John26

I guess no one has stayed at both (it was worth a shot tho). Has anyone ever stayed in the Presidential Suite at The Renwick? There are very few pictures of it available.

Billy Mumphrey

I've never stayed at the Renwick, so I'm sorry I can't provide a comparison. I have stayed at the London last year, in a standard suite, and really enjoyed it (right before the renovations started). I was Gold at the time and received a slight upgrade to a higher floor with view. The room was really spacious and had amazing views (but if you are considering the Presidential Suite at the Renwick then I'm sure you'll have plenty of space there!). I was deciding between these two hotels recently and I'm leaning towards the London for two reasons: (1) better location IMO, and (2) better breakfast benefit. The breakfast buffet at the London was excellent, and they gave us a $30/person credit each morning. You said the restaurant at the London was closed during your stay, so if I were you I'd call them and ask them to explain how they are handling breakfast for Diamonds. That would be important information for me.

John26

Thanks! I called The London and they said they do have a restaurant on the 2nd floor that they are using during renovations. They also said that construction should be finished in late March or early April and to call the week before to get a construction update. They said that most of the actual construction is already done but they need to do a cleanup and that they are waiting for some pieces of furniture to arrive.

If anyone has stayed in the Presidential Suite at The Renwick, I would love to hear from you.

Gold39

I stayed in the James Renwick Suite about 18 months ago, which I think is now being called the Presidential Suite at The Renwick. To be honest I didn't like it at all. The hotel tries to trade on its history of being an artist studio but to me it just feels a bit grungy and gimmicky. The suite does have plenty of living space but a lot of it is taken up with a kitchen/dining area and from what I remember the kitchen just has a sink and a fridge so wasn't that useful. There is a large balcony and the bathroom is nice, the bedroom was a bit cramped though and wardrobe space was a small open rail.

Since then I've moved all of my stays to The London and I'm very pleased with that hotel, I think it provides good value for money by NYC standards. The suites are spacious, views can be fantastic and the service is generally good. The hard product has definitely seen better days but it was still perfectly serviceable the last time I was there in November. Just one person's opinion but for me I would pick the London every time.

rrrrrich

I've stayed at the London in one of those suites and did the same for my wife's birthday. Hands down the worst hotel i've stayed in for a long time (they comped the whole stay after I shared photos of how bad the condition of the room was). If you're coming to NYC for a special trip, that may offset the quality of the room. I believe they're renovating but if they've not yet one the room you're looking at or if it's a gamble, then unless you want to celebrate in a beat up, dirty, tired old room, I'd suggest something else. I was Diamond at the time of my stay last year and had zero recognition. They had a wedding conference on opened most of the suites i couldve been upgraded into to one of those. Nothing like having people knock on your door repeatedly thinking you've a wedding dress collection to show them!

There's cache to a Presidential Suite too!

Michael19887

I've stayed in the Presidential Suite at the Renwick and liked it, but I wouldn't say it is all that different from the regular one bedroom suites with the exception of the dining table and 1/2 bath. The living room area is actually smaller than the one bedroom suites. It does have a nice small terrace. The Pres Suite is normally priced relatively close (within a couple hundred bucks or so) to a night in the regular suites; which I think is fair, given that it is only a moderate step above the standard suites. I like the vibe of the hotel and the restaurant. The service isn't the best, but I've stayed there a few times and know what to expect (calling multiple times and waiting hours for things like towels) and it doesn't prevent me from enjoying staying there. The bed is very comfortable.

dannieboiz

Guys based on midtown zip code 10001 these are some of the hotels that looks good. Any thoughts one which one to choose? I guess at this distance, it doesn't matter right? just pick a hotel that looks comfortable?

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York City - Chelsea = 38k points

Hilton Garden Inn New York/Manhattan-Chelsea = 43k points

Hampton Inn Manhattan-Madison Square Garden Area 46k points

Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street 49k points

Hampton Inn Manhattan-Chelsea 33k points

Hilton Garden Inn New York Times Square South 43k

Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square South 41k points

daloosh

I'm with ChinaShrek -- I think the HGI W35th St. might tick off a number of boxes for you. It's close to everything in midtown, like the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Madison Square Garden. It's minutes from the subway as well as Penn Station. Take an Uber or Lyft in on Sunday when traffic is light and by Tuesday you'll feel comfortable enough to take the train back to EWR.

If you feel like saving some points, the HGI Times Square South is nearby, it's also convenient to Penn Sta, but is a little more west than 35th St, so a little more walking to get to East Side sights.

OskiBear

I don't think you can wrong with any of those - the "Chelsea" ones are a few blocks south and the "Times Square" ones are a few blocks north. The rest are squarely Midtown/PennStation. However, it's all walkable and just a preference of where you'd like to be. If it's your first trip, I don't think they are bad choices.

A few more visits and you tend to develop a preference for a certain area versus others. I personally prefer being a bit further north and am not a fan of the Penn Station area in the 30's. Used to stay nearby for work and just didn't really get into the area. I like the 40's so long as it's not right on Broadway by Times Square (kind of a hassle, but might be fun for the first time). I also tend spend more around Rockefeller Center and eating in Hell's Kitchen.

Again, i think you're fine with any of those options. Also - I thought Hiltons don't charge resort fees on award redemptions?

pinniped

Check paid rates before you spend the points - good chance some of those HGI's are pretty reasonable.

I tend to avoid Hampton Inns in cities - I just find HGI a much better experience overall. Higher quality, better breakfast experience, usually a fairly quiet business-travel clientele. The HGI's are too small to attract big conferences and aren't the first thing that group travel organizers look for. Ends up being a pretty tame crowd. You see a few flight crews here and there - figure if they like it, then they can't be too bad!!

canesfan

Yes I've been wondering that too, but doesn't appear many Hilton properties have lounges...

777 global mile hound

And when they do they are usually pretty lousy
Hilton International properties typically does a 100% better job then in North America

arlflyer

I believe only Midtown has one.

gengar

Been a while since I stayed, but if it hasn't improved then the Hilton Midtown lounge should not play a factor in the NYC property decision. The evening spread was really bad zapped frozen stuff, leaving bottled water as the only real benefit.

NWplatinum