Hilton HHonors - Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel New York City

Joe Brancatelli said, yesterday, "The troubled Metropolitan Hotel on New York's (#569, at 51st Street) Lexington Avenue will become the 755-room Doubletree Metropolitan in the fall after a $35 million renovation. The property was once a Loews hotel and once known as The Summit."

This hotel already provides a concierge level with upgraded rooms and lounge, 44 suites, (728 rooms total,) and a farily well-known restaurant, the Lexington Avenue Grill. With a huge refurb, this will certainly openup another alternative for HHonors members.

I thik it behooves us to keep an eye on the news anoput this new 2Tree property - will they offer lots of opening incentives and perks?

Good news, indeed! The Metropolitan has sort of become a dump in recent years. It's a good location, as midtown East has a lot more of a residential/neighborhood feel to it as you walk East towards 3rd/2nd/1st avenues. Lots of good restaurants and nightlife without all the tourist hustle and bustle of Times Square.

2 Hilton brands within a block of each other, though. Odd. The Waldorf is just a block away.

<duplicate post>

Indeed! I suppose they will segment the market so it doesn't appear to be aproblem for HH properties. OTOH, from a consumer perspective, can the competition be anything but good? :)

<snip> 2 Hilton brands within a block of each other, though. Odd. The Waldorf is just a block away.

They are going to renovate the entire place by the fall? I'm not picturing that happening, which means there may be some very good rates for the unrenovated rooms.

The more the merrier, it's getting extreamly difficult at times to get a Hilton room sometimes in the city on short notice.

my sister stayed there 10 yrs ago when it was a loews and it was pretty decent. Good location not far from Bloomies and Serendipity 3 if I recall.

Yes, that's exactly the hotel she stayed at. Supposedly, renovated, and reopening this Fall. Watch that website... and post here! :D

Mind you, Hilton also says they are opening a Hilton at Denarau (Fiji,) and it has, so far, been "seqa la lega" (no worries) and no idea when it will open...

my sister stayed there 10 yrs ago when it was a loews and it was pretty decent. Good location not far from Bloomies and Serendipity 3 if I recall.

According to doubletree.com they accept reservation from the 1st of January and beyond. I might have a trip to NYC in early January, would this hotel really be open by then? I found a great rate of 135$

I stayed at this property this year and it wasn't that bad. Flat screen tv in room and king bed. No real complaints from me.

I stayed at this property this year and it wasn't that bad. Flat screen tv in room and king bed. No real complaints from me.

It has already open?

According to doubletree.com they accept reservation from the 1st of January and beyond. I might have a trip to NYC in early January, would this hotel really be open by then? I found a great rate of 135$
I searched rates too, for a Friday night in January.

The $135+tax rate I saw (for a Queen bed room) is a Net Direct rate, which is prepaid and nonrefundable.

The cheapest NON-prepaid (24-hour cancel policy) rate is $159+tax, also for a Queen.

Still, those are very good rates for NYC, and cheaper than the other HHonors hotels in Manhattan.

I searched rates too, for a Friday night in January.

The $135+tax rate I saw (for a Queen bed room) is a Net Direct rate, which is prepaid and nonrefundable.

The cheapest NON-prepaid (24-hour cancel policy) rate is $159+tax, also for a Queen.

Still, those are very good rates for NYC, and cheaper than the other HHonors hotels in Manhattan.


You will want to double check the rates, for a Friday I need in January the Millenium was less expensive, 128 prepaid, 150 not, and that drops down to 145 with an AAA discount.

For Friday and Saturday night stays, the Millenium almost always beats the other Hilton properties in the city.

You will want to double check the rates, for a Friday I need in January the Millenium was less expensive, 128 prepaid, 150 not, and that drops down to 145 with an AAA discount.

For Friday and Saturday night stays, the Millenium almost always beats the other Hilton properties in the city.
Thanks! But I was only looking at midtown-ish hotels. I'm not surprised that lower Manhattan is cheaper on weekends. ;)

It has already open?

I stayed before it was a DT. At the time it was the Metropolitan Hotel. At the time they had just finished a big renovation. For $135 a night I would stay here anytime.

Thanks! But I was only looking at midtown-ish hotels. I'm not surprised that lower Manhattan is cheaper on weekends. ;)

I use to think that, but the hotel is so close to so many subway stations, walking distance over to some very good restaurants over at South Street, etc, and it costs less. I think that's a winning combination.

I use to think that, but the hotel is so close to so many subway stations, walking distance over to some very good restaurants over at South Street, etc, and it costs less. I think that's a winning combination.
Yes, that's a VERY winning combination, particularly on the "value for money" front, which a lot (most) of us have to look at!!!

But rates as low as $135 to $159 (prepaid vs. non) at the Doubletree-Metropolitan make that a winner. Only a few bucks more than the Millenium, but FAR less than other HHonors hotels in midtown.

I've managed to score a few good deals on Starwood and HHonors hotels in midtown this past year -- rates ranging from $100 to $126 to $149 to $179 (mostly weekend, one midweek-weekend). I hasten to add these are mostly Starwood deals (Westin Times Square, Sheraton Russell), because they seem to offer more promo rates than Hilton. I did get a rate of $149 at the Hampton Inn Chelsea for four nights. But the rates there are higher now.

I wonder how long those low Doubletree-Metropolitan rates will last though. Now that they're being posted here, maybe not very long! :(

From the first post we find out that the hotel will have 755 rooms as a DT but as the Metropolitan it has "44 suites, (728 rooms total)". Where do the extra rooms come from? Are they dividing up the suites, or converting closets to rooms?

Anyone have an email address for this DT hotel?

Anyone have a Telephone number for this DT?

Anyone have a Telephone number for this DT?

1-212-752-7000

Thanks, AlanB ^

Anyone stay here recently? Just booked a standard king for $119.00 plus tx for 1/5/05. Usually stay at the Millenium which I love...but this rate...and the location for one night looks good.
Anyone have any Gold upgrade experience here?

Anyone stay here recently? Just booked a standard king for $119.00 plus tx for 1/5/05. Usually stay at the Millenium which I love...but this rate...and the location for one night looks good.
Anyone have any Gold upgrade experience here?

I had stayed there a couple of years ago when it was the Metropolitan hotel and to be honest, you can't beat the value for money it offers. The rooms are adequate for a 3 star and its location is really convenient if you need to be in mid-town. Also, it had a steady stream of airline crew staying there!

Now that it's a double tree, if they renovate the rooms even slightly and keep the reasonable rates it will definitely be a keeper with all those HH points one can get there.

I booked last week for 1/8 at $134+tax. That was listed as a "pre-opening" special or something, not the net-direct (prepay) rate. Those rates aren't listed anymore. Everything seems to be $50 more.

I booked it for $139 this morning for a stay in early Feb online, so they are still available.

A couple of hamptons opening up too, Seaport (in May), and one by Macys (January).

Once the $139 stuff ends, the Herald Square Hampton is a few dollars (209 vs 201) cheaper then then this DoubleTree, so they are all inching back up to the $200 per night range.

Any update on this property? Since my usual hotels are booked, I'm thinking of booking a night here next week.

Is this hotel open? I checked for 1/29-30 and it shows as not available. All the other Hilton properties in NYC seem to be available then...

They still are listing Pre Opening Special Rates for certain days. I saw last night that 1/16 has a Queen room at $104, but only found it on that one night. Otherwise, it was all $150+.

