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Originally Posted by mplflyer
(Post 30214246)
Regarding the “destination fee”, they are now VERY clear on what it covers and give you a card that clearly itemizes the benefits and that they are “daily”. |
Is the daily 25 food and beverage credit from the destination fee cumulative? E.g. for multi-day stays can I spend the credit for the entire stay (or multiple days worth) at one time or is it a daily limit of up to $25/day food and beverage credit (and you lose the $25 if you don't spend it that day)?
--Jon |
Originally Posted by mplflyer
(Post 30214246)
We used the $25 daily food and bev credit for room service for morning coffee ( nice to not have to get dressed to get lounge coffee first thing). |
The credits are not cumulative. |
Here right now
live in NY Very disappointing 60 000 points And to think I did not do Ritz Carlton at same 60 000 points will post greater details 1 after check out 2 from a real keyboard not a tiny Droid phone Absurd Thanksgiving policies you'd think the the hotel Never had mid 90 percent capacity before |
Originally Posted by writetorich
(Post 30455099)
Here right now
live in NY Very disappointing 60 000 points And to think I did not do Ritz Carlton at same 60 000 points will post greater details 1 after check out 2 from a real keyboard not a tiny Droid phone Absurd Thanksgiving policies you'd think the the hotel Never had mid 90 percent capacity before I’m LPP with ambassador and got a “welcome” email from the property basically stating don’t even ask for an upgrade and detailing the restrictions on Thanksgiving Day. That email was very off putting so we made a last minute decision to move properties. Sounds like that was a good call. |
Originally Posted by jthomps
(Post 30460176)
Interested to hear about your experience. I had two rooms booked here for the parade and made a last minute descision to move to the Courtyard Herald Square when availability opened up at that property. I’m LPP with ambassador and got a “welcome” email from the property basically stating don’t even ask for an upgrade and detailing the restrictions on Thanksgiving Day. That email was very off putting so we made a last minute decision to move properties. Sounds like that was a good call. |
Originally Posted by hockeyinsider
(Post 30461128)
Can you post the email with any necessary redactions?
I am LTPP with Ambassador. I had three rooms for the parade using points. Here is my letter from the hotel. "Greetings, The JW Marriott Essex House New York is SO excited to have you and your family with us for the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday. I am writing to reconfirm your SOUTHGATE Bar & Restaurant Thanksgiving 2018 breakfast table for 5 attendees. Please know that breakfast will open at 8:30 AM and conclude at 11 AM. Your bracelet access will be available starting at 8:30 AM. Please know that the parade will begin to pass by the hotel around 8:50 AM – 9 AM. Please let me know the first and last names and ages of everyone in your party. I will be registering everyone in your room to your reservation and I will also be working toward a welcome gift surprise! Attached is our Thanksgiving 2018 Guide, which highlights hotel food & beverage outlet information, balloon inflation, hotel amenities and more! Please note that the Executive Lounge will be closed after breakfast on Thanksgiving Eve and on Thanksgiving Day. On days the lounge is open, Platinum Marriott Rewards® members and one additional guest have exclusive access to the lounge. Kindly keep in mind that Platinum member will need to be present in order to gain access to the lounge. Please also let me know if you have any special requests or needs! If you have any further questions, please call me directly at 212-484-XXXX. I am so excited at the opportunity to take care of you and your family and have you all experience the magic of an Essex House Thanksgiving! Best, XXXX" My wife and adult kids agreed that this hotel is a level below a luxury property. We had a good experience in line with our expectations. The staff was very friendly and service is good. |
The hotel did reach out to me via phone as well. The person explained the hotel was nearly full and that they would try to get us an upgrade. We did receive a one room class upgrade on one of our rooms.
