Miesque

There is actually quite a bit on other threads regarding these hotels. To summarize if you only care about Breakfast or you give a premium to being in Times Square/Midtown go to the Doubletree. If you want to stay in a nice hotel and have the most enjoyable stay, Conrad, hands down.

Incidentally, I am not sure whether Golds get the same Diamonds do at the Conrad, but I think Breakfast is not that bad as there are several items and the Eggs Bruchetta is both good and filling for those looking for protein.

some dude

You can also consider the Millenium Hilton which is near the Conrad, and much closer to the subway system, and (I've heard) has better complementary breakfast.

In the end, it depends why you are going to the city.

Are you going to see broadway shows and be a superficial tourist? Times square is best.

Are you going for business, or want to actually explore around the city rather than see the "made for tourist" version of it in Times Square? Millenium is probably in the best location subway-wise to access the whole city.

Do you want a quieter, more luxurious stay? Conrad is what you want. Yes, you can still walk to the subway, but it's a 15 minute or so walk, and tends to be very windy/cold in November.

Personally, I would probably do the Millenium on that trip.

As someone born and raised in NYC, I avoid Times Square as much as possible. I thought Conrad NYC was very nice (for a NYC hotel -- it's not on the standards of Conrad Tokyo), but that 15 minute walk can be brutal if you are going to be taking the subway constantly.

DallasBeyond

The Conrad is my new go-to hotel. You can beat the size and layout of the rooms.

I prefer the Gold/Diamond breakfast, as it off the menu and not some mediocre buffet-- quality over quantity.

The Conrad's GM is one of the best in the city.

controller1

Are you saying the Gold & Diamond breakfast are the same?

The sticky at the top of the forum indicates a difference:

Conrad New York: Diamonds get $20 voucher per person per day, good in restaurant for breakfast or at bakery at the bar. Service not included and $20 doesn't go far! Golds get a choice from a limited continental breakfast.

Miesque

By the way, you can use the Breakfast voucher to almost everything on the menu don't know about the Egg Bruchetts) to go at the little coffee stand next to the restaurant and the girl who is there most of the time I use it is very helpful.

Kacee

It depends on the room rate (and who's paying). I like the Conrad but it's not five stars. Still the best Hilton choice in NYC for my tastes (hate Times Square, get claustrophobic in small rooms, really do not want a view of the WTC site).

barabuski

I stayed there in October and I received two $20 vouchers per person as a gold. Used them for breakfast, but they never took them so I used them later that morning at the bakery.

If you aren't so lucky, I would say the bakery has the most food to certificate, but the breakfast is certainly pretty good in my opinion - at the very least, it's definitely serviceable.

I like the Conrad over Millennium because of the location too. A bit farther away from the subway, yes, but it's also right by a Shake Shack... but really, it's significantly quieter than I would imagine the Millennium to be -- there is a lot of food traffic with the WTC memorial and the church right by it.

some dude

In the warmer months, I would agree -- Conrad all the way.

In the colder months, let's just say I still have enough memories from when I lived in Battery Park City (near the Conrad) walking to the subway station freezing my butt off years ago ...

Not really that interested in the WTC view at Millenium, either -- but thats not to say Conrad NY has a great view -- and the WTC view is nowhere near as depressing as it was 10 years ago -- now it's just a construction site that is making good progress.

paul4040

Thanks for all the feedback which has been really constructive. As it'll just be me exploring the city I think I'll go for the Millennium.

I'm not sure I really need the extra space of a suite!

Kacee

Agreed, that walk to the subway gets really old. Seems longer every time you do it. And taxis to midtown can be really pricey, particularly if your driver doesn't know the right way to get out of BPC.

On the view, I've been lucky enough to get the riverview suite overlooking that little park every time, and really like it. Only a very small percentage of rooms have that view though - maybe two or three per floor, max.

hairpeace

Mentioned this in the generic NY hotels thread, but bears repeating:

Nobody ever checks the [email protected] email address that the Conrad New York gives out.

Special occasion notation went completely unrecognized on a recent visit, and on other visits routine requests went unanswered.

Princess fiona

I stayed here twice recently and enjoyed both stays. The first stay was for 8 nights over Christmas. I initially booked two rooms and requested interconnecting. My parents (no HH status) decided to join us so I booked a third room for them. All rooms were the basic King Superior suites. I emailed the hotel to let them know about the third room. We were all given rooms on the 15th floor (two interconnecting for us and kids) with Diamond benefits (breakfast for two and Internet) for all three rooms. I really liked the location of the hotel and the plethora of dining options surrounding the hotel.
The breakfast turned into a bit of a saga many days, long waits for tables, long waits for service. On one occasion we were advised to cash in the vouchers at the coffee cart instead. As it was a Diamond freebie I wasn't too bothered but many guests were getting grumpy with the waits.
I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again as it's a pretty peaceful escape from the crowds and craziness.

21H21J

Just finished 6 night stay here and have slightly mixed feelings.

Room size - all suites (a throwback to the Embassy Suites original) and was great to have the space in both rooms, although the bathroom is definitely one at a time.
Location - 5-10 minutes to the subway, never an issue to get a cab, plenty of dining options nearby, and away from the midtown crowds.
Upgrade - Booked a King superior, and at check in was offered a 14th floor room facing the building opposite or a 3rd floor corner (not the 750 sq. ft corner suite) with river view. We took the river view and whilst I'm sure it falls within the HH definition of "Space-available upgrade to a preferred room" it didn't really feel like an upgrade, although the 14th floor would have been no upgrade at all. Being directly above the restaurant meant there was an amount of noise from 6am onwards from table and chairs being moved around. I'd assume that the 3rd floor rooms above the bar area would have a similar issue in the evening as a couple of night the bar was busy and loud.
Breakfast - As a gold I got two breakfast vouchers for each day. However the HH menu was limited and seemed somewhat random in value compared to the full menu (Toast for $9, Bruschetta for $17). I would have preferred a $ value been able to order from the full menu.
Service - this was hit or miss, but mainly miss. At check-in we had to ask for the breakfast vouchers. At breakfast we were left waiting 10 minutes on one occasion to be served coffee, and our food was served at different times. However, requesting alternative toiletries and additional coffee was dealt with swiftly.
Late check out - This was the disappointment as we were given a 2pm check out, and anything later would be charged at a half day rate. Given that rooms were selling for $209 that night I guess availability was not the issue, but down to policy as I was told that anything later had to be authorized by the manager, who was unavailable and did not make contact despite a request.
Value - Booked on cash + points ($125 + 28k) made this good value, especially when compared to the points only cost of 70k.

Providing the weekend rates are low and/or cash + points are available I'd have no problem returning.

RamAir

Besides price, what's the difference in the rooms at the conrad NYC? There's deluxe premium superior and luxury.
Thanks

Miesque

The deluxe and superior are both 430 sq ft suites with pretty much the same layout, superior is on an upper floor. The luxury and premier suites are bigger 70+ sq ft