Starwood Preferred Guest - First time to NYC - looking for Starwood for 20th anniv. Update: St Regis was great

Mrs. 1flyer1 and i are headed to New York City for our 20th Wedding Anniversary in January of 2009. I am seeking advice from flyertalkers that are familiar with Starwood properties in NYC. After reviewing several threads on the subject, i am leaning towards either the W-Times Square, Le Parker Meridian (couldn't find much info on this property) or the Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square (i am open to suggestions beyond those 3). We will be staying 5 nights using points so a property that has a tendency to upgrade Platinum members would be preferred.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

It seems that you want to be in Times Square. I have stayed at the Westin Times Square, the W Times Square, and the Sheraton Manhattan. Definitely, the Westin and the W are better than the Sheraton. The Westin and W are comparable in terms of quality, just with their usual differences.

Since you are using points, the question is, would you rather spend 48k for the Manhattan or 80k for the Westin or W? Picking some random dates in Jan, it seems that the Westin/W are around $300/night ($345 including taxes), which makes it not a great deal for 20k/night, though the 5th night free helps.

If you are the kind of person who really enjoys and wants a nice hotel, they you probably should go for the Westin/W. That seems to be the case since it is an anniversary. Someone who is less interesting in being at a nice hotel than saving points might choose the Manhattan.

Mrs. 1flyer1 and i are headed to New York City for our 20th Wedding Anniversary in January of 2009. I am seeking advice from flyertalkers that are familiar with Starwood properties in NYC. After reviewing several threads on the subject, i am leaning towards either the W-Times Square, Le Parker Meridian (couldn't find much info on this property) or the Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square (i am open to suggestions beyond those 3). We will be staying 5 nights using points so a property that has a tendency to upgrade Platinum members would be preferred.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Avoid the Sheraton at all cost.

I would suggest the W Union Square, W Court, W Tuscany or St. Regis since this is such a special occasion.

Avoid the Sheraton at all cost.

Avoid the Sheraton Manhattan. But if you are short of points, the Sheraton NY Tower is an OK property, in a great location, and will likely give you an upgrade, especially if you CALL the 44th floor PLT reception area a few days before your trip.

Avoid the Sheraton Manhattan. But if you are short of points, the Sheraton NY Tower is an OK property, in a great location, and will likely give you an upgrade, especially if you CALL the 44th floor PLT reception area a few days before your trip.

This kind of behavior just burns me up. If you want a suite book it. I'll stop before I get started.

This kind of behavior just burns me up. If you want a suite book it. I'll stop before I get started.
Cheap-
As SOP, I don't condone asking for upgrades pre-arrival. But for a special occaision such as a 20th anniversary, why not ask for some TLC from the hotel, especially as a PLT that probably spends too many nights away from his bride?

Cheap-
As SOP, I don't condone asking for upgrades pre-arrival. But for a special occaision such as a 20th anniversary, why not ask for some TLC from the hotel, especially as a PLT that probably spends too many nights away from his bride?

This is a SPECIAL OCCASION, why leave anything to chance? We've all read the stories about someone "expecting" an upgrade and things didn't go right or the poster felt they we're not treated special because they were at the hotel for a birthday, anniversay, etc.

Book what you want so you know EXACTLY what you're getting. A little planning in advance will go a long way.

I'm not a fan of the W brand (though I could probably appreciate its positives more if I was on leisure travel, than business; unfortunately, I'm 365 days...business). I agree that the Tuscany and Court would be nicer choices than Times Square or, worse, the upper East Side property (W New York?) The Union Square is pretty nice, if you want to smack dab in the middle of things, rather than in a more subdued location like the Tuscany/Court. To be clear, they're both just a couple of blocks from Grand Central, but they're on a quiet street, not Broadway.

Definitely pick the NY Hotel and Towers over the Sheraton Manhattan, though I think they're both mediocre.

^After reading the responses and sleeping on it, i think i am going to just go big and stay at the St. Regis.
Does anyone have a better suggestion? Something along the lines of.....if you are willing to spend 30,000 points a night, book the WOW Suite at the W Union Square instead. (I'm just making that up as an example of something i'm not aware of)

Thanks again.

As a New Yorker, I would stay at the W Union Sq., it's not in the heart of the touristy area, but it's a 5-10 minute subway ride away from Times Sq. I've seen several suites there and was truly in awe of the decor. You should get a corner suite if it's available.

Le Parker Meriden is a very nice hotel and is really close to Times Sq and right next to Central Park and Carnegie Hall. It has recently become a participant in Starwood Preferred Guest program. I live in NYC and was there when a friend was visiting and wasn't blown away with the suite he had. They don't have new LCD TVs, but do have Herman Miller Chairs. If you stay here you should definetly have breakfast at Norma's.

If you could get the WOW Suite at Union Square for 30k points/night I would stay there all year long :)

For a first time New Yorker, I would actually not recommend Union Square. Sure, the area is great and for a frequent visitor that is where you want to be. But for a tourist, the proximity of 5th avenue/Times Square/Theaters/Empire State building/Central Park of the St. Regis, the Sheratons and the W Times Square is a key benefit.

If you are crazy about the W "spirit" (a-couch-that-is-also-a-bed-that-is-a-couch, which I tend to like :P) W Times Square will make you very happy.

If you are not W-crazy, the St. Regis is at a great location, but I have not staid there. If I were you and had the points to burn, I would do the St. Regis for 5k more/night, just because it is a St. Regis and 5k/night gets you a rate difference of ~$600.

St. Regis 100% here. I’ve stayed at the hotel several times, and not once have I been disappointed. In the recent years, the hotel has updated all of their rooms and they are gorgeous. You will find larger rooms here and unbeatable service. Make sure that you let the reservation agent know that you are celebrating your anniversary, though, and I promise they will pull out all the stops for you. Enjoy and give us a report on your stay once you get back!

St. Regis was perfect for our 20th anniversary.
I emailed ahead to order a dozen roses for our room. Not only were they there, the butler spread rose petals (not from my dozen) on the bed in the shape of a heart. Champagne, fruit and a personalized note from the management made us feel welcomed from the start. Great location, great staff. A special property for a special occasion.

^