Waldorf Astoria New York {US-NY}
May 24, 2016, 6:22 am
#61
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
Why do you return to the WA year after year? I am not arguing with you, I have never stayed there, but I am curious what you find at the WA that you do not get at the RC or IC, for example. I really like historic hotels, however, generally go to New York with my family of 6, so 3 rooms starts to become uneconomical. I have generally ended up at the DT Times Square where I may only need one room.
May 24, 2016, 7:01 am
#62
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Why do you return to the WA year after year? I am not arguing with you, I have never stayed there, but I am curious what you find at the WA that you do not get at the RC or IC, for example. I really like historic hotels, however, generally go to New York with my family of 6, so 3 rooms starts to become uneconomical. I have generally ended up at the DT Times Square where I may only need one room.
And for some people, being "economical" is not a concern. We tend to (over)emphasize perks and value here in FT. Most luxury travelers just pay, and to many the exact number just doesn't matter.
May 24, 2016, 8:43 am
#63
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I'm right in the middle on the W=A... I don't necessarily see the value of a standard room with minimal perks, BUT I do definitely see the charm of the property. I don't have much trouble with the lack of breakfast/lounge since the Diamond 2-drink cert (used at Bull & Bear) is one of my favorite parts of the stay (I like great cocktails but usually won't pay $15 for one).
I've found the times it makes sense for me to book here are single-night stays where I can book a suite or towers room on a corp rate for not much more than a regular room... the last time I stayed it was $229 for a standard room, but $289 for a suite which ended up upgraded to a Towers Suite. Not cheap by any means, but also a very solid value given the property, room type, and location. I won't do it every time (my next NYC stay is at the Doubletree Metropolitan about a block away for $116/night) but there are times that things align to make it a worthwhile splurge, though I'll probably spend less at some other properties I'd like to try (Millennium Hilton, Conrad, a couple of the new Brooklyn properties) before I head back.
I've found the times it makes sense for me to book here are single-night stays where I can book a suite or towers room on a corp rate for not much more than a regular room... the last time I stayed it was $229 for a standard room, but $289 for a suite which ended up upgraded to a Towers Suite. Not cheap by any means, but also a very solid value given the property, room type, and location. I won't do it every time (my next NYC stay is at the Doubletree Metropolitan about a block away for $116/night) but there are times that things align to make it a worthwhile splurge, though I'll probably spend less at some other properties I'd like to try (Millennium Hilton, Conrad, a couple of the new Brooklyn properties) before I head back.
May 24, 2016, 8:52 am
#64
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
May 24, 2016, 8:55 am
#65
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
May 24, 2016, 8:59 am
#66
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
You can't really questions someone's taste in hotels; that's just personal preference. For example in Chicago I'll take the Palmer House over the WA, the MO, the IC, whatever. I just like the place.
And for some people, being "economical" is not a concern. We tend to (over)emphasize perks and value here in FT. Most luxury travelers just pay, and to many the exact number just doesn't matter.
And for some people, being "economical" is not a concern. We tend to (over)emphasize perks and value here in FT. Most luxury travelers just pay, and to many the exact number just doesn't matter.
Actually, economical probably wasn't the best word. I don't see my children getting the enjoyment out of historical hotels that my wife and I would, so it is a waste to get three rooms at the Waldorf versus 2 or 1 elsewhere. Ideally, I think my wife and I would stay at the Waldorf and the kids could stay at the Doubletree
We would get the atmosphere we would like and they would get the cookies that they like!
May 24, 2016, 9:02 am
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
I suspect they fill lots of rooms at this property at fairly low rates . . . it has over 1400 rooms.
One of the things I recall from my stays years ago is that they nickel and dime you for everything here, so the nightly rate is only the starting point . . . .
The public spaces are impressive and the location is excellent if you want to be midtown. But there are just so many other places I would prefer to stay in Manhattan.
May 24, 2016, 9:04 am
#68
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,259
They frankly don't care. They make their money by selling their history and their iconic image to people who have never heard of HiltonHHonors.
