BlissWorld

I can give you some background info on all the NY hotels. So depending on what you want, you can decide.

First of all, my favorite hotel is W Times Square in NYC. Their price might be a bit higher (but has come down a lot due to the economy), but its worth it. I have had several stays and I consistently have received nice upgrades, platinum recognition, and excellent customer service. It's a W, so no lounge, but their room service menu is one of the best I've had anywhere ^ Nice newly renovated rooms, though can be a bit small if you have more than 2 people in the room (except for suites) It's at Times Square. Most people think Times Square, tourist trap. But it doesn't have to be. The trick is to NOT walk along Broadway and go towards 8th instead. DO NOT get off at the Times Square subway station, but try to take 50th street instead. It's only 3 blocks away, but if you are on 8th, you seriously don't feel like you are in Times Square. It's my personal secret.

W Court and Tuscany-- Old rooms, dark, but very quiet. It's in a residential area near Grand Central. I personally find them a bit depressing, but some people like the quiet feeling. Personally, when I go to NYC, I want to see the lights, I want to hear the syren, I want to see the people. So, I try not to stay here. Consistently good Platinum upgrades. No view whatsoever. you will most likely get a view of adjacent buildings or shared apartment courtyards.

W Union Square--Older rooms but larger. Popular restaurant area in Union Square. Lots of shops too. A good area to stay. Decent view.

W New York Lexington--It has been newly renovated, I havn't stayed there, but I've heard positive things since the renovation. Expect very small rooms. Similar to W Court and Tuscany, its in a less action pack area.

Sheraton NY/Manhattan--Very small and typical Sheraton rooms. Service is spotty. I've had really good agents personally, but I've heard horrible stories. The rooms are alright. It's a typical Sheraton. They do have a lounge, but I believe is closed on weekends. It has your typical Sheraton amenities, nothing to write home about. Rates are typically lower. I find it acceptable but I prefer not to stay here unless the rates are extremely low. Platinum upgrade is a hit or miss. Some of the rooms have good views.

FP Chelsea--Very small hotel. Nice staff, but very small and simple room. Extremely small bathroom. The room is acceptable for a typical FP. It's actually nicer than most, but afterall, it's a four points, so expect four points service and amenity. I don't like the area. It's near Penn Station. I find it pretty dead. Most rooms have no view whatsoever.

FP SOHO--New, decent rooms, still in a relatively quiet area. It's not really in SOHO, but close enough I guess. Again, just expect four points service and amenity. If you typically don't like four points, you won't like it here either. Free internet is nice, however.

SanDiego1K

/mod note

I was struck by what an up to date, terrific summary this post is of all the Starwood properties in NYC, less the St Regis and Parker Meridien. BlissWorld posted it in the Westin Times Square master thread. I was concerned as time went on, no one would remember to look there for it. I first copied the W hotel summaries into the Which W in NYC thread. Then I decided it would make a great summary for a NYC overview thread.

Here are the master threads we currently have on New York Starwood hotels:

New York - St Regis
Sheraton Manhattan or New York Hotel & Towers
Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers 2007 onward
Sheraton Manhattan
W New York - The Court
W New York Tuscany
W New York Lexington Ave
W Times Square 2007 – present
W Union Square
Which W in NYC?
Westin Times Square 2007 onward
Parker Meridien
Chelsea Four Points
Soho Four Points
LaGuardia (Flushing) Sheraton
JFK Sheraton

/mod note off

nasta

Hi All,

I'm planning on taking the wife to NYC for a long weekend getaway and cannot make up my mind on which Starwood Hotel to choose.

I've done nearly all the Sheratons and am looking for something a bit nicer/hipper -- am leaning towards Westin's, W's or Meridien Parker but cannot decide on one - which would you choose?.

I'm looking for:
- something fun/hipper than a Sheraton
- suited for couple
- not insanely priced
- comfortable (doesn't have to be a big room, but nothing claustrophobic)
- reasonably central location (cab ride or subway is no big deal)

I cannot count on upgrades as I've recently lost all my status with SPG (you have no idea how hard it is to go from multi-year platinum to nothing

Thanks!

vandalby

I haven't stayed at the Le Parker Meridien, but I assume it's a nice property. Pretty much anything is going to be an improvement over the 2 Sheratons on the island.

