I recently stayed at the W Union Square. On the pro side, excellent location with lots of restaurants/bars in the neighborhood and a 5 minute subway ride to Grand Central and the staff was very nice. On the con side, a very basic plat breakfast with no credit toward upgrade (three breads, coffee, and juice) and no suite upgrade as an Ambassador.
Still, I've added it to the "do not avoid" list which as good as any property in Manhattan gets
So my personal list of properties on the "do not avoid list" is now:
1, JW Essex
2. Renn Times Square (it does have a lounge on the second floor overlooking Times Square)
3. Renn Midtown
4, W Union Square