The set breakfasts have gone up to over $50. However, on my last couple of visits, they no longer mentioned a Globalist $$ allowance, but rather said you could choose one of the set breakfasts. With delivery fee and 2 small sides, we ended up signing $175 and $190 breakfast bills for 2 people. But both bills were entirely taken care of.

Real upgrades at the hotel are almost non existent. We stay at the hotel often and they’ve been very transparent with us: They’ll only do complimentary upgrades to the King Studio Suite (which is not a real suite), which they are happy to confirm for us at time of booking. If you want an upgrade to a better room or real suite, they sell cash upgrades.

Overall, the hotel feels very sales-y. In fact, I think the titles of many of the people working reservations at the hotel is “Revenue Manager.”

However, given my desire to earn Lifetime Hyatt Globalist, and the fact that they will upgrade you to a nice suite for a “cheap” cash upgrade (eg the nice and spacious corner City View Suite is consistently a $300 upgrade), I find myself doing most of my “normal” NYC stays at the PHNY. For special occasions, there are much better hotels (with better views and service) in New York.