The Lowell King would just side in under 800$ budget... and with a 2 year old that is a small room IMHO. Jr. Suite would be best at Lowell, also with Fireplace. I think you should add The Surrey to your list as they have a good family promotion via Virtuoso for Ultra Deluxe with a connector. Will give you more like 1000SQ feet of space for perhaps a touch over your budget. Under budget you can do a Grand Deluxe Salon with fireplace.

The Carlyle is also a possible choice. Their suites have good rates for January right now. Confirmed Upgrades are already possible for Q1

I'm sure some of the hotels already mentioned with also launch Q1 promos sometime in November (3rd night free, confirmed upgrades etc).

I usually stay at FS. Gave the Peninsula a try two weeks ago but FS still better.
I hear the SETAI is quite nice. Seems similar to MO product.

Thanks for the bit of feedback received so far. Curious about a few properties:

1. Four Seasons. It's supposed to be the epitome of the Four Seasons brand in North America (at least with respect to city hotels), but the website makes it seem like the rooms are very bland and boring, while the price point is approaching George V levels. If I am used to the George V / Hualalai / Tented Camp level of service, will I be disappointed at FS NYC?

2. Mandarin Oriental. I've had pleasant stays at MO's in other cities, but I rarely hear anything about the NY property.

3. Peninsula. Really loved my experience at Pen BKK and Tokyo, but I didn't think Chicago was that great. I've heard NY isn't their best property...should it be avoided?

4. Lowell. Andrew Harper seems so overly enthusiastic about this property that it's borderline silly. What's so special about it?

lowell and trump have been most consistent here
new consistent so far are greenwich and mark

The Setai is indeed nice, especially the suites (like in every hotel). But it´s not something special, it´s just a good modern hotel with good service. MO should be their flaggship in North America, I booked it for next year. I don´t know FS but after a look on the room at tripadviser/ oyster I wasn´t really impressed. It looks like a good Intercontinental for me.

Can't comment on others mentioned but while I liked MONY ' hardware ', the service - particularly front office , ( lounge for tea ) & team ' downstairs ' - is not what you expect in Asia or at MOSF . Perhaps if they read this they might step things up

It would be a bit more than $800 per night, but one choice that comes to mind are the Deluxe Junior Suites at the Lowell. Some of these have terraces, and two have fireplaces (one Deluxe Junior has both fireplace and terrace). At 600 square feet they should comfortably accommodate two adults and a child.

At 600 square metersI would hope so!


Just poking fun. I asked around a group of French friends in town last night and the Lowell consistently came up as their favorite NYC property.

:p sorry about that.

The Lowell is one of my favorite NYC properties, and definitely my favorite within the category of smaller/boutique hotels.

My other favorites are the Four Seasons and The Peninsula (Junior Suite and above).

Really? I think it´s too small for two;)

1. FS rooms are bland - I find it a thoroughly uninspiring FS.
2. MO has great rooms, and is a real skyscraper hotel. Service is not super, though - and you are in a big mall.
3. Peninsula - OK, but probably one of the weakest hotels in the chain. Chicago still better.
4. Lowell - very nice service and very intimate. But seriously blue rinse crowd, and it is a bit fuddy duddy. Which kind of fits the Harper guides.

MO has great rooms and nice lobby scene with views of Central Park. Best feature is the full length lap pool. Yes, it is over a big "mall" but the upside is easy access to (relatively) cheaper eats if you're just looking for something light.

I have been to the Peninsula 4 or 5 times over the last 6 years, most recently in July. It has definitely slipped since that first visit, especially with respect to some of the in-room extras like fruit and water and the staff in the spa and restaurant. But I would not say it is to be avoided. The rooms themselves are still top notch, the location is great, and the afternoon tea in the Gotham Lounge is the best in the chain IMO (at least compared to Hong Kong and Chicago),

I've always enjoyed the Trump across the street from the MO more than the MO, mainly due to the cold service at the MO. Also, the room I had at the MO had a tiny bedroom in order to have a huge bathroom which may be what a lot of people prefer, but not me.

Good info, thanks. That confirms my suspicions about the FS. I was actually disappointed by Peninsula Chicago, so if you say Chicago is better I am definitely avoiding the NYC property.

Funny...I had to look up the "blue rinse" reference. Does that mean I am too young to stay at Lowell? LOL :D

I have always found Pen NY to be very impersonal, and I am a fan of the chain generally. The times I have stayed there, Chicago was better.

I guess I have to be careful about ageism - the fact that the crowd seems older obviously doesn't mean that people shouldn't stay there. But wow - having breakfast in the dining room is like eating at your Granny's - which is interesting. I have had very nice stays there in any event.

FWIW, I just spoke to my Virtuoso / FSPP agent and she sent me the complete STAR reports* for all partner properties in NYC. All reports have been updated within the last 6 months, I believe. Some are as new as last month.

According to the STAR reports, she said only 3 hotels are rated as "SUPER-STARS" in NYC:

- Carlyle (Supposedly this is the top choice of royalty, movie stars, and captains of industry who desire ultimate service combined with ultimate privacy in a residential-style setting).

- Crosby Street (interestingly, this is the only 4-STAR property that received "SUPER STAR" status. They also said it is the "Best townhouse-hotel in Manhattan". My agent is very keen on this property as well.