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Here’s the email that I got. We decided to move to the Courtyard Herald Square. They were charging $500/adult and $200/child for breakfast in the second floor lobby overlooking 6th Avenue. We had two rooms/3 adults and 2 kids; we did not partake. We did; however, receive an upgrade to a room fronting 6th Avenue and had a view of 6th and the turn onto 34th! Good Afternoon, Thank you for choosing to stay at the JW Marriott Essex House hotel for Thanksgiving 2018! We are looking forward to a wonderful holiday season including a spectacular Thanksgiving Day Parade, invigorating Black Friday shopping, and a joyous weekend here in NYC. Below is a list of FAQs in regards to Thanksgiving, booking, rooms, etc. that will help you in planning your stay. · Are there special viewing areas for JW Marriott guests? We do not have any complimentary special viewing areas for hotel guests either inside or outside of the hotel. There are no areas in front of the hotel to stand as the New York City Police are there to keep the sidewalk traffic moving. If you would like a view of the parade you will need to purchase one of our parade-view rooms or parade-view breakfast tables in our restaurant. Parade-View breakfast tables are currently sold out. · Where are the best places for public viewing of the parade? If you are not booking a parade view option at our hotel, according to the official parade website the best places are Columbus Circle, Central Park West, 6th Avenue, or 34 th Street. **Helpful tip - Crowds form as early as 6:00am along the route to secure a space to see the parade. There are no public restrooms along the parade route. Folding chairs and blankets are not suggested. Do not forget your room key for re-entry to the hotel. · Will any complimentary upgrades be available over Thanksgiving? Even for Platinums? We appreciate your loyalty to Marriott, but we are predicted to sell out for this special occasion so complimentary upgrades unfortunately are not likely. If you would like a specific room we highly recommend you book that room in advance. Parade-view rooms are not eligible for any upgrade as they are considered a special-event room category. There are a select few rooms that are still available for purchase in our ‘Parade View Room’ Category. If you are interested in having a parade-view guest room, please contact [email protected] for updated pricing. · Are there any other Food & Beverage outlet restrictions I may need to know about? Please know that for the morning of Thanksgiving 2018 from 7 AM – 11 AM, room service orders must be pre-ordered by 8 PM on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Please see Page 4 of our Thanksgiving Holiday guide and email to Jennifer at [email protected]. · Do you have Rollaway Beds? We do indeed. Rollaway beds will be $75 per night. Please let us know in advance as extra beds are limited. · Are there any discounts on the parade view rooms, such as AAA, Senior Citizen, Marriott Rewards, etc.? We do not have any type of discount on our parade-view rooms, and Marriott Rewards Points are not eligible to be redeemed for parade-view rooms. · Do you have any connecting rooms available to a parade view room? Our parade-view rooms do not have connecting rooms to them. If you require additional space, we suggest booking one of our parade-view suite options, or you can book a non-parade-view room down the hall from your parade-view room. Pricing for non-parade-view rooms is available on our website, or by calling reservations at 888-236-2427. All suites in our hotel have pull-out sofa beds in the living room, or rollaway beds are available for an additional $75 per night (must be requested in advance). Our standard rooms do not have pull-out sofa beds. · Will the Executive Lounge be open on the holiday? The Executive Lounge for our Platinum guests will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We will be serving coffee and hot chocolate, however, starting at 5:30am on the morning of the Parade. On the days the lounge is open the Platinum and ONE additional guest + children will have access to the lounge. · Will there be street closures because of the holiday? Yes, surrounding streets including Central Park South will be closed starting at 6AM on Thanksgiving Day until about 3PM. · Are the bleachers across from the hotel available for guests? No, those bleachers are reserved for Macy’s clients and are unaffiliated with the hotel. · What restaurants do you recommend for Thanksgiving Dinner? Our Southgate Bar & Restaurant will be hosting a Thanksgiving Buffet from 3pm – 8pm for $145 per person, and $75 per child under 12. If you wish to explore options outside the hotel, please contact our concierge at [email protected] Thank you, |
I'm sure Marriott would back the property, but I don't know if a plain reading of the loyalty program terms and conditions allows the property in question to exclude non-suite rooms from a complimentary upgrade if at the time of check-in one of those so-called parade view rooms was unsold.
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The email seems pretty straightforward to me and lays things out nicely with info most would need to know, even if they don't like the answers. What sort of issue did you have with it?
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Originally Posted by swintec
(Post 30464046)
The email seems pretty straightforward to me and lays things out nicely with info most would need to know, even if they don't like the answers. What sort of issue did you have with it?
