Luxury Hotels In New York
Sep 26, 2016, 11:34 am
#316
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I'm looking for advice / recommendations for a good Christmas hotel in New York. I know it's early to be talking about Christmas but I like to book in advance!
I have stayed in the full gamut of lodgings in New York, from hostels on the edge of Harlem to the Ritz, Peninsula and Surrey (my favourite). Looking for something that should be very seasonal and ideally does a good Christmas lunch / dinner.
I am leaning towards the South Central Park Area but open to others also, like UES or Soho.
I know a lot on here use Virtuoso and others, but I tend to book on Expedia a lot and just pay for the class of room I want. Right now, with my flights included, I can get the MO for about $600 a night.
Anyone have any better suggestions than that?
I have stayed in the full gamut of lodgings in New York, from hostels on the edge of Harlem to the Ritz, Peninsula and Surrey (my favourite). Looking for something that should be very seasonal and ideally does a good Christmas lunch / dinner.
I am leaning towards the South Central Park Area but open to others also, like UES or Soho.
I know a lot on here use Virtuoso and others, but I tend to book on Expedia a lot and just pay for the class of room I want. Right now, with my flights included, I can get the MO for about $600 a night.
Anyone have any better suggestions than that?
Sep 26, 2016, 11:42 am
#317
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
anyone seen christmas at these recently?
taj/pierre or carlyle (have residences, like MO)
other UES - mark and lowell (both still good?)
new FS lesser location, but pool/etc and condos
interesting at original FS (not seasonal, but new)
press.fourseasons.com/newyork/hotel-news/2016/meals-in-the-sky/
taj/pierre or carlyle (have residences, like MO)
other UES - mark and lowell (both still good?)
new FS lesser location, but pool/etc and condos
interesting at original FS (not seasonal, but new)
press.fourseasons.com/newyork/hotel-news/2016/meals-in-the-sky/
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Sep 27, 2016 at 7:58 am
Sep 27, 2016, 10:18 am
#318
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
anyone seen christmas at these recently?
taj/pierre or carlyle (have residences, like MO)
other UES - mark and lowell (both still good?)
new FS lesser location, but pool/etc and condos
interesting at original FS (not seasonal, but new)
press.fourseasons.com/newyork/hotel-news/2016/meals-in-the-sky/
taj/pierre or carlyle (have residences, like MO)
other UES - mark and lowell (both still good?)
new FS lesser location, but pool/etc and condos
interesting at original FS (not seasonal, but new)
press.fourseasons.com/newyork/hotel-news/2016/meals-in-the-sky/
The Carlyle is a really good choice for Christmas - great food and a really festive atmosphere.Pity about the rooms/suites
The Lowell is much better these days now that Heiko Kuentsle is back as GM - good option for Christmas in a boutique sized hotel, especially now that they are launching a proper restaurant.
Not keen on The Mark - a bit soulless for me.
Sep 27, 2016, 3:53 pm
#319
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Sep 27, 2016, 4:02 pm
#320
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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Sep 27, 2016, 4:25 pm
#321
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Sep 28, 2016, 5:54 pm
#322
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,733
The Lowell at Christmas is very special... If your budget allows for a fireplace in the room/suite even more so.
Sep 29, 2016, 8:08 am
#323
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
My vote would be for the St Regis anyway, where I have spent Christmas holidays in 2014. Decoration was fantastic and wonderful hotel. Wish that all St Regis properties would be like the original one
https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shri...Yjg5NjAxZQ.jpg
Sep 29, 2016, 8:26 am
#324
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
One of my favorite GM's told me an interesting thing the other day.
Each morning, the entire hotel team goes over EVERY* arrival for that given day. Who they are, who booked them, allergies, special requests, etc.
So while they go over 'everyone', the only clients/arrivals they don't go over? OTA bookings.
This is pretty standard across the entire industry.
Sep 29, 2016, 10:20 am
#325
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,504
Correct!
One of my favorite GM's told me an interesting thing the other day.
Each morning, the entire hotel team goes over EVERY* arrival for that given day. Who they are, who booked them, allergies, special requests, etc.
So while they go over 'everyone', the only clients/arrivals they don't go over? OTA bookings.
This is pretty standard across the entire industry.
One of my favorite GM's told me an interesting thing the other day.
Each morning, the entire hotel team goes over EVERY* arrival for that given day. Who they are, who booked them, allergies, special requests, etc.
So while they go over 'everyone', the only clients/arrivals they don't go over? OTA bookings.
This is pretty standard across the entire industry.
Sep 29, 2016, 11:36 am
#327
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
In General I agree and normally use OTA Prices to us for example best rate claims at Starwood. Nevertheless I did some bookings in the pat when Price was significant cheaper (like Six Senses Ninh Van Bay). There I didn´t mention any difference, same with Raffles Seychelles or Banyan Tree Seychelles. At Raffles I even got an upgrade worth a few hundred € per night this time. So would not book it at NY, but at Holiday destinations it can be absolutely fine, especially as Virtuoso is often useless there as breakfast is included, you don´t wish the upgrade or you are already in the highest one bedroom option and at a 7 nights stay 100 $ credit doesn´t compensate very much.
Sep 29, 2016, 11:42 am
#328
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
I'd add as a side note that MO NYC might be as bad as the Plaza. (I know -- MIKE! That is a low blow!) I will never return until something changes, and changes *dramatically*.
And I'm puzzled by the positive comments about the Carlyle. This is a hotel with a famous bar and music venue attached. The 'hotel' is unremarkable with the goofy, dysfunctional rooms. Don't even get me started about the elevators...
I much prefer the Mark.
Sep 29, 2016, 12:59 pm
#329
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Well what a lot of people forget is that you can always ask your Virtuoso advisor to request a price match. Not a week goes by where I don't have a supplier match the price showing on Expedia. Virtuoso has strict rules about rate parity and, baring any significant "reason" behind the price issue, they'll almost always match.
Sep 29, 2016, 1:01 pm
#330
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Next time you are in NYC, you need to stop in and do a walk through of the Baccarat. You will realize quickly why it doesn't get much attention here.
I'd add as a side note that MO NYC might be as bad as the Plaza. (I know -- MIKE! That is a low blow!) I will never return until something changes, and changes *dramatically*.
And I'm puzzled by the positive comments about the Carlyle. This is a hotel with a famous bar and music venue attached. The 'hotel' is unremarkable with the goofy, dysfunctional rooms. Don't even get me started about the elevators...
I much prefer the Mark.
I'd add as a side note that MO NYC might be as bad as the Plaza. (I know -- MIKE! That is a low blow!) I will never return until something changes, and changes *dramatically*.
And I'm puzzled by the positive comments about the Carlyle. This is a hotel with a famous bar and music venue attached. The 'hotel' is unremarkable with the goofy, dysfunctional rooms. Don't even get me started about the elevators...
I much prefer the Mark.
And what don't you like about the Mandarin Oriental? Plaza?