My preferred W is the W Union Square - best condition rooms of any of the W's, good staff, great part of town with both up / down and cross town trains easily accessible. You have a good shot of getting a large room (by NYC standards) at the W The Tuscany or W The Court, plus the Murray Hill area is really nice and both properties are convinent to Grand Central.

Both the W Times Square and Westin Times Square are very nice properties, especially if you prefer to be in the heart of the 'touristy' part of NYC.

Really, if you want to make it special, I'd avoid any of the Sheratons, the W New York (original one on Lexington) and the Four Points in Chelsea which may or may not still have a regular picket line out front.

Delightful Lady

If you want fun...stay at a W
Times Square is a little noisy but who cares
Above Floor 50 and you will be fine..
Recently i was at The W on Lexington and was upgraded to a great suite, recently renovated.Very impressed and location is good as I had business on 3rd Ave.
Avoid the Westin TS "full stop"
Wish Big , Dream Great , Find more,go far.

DCBob

W Times Square - by a long shot.

bdraco

+1. I've always had an excellent stay there. It does not disappoint, except for the spa.

IMHO, avoid the Sheraton Manhattan at all costs.

bgriff

I agree, Sheraton New York is definitely better than Sheraton Manhattan--both have fairly cramped rooms, but NY at least is much taller with a chance of an okay view.

Delightful, what's wrong with the Westin? Other than, arguably, the location?

Nasta, it all depends on what kind of location you want . . . if you have been to New York before and have done the touristy stuff, the W Union Square is probably your best bet; it's closer to the downtown areas where many of the cooler bars, restaurants, and shopping are. If you fall into this category but the W US is too pricey, the Four Points SoHo is not a terrible option; it's a bit out of the way but walkable to a lot of cool areas. Though of course it won't be as posh as a W.

If it's your first time (or not) and you want to really feel like you're in the thick of it, lights, crowds, all that, or if you plan to go to a Broadway show, the W Times Square is by far the best option. Le Parker Meridien is close to Times Square but far enough away to be out of the crowds; it would be a great location if you plan to go to anything at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall. LePM is also close to the MoMA.

The W New York on Lexington would be good if you plan to focus on museums--it's a reasonable walk to the MoMA and the most convenient location (by cab or subway) for getting to the Met, Whitney, and the other museums on the Upper East Side. The Ws Court and Tuscany are also relatively easy by subway to the Upper East Side museums but otherwise aren't really close to anything in particular.

AJLondon

It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I personally love the Parker Meridien NYC over every other Starwood property in NYC.

There is more info in the property master thread, but the key reasons are:
-Location
-Norma's breakfasts
-the burger joint
-the staff: incredibly good and no attitude (unlike a lot of NYC hotel staff!)
-the high floor tower rooms with the central park view
-fab thai restaurant about two doors down from the hotel

The hotel is good to Plats, but it is even better when they realise you are a Parker NYC regular and treat their hotel as your home in NYC. Most proactive and friendly service I have seen from any hotel in NYC. And their guest relations manager is an absolute gem.

izzik

I'd go with the Parker Meridien. Stayed there on their mistake rate a while back.. tasteful room, nice bathroom, nice property. I was most impressed by the morning newspaper -- I think it was either WSJ or NYT, not USA Today. ^

AJLondon

Its usually always NYT.

SanDiego1K

It's the Parker Meridien for me. I love the location, enough away from Times Square, but easy walking distance. They are treating plats very nicely. They have a wealth of junior suites/suites and are doing their best to ensure an upgrade every time.

AJLondon

They've even started a Wednesday cocktail evening for regulars and Plats at the bar (the one in the passage to the exit on 57th). Excellent nibbles, really fresh, strong cheeses etc. And the bartender is crazy with his generosity in the measures. My G&T was 75% Tanqueray and 25% tonic. Almost burnt my throat with the first "healthy" sip!

nasta

Thank you everyone for your responses. Great feedback from everyone!

I've done NYC many times so I'm not inclined to stay in Times Square

I was leaning towards the W - Lexington or Parker Meridien (planning on using points). I've heard very mixed reviews on the W - Lexington and given that I've lost all my SPG status, I don't think an upgrade is too likely. What are people's thoughts on W - Lexington vs. Parker Meridien?

sapguy

That's an easy one! Parker Meridien