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Originally Posted by hockeyinsider
(Post 30464117)
Maybe closing the executive lounge thereby denying eligible elite status customers a complimentary breakfast, as this is one of the properties exempted from having to provide a complimentary breakfast in the restaurant when the lounge is closed. Don't forget: This property doesn't have coffeemakers in guest rooms either. So no lounge = no coffee.
I'm inclined to give them a pass here since they also don't need to be open on weekends either but they still are the rest of the year so they still go above and beyond what's needed. |
Originally Posted by swintec
(Post 30464046)
The email seems pretty straightforward to me and lays things out nicely with info most would need to know, even if they don't like the answers. What sort of issue did you have with it?
The Parade obviously presents substantial challenges for the hotel's management, and they're just trying to deal with the crowds and manage guest expectations. I'm sure it's based on years of experience dealing with guests who come in with unrealistic expectations. |
Originally Posted by swintec
(Post 30464046)
The email seems pretty straightforward to me and lays things out nicely with info most would need to know, even if they don't like the answers. What sort of issue did you have with it?
Originally Posted by Kacee
(Post 30464268)
Agreed.
The Parade obviously presents substantial challenges for the hotel's management, and they're just trying to deal with the crowds and manage guest expectations. I'm sure it's based on years of experience dealing with guests who come in with unrealistic expectations. Also, this hotel, while on the exempt list for weekend opening/1,000 points instead, still has the exec lounge open on weekends. Cheers. |
Originally Posted by swintec
(Post 30464046)
The email seems pretty straightforward to me and lays things out nicely with info most would need to know, even if they don't like the answers. What sort of issue did you have with it?
Due to the property’s straightforward and clear email I chose to cancel and book elsewhere. That turned out to be a very good choice for me. |
Originally Posted by jthomps
(Post 30464784)
This email made it very clear to expect no amenities to enjoy the parade without paying up to a park facing room, which was going for $1,600+ per night with a 3 night minimum. |
The lounge was closed one day. Coffee etc was available before 8:30 AM on Thursday. Bottles of water were available if you went to the front desk & asked. The lounge was open on Friday & operating on their weekend hours. I was offered a credit to give up lounge access for Friday, Saturday & Sunday. I accepted the credit because I had my wife and kids. I did not want to exclude part of my group from the lounge. If someone was concerned about missing Thursday breakfast, I am confident that the hotel would have offered a credit for room service. The only thing is that room service order would have had to be submitted on Wednesday because of the holiday. |
Originally Posted by andrewstahl
(Post 30465240)
The lounge was closed one day. Coffee etc was available before 8:30 AM on Thursday. Bottles of water were available if you went to the front desk & asked. The lounge was open on Friday & operating on their weekend hours. I was offered a credit to give up lounge access for Friday, Saturday & Sunday. I accepted the credit because I had my wife and kids. I did not want to exclude part of my group from the lounge. If someone was concerned about missing Thursday breakfast, I am confident that the hotel would have offered a credit for room service. The only thing is that room service order would have had to be submitted on Wednesday because of the holiday. |
The lounge was closed on Thanksgiving because the hotel sells a parade view breakfast package in the restaurant. It appears that the lounge buffet food area is the same space used by the restaurant. During normal lounge operation, the buffet area has access from both the restaurant & the lounge. For Thanksgiving, the hotel closed off lounge access so breakfast package customers are the only ones allowed. Otherwise, I would expect that some lounge guests would try to get access to inside parade viewing without paying for it. I don’t see anything wrong with how the hotel handled Thanksgiving. In my opinion, the hotel treated Thanksgiving no differently than several of the other NYC hotels. Also, I’m confident that many NYC hotels charge a premium for New Year Ball Drop view rooms. |
Originally Posted by hockeyinsider
(Post 30465762)
There is no reason to close the lounge, unless you want your guests to buy-up into the expensive breakfast-with-a-view scheme.
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Originally Posted by andrewstahl
(Post 30465800)
Also, I’m confident that many NYC hotels charge a premium for New Year Ball Drop view rooms. |
Marriott apologist? I'd like to order an omelette. room service.
Originally Posted by Kacee
(Post 30464268)
Agreed.
