The Whitby NYC
May 22, 2024, 12:35 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,264
May 22, 2024, 12:39 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: DTW, IST, ESB
Programs: AF/KLM Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 440
Yes - I know what the Baccarat looks like. You're fully entitled to your opinion. For some of us though, that kind of interior is simply sublime - a perfect mix of the old european grandeur combined with modern style + design. To each their own, I guess? I haven't stayed at the Baccarat because I can't bring myself to pay for such indulgence!
May 22, 2024, 9:57 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 96
May 22, 2024, 10:05 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 96
I'm in Midtown every other month and I've stayed at those two the most, so they're my go-to. The new Michelin Keys designation made Baccarat a 1 key (which really should be a 2 key imo) and listed the 3 key hotels as Aman, Cipriani, Crosby Street, and Whitby. I was really surprised and I'm wondering if Firmdale had a hand in Crosby Street and Whitby getting such a high rating. Did they pay off Michelin or is it justified? The key rating is questionable in general (The Lowell got a key and it's gross). Fouquet's also got 2 keys and I would give that *maybe* 1. Baccarat is better than Fouquet's imo. I'm wondering if The Whitby deserves a high rating. The reviews are great but the rooms look very small compared to the base room at Aman or the grand classic level or above at Baccarat. The price point of The Whitby is similar to Baccarat and you need to book a Junior Suite or above to even get a tub. At Baccarat, there are a few Grand Classic rooms with tubs. I just cannot imagine it's on par with these hotels but I'm hoping I'm wrong because it would be nice to have more options for clean smaller hotels in Midtown.
May 22, 2024, 1:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,754
May 22, 2024, 2:41 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 96
Extremely dirty and dusty during our last stay. The vent in the bathroom was covered with dust as were all the surfaces in the room. The buttons on the phone were covered in grime. They remedied it and cleaned the room top to bottom when I complained and emailed photos to them, but it needs a full renovation. It was like staying in Grandma's attic with all of the dust. Our room had a "terrace" which was basically a wobbly walkout of broken masonry. All of the rooms are very dark. Our friends were traveling with us and I was embarrassed that I suggested it. I'm not a fan of dirty hotels, but I don't mind old hotels. I stayed in an unrenovated room at Plaza Athenee in Paris the next week and it was spotless. I will give The Lowell concierge his due. He was able to get some difficult reservations for us.
May 22, 2024, 3:38 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,589
We are moving away from Whitby, which I unfortunately can't say anything about either. But I can say one thing: how many Keys a hotel has in the Michelin is about as interesting to me as the average Instagram review. Absolutely no factor for me when booking.
May 22, 2024, 4:10 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 16
We just stayed there last month for a weekend Broadway stay and had a nice experience. The 2 rooms were clean and very spacious (Jr Suite and Superior Room).
Though the hotel is tucked on a quiet street, the Superior Rooms are on the 2nd floor so be aware of garbage pick up. I don't think my family member paid attention when booking, otherwise they would have preferred a higher floor. The hotel was sold out, so the option to upgrade even at cost wasn't available.
My Jr. Suite was on the 4th floor facing the street, but I had zero noise complaints.
Both of our rooms featured floor to ceiling windows which let in great natural light, but I can see how this may impact noise levels.
I believe there are only 6 rooms per floor so that also keeps the noise/ foot traffic down on the floors.
Turn down was simple. First night they left a pillow mist, water and a breakfast menu. The second night just water and the breakfast menu. I had requested ice (preferably crushed) during turn down in my pre- arrival email and I did receive both nights.
We did room service the first night and both mornings. Dinner food was just ok nothing too exciting, but we did like the chips and guacamole appetizer. Sadly, the wine was horrible for us both (Riesling and Pinot Noir), as we are oenophiles. A hotel of this caliber should have better quality wine.
Breakfast was the highlight for us both. Make sure you get the bacon, it's thick cut and crispy. The french toast and pancakes were great, and they will kindly make you an off menu waffle. The eggs were of good quality and even though unlisted came with potatoes (keep this in mind so you don't over order
Haven't tried the Baccarat or the Aman. We did a toss up of the Baccarat or The Whitby this trip and just went with the Whitby, so we plan to stay at Baccarat next time. From all of the Aman reviews, I am going to give it some time to gather it's footing before staying. The standard for us is The Mark, but I would not rank The Whitby and The Mark as equals by any means.
If anyone has a good way of sharing videos on this site, I'm happy to post a room tour.
Though the hotel is tucked on a quiet street, the Superior Rooms are on the 2nd floor so be aware of garbage pick up. I don't think my family member paid attention when booking, otherwise they would have preferred a higher floor. The hotel was sold out, so the option to upgrade even at cost wasn't available.
My Jr. Suite was on the 4th floor facing the street, but I had zero noise complaints.
Both of our rooms featured floor to ceiling windows which let in great natural light, but I can see how this may impact noise levels.
I believe there are only 6 rooms per floor so that also keeps the noise/ foot traffic down on the floors.
Turn down was simple. First night they left a pillow mist, water and a breakfast menu. The second night just water and the breakfast menu. I had requested ice (preferably crushed) during turn down in my pre- arrival email and I did receive both nights.
We did room service the first night and both mornings. Dinner food was just ok nothing too exciting, but we did like the chips and guacamole appetizer. Sadly, the wine was horrible for us both (Riesling and Pinot Noir), as we are oenophiles. A hotel of this caliber should have better quality wine.
