W Union Square, New York 2006 on [Master Thread]
Feb 13, 2006, 10:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
W Union Square, New York 2006 on [Master Thread]
Anyone have an opinion on staying at W Union Square in a Wonderful room at 299/nt or a Superior queen at the Soho Grand also 299/nt?
The Soho Grand says Superiors are 225 sq ft and are ideal for one person. Can 2 fit in the room?
How big are the Wonderful rooms at the W Union Sq?
One post I found said 400 sq ft (they thought)?
That is a big difference in size especially if I want another person in the room too.
The Soho Grand says Superiors are 225 sq ft and are ideal for one person. Can 2 fit in the room?
How big are the Wonderful rooms at the W Union Sq?
One post I found said 400 sq ft (they thought)?
That is a big difference in size especially if I want another person in the room too.
Last edited by SanDiego1K; Dec 1, 2008 at 8:45 am Reason: Thread with pre 2006 reports can be found at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=894332
Feb 14, 2006, 3:10 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Originally Posted by chuck1
Anyone have an opinion on staying at W Union Square in a Wonderful room at 299/nt or a Superior queen at the Soho Grand also 299/nt?
The Soho Grand says Superiors are 225 sq ft and are ideal for one person. Can 2 fit in the room?
How big are the Wonderful rooms at the W Union Sq?
One post I found said 400 sq ft (they thought)?
That is a big difference in size especially if I want another person in the room too.
The Soho Grand says Superiors are 225 sq ft and are ideal for one person. Can 2 fit in the room?
How big are the Wonderful rooms at the W Union Sq?
One post I found said 400 sq ft (they thought)?
That is a big difference in size especially if I want another person in the room too.
Feb 15, 2006, 4:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1P, *wood Goold
Posts: 3
Recently spent 5 nights (award) there and absolutely loved it... great location, nice staff and celebs everywhere. I now have stayed at all of the NYC Ws and my favorite by far. Never been to the Grand before, but just loved the W.
Feb 16, 2006, 3:57 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Originally Posted by CookieKing
Recently spent 5 nights (award) there and absolutely loved it... great location, nice staff and celebs everywhere. I now have stayed at all of the NYC Ws and my favorite by far. Never been to the Grand before, but just loved the W.
Feb 16, 2006, 11:01 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
I'll go ahead and be contrarian just to point out that while the W Union Square is very nice, Union Square itself has become a bit of a chain mall . . . the surrounding ambience at the SoHo Grand is still doing pretty well (as long as you don't get a room facing the Holland Tunnel, anyway). But I don't know what the SoHo Grand's rooms are like.
Oct 26, 2006, 10:56 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
W Union Square NYC is a Virtuoso property
Just noticed this>
Virtuoso benefits:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Special Virtuoso rates
Complimentary Continental breakfast daily via room service
4 PM late check-out
IIRC Lurker said as long as you do not pay the TA, you can earn Starpoints at the normal rate for the stay.
If there are specific upgrades, I will edit this post with that information.
Virtuoso benefits:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Special Virtuoso rates
Complimentary Continental breakfast daily via room service
4 PM late check-out
IIRC Lurker said as long as you do not pay the TA, you can earn Starpoints at the normal rate for the stay.
If there are specific upgrades, I will edit this post with that information.
Oct 26, 2006, 12:31 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
http://www.virtuoso.com
http://hotels.dinersclubus.com/ (not a Diners Club benefit, just lists Virtuoso benefits)
Virtuoso is like American Express' Fine Hotel and Resorts (FHR) program (for Platinum cardholders) except anyone can book, just go through a Travel Agent that is a member. There is no cost or any requirements other than that.
Like FHR, there are a fair number of Starwood properties that are included.
FHR upgrades can even be better than standard SPG upgrades.