The Parade obviously presents substantial challenges for the hotel's management, and they're just trying to deal with the crowds and manage guest expectations. I'm sure it's based on years of experience dealing with guests who come in with unrealistic expectations. Hotels are running mid 90's % occupancy and sometimes even 100% . I could not even order an omelette and the children's menu for room service was removed as an option. The knob on the bathtub fell off. underwhelmed by staff , polish etc. The room was dated and tiny. Expectations??? I'd like to order an omelette for breakfast. I'd like not to be condescended to with the verbiage on the printed collateral. They need it outside vendor to write their "instructions" , "edicts" and "rules" that guests must follow. Expectations??? I do not expect to eat ala carte normal pricing at a parade view table. But why close the Executive lounge? ( It is interior space) and why not offer the standard fare on the room service menu. Stayed at the Hay -Adams in Washington DC July 4 th .and I did not expect roof access for fireworks, I appreciate that "special events" priced at a premium. But except for the special pricing at the parade view dining tables, everything else was wrong. And guests were not offered a discount over non guests, So let me get this straight High room rates. High occupancy. And the executive lounge is closed for breakfast.? seems if you wanted to streamline the non price gauging dining, put a few aluminum trays of gross eggs and some fruit and golds and higher won't tax room service. Oh and speaking of room service , fruit juice was in tiny generic brand bottles. So much for fresh squeezed! It was like a nice Garden Inn. Am I a child "don't forget to bring your room key" ... |
I might be wrong but I think the lounge was interior or mostly interior space
QUOTE=hockeyinsider;30465988]Charging a premium for market demand is one thing. Restricting benefits is something altogether differently. There's nothing in Marriott's terms and conditions, which admittedly contain wiggle room, that allow for a denial or restriction of benefits because of a special event. They could have easily used a meeting room or ballroom for a makeshift lounge.[/QUOTE]
Denying someone a "free" lounge " breakfast will not entice anyone to pay the breakfast parade prices. Either you are interested in that or not. I did not begrudge the Hay Adams for charging for access to what management felt were designated "fireworks viewing areas. We simply went outside of the hotel to The Mall to watch the fireworks. |
We had a recent rewards stay (Nov. 15-20) at the Essex House. Were given a park view room (lower floor) and the Executive Lounge was available to us every time/every day we checked (for coffee, breakfast, snacks/drinks, and cocktails). We used the $25 destination fee to offset our bar bill (hotel bar) every night. Worked for us.
This is an iconic hotel in the best location. We did need to interact with the day manager once and he was very helpful. And the Concierge emailed me a day earlier asking if we wanted to attend (free) the NY POPs dress rehearsal at Carnegie Hall (we didn't). |
Does anyone know if the lounge is open on the weekends for breakfast? Also, will they waive the destination fee for Plat. Premier? Can you get an upgrade her and how big are the rooms?
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the bottom line on the destination fee
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d4cc895495.jpg
Essex House destination fee guide I'm just wrapping up a week long stay (travel package) and can now share the definitive guide to their destination fee. It is available on request from the front desk. Make sure that you store this documentation out of sight in your room, because if you leave it on the desk the housecleaning staff will remove it! Also make sure to ask for daily laundry bags and forms, otherwise these will not be replaced by the cleaning staff and you won't be able to make full use of the laundry benefit. The hotel barmen will try and pass of their pre-mixed Manhattan as "the best Manhattan in Manhattan". It isn't, and if you stand your ground and demand that it be mixed in front of you with Woodford, then you will have one (and only one) decent drink per night covered at the bar. |
Originally Posted by transportprof
(Post 30595640)
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d4cc895495.jpg
Essex House destination fee guide I'm just wrapping up a week long stay (travel package) and can now share the definitive guide to their destination fee. It is available on request from the front desk. Make sure that you store this documentation out of sight in your room, because if you leave it on the desk the housecleaning staff will remove it! Also make sure to ask for daily laundry bags and forms, otherwise these will not be replaced by the cleaning staff and you won't be able to make full use of the laundry benefit. The hotel barmen will try and pass of their pre-mixed Manhattan as "the best Manhattan in Manhattan". It isn't, and if you stand your ground and demand that it be mixed in front of you with Woodford, then you will have one (and only one) decent drink per night covered at the bar. I was going to book a similarly sized event at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, but they refused to waive the destination/resort fee. They wouldn't even deduct say $10 a day for the internet and telephone calls, both of which are complimentary by virtue of elite status. As a result, they lost my business. |
Scanned the threads today and noticed that everyone recommends the St. Regis over the JW Marriott Essex House / Ritz New York. However, the St. Regis isn't taking points redemptions for my nights in May =/ So I'm left with JW Marriott vs. Ritz New York. This is a trip for my parents and I just want them to be comfortable (they're scared of big cities; ironic that they're going to New York, but they want to see a couple broadway shows) so I'll be using points for them so they have a little bigger room in these properties than what's normal in New York hotel rooms.
