkling water and petit fours set out for us. I was really impressed with our 2 rooms and 2 baths. An hour later the desk called our room to say our friends rooms were ready. We were taken to the towers and their room made ours look drab. Huge bedroom, living room, hallway and the largest bathroom with sunken tub and chandelier. Needless to say my girlfriend loves NYC and the Waldorf.

Has anyone stayed here recently? I was wondering what we can expect in regards to amenities/upgrades, I am a gold member. There is a lot posted on the board about the Waldorf=Astoria, but not much on the Towers. I want to ensure that i don't get the only BAD room in this aparently wonderful hotel!!

I am booked into the Towers for the 4th July. It is a special weekend for my husband and I as he working in Cleveland for the summer while I am home in North Cal, so I picked this place for a romantic weekend.

Does anyone have any suggestions about ensuring a decent room and great relaxing weekend.

Your advice and comments are welcomed http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Cheers
Flighty

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Flighty:
Does anyone have any suggestions about ensuring a decent room and great relaxing weekend.</font>

The romantic weekend you are planning for your husband and yourself sounds wonderful, and I'm sure you two will make it great and relaxing no matter what kind of room you'll get! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Now, here's some floor plans and descriptions:

Waldorf Towers Accomodations (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/information.jhtml?ctyhocn=NYCWTHH&key=ACCOMMODATIONS).

Also, a nice letter (or fax, or even e-mail) to the General Manager asking for an upgrade for a special celebration often does true wonders.

And welcome to Flyertalk, Flighty!

I just returned from the Towers. As a Diamond, I was upgraded to a corner suite with a large separate living room and bedroom. The lounge is on the 26th floor.

Thanks to all the FlyerTalkers that mentioned Ess-A Bagels. They were very good and only a couple of blocks from the hotel.

I have a room booked at the Waldorf Towers for a three night stay Nov 1-4. What should I expect? How are the rooms? Is there a possibility of recieving an upgrade? I plan on some entertainment how large is the regular room, and suite if upgraded? What diamond benifits will I recieve? Real Breakfast of continental? In the same post can someone comment on Diamond treatment at the Conrad London?
Thanks

Ryan, do a "search" on Waldorf Towers or Waldorf. There has been a number of postings on this topic. Good luck.

A&E had a hour long documentary on The Waldorf Astoria and The Waldorf Towers yesterday (at 8pm EST, Sunday Oct 13th, 2003). The show was called "it's a living". It gave a very interesting behind-the-screens view of both hotels. From what I saw you'll be having a great time in the Towers... I was impressed by the concierge of the Towers.
Anyway, maybe/probably there will be a rerun. Check A&E's site or TVGUIDE.com to find out (if you are interested).

There is a distinction between Waldorf=Austoria hotel and Waldorf towers. Be sure you are clear as to where your reservation is.

Otherwise, do a search. I've posted several comments here.

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On the road, In the air,
I enjoy travel, From here to there.

Waldorf Towers and Waldorf=Astoria are the same physical building. But, the Towers are floors 27-42 and run by the Conrad chain. There's about 200 rooms and suites, not including the residences. The Astoria are floors 1-26 and run by the Hilton chain, with about 1200 rooms and suites.

Both are in the same family, under the Hilton umbrella.

The Towers has a separate entrance on 50th street off of Park ave. Standard, even discounted/cheap rooms are typically $300+/night. The rooms are all nicely appointed, and they are on floors where people actually have apartments and live. I'm still waiting for my chance to see Paris and Nikki Hilton.....

By comparison, the Astoria rooms can be had for lower rates like $179 in lower demand seasons. Rates from 11/1 thru 12/15, however, have been quite high due to it being New York's busiest time of the year for hotels.

As a Diamond or Gold, you should be able to get some sort of upgrade - regardless of whether you are in the Astoria or Towers. And, once in a blue moon, people are even upgraded from the Astoria to the Towers.

But, as the previous poster suggested, check your reservation. Is it the Waldorf Towers or Waldorf=Astoria where you have the reservation?

After about 17 stays since March, I am comfortable saying that the whole place is great. Check the various posts here.

Don't count on an upgrade at the Astoria. As diamond, I didn't and I know they weren't sold out.

Even colleagues of mine staying there for the past several months can't even get upgrades as diamond.

