Conrad New York Midtown {US-NY} (formerly The London NYC)
Jul 25, 2018, 11:38 am
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
New York is probably Hilton's worst big city quality issue. Virtually all of its properties in the city are dumps, with poor service to match buildings that are run down or just nasty. Three possible exceptions: the Millennium opposite the UN, and, as others have mentioned, the Conrad and the Renwick (though the Renwick feels more like a place to stay for leisure than business).
Jul 25, 2018, 12:21 pm
#107
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
New York is probably Hilton's worst big city quality issue. Virtually all of its properties in the city are dumps, with poor service to match buildings that are run down or just nasty. Three possible exceptions: the Millennium opposite the UN, and, as others have mentioned, the Conrad and the Renwick (though the Renwick feels more like a place to stay for leisure than business).
Jul 25, 2018, 3:20 pm
#108
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,363
Haven't tried any of the DoubleTrees, and I avoid limited-service brands in large cities with full-service options, so can't speak to the various Hamptons or HGIs, either.
Jul 25, 2018, 6:52 pm
#109
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Honestly, all the major chains have their issues in NYC. SPG has two good, but very expensive properties uptown (Chatawal and St. Regis). All other SPG properties have major flaws/downsides. Marriott is very similar, with Essex House and the Ritz on CPS, and then a whole bunch of compromises elsewhere in Manhattan. Hyatt used to be great, but both Andazes and the Union Square property have gone way downhill, and PH NYC is deeply flawed. IHG, I'm not even sure what properties they have in NYC, certainly nowhere I've ever considered staying.
Jul 27, 2018, 1:11 pm
#110
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 258
I just stayed here. At check-in I was given a welcome letter stating Diamond benefits as 1.000 bonus points, 2 bottles of water per stay, 30$ per person per day towards breakfast. As others remarked, the lobby and restaurant are quite dark, maybe trying to hide that the whole place is a bit worn out. Check-in staff was very friendly and polite, restaurant staff somewhat indifferent. Breakfast buffet has gone up to $39. Event though the buffet looked really good I opted for the 40$ Maine lobster Benedict, which was fabulous, highly recommended.
Jul 28, 2018, 5:30 am
#111
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tæt på Dyrehaven
Programs: SK Gold
Posts: 301
thank you for your review. We are actually spending 3 nights here in Oct, despite the bad reviews it gets. Can you confirm with the breakfast situation if they are just charging the whole total to your room and then taking the credit off at the end? I had heard this has been the practice in the past and difficult at times to get them to apply the credits at the end and adjust the total charge. Also curious if you can use the $30 credit towards room service breakfast or if you have to eat downstairs in the restaurant? Are there any restrictions with what you can order when using the vouchers or apply the credit at the end?
Jul 28, 2018, 9:21 am
#112
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LAX ⇄ JFK
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 218
In the past, when we've woken up too late, we've been able to apply the daily breakfast credit towards lunch, since it still shows up on the folio as "LONDON RESTAURANT". Room service showed up as "IN-ROOM DINING", so it's unlikely that they would let you apply the breakfast credit towards those charges.
Sep 17, 2018, 6:26 pm
#114
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Glasgow / London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 3,457
I stayed for the night a few weeks back. No renovations and no improvements. The rooms are still reasonably nice, but dated. The worst thing for me was service generally in the hotel, including the restaurant. It was rather cold and impersonal. I wasn’t a fan...
Sep 18, 2018, 12:21 pm
#115
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 343
That's what I was worried about. Thank you! I'll have to wait a few months and see if renovations and retraining actually start.
Sep 20, 2018, 9:25 pm
#116
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Costa Rica / New York
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Copa ConnectMiles Platinum, United Gold
Posts: 33
Staying here this week. Rooms are HUGE for NY standards and I'm guessing that's what they base their pricing on. Rooms and overall property feel dated for sure. I do agree with other reviews mentioning service is not up to a luxury brand standard. I spent one night this week at a Hilton Garden Inn nearby and the service I received there was MILES ahead the one at the London. Definitely won't be coming back until it's renovated and staff gets trained or replaced.
Sep 21, 2018, 8:30 am
#117
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,363
On the bright side, the longtime general manager of Conrad New York transferred to The London NYC when Hilton assumed management of the property. He'd also previously managed The Peninsula New York, overseeing a renovation there. His appointment bodes well for the future Conrad New York Midtown, I think, as the downtown property has been well managed and maintained since its 2012 debut.
Sep 21, 2018, 8:35 am
#118
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
On the bright side, the longtime general manager of Conrad New York transferred to The London NYC when Hilton assumed management of the property. He'd also previously managed The Peninsula New York, overseeing a renovation there. His appointment bodes well for the future Conrad New York Midtown, I think, as the downtown property has been well managed and maintained since its 2012 debut.
Sep 21, 2018, 3:20 pm
#119
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,363
True, but perhaps he's preoccupied with renovation preparation and will shift to employee retraining once construction is underway. I don't consider the service at Conrad New York fantastic or anything, but it's certainly professional, competent, and courteous. If he can replicate at The London NYC, sounds like it would be a big improvement.