Grand Bretagne Athens - 1BR Suite > 2BR Suite
Westin St John - 1BR Villa > 2BR Villa > 3BR Villa
Those would be if available upgrades, which is always the case with FHR unless you have a Centurion card. However, with Virtuoso some of their properties do confirmed upgrades at time of booking. (You can see them on the Diners Club site) Although I don't remember any Starwood properties doing that, probably for the obvious reason that it would reduce the number of upgrades available for Plats and Golds.
edit - I'm pretty sure they just added the W US recently.
http://hotels.dinersclubus.com/ (not a Diners Club benefit, just lists Virtuoso benefits)
Virtuoso is like American Express' Fine Hotel and Resorts (FHR) program (for Platinum cardholders) except anyone can book, just go through a Travel Agent that is a member. There is no cost or any requirements other than that.
Like FHR, there are a fair number of Starwood properties that are included.
FHR upgrades can even be better than standard SPG upgrades.
Grand Bretagne Athens - 1BR Suite > 2BR Suite
Westin St John - 1BR Villa > 2BR Villa > 3BR Villa
Those would be if available upgrades, which is always the case with FHR unless you have a Centurion card. However, with Virtuoso some of their properties do confirmed upgrades at time of booking. (You can see them on the Diners Club site) Although I don't remember any Starwood properties doing that, probably for the obvious reason that it would reduce the number of upgrades available for Plats and Golds.
edit - I'm pretty sure they just added the W US recently.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 26, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Oct 29, 2006, 6:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AMEX Plat, FPC Plat, SPG Gold, NW Silver
Posts: 261
Originally Posted by vivrant
Thanks! This is indeed very valuable information... I'll look into them next time when I make a booking (can't do FHR since I don't have a Platinum or Centurion card).
With the same scenario, I assume it would be best to book the St. Regis via FHR?
Cheers!
Oct 29, 2006, 9:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
Thanks to a conference, my wife and I will be staying at the W Union Square for a night in early November. The front desk said I was booked into a "Wonderful Room," though I'm not quite sure how good that is compared to any of the other rooms (can you tell I've never been in a W before?). My wife is SPG Gold, so given that and the OP, what should we expect during our stay? (I will be paying there; the corporate travel agent booked but did not pay for the room.)
Are there any promotions I should sign up for, to maximize Starpoints? Unfortunately, we were not selected for any targeted offers from spgpromos.com...
Any "insider tips" from previous guests would, of course, be welcome.
Are there any promotions I should sign up for, to maximize Starpoints? Unfortunately, we were not selected for any targeted offers from spgpromos.com...
Any "insider tips" from previous guests would, of course, be welcome.
Oct 29, 2006, 9:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AMEX Plat, FPC Plat, SPG Gold, NW Silver
Posts: 261
cepheid,
"Wonderful" is the standard room. As an SPG gold, I can tell you that all I have ever rec'd is a higher floor room, maybe "best in same class" but no significant upgrade. That being said, they are decent sized rooms as compared to W NY, and W Times Sq. I have never stayed at the other two (where the rooms are supposedly the biggest of the NY W's)
You may want to check with your travel agent to see if they are a Virtuoso agency. I am not sure how W Union Sq. will treat it, but I have rec'd pretty nice Virtuoso upgrades at other hotels.
You are definitely in a GREAT neighborhood. If weather permits, take a few walks and check it out. SoHo and the Village are pretty close to the south, and there is plenty to do in the vicinity. There are often markets/events right across the street in the square. HAVE FUN!
IF you are looking for specific recommendations, fire away, I (and many others) will do my (our) best.
"Wonderful" is the standard room. As an SPG gold, I can tell you that all I have ever rec'd is a higher floor room, maybe "best in same class" but no significant upgrade. That being said, they are decent sized rooms as compared to W NY, and W Times Sq. I have never stayed at the other two (where the rooms are supposedly the biggest of the NY W's)
You may want to check with your travel agent to see if they are a Virtuoso agency. I am not sure how W Union Sq. will treat it, but I have rec'd pretty nice Virtuoso upgrades at other hotels.
You are definitely in a GREAT neighborhood. If weather permits, take a few walks and check it out. SoHo and the Village are pretty close to the south, and there is plenty to do in the vicinity. There are often markets/events right across the street in the square. HAVE FUN!
IF you are looking for specific recommendations, fire away, I (and many others) will do my (our) best.
Nov 10, 2006, 10:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,305
Originally Posted by golfer727272
Also what is the closest subway access?
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm
-David