- FS NY



Other "5-STAR" properties that belong to Virtuoso or another "premium" marketing program offered by my agent:

- The London
- MO NY
- NY Palace
- Pierre
- Pen
- RC CP
- St Regis
- Waldorf Towers
- Trump Soho

4-STAR properties:
- Setai (though it has only 4-STARs, my agent is very keen on this property)
- Plaza Athenee

If anyone wants more detailed reviews, I can share privately. Due to the copyright and subscription-only nature of the STAR reviews I would not feel comfortable posting them publicly.

*For those not familiar with STAR reports, they are a product of Smith Travel Research. Acronym stands for Smith Travel Accommodation Reports. The number of stars does not necessarily correlate to the traditional AAA, Mobil, or World Tourism Organization travel ratings. They supposedly use empirical unbiased data to produce scientific reports on hotel performance. They take that data and combine it with TRAVEL AGENT reviews. Supposedly, they don't use lay guest reviews and therefore the reviews are supposed to be more thoughtful and evenly judged than Tripadvisor or other sites. I can't explain how they do it, but my Virtuoso agent claims the reports have never steered her wrong; she trusts them unfailingly.

no trump international is extremely odd
no lowell is somewhat odd
greenwich opened apr 2008 and is virtuoso/visa/LHW/FHR/MrMrsSmith
mark reopened jul 2009 - before crosby street, trump soho, setai (setai/capella is becoming langham)

the unique thing about this forum is that there is context and discussion

Really, MO has good rooms and nice lobby.

No offence intended to any agents - but I have more trust in user reviews by thoughtful guests (not TripAdvisor admittedly).

Good point- this being said guests choosing the Carlyle, Crosby Street, or the FS NY will have little to complain about (except perhaps the size of the bill ;))

Has anyone stayed at The Chatwal? I have a reservation there next week. I picked it over the Setai.

There is a Master Thread about it over on the SPG page:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...er-thread.html

Thanks. I have it booked for a 1br suite. I may keep the reservation, but I just realized the Setai has suite nights - Buy 1, get 1 if you will.

The Peninsula is running Suite Life again, and this time the offer includes breakfast. I think this is one of the best values in the city.

Executive suite $2200 (Effectively $1100 per night)
Deluxe suite $3800 (Effectively $1900 per night)

Same for St Regis 1904 promotion (first night at BAR, second at 4 $) which gives a grand suite for 1800$ per night:)

I don´t know the Chatwal, but stayed at Setai before. Nice modern Suites and really good service. Nice restaurant

Maybe I will switch to the Setai. The Chatwal has mixed reviews on the SPG forum. The Setai looks a bit better, and they are giving half off suites (effective rate).

setai (capella) becomes langham in january

well i switched from the chatwal to setai. Mainly because the Ai Fiori has a real nice thanksgiving menu. I booked an Empire Suite but they soft blocked a room with a 5 Ave View so I can see the parade.

I'm in NYC right now. I'm currently in a deluxe suite at the st Regis (my favorite hotel in NYC). I'm a huge fan of the st regis and have stayed here 1-2 times/year for the last 7 years. After 4 nights here at the st Regis with the wife and kids, however, I actually miss not having a kitchen. So I'm moving to the Setai tonight as well in a suite taking advantage of the deal giving a free night for every paid night. It was a tough call between a club room at RCCP and the site at the setai. I opted for the extra space and kitchen, considering the family's needs.

I've stayed at the setai recently - love the hard product - can't comment too much on the soft product. The Setai feels like having a luxury apartment in the city. After so much travel, I've become quite self-sufficient I fending for my own needs, do the soft product matters less - although it's nice having a butler bring pressed coffee every morning complimentary.

Anyway, just so the OP knows, the parade tomorrow runs along 6th av, not 5th av., so no view of it from the Setai.

Thanks for the response. I also took advantage of that offer.
I will be heading there shortly as they called to tell me my room is ready and I am able to check in anytime.
Nice touch.

link/details for 2nd nt free at setai?

I am in a 1br city suite now. It is a good room, with a kitchen and washer / dryer. I have to admit, I used the washer to do some wash.

And the deal is directly on the Setai website. It is for suite bookings only unfortunately. I got a $1900/night room for roughly $848 a night+ tax (2 night minimum)

On a side note,the bar at the R-C Cp is open and Norman's on duty and in great form tonight! What an old style professional and so good!

They got expensive! It wasn´t such a big deal in March. I had the most expensive 1 Bedroom Suite (this time, now they have new categories) and paid less with 1 night on purchase rate and 3 nights on stay 3 pay 2. 1900 per night was an absolute moon-price.

I do think that rate is BAR. Not sure
Anyway, this is a very nice place though most people seem unsure about the future .

what day in january does management change?

Would appreciate advice on a trip for 5 nts in April

Going with a friend who hasn't been to NY. Only requirements are two beds in the room and mid-town or above. Between The London 2br for $800 and MO standard room for $550, which would you suggest? My friend isn't into shopping--other than a quick jaunt--I think she wants to spend most of the time doing things.

Other hotel suggestions in the price range $500-1000 would be appreciated.

The 14 of January.
All the hotel staff seem to be a bit indecisive over the future direction of the hotel.

What are the main differneces between Capella and Langham chain?

Would anyone have any quick recommendations for a great NYC spot for travelling with a 6 year old? I'm just looking for a room, not a suite and currently the peninsula or the MO has my attention. Am I looking in the wrong spots? Planning on showing the boy all the touristy spots.