Just finished a NYE stay. Cash reservation for one night on 12/30 and IHG Chase free night on 12/31. The stay was very nice although we didn't get Times Square view. No room has the ball drop view. NYE was crazy but the hotel managed very well. Some changes from the last posts as a plat are:
$30+tax service fee was NOT waived as a plat. Charged each night for the cash reservation and the free night.
Buffet discount for plat (and spire too) was raised to $16 per person. That's still ~50% off of the full price.
All IHG members get $20 food/drink certificate for each night.
Two free drinks for every room every stay (which is a part of the service fee), and as a plat, we've got two more free drink coupons.
Even after choosing welcome drink as a plat, 600 points were eventually added on my account on the next day.
The drink coupon and $20 cert can be redeemed at the restaurant, bar, and pick-up-and-go. Drink coupon was for beer, wine, and non-alcohol items. Pick-up place had a high quality OJ that we enjoyed several times using the drink coupon. Pick-up place also had salads, sandwiches, and cakes which were all around $10. Two of them maximizes value of the $20 cert. However, when using $20 cert, 15% tip is added.