I was there for one weekend night in January on a Point Stretcher award. I got upgraded to a huge suite with two bathrooms so big I could have done cartwheels in them. I'm Gold.

Total bill was $2 and some change for tax.

-Sabrina

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sabrina:
I was there for one weekend night in January on a Point Stretcher award. I got upgraded to a huge suite with two bathrooms so big I could have done cartwheels in them. I'm Gold.

Total bill was $2 and some change for tax.

-Sabrina</font>

I have looked and looked and have never seen a "point stretcher award" for the Waldorf=Astoria! When are they usually available? Is it just hit or miss?

traveler4ever, Point Stretcher Awards are available at the Waldorf=Astoria. My wife and I enjoyed a 4 night Award stay there in June. Total cost was our bar tab of $257.

Point Stretcher Award dates are available at the Waldorf=Astoria, you must just find them.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by glisiak:
Don't count on an upgrade at the Astoria. As diamond, I didn't and I know they weren't sold out.

Even colleagues of mine staying there for the past several months can't even get upgrades as diamond.</font>


Are you and your colleagues checking in at the Diamond Reception room(down to the left of the main reception counter)?

Even on busy weeks, I'm usually given a 2 room suite, or large one room junior suite with a separate sitting area. This has happened in 90% of my approx. 17 stays there this year. And, they have all been weekday stays. And, most importantly, they have been on very good rates booked in advance on hilton.com - I've never paid more than $229.

If you're a regular guest there, the key is filling out a profile with the Diamond Reception staff - they will use that when pre-assigning your room the morning of your arrival. After one or two visits, they will also immediately know you and greet you by name.

If you are really lucky, maybe you'll be awakened from a sound sleep by the Hilton sisters and their drunken entourage http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

The Towers really are a nice hotel. However, I don't know if they are so much nicer than the suites in the Astoria. The added benefit is the separate entrance and higher level of service.

I saw the A&E special last month. Oddly, at another hotel in NY that I had started to frequent when my business took me downtown, rather than midtown. I thought it made the concierge look like a complete freak. In fact, I really dislike him. He has always been a bit rude and condescending. Even for simple tasks that I felt he should have been able to take care of (like sending a fedex), he sent me to the main hotel concierge. And I don't think he really did anything in the show that demonstrated his ability to work wonders.

A friend of mine lives in the Towers and we have seen the Hilton sisters in the flesh, late at night. They were coming back from a party we had been at as well. They scare me...

I look through some of the other threads, but besides a separate entrance, can someone ellaborate on the advantages of the Towers, and whether it is worth it to go for the towers rather than the regular property? I.e. rooms, ameneties, services, etc. I don't care much about a separate entrance, but would be interested in enahnced services oe room types/ameneties. Also is Diamond Reception in the toers or regular hotel? If staying in the towers, is it best to still use Diamond reception where ever it is? Thanks.

I was wondering if you book a room at the Hilton Waldorf Towers, does that room entitle you to the executive level lounge at the the Waldorf? I didn't see a definite answer at the Waldorf Towers web site. I'd like to stay in the Towers section but I'd also like access to the Executive Level lounge. I had a regular room at the Waldorf with access to the lounge last year and it was enjoyable, so I was just curious....does anyone know for sure? Thaank you!

Yes, if you are in the Towers (floors 28 and higher), then you get access to the Astoria Lounge on 26.

Thank you Phl...

Has anyone used the American Express platinum card to book at the Waldorf Towers? American Express's ammenity is tea for two once during your stay, late check out and an upgrade if available. I received a better price for a double room at the Waldorf Towers using the American Express card then booking the best available rate on Hilton's web site. I'm curious though if an upgrage will be offered. I am currently only a Hilton Silver. Has anyone had any experiences with this situation?

