Shareholder

Rudi, according to my final bill for the Times Square Hilton from yesterday, I got credit to both my HHonors account and my AAdvantage one. These are confirmed by the printout at the bottom of the folio. There is a code line for HH and your account number should appear after it, AL for your airline FF number, and then three others for R (usually with 1 to indicate an eligible rate?), CR for car rental in conjunction with stay (which gets 250 point bonus) and AB for, I think, an airline flight in conjunction with the say (for another 250 bonus points).

From my stay in MUC two months ago, and from London last month, I notice this set of codes does not appear on European Hilton invoices. They generally show the HH and FF numbers in the top right hand corner of the folio, but have no other codes. My stay at the Vancouver Hilton Metrotown, however, had the same set of codes as found on yesterday's NYC folio.

Good to see you and your charming wife again. Thanks for the Sprungli truffles. Saved mine for the ride home from YYZ, just so I could savour one last reminder of the weekend.

ontheroad

I stayed @ the Hilton Times Square this week because I couldn't get a room at the New York Hilton on 53rd St. Some comparative notes:

NYH: Huge! Megasize restaurants. Lots of activity. Long walk from elevator to hotel room.
TSH: Small compared to NYH. Only ~25 rooms per floor.

NYH: Nice view if you can get a high floor.
TSH: Nice view from any room. Lowest room is on 23rd floor. Excellent view of southern Manhattan from my room on the 41st floor.

NYH: Moderate security. There are plenty of guards, but none at the elevators. With so much traffic, it's easy for someone to slip in.
TSH: Excellent security. To get to your room, you must pass the bellhops and guard, take an elevator to the lobby on 21st floor, pass through the lobby and another guard to room elevators. In the evenings, I was asked to show my room card.

NYH: Great full-service spa! Steam room, sauna. Free use for HHonors precious metal holders, otherwise ~$14 per day
TSH: Hotel room was retofitted to workout room with Universal, treadmill, standing bike. Bathroom with no shower.

NYH: Executive Lounge for Gold & Diamond.
TSH: Complementary Continental breakfast, or use as credit towards other breakfast. (I recommend the 'New York' with bagel and lox for $2 more. The salmon is sushi-quality.)

NYH: Always replace or add to half-used shampoo.
TSH: I had to call every night for more shampoo.

NYH: Good location. A few blocks from north end of Broadway District & Rockefeller Center. Near a couple subway lines.
TSH: Right in the hart of Times Square. This is 42nd Street. It's not the scum porno block you may remember from 10 years ago. Within a block are Broadway shows, Times Square, a huge multi-plex cinema, some touristy stores, and Port Authority Bus & Subway station. From there, and easy ride to anywhere in town.

NYH: Executive Lounge staff was friendly, but that's about it. Luggage storage staff consistenly surly.
TSH: Everyone was friendly and courteous, from the manager to the maids.

If you have time to be a tourist, I would recommend the Times Square Hilton. If you prefer amenities of a megahotel or full spa, go with the New York Hilton.

MHO



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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

ontheroad

My "upgraded" room included two bottles of water, coffee maker, and bicthin' view from the 41st floor. The decor was Ethan Allen.

ORD - HKG FF

I have 7 stays( 18 nights) at the Times Square Hilton. The property is ideally located within Times Square. My first 3 stays were very pleasant. The last 4 however were average at best - lack of hot water on 2 occassions, no maintenance response. I kept going because I hoped it would get better - it didn't. But probably the largest issue is there is no recognition of frequent guests. I'm a diamond for 6 years now and have the same treatment from the staff as if I had walked in off the street.

I've switched to the Waldorf - a little further walk for me....but spring is here.

LarryU

I have had four stays at the Times Square Hilton so far this year. I actually prefer it to the NY Hilton because the rooms seem brighter and in better condition, obviously a consequence of the youth of the property. I have found the staff there to be generally friendly and have been upgraded to suites twice as a Gold. Unlike the NY Hilton, which charges $1.25 for a "toll free" call, such calls are free at the Time Square property.

Nevertheless, I still tend to spend a little more time at the NY Hilton because their executive room is very nice, boasting an abundant continental buffet breakfast in the morning and some great munchies in the evening (my only complaint is that I wish the soft drinks were self serve -- there can be an interminable wait for the bar tender at times). In contrast, breakfast service at the Times Square property is painfully slow and the wait staff seem dour. I also tried the restaurant for dinner one evening and found the service again to be sluggish and the food tasteless and unpalatable. Of course, issues pertaining to taste are purely personal, perhaps others might enjoy it.