Is this hotel open? I checked for 1/29-30 and it shows as not available. All the other Hilton properties in NYC seem to be available then...

I walked by a few weeks ago (Dec 22ish) and it was open, or at least appeared to be.

Any update on this property? Since my usual hotels are booked, I'm thinking of booking a night here next week.

I stayed here a few days ago for fortunately...only one night. I had called to get the GM's email address to advise him of a late checkin and ask for any upgrade consideration he could give before checking in as HH Gold. They gave me the wrong address, so he never got my request.
Front desk needs a lot of work. Had to explain the HH Gold breakfast to them. No upgrade, they said they were fully booked. The first room they gave me seemed small so I asked the maid cleaning a room across the hall if she knew of any larger rooms. She told me to ask for rooms on 17 or 18..I was on 15. She also almost laughed when I told her the front desk said they were fully booked. I did move to a room on the 19th with a great view of the top of the Chrysler bldg. Not much larger, but better view..if only the bathroom door had been able to close to keep the noise of the fan down. You were not able to turn the fan off and the door was warped.
Breakfast decent-typical scrambled eggs etc.

I usualy stay at the Millenium. I am always treated really well there-at least a Corner Jr. Suite upgrade and recently had one of the 3 room /2 bath with Jacuzzi suites for a weekend with my husband. The champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries were over the top hospitality.
The staff is always excellent. It is really my favorite hotel in Manhattan. I also love the neighborhood and the fact that you can get anywhere...even to Jersey by just going downstairs.

I stayed here a few days ago for fortunately...only one night. I had called to get the GM's email address to advise him of a late checkin and ask for any upgrade consideration he could give before checking in as HH Gold. They gave me the wrong address, so he never got my request.
Front desk needs a lot of work. Had to explain the HH Gold breakfast to them. No upgrade, they said they were fully booked. The first room they gave me seemed small so I asked the maid cleaning a room across the hall if she knew of any larger rooms. She told me to ask for rooms on 17 or 18..I was on 15. She also almost laughed when I told her the front desk said they were fully booked. I did move to a room on the 19th with a great view of the top of the Chrysler bldg. Not much larger, but better view..if only the bathroom door had been able to close to keep the noise of the fan down. You were not able to turn the fan off and the door was warped.
Breakfast decent-typical scrambled eggs etc.
I usualy stay at the Millenium. I am always treated really well there-at least a Corner Jr. Suite upgrade and recently had one of the 3 room /2 bath with Jacuzzi suites for a weekend with my husband. The champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries were over the top hospitality.
The staff is always excellent. It is really my favorite hotel in Manhattan. I also love the neighborhood and the fact that you can get anywhere...even to Jersey by just going downstairs.

Crap... I just booked it. Sounds like I should cancel. I've been taking depositions near by and have been staying the the W=A. The W is right there too, but was booked like the W=A. I think there is a Marriott down the street. :(

I just booked it too. For $199 it was one of the best options that I could find within walking distance of where I will be working at Park and 56th. I will let you know how they treat a Diamond.

Crap... I just booked it. Sounds like I should cancel. I've been taking depositions near by and have been staying the the W=A. The W is right there too, but was booked like the W=A. I think there is a Marriott down the street. :(

There is also an Intercontinental down the street on Lex. If you are only there for one night and have a good rate I would say keep the res. You might get lucky and get a larger room. Like most older hotels in NY, the room sizes do vary wildly. The maid also told me that the larger rooms have a foldout sofa as well as a King bed..so try to get one of those.

Good Luck!

I just booked it too. For $199 it was one of the best options that I could find within walking distance of where I will be working at Park and 56th. I will let you know how they treat a Diamond.

I'll be there Tuesday night, how about you? I'm only a gold, but they (HH) usually treat me pretty well. :)

Please post your experience, I have several bookings coming up there.

Crap... I just booked it. Sounds like I should cancel. I've been taking depositions near by and have been staying the the W=A. The W is right there too, but was booked like the W=A. I think there is a Marriott down the street. :(
I haven't stayed at this particular hotel (yet), but I cannot believe that it is so bad that a one-night stay would be intolerable. @:-)

I prefer to draw my own conclusions about hotels, rather than freaking out because of a (mildly) negative review by one poster.

I have found that very often, my opinion of a hotel is completely different from another FTer's.

Just as a recent example, I saw someone's hotel room in NYC that was described as a "shoebox" by the occupant. The room was in fact quite spacious, even more so by NYC standards! People's perceptions are really very bizarre sometimes. I'm usually willing to try a hotel for at least one night, even if others have dissed it, as long as it is well-located (location, location, location!) and reasonably priced. @:-)

The building is not super-old - I'd guess early 1960s construction. I stayed many times duing the Summit days, as my former company's Northeast US offices were across the street.

One thing to be aware of is that (unless it has been relocated) there is a NY Fire Department station across 51th Street from the north facade of the hotel building, so you might want to request a south-facing room (high up) if you're super-sensitive to street noise.

** Sorry, duplicate **

I haven't stayed at this particular hotel (yet), but I cannot believe that it is so bad that a one-night stay would be intolerable. @:-)

I prefer to draw my own conclusions about hotels, rather than freaking out because of a (mildly) negative review by one poster.

I have found that very often, my opinion of a hotel is completely different from another FTer's.

Just as a recent example, I saw someone's hotel room in NYC that was described as a "shoebox" by the occupant. The room was in fact quite spacious, even more so by NYC standards! People's perceptions are really very bizarre sometimes. I'm usually willing to try a hotel for at least one night, even if others have dissed it, as long as it is well-located (location, location, location!) and reasonably priced. @:-)

No one said it was so bad that it was intolerable for one night. I just think, why stay at a mediocre property when NYC has so much to offer? Maybe I showed more emotion than you typically do but this was certainly not a freak out. I do agree that seeing for yourself is believing, but NY has so many hotels I like that I'll never try all the ones I've never been to. Maybe I missed them, but I didn't see many, if any, positive comments re: the actual comfort of the hotel in the 3 pages of this thread. The only consistently positive theme (and one I'm not overly concerned about) is that it is cheap.

One thing to be aware of is that (unless it has been relocated) there is a NY Fire Department station across 51th Street from the north facade of the hotel building, so you might want to request a south-facing room (high up) if you're super-sensitive to street noise.

I stayed at the (then-named) Metropolitan about 3 years ago, shortly after Sept. 11th. The first day or so we didn't realize there was a fire station across 51st St., it's on the eastern end of the block. I believe there was a police precinct station there, too. What I remember is that when the fire trucks would pass the front of the hotel to turn onto Lexington, they would only run the siren during daytime, even then they would usually not turn it on til they were turning out of 51st St. At night they would just run lights, I'm sure as a courtesy to not wake up the neighborhood.

At that time there was a memorial with candles and pictures on the sidewalk outside the fire station. Every time the firetrucks would pass by, the firefighters had their windows down, the pedestrians on the sidewalks would applaud as they drove by. It was poignant, to say the least, with the big American flag attached to the truck waving in the wind.

I must have had one of the smaller rooms in the hotel and it didn't seem cramped, like many tiny NYC hotel rooms. I liked the arrangement of the bathroom and sink/vanity, with the tub/shower and toilet in a separate room and the sink/vanity outside it but around the corner from the bed(s).

