Starwood Preferred Guest - NYC Choices Down To Three - Would Like Your Opinions

Hi everyone, I know there are a myriad of posts on the subject but none of them quite fit my parameters.
For our "lucky" 13th anniversary, I'm looking at a stay this upcoming summer in NYC for a week with just myself and Mrs. Singlepoint (no little Singlepoints). Have done extensive searches and have managed to narrow my choices down to three. They are, in no particular order, Westin Times Square, W Tuscany and the Sheraton Russell. Here are a few of my pros for each hotel but maybe I'm missing the "bigger picture" or I need to be aware of other considerations that those more familiar with these properties might be able to offer. I'm not Gold nor Plat. I would prefer Club level if possible as I simply find it more convenient and potentially a cost savings ? depending on the price of eating out every night.

Westin Times Square - Can get Club level for $1786, centrally located etc.
W Tuscany - 6 nights $1196 + 1 extra night (either cash $329 or points 12000-16000) but no Club level and need to be looking for breakfasts and dinners nightly, centrally located etc.
Sheraton Russell - Can get Club level for $1533, centrally located

So I guess my question is, if it were you, is Club level worth the extra expense at the W TS or the Russell or should I take the slightly less price - assuming I paid for that extra night - and head to the W Tuscany and be looking for dining options continually ? Are reasonable dining options available near the Tuscany for both breakfasts and dinners ? Also, is the Club level better at the W TS or the Russell ?

An and all advice would be much appreciated,

Cheers,

Singlepoint

Plenty of dining options right around the Tuscany. I usually travel to a destination restuarant uptown or down, but the neighborhood Italian and Japanese places look very nice.

Josie's is a good health oriented but not boring mid priced option a couple of blocks away.

Also, is the Club level better at the W TS or the Russell ?
I thought you were looking at the Westin Times Square, not the W Times Square.

Anyhow, the Westin TS and the Sheraton Russell are radically different hotels, in terms of decor, location, size, etc. It's hard to say which is "better." It really depends on your taste. I like them both, but I find the Russell a bit more comfortable. For me, it usually boils down to price. And as a Plat, I have gotten suite upgrades the three times I've stayed at the Russell; I don't think the Westin has many suites, and the two times I've stayed there, I just got an ordinary room. However, if you don't have elite status with Starwood, I don't know what kind of room you'll get on the "club level" at the Russell.

While at the Westin TS about two years ago we were told by the desk clerk that the Westin TS is saturated with Plats. Getting an upgrade is very competitive. We were there for 4 nights and were upgraded to a suite. The $100 tip may have helped. We find the Westin TS nice as it is new but a block too far west.

We travel via Subway in NYC and it has a station in the same block to the south. I find neighborhood a more important component than the hotel while in NYC.

NYC is always a great adventure.

They are, in no particular order, Westin Times Square, W Tuscany and the Sheraton Russell. Here are a few of my pros for each hotel but maybe I'm missing the "bigger picture" or I need to be aware of other considerations that those more familiar with these properties might be able to offer. I'm not Gold nor Plat. I would prefer Club level if possible as I simply find it more convenient and potentially a cost savings ? depending on the price of eating out every night.

Westin Times Square - Can get Club level for $1786, centrally located etc.
W Tuscany - 6 nights $1196 + 1 extra night (either cash $329 or points 12000-16000) but no Club level and need to be looking for breakfasts and dinners nightly, centrally located etc.
Sheraton Russell - Can get Club level for $1533, centrally located

So I guess my question is, if it were you, is Club level worth the extra expense at the W TS or the Russell or should I take the slightly less price - assuming I paid for that extra night - and head to the W Tuscany and be looking for dining options continually ? Are reasonable dining options available near the Tuscany for both breakfasts and dinners ? Also, is the Club level better at the W TS or the Russell ?

An and all advice would be much appreciated,

Cheers,

Singlepoint

The Sheraton Russell, W Court and W Tuscany are located in the same residential neighborhood. The immediate vicinity is pretty quiet. The Westin Times Square is located across from the Port Authority bus terminal and a peep show; 42nd Street has improved substantially over the last 20 years, but it's still a bit dodgy.

There are plenty of dining options near the Russell, Court and Tuscany (Most choice on Third Avenue). The Court and Tuscany are closest to restaurants. The Westin area is mostly tourist (i.e more lights at night).

If you stay at the Russell, what is the cost of the club room upgrade? There is no real club lounge. You get free access to the continental breakfast buffet (Not really worth more that $5 IMO). The rooms have coffee makers, and restaurants with a full hot breakfast for less than $7 are close by.

The Russell has dinner in the bar; it's not bad, but it's brought in from a neighboring restaurant and marked up accordingly. The bar also has a happy hour with hot appetizers. The ambiance at the Russell's bar is an acquired taste; while I enjoy Patrick, the bar tender, his style is about as far from Coyote Ugly and Cocktail as can be imagined.

The club rooms at the Russell are essentially identical to the other rooms; generally same size. Club rooms may have slightly beter furnishings.

Whichever hotel you stay, I wouldn't suggest eating there. NYC has a great selection of good restaurants.

I've stayed at all four hotels. The Westin has a club lounge, but if I were on vacation, it's the last place on earth I'd want to hang out. I don't remember of the Court or Tuscany had one, and as I noted above, the Russell's "club lounge" is a breakfast room on the first floor.

Don't forget that hotel taxes in NYC are astronomical and are in addition to the price quotes (add another 14%).

Hope you have a great trip!