I once asked the staff at the Times Square Hilton about the absence of an executive floor and they explained that there had never been one planned in the original property, which was supposed to be a DoubleTree. I don't know what the current prognosis is, because at this point, they cannot figure out where to put one. If an executive room ever did materialize at this property, I would probably stay there all the time when visiting NYC.

Incidentally, I think quite a number of FTers have stayed at the Times Square location, especially during the Catman Do Trois. So perhaps it cannot hurt to mention the FlyerTalk affiliation and all of the business that denotes.

Its a bit disturbing to hear about the recent report of poor service and quality issues. I will be staying there next Wednesday and the following Sunday as part of a "sleeping run" so I should be able to find out whether some of these issues have been rectified.

ontheroad

Good point LarryU regarding the phone charges. The other two Hilton properties charge for local & 800# calls. At the NYH, I can run up $20 in "toll-free" phone calls. That doesn't break my travel budget, but it is annoying. The TSH does not charge for local & 800# calls under 60 minutes.

LarryU

My solution to the obnoxious phone charge issue at the NY Hilton is to use the phone located in the executive room. I can connect with my ISP via an 800 number and there is no toll free penalty when using this phone.

Danial

Celestar340,

If someone says bad/negative about Times Square, ignore them ..... I have just stayed there 3 nights complimentary of HHonors for Freddies award week, well actually I redeemed 100,000 pts for a 3 night stay and it was good, from checkin, no arguing of HHonors Gold benefit, they gave me a nice corner room on 38th flr with a very nice view of south NYC and a good view of the river/sea? Included in your hotel folder is a breakfast coupon for every night one stays but no buffet, have to order from their menu but with prompt service.

Room is very spacious compare to Essex house even when I am a Platinum, 2 1/2 times bigger and more windows than Essex. Everything brand new, and I bet your won't regret at what rates you are paying. Forgot, fast lifts for a high rise hotel, and if you have CD's, they have CD player by the bedside. Of course, toll free 800 which supposed to be free is FREE ....

Goldlust

I did not like the hotel that much. Sure it was nice that it was new but I really missed an executive lounge.

Furthermore the breakfast serving people were NOT kind. I know New York is expensive but the dollar value of this hotel just was not anything near hotels I've been at in e.g. Vancouver.

Also see my trip report for more remarks:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/001662.html

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Goldlust

maple

This is my first post on the Hilton thread, so please excuse me if due to my inexperience I accidentally violate any "Hilton thread rules"!

Well, I am spending a very, very special weekend in New York on July 7th, and after some discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/005530.html I have decided to get us a room at the Hilton Times Square. Unfortunately, that property seems to be completely booked for that night. Is there any way for Hilton to release a room? Should I look at other chains, or wait till closer to the date when somebody might cancel a reservation?

I don't know how flexible they will be with my lowly HHonors Gold status, if it helps at all in any way.

Basically I am planning a fabulous weekend in one of the world's most romantic cities, and would like to utterly impress somebody dear with unparalleled service and stunning views. Just for the record, am I even looking at the right property?

Thanks for any advice!
Maple

MileCrazy

this site advertises that they can get you a room at "sold-out" hotels, and they do list the times square as available at $229/night for july 7...

http://www.hoteldiscounts.com/

also, pick up a Paint the Town Red brochure from the Metro Transportation Authority for a 20% discount off the room rate (it also gives you a good map of the subway system, and many dining discounts).

[This message has been edited by MileCrazy (edited 06-20-2001).]

wigstheone

On a side note, if it isn't too hot out, head to the rooftop bar of the Peninsula Hotel for evening cocktails. You can sit outside and enjoy a very unique view of midtown Manhattan (beware, however, the drinks are expensive).

ontheroad

maple, you are trying to get a room for a peak tourist weekend.

Keep trying to get the room @ Hilton TS, but by all means reserve a back-up hotel ASAP. Other hotels in the TS area include: Marriott; Doubletree (Hilton property); Sheraton; Hilton NY.

Most of the above have a 24 or 48 hour cancellation policy. While the Hilton NY has lousy service (MHO), the location is convenient to Times Square, Broadway, MOMA, Rockefeller Center, etc.

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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

[This message has been edited by ontheroad (edited 06-21-2001).]

mlebda

Maple, I just booked a room at the Waldorf- Astoria for June 23 for $219. I will use my hhonors card for a free upgrade when I check in.

ontheroad

Welcome to FT, mlebda!

I don't know if you are Diamond or have history @ Waldorf. If not, your chances of an upgrade there are pretty slim.