I just stayed at this hotel last week. Upon check-in, they gave me a TINY room, and the bathroom was also very small. The only nice thing about the hotel was the 20 inch flat panel TV. I went downstairs and asked them if they had any larger rooms available, but they said that they were all full. I told them I was very disappointed with the hotel because the rooms were much smaller than the DoubleTree TimesSquare. They explained to me that the DoubleTree Metropolitan is just a hotel, not DoubleTree Guest Suites.
I mentioned again that the room was tiny and I did not expect the hotel to be so small, then they upgraded me to a junior suite, which was much better, but the bathroom was still small.

I would have to agree with an earlier post that the Hilton Millenium is one of the best hotels in New York. The staff is always friendly, breakfast is excellent, they have a heated indoor pool, and I have been upgraded to a junior suite almost everytime.

So for those who are curious about the DoubleTree Metropolitan, don't get your hopes up if you're expecting their newly renovated hotel to WOW you.

Have just checked in today.Made to feel important,Duty Manager was called to reception to welcome us and show us the facilities because of diamond status.Have only just got to this level and was beginning to wonder whether it was worth it.Got high floor at doubletree times square but felt it no better than experienced as gold.
Then moved to the W-A.Upgrade to room on floor 10 but even had to ask for breakfast coupons.As well the shampoo bottle provided had obviously been refilled.Not even chocolates at turndown.
So was impressed with reception at DT Metropolitan.Initially assigned room on 19th floor on southside but as was early given room on 18th floor as it was available immediately with apologies that it was smaller.After getting to room
our water and chocolates were delivered.
Room is small but not much smaller than W-A,bathroom is better than W-A and bed is very comfortable.TV leaves W-A far behind.
Bottom line when returning to NY later this year have booked metropolitan.

Have just checked in today.Made to feel important,Duty Manager was called to reception to welcome us and show us the facilities because of diamond status.Have only just got to this level and was beginning to wonder whether it was worth it.Got high floor at doubletree times square but felt it no better than experienced as gold.
Then moved to the W-A.Upgrade to room on floor 10 but even had to ask for breakfast coupons.As well the shampoo bottle provided had obviously been refilled.Not even chocolates at turndown.
So was impressed with reception at DT Metropolitan.Initially assigned room on 19th floor on southside but as was early given room on 18th floor as it was available immediately with apologies that it was smaller.After getting to room
our water and chocolates were delivered.
Room is small but not much smaller than W-A,bathroom is better than W-A and bed is very comfortable.TV leaves W-A far behind.
Bottom line when returning to NY later this year have booked metropolitan.

Thanks for the update. My trip cancelled and then was reinstated. As such I cancelled my reservation and when I tried to rebook, every Hilton in the city was full. I'm down the street at the Grand Hyatt. This is a once in a lifetime stay and not because it is so wonderful and special that I'll never be able to match it, but because I'm really not a big fan of this place. While I don't love the W=A, they've always treated me well, and I have never had the issues that other posters have mentioned.

Thanks for the update. My trip cancelled and then was reinstated. As such I cancelled my reservation and when I tried to rebook, every Hilton in the city was full. I'm down the street at the Grand Hyatt. This is a once in a lifetime stay and not because it is so wonderful and special that I'll never be able to match it, but because I'm really not a big fan of this place. While I don't love the W=A, they've always treated me well, and I have never had the issues that other posters have mentioned.


Try calling the hotels if you want a hilton and they are all full on the website, they often have rooms held.

Try calling the hotels if you want a hilton and they are all full on the website, they often have rooms held.
And furthermore, as has often been discussed on this forum, sometimes the Hilton website erroneously shows "no availability" at any hotel in the system!!! This is bad business, as it obviously loses them some bookings. You'll find that when this happens (i.e., it's an error rather than reality), if you wait an hour or a few and try again, once again there is availability. @:-)

And furthermore, as has often been discussed on this forum, sometimes the Hilton website erroneously shows "no availability" at any hotel in the system!!! This is bad business, as it obviously loses them some bookings. You'll find that when this happens (i.e., it's an error rather than reality), if you wait an hour or a few and try again, once again there is availability. @:-)

Good to know. You'd think they would work on this problem. I did actually call, but not because I knew that the site sometime shows incorrect availability.

I stayed there in November while final renovations were still going on. Aside from the slight inconvenience and construction clutter it was a fine place at a very good price. Nice little bar on first floor. Room I had was small and bathroom was "intimate", but I'd certainly stay there again. BTW, that famous picture of Marylin Monroe's white dress flying up in the breeze was shot over the subway grate right in front when it was a Lowe's.

I am spending 40K points on a reward stay at this hotel (Hilton gold) and I am hoping I didn't make a mistake, since the Doubletree Times Square, Hilton Times Square and Waldorf-Astoria are available. Maybe the Metropolitan should charge so many points? I am interested in reviews by recent occupants.

I may be having an unregistered guest join me and I didn't want to deal with the security hassles listed in the previous reviews of the other three hotels. Any reviews of the Metropolitan are appreciated.

Thanks.

I am spending 40K points on a reward stay at this hotel (Hilton gold) and I am hoping I didn't make a mistake, since the Doubletree Times Square, Hilton Times Square and Waldorf-Astoria are available. Maybe the Metropolitan should charge so many points? I am interested in reviews by recent occupants.

I may be having an unregistered guest join me and I didn't want to deal with the security hassles listed in the previous reviews of the other three hotels. Any reviews of the Metropolitan are appreciated.

Thanks.

My comments in previous post notwithstanding, I think I'd opt for the Waldorf. It's just a much better place. Then I guess I'm impressed with Cole porter's piano on the mezzanine!

I am spending 40K points on a reward stay at this hotel (Hilton gold) and I am hoping I didn't make a mistake, since the Doubletree Times Square, Hilton Times Square and Waldorf-Astoria are available. Maybe the Metropolitan should charge so many points? I am interested in reviews by recent occupants.

I may be having an unregistered guest join me and I didn't want to deal with the security hassles listed in the previous reviews of the other three hotels. Any reviews of the Metropolitan are appreciated.

Thanks.

40K points for this hotel is a waste......while renovated, the rooms still show the sign of the old building (50-60's high rise), and most notably the tiny bathrooms!!!

Corridors are a bit awkward at this hotel, too.

My comments in previous post notwithstanding, I think I'd opt for the Waldorf. It's just a much better place. Then I guess I'm impressed with Cole porter's piano on the mezzanine!

I agree with the Waldorf. The Times Square Hilton would be a pain because you would have to go down to the street level (2 elevators) to get your guest. I don't know about the DT Times Square. The Metropolitan looks like it might have some security, but all I did was walk into the lobby (quite small) and look around so I'm not sure. The Waldorf has no security. Just walk in and go to the elevators.

I stayed at the Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel last Sunday at a "pre-opening special" rate of $104.25+ taxes. I booked through hilton.com and indicated in the note section: "Hilton HHonors Gold member; Early check-in at 9am, if possible. Thanks!"