If you booked under the Platinum Card's Fine Hotel and Resort program, yes you will receive an upgrade, based upon availability at check-in (they actually try to block something in advance of your arrival). A Towers room upgrades to a Waldorf Suite (625 sq. ft), while a Waldorf Suite upgrades to an Ambassador Suite (750 sq. ft.). I stayed there at the end of February (it was my first, and will be my last visit). I had booked the FH&R Waldorf Suite rate, and was upgraded without asking to an Ambassador Suite. The first room I was shown to had furniture that was easily 30 years old (but was not well maintained antiques). The bathroom was the same vintage as my childhood home (built in 1936), right down to identical fixtures. When I sat down and starting reading the newsletter I read about their newly renovated rooms; so I called the front desk to ask if there was something of a more recent vintage. After a 10 minute "explanation" that renovation programs are ongoing and in phases, they suddenly found me something that had been renovated in the "last phase". The bathroom at least had fixtures that were less than 10 years old, and marble, although the remainder of the room was a mix between 5-10 year old furniture and the same 30 year old garbage that was in my first suite. The furniture is chipped, scratched, and just plain disgusting. The second suite was significantly smaller than the first suite, although they both had the same number (although they were on different floors). Bottom line - don't unpack until you inspect the room and are satisfied that the furnishings are at least younger than you are. Also, by the way, when I booked the FHR rate, the suite rate was only $50 more than the room rate, so you might want to check all the rates. You can do this at hilton's website by entering the corporate ID of N9876464, although all booking must go through AMEX.

THANK YOU! Beantownflyer. I almost wonder if I should phone them a day ahead of time to discuss our room. We are booked through the FH&R. I was told a suite was only fifty dollars more but I am taking my 21 year old daughter and her friend. I'd rather have two double beds then one king with a roll away. I'd get stuck on the roll away, I just know it! Although we did get a fifth avenue suite at the Plaza last Feb. through Am Ex. and the roll away was quite comfortable. The Towers was the choice of my daughter and her friend. We've stayed at the Waldorf on their concierge level once before. I could not believe how tiny the room was! Last month we were in NY and stayed at the Hilton Times Square upon the request of my other (younger) daughter. I was not crazy about the location. To crowded of an area. The Hotel was okay though. Anyway, thank you for sharing your experience at the Waldorf. I will heed your advice and check out the room before making a decision as to whether or not to unpack!

Does this make any sense to anyone?

Are they catering to an older or interenatonal guests that refuse to not smoke in their rooms?

So they just made them all smoking?

The last time we were at the Waldorf Asotria, their non-smoking room stunk so bad, we'll never go back.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PaulGQ:
Does this make any sense to anyone?

Are they catering to an older or interenatonal guests that refuse to not smoke in their rooms?

So they just made them all smoking?

The last time we were at the Waldorf Asotria, their non-smoking room stunk so bad, we'll never go back.</font>

The Hilton girls probably ordered this. When they spend a night out on the town, they return to any room they can find. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Those darned Hilton girlz http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

There are definitely non-smoking rooms at the Towers. Someone told you incorrect info, or perhaps there were none on dates you were inquiring about.

I've checked every other day for the next year and there are no non-smoking rooms avail.

Maybe if you check, you'll have better luck than we did.

they will not GUARANTEE non smoking - it is ony a request subject to availability when you arrive...

I just checked 5 October 2003 and 5 November 2003, and they have non-smoking rooms available on both these nights.

Checked via the reservations section at www.hilton.com. (http://www.hilton.com.)

[This message has been edited by starflyer (edited 07-29-2003).]

I just checked various dates from tonight thru August on hilton.com and non-smoking rooms appeared to be available on each day I checked.

Looking for any expereinces of someone staying at the Waldorf towers on a priceline bid and what their diamond recognition was like. I know that beneifts recognition is hit or miss with priceline stays, so just looking for a basis for this hotel. Thanks!

Are you saying that you successfully landed a priceline stay at Waldorf Towers? or are you just asking. I've never known of anyone to be assigned to the Towers via Priceline. If so, I'm pumped!!

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AA EXP, 1MM, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum

According to www.biddingfortravel.com, (http://www.biddingfortravel.com,) the Waldorf Towers are coming up on PL as a Midtown East 5-Star. The Waldorf-Astoria is coming up on PL as a 4-star.

I was planning on bidding on the 5 star, thereby guaranteeing the Towers. I was looking for anyone that is already guaranteed in the Towers via priceline, and what upgrades they possibly got within the Towers. Not an upgrade from the WA to the WT.

I've won the Towers w/ a $150 bid a few weeks back (a Wed. I beleive). Bid 5* MTE and its a lock. My room was HUGE. Im just a lowly Blue member and was still treatd great and very happy w/ the outcome. BTW, the room was selling for $270+ on Hilton.com

Woo-hoo!

That's awesome news. I'm anxious to hear about possible upgrades also.

