arlflyer

Yeah, agreed that the breakfast at Pigalle is quite good. And while this one has the TS name, it's well out of the chaos. Always been happy with the HGIs.

jamesteroh

Do they still have the menu option? I haven't stayed there in about five years but they used to have a good menu to choose from. I thought I read that they went to a standard HGI breakfast buffet a few years ago.

Firewind

I've only been aware of the buffet.

BrlDsguise

As a former NYC resident I disagree. For me no hotel breakfast is worth putting up with throngs of tourists the minute you walk out the door like you would at the Hilton or Doubletree Times Square.

Eggs are eggs, but the opportunity to be in a great area like Soho or Chelsea or having an amazing view like Millenium Hilton offers or staying at a hotel with the history of the Waldorf-Astoria shouldn't be discounted.

OriginalName

Looking to burn some points on a 5-night reward leisure stay in NYC during mid-late September. First time visitor and looking to stay in Manhattan.

Looking for recommendations on a property with these priorities:

1. Renovated/modern rooms
2. Good location for most touristic haunts (I'm aware of what is said abt Times Square)
3. Decent breakfast

Exec lounge isn't really a priority (I think Hilton Midtown has one, but the rooms look tired nonetheless), but would be nice to have I guess.

I don't really expect much of a diamond upgrade, given what is said about elite recognition in the States.

I was thinking perhaps the Homewood Suites Midtown Times Square South? [scrap that - forgot brekky isn't an HHonors benefit]

jamesteroh

Midtown Hilton is only NYC property with a lounge and it's one of my lease favorite properties in NYC. I'd avoid it.

If you are a first time visitor you might enjoy being in times square. If you can get a good points redemption I'd go for DT times Square. They are all suites, right in the middle of everything and the breakfast is my favorite of any NYC Hilton.

IncredibleDeals

The Doubletree Times Square is perfect location. You should be upgraded to a bigger suite with a terrific view. We are from LI, NY and this is our favorite Hilton property in the city.

OriginalName

Thanks all! Booked the DT. Fingers crossed.

dzongrila

Hi Folks,
Planning a trip to NYC in October. I am a Hilton Honor Diamond VIP Member and have got enough HH points and will like to redeem them at a Hilton property in NYC during my stay.

I'll mostly be doing the usual touristic stuffs like visiting Empire State Bldg, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square etc. I'll prefer to stay in Manhattan, but obviously that will cost me more points.

Is it really worth staying in Manhattan/Times Square? If yes, which hotel will you recommend and why? What are my alternate options? Will it be better if I stay away from Manhattan (but not as far as NJ or Long Island) and have Manhattan view instead? I won't have a car during my stay in NYC as I don't really need one. Don't want to additionally pay for parking.

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

/D

missamo80

Read through this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...usa-us-ny.html.

No, it's not worth staying in Times Square. It's noisy and crowded. Stay somewhere else, there are tons of Hilton properties in Manhattan. You can also stay over in Queens for fewer points, but you're training time on the subway for fewer points.

The subway + Uber in NYC will get you anywhere you need to get easily.

Neil

SK AAR

Use points for expensive weekday stays. Last minute bookings for weekend stays can be quite cheap (I recall last year DoubleTree Financial district was $79 +tax for a Sunday night in late July). $99/nt for some of the Hilton properties during the weekend can also be found if booking last minute.

Good luck.

dzongrila

Thanks for the response. Can you suggest one of the Hilton properties in Manhattan that is away from Times Square but still has good views of the NYC skyline, easy access to everywhere and nice restaurants nearby? Anything from personal experience will be preferable.

dzongrila

I can only go in a particular week in October during my daughter's fall break and the prices are pretty high that week. I doubt it'll drop over to $$ from $$$ (over $300) all of a sudden. If you can recommend a hotel from your personal experience, that will be great. Any other tips on NYC will be appreciated. It's been 16 years since I've been there.

jeffandnicole

Easy access is pretty easy, as long as you use the subway. Generally speaking you're not going to be more than 3 blocks or so from a subway station. That said, if you are staying near the B Train but you want to go to places along the E or 3 Trains, you may need to transfer once or twice. If you use MTA's website to view their subway map, along with another map showing the hotels you're looking at, you can get a general idea if it'll work for you.

That said, from personal experience, it doesn't always work out. I've stayed near a station that would be an easy train ride to something I wanted to do. Except, the train wasn't operating that weekend due to construction work. The alternative was at least 2 trains, with one of them heading in the wrong direction, adding significant time to that trip!

It also depends on the view you desire. I've stayed at the Hilton Times Square...one side of the building gives you views of Times Square; the other side gives you views of the Empire State Building & Lower Manhattan.

Nearly every hotel will give you views of Manhattan...but you'll also need a room high enough for those views, or on the side of the building that gives you the views you want, which may not be the cheapest room in terms of either dollars or points.

missamo80

Hilton Millenium New York. Nice restaurants nearby is really not worth worrying about because nearly all of Manhattan is "nearby" with subway + uber access.

Neil