I ended up checking in at about 12:40pm, and went to the left-hand side of the reception area that has a "Hilton HHonors Check-in" sign. A staff member with the title "Manager on Duty" on his business card greeted me. He said there is one room available then, and it's a suite. He noted that I'm a Gold member and would like to give me an upgrade. "Would you like smoking or non-smoking?" he asked. And I thought there's only one room available. <shrug> Anyway, as he was preparing the paperwork, I asked him, "Are you giving me a suite because this is the only room available now, or because I'm a Gold member?" He answered, "both". He then went on to write me up a breakfast voucher and gave me a Doubletree cookie. Since I already had plans for breakfast, I asked him if he would give me extra HHonors points in lieu of breakfast, his answer was 'no'. Overall, the check-in process was pleasant.

The room he assigned me was on the 19th floor, one floor below the PH floor. I wouldn't call it a suite since, by my definition, a suite must have some kind of separation between the bed and the rest of the room. This is basically a rather large room, complete with a sofa, an armchair, a working desk, a 27-inch LCD television, and a lot of space, but there is no wall or separation between the furniture. The teevee features RCN cable channels; no hotel channels. The bathroom is a bit small, while the desk chair has a rather "cheap" feel.

I did end up using the breakfast voucher, since I didn't eat too much food for dinner the previous night. (A broadway show that ended at 6pm and another one that started at 7pm didn't leave me much time for food. Hey, it was my theatre run, NOT mattress run!) There were the standard scrambled egg, sausage, bacon, french toast, fruit, pre-packaged yoghurt, cereal, etc. They also had smoked salmon.

All in all, I would say I had a very enjoyable stay. At $104.25+taxes, it was probably a steal. My only complain is that the 'E' train wasn't running over the weekend. I'll probably move back to the Times Square area for my next (pre-Tony) theatre run in May.

All in all, I would say I had a very enjoyable stay. At $104.25+taxes, it was probably a steal. My only complain is that the 'E' train wasn't running over the weekend.
Did you complain to Hilton about that? :D

Seriously, though, sometimes they reroute it on the weekends. Was it actually not running at all?

Did you complain to Hilton about that? :D

Seriously, though, sometimes they reroute it on the weekends. Was it actually not running at all?

AFAIC, it wasn't running at all. At the 50th+8th A/C/E station, they were telling people to take the N/R train to 59th+Lexington and then transfer to the 4/5/6 train.

Yeah, I should have complained to Hilton and demanded an upgrade to the PH floor. :D Do you think I should write to goldvipvoice@hilton...? Will they preserve my elite benefits by keeping the rooms next to mine empty? Will Starwood do a match too? :p

My only complain is that the 'E' train wasn't running over the weekend. I'll probably move back to the Times Square area for my next (pre-Tony) theatre run in May.

Actually KathyWdrf is correct, the E train was rerouted last weekend for track work. It was running on the F train's 6th Avenue line all last weekend. That means it crossed into Manhattan at 63rd Street, rather than at 53rd Street and missing the hotel by 10 blocks.

That of course didn't help you out at all, since they closed the 53rd Street station and provided no substitute service.

I am spending 40K points on a reward stay at this hotel (Hilton gold) and I am hoping I didn't make a mistake, since the Doubletree Times Square, Hilton Times Square and Waldorf-Astoria are available. Maybe the Metropolitan should charge so many points? I am interested in reviews by recent occupants.

I may be having an unregistered guest join me and I didn't want to deal with the security hassles listed in the previous reviews of the other three hotels. Any reviews of the Metropolitan are appreciated.

Thanks.
If you are going to use points I would stay at DT Times Square rather than the DT Metropolitan.The rooms are smaller-much smaller.It is also a very noisy hotel.You can here everything thats going on in the next room and unfortunately had some party animals next to us for 2 of our 6 nights.The rooms on the north side are larger but face 51st. - the 17th precinct and a fire station are right there-however I doubt that the south side is quieter-we still heard every car leave the 17th!
The DT Times Square on the other hand is the quietest hotel in NYC that I have stayed at and it is all suites.
I was still able to get the Pre-opening special of $119 for a week in August and at that rate with ear plugs it is very good value.One tip-if you want a later checkout dont waste your time ringing-go to the front desk- I got what I wanted then.
Unlike others didnt like the Waldorf-as diamond had to ask for breakfast coupons and I thought the 2 DTs had by far the better breakfasts especially Times Square.

I booked an Executive Room at this recently opened and newly-renovated hotel (formerly Loews Hotel) at Lexington Ave. for a very reasonable rate.

The automatic reservation confirmation from www.doubletree.com states, that Executive Lounge access is included in the room rate. Unfortunately, neither www.doubletree.com nor www.metropolitannyc.com do mention, that there is an Executive Lounge at all.

Does anyone know, if there really is one, and, if so, what it has to offer (continental bf? evening snacks?) Thanks in advance.

Any recent experiences there? I saw that it has been renovated and looked great online. but i have never stayed there, though walked by it a million times. Prices seem unusually high for this coming weekend (I am staying Friday and Sat nights). And, many of the places show no availability/call the Diamond desk.

There are a few recent reviews posted in this flyertalk (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=403995) thread that may help.

I was there a couple weeks or so ago, nothing bad to say, I would stay there again if the rate was good. Subway right there, decent cafe on the corner, don't remember there being a real breakfast, but I may have left earlier then one would have started, no complaints.

Wouldn't say I would go out of my way to stay there again, but if the rates are good, then I would grab it.

There are a few recent reviews posted in this flyertalk (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=403995) thread that may help.

AlanB,
Excellent link. Thank you, it proves very helpful. I guess I know what to expect. I wonder how they treat Diamonds there.

AlanB,
Excellent link. Thank you, it proves very helpful. I guess I know what to expect. I wonder how they treat Diamonds there.

Nothing special.

Just got back from staying there this weekend. I would echo an earlier poster, that this is a solid hotel in a great location. Nothing special, but I've stayed in worse. One caveat is that there are a lot of tourists and families who are NOISY. But with a good rate, I would also stay there again.

We stayed in early january just after the changeover and just after qualifying as diamond.Certainly made a fuss at checkin but it was just a high floor room that we got.Breakfast was quite acceptable.The concierge was great getting us tickets to billy crystal on the night we wanted-the next day.
The only problem is that it is a noisy hotel.However we have booked again in August as the rate was just too good to refuse.

We stayed over Easter and I agree with the comment about noise.

I have never known a hotel where room doors closing resonate so much! One evening/early morning, we were disturbed five times in less than half an hour between 0230 and 0300. Probably the same inconsiderate family, but the problem was there.

We were on the 11th floor. Having asked for a quiet room away from the Police and Fire stations on E 51st, we got one - an interior room which was larger than most rooms on the floor (according to the fire instruction drawing).

Over Easter, there were many, many groups. I don't know if this is the case midweek. On two occasions, we saw a group resembling flight crews - dressed in bright red - Virgin Atlantic?

As Golds, cookies and breakfast coupons were ready for our arrival. Continental breakfast on the 17th floor was OK. That lounge was closed at the weekend, so we could use the vouchers in the Metro Grill downstairs on the ground (= US first) floor. Not especially pretty (no windows), but buffet breakfast OK. Charged $6 extra for hot food.

OK - would be better but for the noise of doors closing!

I'm being offered a very good rate at this hotel for the period between Christmas and New Year. Has anyone stayed here recently? How would I be treated as a Diamond? Do they offer breakfast? Is there an Exec Lounge?

