Late post of stay at PHNY on 9/15. Note: I am not a frequent traveler but this year I had a spurt of travel in Aug-Oct. Because of this I was in the middle of a Diamond challenge (since completed). However this stay was a cc award booked in April. We chose this hotel partly because it has a base room that can accommodate 3, and originally booked 2 nights. Since then, our party dwindled to 2 and we let go of one night although it didn't go back into inventory.

Arrival
Doorman took our bags from the taxi and I didn’t see the bags again until I got to the room. As noted by others, you go upstairs, as you exit the elevator, you make a right and U turn to check in. There is a comfortable seating area (with the fruit infused water mentioned before). I thought it was a nice separation from the busier public area.

Room
Was upgraded from Park King to Park Deluxe King, room 2214, which faces west towards Seventh Avenue. There was some discussion earlier about upgrades, and I believe it's the next category up and the highest possible barring suites, as this property seems to have a large proportion of rooms labeled as suites. It was spacious for 2, but is not particularly large (I only say this based on a comparison with the description of the Park King. It was actually huge for NYC). A good portion of the room goes to the entry vestibule which some might think is wasted space, although I liked the additional privacy it afforded. I took a picture of the floor layout posted behind the door and there were very few of these smaller rooms on my floor.

Bags were already in the room, placed inside the closet in a neat manner. I was happy that this had required no additional interaction on my part.

The room was really quiet. I did briefly hear very faint hammering from above. It wasn’t directly above, and was so faint that it disappeared once my daughter put her cartoons on. The TV was only on briefly, and I did not hear it again during our stay. I expect all that noise is gone by now.

I thought the finishes were very good. Furnishings simple to the point of being just functional, actually very comfortable and luxurious. Great bed on the firm side. Excellent sheets. Huge bathroom, heated bathroom floor, tub with a view. Motorized window screens for both the room and bathroom. Doors are on the heavy side, including closet doors, and I wonder how they will hold up. I could see that housekeeping was having to make an effort getting in and out those doors, but I’m sure they greatly help with soundproofing. Bathroom doors are spring loaded for one hand operation – well thought out. Closets a bit narrow, but I see from other photos that not all rooms are like that.

I really liked the bar cabinet – complete, well designed and pleasing to the eye. Nespresso/ hot water machine, espresso cups as well as larger cups for tea (with residue of price stickers still stuck on to them). Drawer refrigerator that was fully stocked but still had some room to put a couple of your own beverages if you wanted to do so (I put in a small bottle of milk).

Multipurpose Tablet served as hotel information, radio, internet tablet. Superfast Wifi. No problems at all with Wifi or TV.

Pool
We used the pool the next morning and it was a beautiful and spacious area. Attendant gave us bottled water. While we were there a couple of guys came in who looked like they were inspecting the glass for leaks (did I mention it was raining, so it would have been a good time for inspection).

Amenity
At check-in, no mention of points or food amenity. An hour later, however, a milk and cookies tray was delivered to us, “for your daughter, courtesy of the chef”. So, was that my amenity? Not sure since I hadn’t particularly chosen it. But my daughter thoroughly enjoyed it and demolished it, actually.

(Since then I have stayed at the GH Tampa and the PH DC where I saw and learned how the Diamond Amenity should be offered with a card at check in.)

Breakfast
At check in, I was told straightaway that the breakfast amenity could be taken in the restaurant or in-room. Initially I was told, up to $57 pp. I realized she had meant “up to the value of the 57th St Breakfast” but for some reason she seemed flustered about explaining the breakfast benefit.

The next person I asked said we had 2 adults and 1 child in the reservation and she wasn’t sure if the child’s breakfast would be covered. (?!)

Forward to next morning ordering in-room breakfast. You can’t see the whole menu at once on the tablet – it is broken down into different pages - so there was a lot of back and forth while trying to order, which is not efficient. The breakfast arrived on time, nothing to sign, and was very good. Our total with gratuities and taxes was $131. At check out, the amount of $41 x 3 = $123 was removed.

Service
Housekeeping was very good and prompt. Evening turndown provided water and glasses placed on each side of the bed, and the slippers removed from the closet and laid out on a floor mat. Amenities were replaced.

Doormen were great. The car driver was very friendly (tipped him $10 for 4 passengers incl 2 children. We were only going to Columbus Circle but it was raining).

I think the weakest link was the Front Desk – not yet consistent and lacked information and confidence. Everyone was friendly and polite, but seemingly not intuitively knowing what one needed. Of the ladies I met, one was a transfer from Grand Hyatt Tampa and another was from Hyatt Regency Jacksonville. So I can see perhaps there’s a gap in the service level… but I believe it will get better. I had no interaction with more senior staff, or the restaurant, spa, etc.

Last Thoughts - As I believe Radiant Flyer mentioned, it really is a beautiful property and I left wishing I had kept my two night booking. As little time as one spends in the hotel in NY, I would have made an exception just to enjoy the room, the spa, etc. Just my .02 but if you are on award booking I wouldn't cancel a stay here.