Westin Grand Central, NYC [Master Thread]
May 2, 2011, 4:43 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG Platinum, UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Club Presidents Circle
Posts: 317
I can't help either. I had a reservation booked here for last weekend at my corporate rate, and decided to bail and go to the Westin Times Square on C&P.
May 4, 2011, 4:04 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gateway City
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum
Posts: 12
First time poster, long time lurker.
I tried the Helmsley last week for a 2-night stay. Observations:
- Front desk staff still not Starwood-educated. No amenity. No welcome. A bit overwhelmed.
- As configured, I was told there are only 4 suites. None available for me at check-in. Perhaps more suites will be built in during renovation.
- Staff very friendly, appeared to be looking forward to the new sheriff in town.
- Good restaurant, better than what i was expecting.
- Rooms and lobby in big need of upgrade to achieve Westin brand standard. But not horrible. I paid about $260 which I thought was fair.
In the end, about what I was expecting. Needs some TLC and focus on SPG practices.
I tried the Helmsley last week for a 2-night stay. Observations:
- Front desk staff still not Starwood-educated. No amenity. No welcome. A bit overwhelmed.
- As configured, I was told there are only 4 suites. None available for me at check-in. Perhaps more suites will be built in during renovation.
- Staff very friendly, appeared to be looking forward to the new sheriff in town.
- Good restaurant, better than what i was expecting.
- Rooms and lobby in big need of upgrade to achieve Westin brand standard. But not horrible. I paid about $260 which I thought was fair.
In the end, about what I was expecting. Needs some TLC and focus on SPG practices.
May 5, 2011, 3:22 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
First time poster, long time lurker.
I tried the Helmsley last week for a 2-night stay. Observations:
- Front desk staff still not Starwood-educated. No amenity. No welcome. A bit overwhelmed.
- As configured, I was told there are only 4 suites. None available for me at check-in. Perhaps more suites will be built in during renovation.
- Staff very friendly, appeared to be looking forward to the new sheriff in town.
- Good restaurant, better than what i was expecting.
- Rooms and lobby in big need of upgrade to achieve Westin brand standard. But not horrible. I paid about $260 which I thought was fair.
In the end, about what I was expecting. Needs some TLC and focus on SPG practices.
I tried the Helmsley last week for a 2-night stay. Observations:
- Front desk staff still not Starwood-educated. No amenity. No welcome. A bit overwhelmed.
- As configured, I was told there are only 4 suites. None available for me at check-in. Perhaps more suites will be built in during renovation.
- Staff very friendly, appeared to be looking forward to the new sheriff in town.
- Good restaurant, better than what i was expecting.
- Rooms and lobby in big need of upgrade to achieve Westin brand standard. But not horrible. I paid about $260 which I thought was fair.
In the end, about what I was expecting. Needs some TLC and focus on SPG practices.
May 25, 2011, 9:23 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
I'm here now for one night. I was able to score an upgrade to a "Premium Room" which are the newly renovated rooms good size on the top floors --- I'm on 38th. I love it --- but minibar not stocked and no offer to carry bags to the room (which I don't mind but seems odd). Anyway for $289+tax I can't complain. I'd definitely stay here again.
Jun 19, 2011, 3:42 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
I stayed here earlier this month, it was clear the whole SPG thing was new. That said they did recognize me as Plat, offered amenity and I got a nice room that looked to be referbed.
I did have a couple complaints though
1) my flight to JFK was horribly delayed and I got into JFK a bit after 4AM, I had been traveling nonstop the last few weeks and had nothing but a blank stare to offer the taxi driver when asked where to. Simple enough I phoned the Plat line to ask where I was staying and found out the hotel had canceled my reservation as a no-show, sorry but guaranteed for late arrival used to mean something, they were able to sort it out on the drive but still at checkin it took 20mins and the supervisor to get me checked in.
2) no water, ANYWHERE. I'm used to getting at least a bottle of water in my room for free but have no problem paying the $4-$8 for some water when I get back. Well at this hotel you're out of luck as there is no water at all, not even to pay for let alone a free one.