I stayed there a couple weeks ago. There is a lounge, food selection is average. Lounge open for breakfast only, no afternoon munchies. Rooms are very small, even for NYC. 24" LCD TV, although image quality was disappointing (most likely, poor cable). Bed was quite comfortable, yet not quite on a par with the Heavenly Bed. As a Diamond, I was upgraded to an executive level king (booking was for a regular level queen). I was told that all suites were being renovated for the UN Session. Location is great, across the Waldorf=Astoria, right on the subway, within walking distance to anywhere in Midtown.

The lounge was not open on the weekend when I stayed here in August. They will give you breakfast coupons for the restaurant for the weekend, but beware, the restaurant was very crowded the weekend I was there.

The location is great and considering you are in NYC, do you really want to spend a lot of time in your room?

Have stayed there in january when there was no lounge and again in the last week of august.There is a lounge but as was said is only open for breakfast.I felt hampton inns offer a better breakfast. It is a noisy hotel and you will here anything going on in nearby rooms and remember there is a firehouse and precinct station opposite on 51st.
So whether it is good value depends on the rate you are paying-both times I was on the opening special rate of less than $120 so for that I still thought it was very good value.
As diamond was stiil put on a higher floor despite my low rate.
Also a problem was the servicing of the room.On one day it was not done at all,another no towels left-so if you get a better rate at another hilton in NY I would take it.

Just stayed there this past weekend at an incredible rate of $208 (or really $239.32 after taxes) for a Jr. Suite with a balcony (Government Rate). Of course it was the weekend so the Excutive Lounge on the 17th floor was closed. Being a Gold HHonors Member was given a coupon for continental breakfast at the Met Grill, which ended working out to a full buffet breakfast for the two of us. Unfortunately the balcony is closed for all the Junior Suites due to renovation (nothing like having your door going outside locked). In the Junior Suites the bathroom is cramped!!! The bed I could have sworn was a "Heavenly Bed", but who knows... definately was better than the one I sleep in! Location is great, but since its right across from the Waldorf=Astoria, I'll probably just stay there (W=A) next time. Of course the Doubletree cookies are always welcome!

S/F
-John

This hotel is a total conundrum for me. The bathrooms are so small, it makes no sense. The rooms are incredibly noisy. Yet the rates are reasonable some of the time, when other Hilton properties are just TOO high. The staff is unprofessional, there is an ugly crowd that comes in some time (I get the feeling a lot of very young couples plan wedding parties there, and perhaps they feel that the other guests' enjoyment of the property is no concern of theirs...) And the breakfast isn't very good. TVs are cool flat screens, but the cable service is poor, and the picture is no better than a $179 Zenith. There's no robes in the rooms. The HVAC sucks and is noisy. Bad wine selection in the bar. The enterprising bell staff/doormen are more interested in trying to cheat tourists out of $100 "black car!" rides to JFK than helping you with luggage or a cab; that bit is disgraceful. Hilton should reprimand someone.

Yet it's placed well in Manhattan.

I enjoyed my $133 reservations. I wouldn't be caught dead in the hotel when, like a few weeks ago, they were asking over $350 during the General Assembly Opening. Given what I've seen the last two or three times I've looked for a reservation, the hotel honestly believes it can ding people in the range of $250-300 a night if they play it right. They'll be picking someone else to suffer their old rooms, I think. YMMV.

Just in case anyone is headed to NYC this week, the Doubletree Metropolitan lowered its Double Points rate to $139 (at least it did for this Thursday). I paid $250+ to stay there last week during the height of the shopping season, so I'll recoup some of that.

They must really be feeling the transit strike - that's the lowest rate posted online for that property.

Just booked the Doubletree on Lex for $139 for a Monday night later in the month. If you have reservations in New York, may want to reprice them to see of you can take advantage of a lower rate.

Not sure why that dropped so low, but some of the others are down there too.

Would prefer being across the street, but for the $100 savings.....

Great find! ^

BTW, I looked up 21 Feb and double HH points and miles room rate was only $10 more per night.

hilton offers tons of places in nyc for < $200 during the week. and although a lot of these places are the lower-end chains (hampton, hgi, etc), many are brand new and/ or recently renovated.

*wood sometimes has rooms at the skanky sheraton manhattan for < $200, but not nearly as consistently. plus, those rooms appear to be living shrines to mildew. :)

yea, hilton!

Or $149 for the double points and miles, without having to prepay. Still, after the taxes, it comes out to $172.44. Reserved for the Monday, 2/27.

Or $149 for the double points and miles, without having to prepay. Still, after the taxes, it comes out to $172.44. Reserved for the Monday, 2/27.

Psst. See post #2. ;)

I think I may have topped you!
AAA rate of 98 dollars at the Hilton Garden Inn Time Square NYC :cool:
I may just book it myself for Sunday and Monday! ^ ^ ^
Thank You Hilton for giving your customers high value options when you are slow instead of dumping rooms on a third party site ^
Doubletree is a very good value too!
I am more apt to pay higher rates for other rooms year round when there is a large cross section of rates like this to choose from.

....if only I could find some cheap transcon airfares on UA to get to NYC in the first place, I'd be good to go! ;)

Anyhow, thanks for sharing.

....if only I could find some cheap transcon airfares on UA to get to NYC in the first place, I'd be good to go! ;)

Anyhow, thanks for sharing.
Ditto with a Mid-Con :D

hilton offers tons of places in nyc for < $200 during the week. and although a lot of these places are the lower-end chains (hampton, hgi, etc), many are brand new and/ or recently renovated.

*wood sometimes has rooms at the skanky sheraton manhattan for < $200, but not nearly as consistently. plus, those rooms appear to be living shrines to mildew. :)

yea, hilton!
I rarely see rates under 250 any where downtown. IF you are out of the city, you can get 150 or so range.

*wood sometimes has rooms at the skanky sheraton manhattan

Whats your definition of skanky ?
I'm afraid to ask :eek: :D

This DT pops up with the $139 rate from time to time.

Whats your definition of skanky ?
I'm afraid to ask :eek: :D

See my post, #25 here:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=527138&page=2

"DNA evidence" left on duvet cover for someone who is not just once or twice, but 3 times a lady = skanky!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I rarely see rates under 250 any where downtown. IF you are out of the city, you can get 150 or so range.

Managing expenses is a challenge at my current client, had to stay in hotels < $200 since the beginning of the yr. w/ the exception of v-day week (i.e., this past week), Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn in midtown have met my needs every single time. Wish I knew about DoubleTree's double points promo earlier, though... are those double base pts, too?! :p

So thanks to the the eagle-eyed posters in this thread who noted the cheap rate, I'm now staying at this DoubleTree for the next few wks. Who else is around? I've never met a FT-er, I'd be sooooooooooo excited to do so!

Who else is around? I've never met a FT-er, I'd be sooooooooooo excited to do so!
Go to the CommunityBuzz forum for this type of question... ;)

See my post, #25 here:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=527138&page=2

"DNA evidence" left on duvet cover for someone who is not just once or twice, but 3 times a lady = skanky!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Skank fully defined :p ;) :o Thank you

Has anyone seen or been to an event at the Doubletree Metropolitan? I'm searching for a wedding venue for my daughter and the other NYC Hilton properties ballrooms are either too small, too expensive (Waldorf), or too stuffy (NY Hilton). The Millenium is out of the question considering its location. Reviews of the Metropolitan on this site are so-so. I'd love to book a Hilton property so I could use my HH Amex ;) and enjoy a reward stay in Paris!