Things they appreciate: 1. The lounge (weekday trip so I expect lounges to be open vs. closed on weekends) 2. Views (Mom's a big view person) 3. Space Based on this thread, leaning toward the JW Marriott Essex House. Should I be looking at the Ritz instead? |
Originally Posted by laxmillenial
(Post 30620715)
Scanned the threads today and noticed that everyone recommends the St. Regis over the JW Marriott Essex House / Ritz New York. However, the St. Regis isn't taking points redemptions for my nights in May =/ So I'm left with JW Marriott vs. Ritz New York. This is a trip for my parents and I just want them to be comfortable (they're scared of big cities; ironic that they're going to New York, but they want to see a couple broadway shows) so I'll be using points for them so they have a little bigger room in these properties than what's normal in New York hotel rooms.
Things they appreciate: 1. The lounge (weekday trip so I expect lounges to be open vs. closed on weekends) 2. Views (Mom's a big view person) 3. Space Based on this thread, leaning toward the JW Marriott Essex House. Should I be looking at the Ritz instead? |
Originally Posted by hockeyinsider
(Post 30621491)
You might want to call into Marriott. I assume you have elite status. Sometimes there are errors in which rooms aren't loaded on Marriott. Case in point, the Renaissance Republique in Paris looked sold out with nothing but the penthouse suite available two months before I stayed there. I knew that was unlikely given it was over the holidays. By two weeks out, all of the rooms were showing up on Marriott.com.
I wish there was a way to 'watch' for open availability in case I want to switch from whatever people suggest -> St. Regis |
Originally Posted by laxmillenial
(Post 30620715)
Scanned the threads today and noticed that everyone recommends the St. Regis over the JW Marriott Essex House / Ritz New York. However, the St. Regis isn't taking points redemptions for my nights in May =/ So I'm left with JW Marriott vs. Ritz New York. This is a trip for my parents and I just want them to be comfortable (they're scared of big cities; ironic that they're going to New York, but they want to see a couple broadway shows) so I'll be using points for them so they have a little bigger room in these properties than what's normal in New York hotel rooms.
Things they appreciate: 1. The lounge (weekday trip so I expect lounges to be open vs. closed on weekends) 2. Views (Mom's a big view person) 3. Space Based on this thread, leaning toward the JW Marriott Essex House. Should I be looking at the Ritz instead? |
Originally Posted by lewin85
(Post 30621527)
Only JW meet all your criteria. Lounge access if you are a platinum member. If OP wants to ensure his parents have club access at either property, he'll have to pay for it. |
Originally Posted by Kacee
(Post 30622207)
But Plat status will not transfer to OP's parents on a points award. This is not Hyatt.
If OP wants to ensure his parents have club access at either property, he'll have to pay for it. |
You might want to consider a non-Marriott property, unless you're committed to using points. At least consider one not on your list. What about The Chatwal, Luxury Collection? Or the Trump International?
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Checked in tonight and was bummed to not get an upgrade. Am a lifetime plat premier. So YMMV. I will call ahead in the future. |
Originally Posted by pacman099
(Post 30625198)
Checked in tonight and was bummed to not get an upgrade. Am a lifetime plat premier. So YMMV. I will call ahead in the future. Regards |
Originally Posted by scubadu
(Post 30627912)
What do you believe calling ahead in the future will achieve?
Regards |
Originally Posted by swintec
(Post 30628677)
This. The Essex house, in my experience, has always been spot on with upgrades (and executing elite benefits) when the space is available.
Regards |
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