Originally Posted by
RedSun
Overall The cash rate for regular room is about $190 or about $220 with taxes included. So it is decent rate for NYC hotel in prime location. The rate was considerably higher during the holiday season.The point redemption rate can be very high, sometimes like 70,000 points. With the change to the new IHG credit card, the reward night is capped at 40,000 points. So we can't use the new reward nights at this hotel.I really feel mixed about this hotel. It is at a premium location, close to things people like to do during the holiday season. But the hotel is old and so average. It does not have much to offer other than its location and one or two beds. The IHG loyalists do not get much out of it.If you get a good cash rate, $200 range is reasonable. But at 70,000 IHG points, it is a bad redemption. The main reason for our stay is to use up the IHG points. We focus more on other two hotel programs. We do not see we going to back to this hotel again.
Thanks for the trip report and photos.
Taxes are more than double what you mention. On a night costing $190 you'll be adding around $70-$75 in taxes and fees. The resort fee still annoys the hell out of me, but at least you get some value out of it at this property.
70,000 points is a lot I agree (it's the same at the Barclays which you might want to try next time as it's newer and fresher (refurbished a couple of years ago), but then Manhattan is expensive for redemptions with the CP TS costing 60,000 points per night, and and some HIXs costing a whooping 45,000 points.
I actually like the IC TS, but as mentioned, you need to be an Ambassador member to enjoy the benefits there. I've never not been upgraded, and at times to one of their nice top floor rooms (which they call suits but aren't really) with floor to ceiling windows in three directions and great views of Manhattan.