I can't comment on the meeting room facilities at this hotel but you should try to negotiate some Hilton Honors points when making the reservation. You typically get 1 point per dollar spent, in addition to whatever you get from the credit card. I've been able to get the properties to give me the full 10 base points plus whatever elite and other bonuses you have.

Not sure why, but I rechecked a reservation I have there for Monday night at $180 or so and the new fares were considerably lower, $120 something, and in putting a few dates later in the week I'm seeing numbers as low as $113.98 for Queen non smoking with the AARP rate (which actually beat the AAA rate for the first time I've seen). I'll take the savings, thanks very much.

This is for next thurs and fri:

AARP RATE AARP AND ALL PRIME (more)

113.98 USD 1 QUEEN BED-NONSMOKING


AAA RATE AAA AUTOMOBILE CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARD REQUIRED (more)

118.15 USD 1 QUEEN BED-NONSMOKING


I thought yesterday when I checked it was because of the snow and cancelations, but that wouldn't be later in the week too.

In case anybody has New York reservations, make sure to check the rates for next week, they may have dropped.

Seems rates are higher now..

AARP RATE AARP AND ALL PRIME
146.78 USD 1 QUEEN BED-NONSMOKING

AAA RATE AAA AUTOMOBILE CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARD REQUIRED
152.15 USD* 1 QUEEN BED-NONSMOKING

NET DIRECT RATES FULL PAYMENT REQUIRED AT TIME OF RESERVATION.
161.10 USD 1 QUEEN BED-NONSMOKING

They are bouncing all over the place today, I'm trying for something the week after and it's higher, but still seeing the $113 rate for next week.

I once paid $99 for a night at this hotel, and it wasn't worth it. Maybe just my bad luck, but I'd find any other Hilton.

I got a night booked there for next week, an absolute STEAL at $89 for the AAA rate. Guess Sunday nights aren't that popular in NYC. Anybody have any reviews on the place? I'm going down to see the sights while my gf goes to a job interview (she's in the theater biz), so as far as I'm concerned it's just a room with a bed for the night. Anything extra is a bonus... Is there an executive level?

I once paid $99 for a night at this hotel, and it wasn't worth it. Maybe just my bad luck, but I'd find any other Hilton.

Care to elaborate? Thanks.

The place is clean, the rooms a bit on the smallish side, even for New York. Security is good, though I haven't been there probably since this time last year, show card to the guard to get in, etc.

Breakfast was very good, it's right near a subway station, flat screen TV. I don't believe they have internet in the rooms for free, it's like $11 a day or so.

I like the hotel, it's a few blocks from my office, and as all I need to do is check in, spend the night, and leave the next morning the smallish rooms aren't that huge of a deal. If it was something where I'd be spending a few days, working in the room, etc it would be, but for a place to crash, shower, and get a free meal out the door the next day, it works out great.

I got a night booked there for next week, an absolute STEAL at $89 for the AAA rate. Guess Sunday nights aren't that popular in NYC. Anybody have any reviews on the place? I'm going down to see the sights while my gf goes to a job interview (she's in the theater biz), so as far as I'm concerned it's just a room with a bed for the night. Anything extra is a bonus... Is there an executive level?

Yes, there is an executive level the 16th, 17th, & 18th floors, as well as a lounge. The lounge is on the 17th floor, typical exec lounge IMHO, but certainly nothing special. Note I was there on a Sunday night about two weeks ago and the lounge is closed on the weekends. Therefore I only got to see breakfast in the lounge.

Overall I agree with Mike, it's decent and solid but certainly not exciting. Rooms are a bit small and there are no coffee makers in the rooms. As a diamond I did get a few goodies, along with two bottles of water. The place is certainly convient to transportation.

Also try not to get a room on the 51st Street side, as there is a firehouse on that street, so you may hear them coming and going. Better to get a room on the other side of the building. Odd numbers seem to face the south and overlook buildings on 50th Street, while the even numbers face 51st Street and the firehouse.

I once paid $99 for a night at this hotel, and it wasn't worth it. Maybe just my bad luck, but I'd find any other Hilton.

I could not agree more. I used points for a two night stay in 2005--and it was awful. Here is the letter I sent asking for my points back (which were refunded).


24 July, 2005
Sam Kapadia
General Manager
Doubletree Metropolitan
569 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Dear Mr. Kapadia:

I just want to outline multiple disappointments during my recent two-night stay at your hotel (May 20-22); which made my stay possibly the worst I have ever experienced at any Hilton hotel as long as I can remember. I believe I was in room 0843…

1. I lived four months at the Doubletree in Cambridge (Boston) last year—one has a feeling of upscale warmth as one enters that lobby. So, what a contrast—I got such a disappointing impression as I entered the “newly refurbished” Doubletree Metropolitan. It felt like I was walking into a rundown Greyhound bus station. Just three weeks prior I stayed one night at the Doubletree in Waikiki—also recently refurbished. What a fabulous experience. Fast check in, and a gorgeous upgraded suite…..
2. Given the line waiting to check in, I tried to check in using the new automated kiosk. Inserting both my HHONORS and credit card just gave me a message “cannot find your reservation”.
3. So, I went to the check in line (there was no obvious check-in for HHONORS members, much less Diamond members), and Vicki tried to check me in. I did not have my confirmation number handy, so she just brushed me aside saying “We are full—you need to go find your confirmation number before I can help you”. Given her rudeness, I asked to speak to a manager since I am a Diamond HHONORS member. “Oh”, she said, “then let me go look at the envelopes for Diamond members”. She immediately found the envelope and checked me in…
4. Having read reviews of the hotel at Tripadvisor.com; I knew to ask for an interior room. As soon as I got to my room, I was disappointed. Nice décor, but undoubtedly one of the smallest I have ever had. What a squeeze it was to get to the window, air conditioner or chest of drawers, what with a few inches between the bed and TV. [As an aside, Tripadvisor.com ratings are very mixed, emphasizing great location but poor service and poor facility—I should have heeded the overall warnings and booked into one of the NY Hiltons].
5. I am someone who loves circulating air when I sleep, so I immediately tried to turn on the a/c. Not having any success, I called engineering. The engineer brought a heater (!). I explained I want cool air (it was late spring, after all). He said that the hotel does not offer heating or cooling, but he could activate the fan (which I accepted). I thought that hotel refurbishments are in general supposed to update the technological infrastructure….
6. The carpeting and décor throughout the public areas and hallways seem antiquated. And the swinging doors between the elevator arrival area on my floor and the room passageway seem reminiscent of what one would find in a mid-1950s hospital.
7. There was no side table on one side of the (queen size) bed, just the desk. This meant I cold not reach the lamp during the night.
8. The lamp on the desk has an outlet for the computer—but it did not work. The only other available outlet was by the TV set, so I had to work on my laptop sitting in the easy chair, which was not a bad thing since…...
9. The desk chair was not properly functioning. My apologies--I forget what the exact problem was.
10. I ran a bath, and left it for 30 minutes. When I arrived to take the bath, the water had disappeared. Turned out, the stopper was not functioning perfectly.
11. Why there was no lounge/concierge level facility during the weekend is beyond me. If occupancy at the hotel was down I could understand, but that was clearly not the case.
12. I had some fabulous salmon left over from Friday evening, and called Saturday evening to see if I can get a microwave. My wife and I travel a lot with our baby, and always ask (successfully) for a microwave, so I expected an affirmative answer. I spoke to Pat, and her simple answer was “no”. It may do your staff the world of good to take some customer service training—one word hospitality employees are taught not to use is “NO”.
13. Saturday evening I asked the concierge (with the Expedia advertisement conspicuously displayed) for directions to the nearest Tasti-D’Lite. He told me on 53rd between Lexington and 3rd Street. I could not find anything there—but did eventually find one on Third Avenue just off 55th.
14. Soon after check in, I called housekeeping to get extra foam pillows. Nothing arrived, so I had to call again. Finally, my requested bedding arrived.
15. Friday night I disconnected the phone so I could sleep in without the risk of being woken by a “wrong number”. I was never able to restore service—and called for help. Nobody ever came….
16. Sunday morning I had to set the alarm clock. Problem is I could not figure out how to use it. I stay in hotels about 250 nights a year—but could not figure out this one. So I called to get help—nobody ever came. As I mention in the prior bullet—the phone in the bedroom was not working—so I had to rely on the bathroom phone for my wake up call.
17. The bolt on the door did not work.
18. I was charged $1.00 per toll free call. No sign warned me about these unusual charges (and Diamond members should get free toll free calling anyhow).
19. No newspapers were delivered on either day of my stay.
20. Sunday morning I called the front desk to request a late check out—spoke to Anise who confirmed my request. Knowing how poorly the hotel is run, I checked again before I left to deliver a seminar. Jamile said Anise had not left any note about my late check-out request, and Anise had left for the day.