Breakfast was the highlight for us both. Make sure you get the bacon, it's thick cut and crispy. The french toast and pancakes were great, and they will kindly make you an off menu waffle. The eggs were of good quality and even though unlisted came with potatoes (keep this in mind so you don't over order
Haven't tried the Baccarat or the Aman. We did a toss up of the Baccarat or The Whitby this trip and just went with the Whitby, so we plan to stay at Baccarat next time. From all of the Aman reviews, I am going to give it some time to gather it's footing before staying. The standard for us is The Mark, but I would not rank The Whitby and The Mark as equals by any means.
If anyone has a good way of sharing videos on this site, I'm happy to post a room tour.
May 22, 2024, 4:25 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 96
Have you stayed there recently? What was your experience? One of our favorite people at Aman used to work at The Whitby so I wonder if other hotels have poached their best people.
May 22, 2024, 4:32 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 96
We just stayed there last month for a weekend Broadway stay and had a nice experience. The 2 rooms were clean and very spacious (Jr Suite and Superior Room).
Though the hotel is tucked on a quiet street, the Superior Rooms are on the 2nd floor so be aware of garbage pick up. I don't think my family member paid attention when booking, otherwise they would have preferred a higher floor. The hotel was sold out, so the option to upgrade even at cost wasn't available.
My Jr. Suite was on the 4th floor facing the street, but I had zero noise complaints.
Both of our rooms featured floor to ceiling windows which let in great natural light, but I can see how this may impact noise levels.
I believe there are only 6 rooms per floor so that also keeps the noise/ foot traffic down on the floors.
Turn down was simple. First night they left a pillow mist, water and a breakfast menu. The second night just water and the breakfast menu. I had requested ice (preferably crushed) during turn down in my pre- arrival email and I did receive both nights.
We did room service the first night and both mornings. Dinner food was just ok nothing too exciting, but we did like the chips and guacamole appetizer. Sadly, the wine was horrible for us both (Riesling and Pinot Noir), as we are oenophiles. A hotel of this caliber should have better quality wine.
Breakfast was the highlight for us both. Make sure you get the bacon, it's thick cut and crispy. The french toast and pancakes were great, and they will kindly make you an off menu waffle. The eggs were of good quality and even though unlisted came with potatoes (keep this in mind so you don't over order
Haven't tried the Baccarat or the Aman. We did a toss up of the Baccarat or The Whitby this trip and just went with the Whitby, so we plan to stay at Baccarat next time. From all of the Aman reviews, I am going to give it some time to gather it's footing before staying. The standard for us is The Mark, but I would not rank The Whitby and The Mark as equals by any means.
If anyone has a good way of sharing videos on this site, I'm happy to post a room tour.
Though the hotel is tucked on a quiet street, the Superior Rooms are on the 2nd floor so be aware of garbage pick up. I don't think my family member paid attention when booking, otherwise they would have preferred a higher floor. The hotel was sold out, so the option to upgrade even at cost wasn't available.
My Jr. Suite was on the 4th floor facing the street, but I had zero noise complaints.
Both of our rooms featured floor to ceiling windows which let in great natural light, but I can see how this may impact noise levels.
I believe there are only 6 rooms per floor so that also keeps the noise/ foot traffic down on the floors.
Turn down was simple. First night they left a pillow mist, water and a breakfast menu. The second night just water and the breakfast menu. I had requested ice (preferably crushed) during turn down in my pre- arrival email and I did receive both nights.
We did room service the first night and both mornings. Dinner food was just ok nothing too exciting, but we did like the chips and guacamole appetizer. Sadly, the wine was horrible for us both (Riesling and Pinot Noir), as we are oenophiles. A hotel of this caliber should have better quality wine.
Breakfast was the highlight for us both. Make sure you get the bacon, it's thick cut and crispy. The french toast and pancakes were great, and they will kindly make you an off menu waffle. The eggs were of good quality and even though unlisted came with potatoes (keep this in mind so you don't over order
Haven't tried the Baccarat or the Aman. We did a toss up of the Baccarat or The Whitby this trip and just went with the Whitby, so we plan to stay at Baccarat next time. From all of the Aman reviews, I am going to give it some time to gather it's footing before staying. The standard for us is The Mark, but I would not rank The Whitby and The Mark as equals by any means.
If anyone has a good way of sharing videos on this site, I'm happy to post a room tour.
May 22, 2024, 5:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 16
Thank you for the review. Do you think The Mark is better than The Whitby? I've never stayed at The Mark but I had an unmemorable meal there once. Baccarat got too busy and service had become impersonal, but I really love the Prestige Suite category there. I'll go back eventually but it's fun to try new places. Aman grows on you after a few couple of stays. The hard product is the best in the city; there are service issues anywhere in NYC.
I'm open to staying at TW again, and I'm looking forward to staying at the Baccarat for a future comparison.
I find that my weekend trips to NYC have lessened over the past few years in favor of trips to CA and AZ. Depending what my holiday season this year or what events/ shows catch my interest next year, I may get to to Aman sooner than expected.
May 23, 2024, 1:49 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,589
May 23, 2024, 3:18 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 220
Thank you for the review. Do you think The Mark is better than The Whitby? I've never stayed at The Mark but I had an unmemorable meal there once. Baccarat got too busy and service had become impersonal, but I really love the Prestige Suite category there. I'll go back eventually but it's fun to try new places. Aman grows on you after a few couple of stays. The hard product is the best in the city; there are service issues anywhere in NYC.
The new Corinthia (formerly the Surrey) will open sometime this summer, if you can wait. Was heartbroken they closed Cafe Boulud down but the previous hotel (Surrey) was old and sort of run-down so hopefully the new one will be better.