I've stayed at the Westin TS and the W Tuscany and enjoyed them both. If i had to choose i think i'd go with the W Tuscany. However, if you change your mind about staying in New York City. I would suggest the Sheraton Suites in Weehawken, NJ. It has a beautiful view of the New York Skyline. It also has a ferry dock outside of the hotel which takes you to NYC. You would be 5 minutes away from NY and would have the luxury of enjoying the view. THey also offer complimentary breakfast and parking, and have many restaurants within walking distance to choose from. I've stayed there on many occasions and it has always been pleasurable.

[QUOTE=KathyWdrf]I thought you were looking at the Westin Times Square, not the W Times Square.

Thanks for the reply Kathy, the "W" was just me being lazy at the keyboard; I meant the Westin Times Square. I should have known better considering there is also a W Times Square. Currently, I'm leaning toward the W - Tuscany over the other two properties for the main reason that we've never had a chance to stay at a W (they don't seem like the type of hotels to bring small children to - that's just my impression; I could be wrong) so we've always went the more traditional route. The weird thing is that the Tuscany is on the *Wood promo of stay four nights and get two free but it is not on the 20% off 7 day stay. We pretty much have to stay the full week for airline considerations.

Can you tell me some breakfast options in or around the Tuscany ? I don't imagine finding dinners in NYC would be too terribly difficult but I'm not sure about the morning fare..?

Thanks again,

Singlepoint

There are plenty of dining options near the Russell, Court and Tuscany (Most choice on Third Avenue). The Court and Tuscany are closest to restaurants. The Westin area is mostly tourist (i.e more lights at night).

If you stay at the Russell, what is the cost of the club room upgrade? There is no real club lounge. You get free access to the continental breakfast buffet (Not really worth more that $5 IMO). The rooms have coffee makers, and restaurants with a full hot breakfast for less than $7 are close by.

The club rooms at the Russell are essentially identical to the other rooms; generally same size. Club rooms may have slightly beter furnishings.



nyventurecapital, thanks for the informative response, especially with regard to the breakfast situation and the Club level. That is exactly the type of information I was looking for. As I said to Kathy, it's looking more and more like the W - Tuscany.

Dinners don't look like they'll present a problem. Any ideas on breakfast options near the W - Tuscany ?

Thanks again,

Singlepoint

If romance was on my menu, my choice would be easy: Tuscany.

Intimate. Walk into the lobby from a small street in mid-town. There's probably one person at the desk. No more than one reading at on a sofa nearby. You'll be checked in with a half-dozen words spoken.

Quiet (yet near everything). I'd rather walk the seven blocks to Times Square or three blocks to Grand Central or thirty blocks to the Village than be in a middle of any of these.

Discreet and non-imposing staff. Ask to be left alone, and you shall be. Room service without ceremony.

Any ideas on breakfast options near the W - Tuscany ?

Did you read other threads on the Tuscany? I seem to recall they might offer breakfast (not sure as I haven't stayed there myself).

Since this forum is mainly about Starwood Preferred Guest, rather than about dining in NYC, you might get better results by checking other forums (such as New York City or DiningBuzz) or other websites (such as www.citysearch.com) for more breakfast and dining ideas. @:-)

The tuscany is a great choice. In terms of breakfast options, there is a starbucks cafe in the lobby of the tuscany in the morning. There is also a diner on either 40th or 41st and Lex. It's not the best breakfast in the world, but definitely on par or better than the club lounge at the other hotels. I always hit the breakfast place in the MetLife building when I am on my way to work. You could do that and eat in the Grand Central Station food court. In fact, I'm sure there are some great breakfast options in the Grand Central Station food court...three blocks away.

Tons of dinner options, just walk over to 3rd Ave and turn south. Patsy's pizza is probably the highlight of the bunch.

The tuscany is a great choice. In terms of breakfast options, there is a starbucks cafe in the lobby of the tuscany in the morning. There is also a diner on either 40th or 41st and Lex. It's not the best breakfast in the world, but definitely on par or better than the club lounge at the other hotels. I always hit the breakfast place in the MetLife building when I am on my way to work. You could do that and eat in the Grand Central Station food court. In fact, I'm sure there are some great breakfast options in the Grand Central Station food court...three blocks away.

Tons of dinner options, just walk over to 3rd Ave and turn south. Patsy's pizza is probably the highlight of the bunch.

Beautiful - thanks boolean64. I'm not sure I would have been able to obtain such informative and concise information using other methods. That's why the FT community is terrific. ^

Any ideas on breakfast options near the W - Tuscany ?

I've only eaten breakfast on the cheap, so these may not work for a romantic vacation:

Walking south on Third Avenue beginning at 40th Street:

Au bon Pain for baked goods (40th St.)

Frontier Diner (39th St). Less than $7 for full American breakfast. No atmosphere.

Breakfast cart at 39th or 40th Streets. About $2 for bagel and coffee; about as inexpensive as you can get.

Sarge's Deli (About 37th St.?). Similar to Frontier.

There are also some delis that sell fresh egg sandwiches to go in the same area.

There are a number of other options until about 35th Street.

We were there for 4 nights and were upgraded to a suite. The $100 tip may have helped. We find the Westin TS nice as it is new but a block too far west.

NYC is always a great adventure.

What...... You gave a $100 tip at check in to improve your chances of an upgrade ??

I normally just go out to breakfast in that neighborhood on the weekends, so some of these might only be good then.

If you're there on the weekend, a lot of the good dinner restaurants offer brunch.

The Euro Diner on 36th and 3rd is good for breakfast every day.

Hudson Place also on 36th and 3rd is also nice.

If it's opened for brunch, Penelope on 30th and Lexington is slightly more romantic. Well actually, it's quirky and relaxing.

I just remembered...there is a good brunch place on 34th. unfortunately I can't remember if it's between lex and 3rd or 3rd and 2nd. Middle of the block, south side of the street, set back from the street. Can't remember the name. But people have given lots of other options here.

Sarge's deli is classic Jewish deli. good stuff.