Also—just a comment about the few things that worked well:

1. The bed was comfortable, room décor modern.
2. Several bellman were very responsive.
3. Breakfast was fast with hot coffee and courteous server.

Bottom line—so many glitches detract from the enjoyment and comfort one expects when staying at a Doubltree/Hilton, making the expenditure for this stay poor value. Just in New York city, I have stayed at the Hilton on 6th Avenue, Hilton Times Square and Waldorf Astoria—all fabulous experiences.

I shall be grateful if you will refund the 80,000 HHONORS points used for this stay into my HHONORS Diamond account XXXXXXXX.

Sincerely,


Travelexpert

I've never had a problem in the 5 times I've stayed here. The supplies include a unscented Neutrogena moisturizing cream that I think is ideal for frequent travellers. The other plus is that the breakfast on the ground floor has my favorite amenity of all time - make your own waffle.

BTW - FWIW - I don't think travelexpert is entitled to all 80K points back. Some of the items listed are not problems (ie, old decor) per se vs things not working. However, I do think some type of compensation is due for the non-working problems.

OVMV. Cheers.

BTW - FWIW - I don't think travelexpert is entitled to all 80K points back. Some of the items listed are not problems (ie, old decor) per se vs things not working. However, I do think some type of compensation is due for the non-working problems.

OVMV. Cheers.

We'll have to agree to disagree about the full refund. Never in my traveling experience have I experienced so many frustrations in such a short time. Furthermore--when I stay in a level 6, I expect some level of class with respect to the decor. Parts of this property would seem best suited to a level 2 or 3--although in some respects I feel that even level 2 or 3 properties within the Hilton family of brands should have some minimum level of minimum standards of appearance I did not experience at this property.

I just checked out of here this morning. In the past my comments about the hotel have usually been of the variety of "nice place to stay when you need just a room, but the rooms are small"

I'll totally eat crow. I loved my stay last night.

I arrived just before 10 pm, but had done an e-checkin earlier in the afternoon. At the time only one room was available, 1918, what they called a junior suite. I thought at the time, Gheesh, I've had their regular rooms, can't wait to see how tiny a junior was.

In any case, there were a couple other people in line, but they had three people at the counter. I was at the desk in less then 30 seconds.

Hand over the e-checkin paper (it's easier then spelling the name) and type type, one night Mr Cordelli? Yes, just one night. They swipped my card and grabbed the premade packet with the key, breakfast coupon (standard continental in the exec lounge on 17) and tell me I've been upgraded from my rate to a junior suite on the 19th. I was on my way to the elevator literally in less then two minutes.

Up to the room, step off the elevator and notice there's a huge amount of distance between my door and the next one. That's because the room is fairly huge. Probably the size of three of their regular rooms. L shaped, 24 feet or so of windows on one wall, half 16 feet wide, the other half 11 feet wide. Bed, desk, dresser, two closets, pull out couch, end tables, more lamps then I have in my house, flat screen tv. Couple bottles of water waiting next to the television.

Now I fully understand by the rate drop and by the fact there was a previous days USA today under the door on arrivial that the hotel probably has a good amount of empty rooms, and that rooms like this are not guaranteed, but it was nice to have, even if I wasn't able to take full advantage of all the space. This property may have moved up a notch or two in my choice order when looking for rooms in the city last night.

Just a few points, and I'll admit that some things may have changed since your visit two years ago.


1. I lived four months at the Doubletree in Cambridge (Boston) last year—one has a feeling of upscale warmth as one enters that lobby. So, what a contrast—I got such a disappointing impression as I entered the “newly refurbished” Doubletree Metropolitan. It felt like I was walking into a rundown Greyhound bus station.

I don't think that I've ever seen soft tone wood paneling in a Greyhound bus station, much less a rundown one.


4. Having read reviews of the hotel at Tripadvisor.com; I knew to ask for an interior room. As soon as I got to my room, I was disappointed. Nice décor, but undoubtedly one of the smallest I have ever had. What a squeeze it was to get to the window, air conditioner or chest of drawers, what with a few inches between the bed and TV. [As an aside, Tripadvisor.com ratings are very mixed, emphasizing great location but poor service and poor facility—I should have heeded the overall warnings and booked into one of the NY Hiltons].

No argument, the rooms are small.


7. There was no side table on one side of the (queen size) bed, just the desk. This meant I cold not reach the lamp during the night.

My King room had bedside tables on both sides.


13. Saturday evening I asked the concierge (with the Expedia advertisement conspicuously displayed) for directions to the nearest Tasti-D’Lite. He told me on 53rd between Lexington and 3rd Street. I could not find anything there—but did eventually find one on Third Avenue just off 55th.

While I'm not a concierge, I've lived in NYC for 20 years and within site of it for the rest of my 46 years and I've never even heard of Tasti-D'Lite. If he gave you bad directions to the MET, or Grand Central I'd say it's time for a new employee. Not having memorized the proper location of a Tasti-D'Lite isn't at quite the same level IMHO.


15. Friday night I disconnected the phone so I could sleep in without the risk of being woken by a “wrong number”. I was never able to restore service—and called for help. Nobody ever came….

While I'm sure that many people do what you did, unplug the phone, technically that could be considered vandalism. You're lucky they didn't charge you for breaking the phone IMHO.


16. Sunday morning I had to set the alarm clock. Problem is I could not figure out how to use it. I stay in hotels about 250 nights a year—but could not figure out this one. So I called to get help—nobody ever came. As I mention in the prior bullet—the phone in the bedroom was not working—so I had to rely on the bathroom phone for my wake up call.

They now have the typical big buttoned alarm clock found in most HH properties these days, and even available for sale on the HH site.


19. No newspapers were delivered on either day of my stay.

Most US HH hotels don't deliver the paper on the weekend, since the USA Today isn't printed on the weekend.