I did have a couple complaints though
1) my flight to JFK was horribly delayed and I got into JFK a bit after 4AM, I had been traveling nonstop the last few weeks and had nothing but a blank stare to offer the taxi driver when asked where to. Simple enough I phoned the Plat line to ask where I was staying and found out the hotel had canceled my reservation as a no-show, sorry but guaranteed for late arrival used to mean something, they were able to sort it out on the drive but still at checkin it took 20mins and the supervisor to get me checked in.
2) no water, ANYWHERE. I'm used to getting at least a bottle of water in my room for free but have no problem paying the $4-$8 for some water when I get back. Well at this hotel you're out of luck as there is no water at all, not even to pay for let alone a free one.
Jun 19, 2011, 6:02 pm
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
How can they get away with having no sink? And not being able to take a shower or perform bodily functions isn't my idea of a good hotel either.
I'm totally amazed at how big a business (and general waste) bottled water is. As long as I'm in a developed country, tap water is just fine for me.
I'm totally amazed at how big a business (and general waste) bottled water is. As long as I'm in a developed country, tap water is just fine for me.
Jun 19, 2011, 6:51 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Sep 10, 2011, 11:57 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
Sep 24, 2011, 5:37 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chevy Chase, MD, USA
Posts: 12
Construction Noise/Poor Customer Service
My wife and I checked in last night. Loud drilling on 42nd street below began around 11 p.m. and continued past 3 a.m.-felt like we were in the middle of a construction zone. Loudest noise I've ever heard during a hotel stay, and neither of us could sleep. Around 2 a.m. I inquired with front desk manager about moving to another room for my 2nd and 3rd night stays. He said no other rooms available for duration of my stay (though lots of availability on spg.com) and GM not available to discuss until Monday (day of my departure). With intervention of SPG plat concierge this morning, we have the possibility of moving to another room, but no guarantee on noise level. Have purchased and will use earplugs tonight! So, noisiest room ever + poor customer service = won't return.
Sep 24, 2011, 10:08 pm
#57
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,194
My wife and I checked in last night. Loud drilling on 42nd street below began around 11 p.m. and continued past 3 a.m.-felt like we were in the middle of a construction zone. Loudest noise I've ever heard during a hotel stay, and neither of us could sleep. Around 2 a.m. I inquired with front desk manager about moving to another room for my 2nd and 3rd night stays. He said no other rooms available for duration of my stay (though lots of availability on spg.com) and GM not available to discuss until Monday (day of my departure). With intervention of SPG plat concierge this morning, we have the possibility of moving to another room, but no guarantee on noise level. Have purchased and will use earplugs tonight! So, noisiest room ever + poor customer service = won't return.
Sep 28, 2011, 11:07 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood Plat, Star G, HH Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 220
Just completed a 4 night stay. I was a bit nervous given the recent reviews, but for $260 all in I figured I would chance it. I called when I booked to ask if I could be out on a premium floor, and they said no problem.
My take aways:
Rooms decent if you get a good price under $300 would be my range and a premium room
I like the Murray Hill location
Staff is slightly inept and rude, but hey you cant win them all
I would stay there again, but would only be high on my list if on a budget (or this case participating I 3x points)
My take aways:
Rooms decent if you get a good price under $300 would be my range and a premium room
I like the Murray Hill location
Staff is slightly inept and rude, but hey you cant win them all
I would stay there again, but would only be high on my list if on a budget (or this case participating I 3x points)
Sep 29, 2011, 11:39 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA UGS, SPG Plat.
Posts: 69
Quality of Rooms?
Are the renovated rooms bad? Do you think that this hotel will be a category 5 next year once all of the rooms have been renovated? I'm heading to NYC in November and do not plan to be in the room that much but don't want to stay in a dive. Any thoughts from recent travelers? Thanks!
Oct 5, 2011, 10:07 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood Plat, Star G, HH Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 220
Are the renovated rooms bad? Do you think that this hotel will be a category 5 next year once all of the rooms have been renovated? I'm heading to NYC in November and do not plan to be in the room that much but don't want to stay in a dive. Any thoughts from recent travelers? Thanks!
We were told all the rooms, even the updated rooms, were going to be updated again before the rebranding.