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AA EXP, 1MM, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum

[This message has been edited by Jills (edited 08-21-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Jills (edited 08-21-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kdinino:
I've won the Towers w/ a $150 bid a few weeks back (a Wed. I beleive). Bid 5* MTE and its a lock.
</font>

Did u get stay credit & or points???

Maybe I'm just to used to staying/redeeming at the Waldorf=Astoria, but when I inquired about redeeming points for a nite at the Waldorf Towers, I was told by the Diamond Award Reservations that the Towers doesn't participate in HHonors in any way. I thought people at least earned points here, but perhaps not??

The Waldorf Towers is where I stay everytime I am in New York and I have always been told that one can earn HHonor points but cannot redeem at the Towers.

As for HH Vip amenities it is tough to say if the hotel does anything extra as Health Club access is complimentary for Towers guests and breakfast is included in the Astoria Lounge or the front desk hands out vouchers for Oscar's.

I have always been upgraded at the Towers, even from before I became HH Gold. I still have yet to pay for, yet stay in, a standard room in the Towers -- I have always been upgraded to beautiful suites, the nicest one which had 2 terraces, solarium, kitchen, dining room for 10, living room and full view of the Chrysler Building.

Lo & behold I booked the WA today thru HH. No problem I was told. Got the email already & they deducted the 40K points/nite. My wife is very happy with me....today http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Hazmike:
Lo & behold I booked the WA today thru HH. No problem I was told. Got the email already & they deducted the 40K points/nite. My wife is very happy with me....today http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif </font>

WA is not the WT. 2 separate hotels contained in the same "building". I, too, have an upcoming WA stay for 40,000 points. Those awards aren't hard to come by in the Winter, especially weekends.

Oooooohhhh la la! Doubt any Diamonds will be upgraded to this one....

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_2nd/Apr04_WaldorfSuite.html

I'm planning on spending the Thanksgiving holiday in New York and was thinking of booking a room at the Waldorf Towers (the Conrad property, not the Hilton W=A).

A couple of questions though....

What I really need is two beds (which I don't see offered in any bookable room), or a room with enough room for a roll-away bed.

I thinking of booking the standard King Waldorf Towers room (listed as 475 sqft). Is there enough room/privacy for a roll-away bed?

Also, would it be likely for a Gold to recieve an upgrade from a Waldorf Towers room to a suite?

Finally, what other benefits might a gold expect? I understand that every guest gets a complementary breakfast is the Astoria Lounge, so is there some additional ammenity offered per HHonors regulations ("At US Hilton hotels, and at Conrad and Doubletree hotels... And when in hotels or when paying a rate where a complimentary breakfast is a benefit for all guests, Gold VIPs will be offered a special amenity as an expression of our appreciation.")


Thanks for your thoughts. I welcome any other advice on has on this property. I have already read all the relevant threads in the forum concerning the Waldorf.

Thanks again,
FlyerBeek

They do upgrade when available.

Book the King and put in the special request: "If upgrade avail, prefer King + sofa bed or 2 doubles". But, that's a busy weekend. The upgradeable rooms may all be occupied by guests paying for the rate. In that case, a rollaway most certainly will fit in a 475 sq. ft. room and they will oblige. Just give them a call in advance to see what your options are. I think a rollaway incurs a $30 charge.

Yes, you get lounge access on 26. Health club on 19. Special amenity may be a nice bowl of fruit or some other similar welcome gift. The Towers is a nice part of the Waldorf complex, and kind of quaint with the separate side entrance/lobby/elevators (50th St).

PHL,

Thanks for the reply.

-Flyerbeek

Well I just got an email from Hilton/Conrad inviting me to spend an evening at a suite in the towers. THey list the luxury, premier, and grand suite. I check the prices in May and for $2000 + tax I can get the 1800 sq ft grand suite. The question I want to know is....as a Diamond HHonors....do I get an amenity and is it possible to get an upgrade?

You're a HH Diamond, and you don't know whether you are entitled to an amenity?

You're considering spending $2K on a suite and you want an amenity??! A 24 hour butler *SHOULD* be included with that price, but....

Diamonds are not, by default, entitled to a 'diamond amenity' like those in the SPG platinum program.

Well I just got an email from Hilton/Conrad inviting me to spend an evening at a suite in the towers. THey list the luxury, premier, and grand suite. I check the prices in May and for $2000 + tax I can get the 1800 sq ft grand suite. The question I want to know is....as a Diamond HHonors....do I get an amenity and is it possible to get an upgrade?

