Update on the stay now that it's completed.
Overall had a great stay and really enjoyed the hotel. Other than the Executive Lounge being overcrowded because of Thanksgiving, everything else was perfect. Thanks to a fellow FTer who forwarded my previous post (about the lounge status) to someone at Marriott, the service was excellent following that.

Front desk manager who checked us in on Tuesday remembered my last name throughout the stay and always greeted me as Mr. sammyindc every time he saw us in the hotel. Was also able to get access to the VIP section to watch the parade thanks to him.

Lounge was pretty quiet on Friday morning, but they were still using plastic cups (one of my pet peeves). Had breakfast in the restaurant on Thursday which was the executive lounge buffet (they just opened the door to the lounge and the buffet was set up there - but instead of being free if was $37 a person.

I would go back on future NY visits and it was worth it for enjoying the Thanksgiving parade.