I've stayed there a couple of times and thought it was a great value for NYC. And I paid about triple the rate in the OP. No problems, nice room, great concierge who set us up with BBQ.

Yes, this is definitely a ^^ property in NYC. It's a little far from the attractions, but not more than a nice walk. Plus the lobby/bar is very nicely updated and they have good staff. The building is old, but has been updated to the latest standards, and the rooms are nicely sized. I've noticed, though, that it often costs as much as the (better located) Hilton New York, Hilton Times Square, and Doubletree Times Square, all of which I would prefer.

Stayed two nights this weekend, on a $188 rate. This is my third stay at the Metropolitan. Independent of the rates, I would categorize the hotel as "average" in most respects.

I've never received an upgrade beyond a high-floor (but not top floor) room. Rooms are reasonably stylish, but not huge, and obviously just a new gloss on an old hotel. My biggest complaints are the somewhat claustrophobic hallways and the weird placement of the windows, which are off-center in the room. The lobby is nicely decorated in front, but ends up feeling kind of like a rabbit warren by the time you get to the elevators.

I recall the lounge breakfast being adequate but unimpressive; on the weekends, you get a ticket for a free breakfast in the restaurant which can be had via room service for an additional $5. I opted for delivery; I wasn't offered the opportunity to upgrade to other breakfast choices but didn't ask either.

Service is very New York, which I find unpleasant but understand is of the culture there. Was charged $2 to check my bag in the cloak room on departure. Request for a late checkout only resulted in an offer of 1PM, which was disappointing.

For <$200, it's a good choice. At typical high mid-week rates, I'm not sure I'd choose it over other NY Hilton options aside from maybe Hamptons (which I haven't stayed at, fwiw) or the HGI Times Square (which I have).

My experiences here [updated]:
*Very friendly staff (all but one) [still true]
*Rooms range from average to a bit above average (for NYC) - Looking at the floor plan it seems like the rooms alternate small-large-small-large, etc - With the large being wider and the small being slightly narrower. [Suites are huge, about 2 1/2 times the size of a normal room].
*Rooms include a king/queen/2 double beds, a small love-seat(esque), desk, ottoman(esque), ~24" flat screen TV & two night tables and still space to walk around.
*Walls seem thin, so may not be the best idea if you're a light sleeper - but wouldn't keep me from coming back.
*Concierge lounge (breakfast only) - which surprised me as none of the other Hilton's have concierge lounges
*Free wireless in the lobby, [free in the lounge], paid in the room (even for Diamond)
*Nice new bed - [This is many's favorite feature and why they come back]

========
Other related treads:

Report on the "new" Doubletree Metropolitan, New York (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=420290)

Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel NYC as low as $114 per night (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=793799)

I think I just had my last stay here. This was my 4th time staying there. Ended up on the 5th floor as a Diamond, in a room that, judging by the fire escape map and the room itself, was among the smallest on the floor. Facing the fire station, so constant disruption. While showering at 4:30 yesterday morning, noticed a rather large roach-type bug (I don't know if it really was a roach or not) crawling along the wall. I'm sure every hotel has bugs at some point, but not a pleasant visual.

The breakfast has always left very little to be desired and that continues to be the case.

There just doesn't appear to be any value as a Diamond to stay here, unlike some other NYC properties.

The pros:
Location is fantastic, with 6 train right in front and easy walk, underground if in bad weather, to the E-V train...so you can get anywhere in Manhattan easily.

Comfortable bed, nice furnishings.

The internet does cost...unless, you first access it for free in the executive lounge or lobby. Then, go back to your room and connect using a regular HHonors connection and your free validation will still apply.

I had a nice stay here about two weeks ago. Was offered an upgrade to a junior suite at eCheck-in and selected that. I'd booked the business traveler VIP package which includes double points and something else.. I think a free movie.

At check-in, staff was very friendly. The junior suite was on the top floor and was nice - it had an enormous patio, although it was about 15 degrees that night so I didn't get much use out of it. The room was in an L shape, with a sitting area in the short part of the L. The room had a lot of windows and a lot of light came in. The bathroom was a bit on the small side, but that was OK.

My amenity was 1,000 points, but I still got a breakfast voucher for the "lounge" -- the lounge is extremely basic and doesn't have much variety, but I did get a fruit bowl and milk.

The gym was good although I came very close to hitting my head on the ceiling while using the elliptical - I'm about 5'9" and I don't think anybody more than an inch or two taller than I am could use some of the machines. The ceiling is very low. Plenty of weights and cardio machines.

For the rate (just over $200) I would certainly be back here. Although it's a pretty simple hotel, the room was comfortable and it was a good location for midtown.

Don't have too much to add. Have mostly stayed on account of the location and great AAA weekend rates. But it is worth pointing out that the restaurant coupon for breakfast can be applied to room service for a very small ($3?) upcharge.

Just had a three night stay there. I would pretty much echo many of the sentiments of the other posters.

Staff was generally very friendly. Didn't feel any NY attitude at all.

As others have noted, rooms can be very small, even for NY. We arrived late Sunday night and were assigned to a double room on the 19th floor. The room was so narrow that it was hard to navigate between the ends of the beds and the desk. Bathroom was about as small I've seen anywhere--it was hard for even one person to maneuver in it. We called down and asked about moving to a larger room, but none available at the time.

Next day we asked the front desk again about moving and were given a larger room on the 11th floor. Overall a much nicer room. Only drawbacks were that it faced the fire station (even numbered rooms), had a connecting door and we could hear our neighbor's phone conversations, had a bit of a moldy smell (traced it to a moldy, smelly shower curtain--we asked them to change it, which they did the following day, but it was so bad that it's really something housekeeping should have caught). I doubt I would have been able to sleep without earplugs.

We got coupons for breakfast in the HH Lounge, which was barely ok and didn't seem to be very well run. On several occasions they were out of something.

The location is great and is probably the one thing that might convince me to go back, if the rate were low enough.

this is my hotel of choice when i'm in ny for work....i must have stayed here about 50 times....its right next to my client's office, has a nice little deli around the corner, right next to the metro, starbucks opposite the hotel, about a 10 minute walk to times square, etc....i always book a junior suite here since its nice to have a little extra space to move around in the room....i also love the balcony in the junior suites (although i have stayed in a few junior suites that did not have balconies)....all in all, no where near one of the best hotels in ny, but still a decent place....

had a bit of a moldy smell (traced it to a moldy, smelly shower curtain--we asked them to change it, which they did the following day, but it was so bad that it's really something housekeeping should have caught). I doubt I would have been able to sleep without earplugs.

We got coupons for breakfast in the HH Lounge, which was barely ok and didn't seem to be very well run. On several occasions they were out of something.

The location is great and is probably the one thing that might convince me to go back, if the rate were low enough.

1) My one and only stay there, I had a room which reeked of the moldy/mildewy smell, also from the shower curtain. It was so strong that I asked to be moved. Could this be a not uncommon problem? The sad thing is that I went from a nice-sized room to a much smaller room, on the scale of what you described earlier, ie, difficult to pass between the bed and the desk/chair.

2) "Barely ok" is right on wrt the lounge. Also, they weren't checking for breakfast coupons, so anyone could just walk in and get food.

3) The location is great, and I had a decent rate (about $220/nt) when I was there. Staff was also very friendly, particularly the woman who checked me in. Warm cookie was a bonus.