I got the same e-mail. Thought it was a special offer, but when I looked at the suite prices for varoius dates, just had to delete it! Would love to stay there sometime, but prices seem out of this world. Even in the Waldorf=Astoria, prices have gone sky high compared to a couple of years ago.

Chris.

The increase in prices at the Waldorf(s) is due to a few factors, according to the Diamond Reception at the property:

1.) Business for them is just plain BOOMING. They're room nights and corresponding revenues have increased year over year, with big rises in the last 3. 2002, believe it or not, was a very good year, despite the economic downturn after 9/11

2.) The Plaza is closing and rennovating to become mostly condos with a few rooms for nightly rental. As a result, they are seeing more business travellers start migrating. There are only a handful of well known properties in the midtown area that don't have the convetioner/tourist feel. These include the Waldorf(s), Palace, Penninsula and the recently built Mandarin Oriental.

3.) Lots of meetings and conferences. The hotel has the capacity to house some of the larger in-house conferences and provide their attendees all rooms under one roof. This makes it attractive to a lot of meeting planners.

So, yeah - the rates are high. My AAA has gotten me as low as $229, but it's been a crapshoot. Often the lowest I can find at the W=A is $259 or $269. But, when other properties like the Sheraton, W and Grand Hyatt are charging the same or more, I feel comforted in knowing I'm getting solid service from the Waldorf for the money.

Just wondering how the Conrad Waldorf Towers manages to get out of offering reward stays. I know its part of the Waldorf structurally but it is treated as a separate hotel. Why wouldnt they offer reward stays as well?

I know its part of the Waldorf structurally but it is treated as a separate hotel.


I think you answered your own question.

I think you answered your own question.

Actually, if it's treated separately, that's an argument that it should offer awards.

I assumed that the logic was "It's really part of the Waldorf, which does offer awards, and we don't offer upgrade awards as a part of the program."

The Ali'i Tower at HHV is the same way. No award options for a room there, and even Diamonds don't typically get upgraded into that tower on award stays.

There are probably other examples.

I once rang about this issue as I saw that the waldoft astoria was 40000 points - the maximum so thought the Towers must be the same and is better - thus would be a better use of points.

Starward do not include The Lainsburgh (spelling may be dodgy) in London is not included in the Starwards Preferd Guest program at all.

The thing is the waldof is supposed to be one of the best hotels they have so Hilton dont want to make it less value points than the towers - every one would stay there -

I know they insiston saying they are different hotels but really they are not. I have stayed on the higher floors of the Waldorf, especialy the Astoria Lounge floor and the rooms are often branded with Towers stuff.

I know they insiston saying they are different hotels but really they are not. I have stayed on the higher floors of the Waldorf, especialy the Astoria Lounge floor and the rooms are often branded with Towers stuff.

The rooms on the higher floors (above the Astoria Lounge Level, which I think is on the 26th floor) can only be accessed by the elevator bank in the Towers section (entrance on 50th street). I think this is from the 29th to 37th floor --- which cannot be accessed from the regular W-A elevators.

I think the main reason why they do NOT offer reward rooms is that the Towers is relatively small. I think they only offer around 50 rooms and 100 suites (I seem to recall the split between rooms and suites is strange...) and they also have a number of historic apartments and monthly rental apartments.

So, it is probably a bit of Hilton trying to keep it more exclusive (by limiting rewards to the W-A) and the fact that there is very little inventory of Towers Luxury rooms.

I personally only stay in the Towers, as I find the regular W-A rooms to be too small... though, of recent, we have only been staying in Towers suites, which are pretty nice and definitely spacious. What I like the most about the Waldorf Towers is that they are very good to repeat guests with respect to upgrades. It seems to me that the repeat loyalty is more important than the Hilton Status. Also, I like the fact that the bellhops and concierge always remember us, even though, we only stay at the property around 2 times a year. (of which, the Towers has their own staff, NOT shared with the W-A)

Most hotels are not owned and operated by Hilton Hotel Corporation. W=A is. Franchisees are required to make rooms available for rewards. HHC gives themselves and exemption, just because they can.

I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that members of the Hilton family, including Paris and Nicky, have lived there on and off. Surely the family wants to keep it exclusive, and the idea of someone staying there on credit card points just doesn't cut the mustard.