The owners do spend to keep up The Waldorf Towers, the adjacent hotel within a hotel. The Towers is the home hotel of the USA's permanent delegation to the United Nations, and has elaborate security which makes it suitable for the US president and other heads of state.
The owners do spend to keep up The Waldorf Towers, the adjacent hotel within a hotel. The Towers is the home hotel of the USA's permanent delegation to the United Nations, and has elaborate security which makes it suitable for the US president and other heads of state.
Actually that has changed since the Chinese have purchased the Waldorf. Several articles noted they will be moving somewhere else for security intelligence reasons (aka they think the Chinese are going to bug the place)
May 24, 2016, 9:05 am
#69
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I'd consider my $116/night rate this week at the DT Metropolitan a block north of the W=A to be dirt cheap for NYC, and not a bad property either. That $289/night rate would have been GOOD for the regular suite I'd booked, but turned out to be EXCELLENT for the Towers suite I was upgraded to.
May 24, 2016, 3:12 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
T on.
May 25, 2016, 2:36 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
I suspect it's mostly disappointment that the new owners seem not to be committed to major improvements.
When it became clear that the 80 year.old Palace Hotel in San Francisco was in declining shape, the Japanese ownership coommitted to a $150 million (in 1988 dollars) rebuilding, which included the closing of the hotel for two years.
The W=A structure is now 85 years old. I'm not suggesting a closing for renovations, but you'd think a phased approach to revitalizing the rooms is overdue.
When it became clear that the 80 year.old Palace Hotel in San Francisco was in declining shape, the Japanese ownership coommitted to a $150 million (in 1988 dollars) rebuilding, which included the closing of the hotel for two years.
The W=A structure is now 85 years old. I'm not suggesting a closing for renovations, but you'd think a phased approach to revitalizing the rooms is overdue.
May 25, 2016, 4:55 am
#72
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
I think the hotel will lose its charm if it becomes all high-tech or over-the-top polished.
May 25, 2016, 9:06 am
#73
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
You don't have to go high-tech to have rooms that will justify premium prices. NYC is full of examples. The Pen, for example, where room rates are on average probably 2-3x WA's.
Jun 11, 2016, 8:33 pm
#74
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
As a diamond got suite upgrades on my last 2 visits.
For a 1 night midweek stay booked the lowest level queen bed room and got upgraded to a large suite overlooking Park Ave on the 14th floor. Even had a fireplace. The rooms were large, but bathroom was tiny. I checked in late at night after 10:00 pm.
For a 2 night weekend stay got upgraded to a smaller suite on the 6th floor with no view, overlooking a roof top, but with a larger bathroom. My original booked room was a Luxury King Room. I checked in early a little after 1:00 pm.
For a 1 night midweek stay booked the lowest level queen bed room and got upgraded to a large suite overlooking Park Ave on the 14th floor. Even had a fireplace. The rooms were large, but bathroom was tiny. I checked in late at night after 10:00 pm.
For a 2 night weekend stay got upgraded to a smaller suite on the 6th floor with no view, overlooking a roof top, but with a larger bathroom. My original booked room was a Luxury King Room. I checked in early a little after 1:00 pm.
Jun 12, 2016, 6:57 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,903
Well, I would not stay at a non-hHonors hotel simply because I want to collect points to maintain status/spend them elsewhere. The WA has a unique feeling to it. Yes, it is old (and it shows) but this is what makes it special (for us)...it's like you go back in times. Benefits are non-existent (but breakfast/lounge are not standard benefits for WA properties anyway); however, they do try to allocate the best rooms within the category booked to Diamond members. The NYC WA is a huge hotel, so anyone seeking being pampered and made feel special (just because they're Diamond) won't find it here. The WA stands out from among generic Hhonors properties in NYC for us.
I could not agree more. In early August I am returning for 1 night only (yes, it is easy from Montreal) and it is always a trip down the memory lane.
I have ordered a movie Weekend at The Waldorf (1945) and actually enjoy once in a while to travel to a land of fantasy to escape the crazy world we live in. Like many said before, to each his own.
I have no advance expectations whatsoever. I prefer to avoid disappointment. If anything unexpected comes my way, it is an extra bonus and a pleasant surprise.
Cheers
