JW Marriott Essex House, New York City (Manhattan) [Master Thread]
#211
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I just booked a seven night travel package at the Essex House. The $25 daily destination fee was included in the booking, along with about $50 in taxes (I'm assuming city occupancy tax or something similar).
Any reports of downward adjustment in this gouging would be quite appreciated in the months ahead. My stay isn't until December.
Any reports of downward adjustment in this gouging would be quite appreciated in the months ahead. My stay isn't until December.
#212
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
I just booked a seven night travel package at the Essex House. The $25 daily destination fee was included in the booking, along with about $50 in taxes (I'm assuming city occupancy tax or something similar).
Any reports of downward adjustment in this gouging would be quite appreciated in the months ahead. My stay isn't until December.
Any reports of downward adjustment in this gouging would be quite appreciated in the months ahead. My stay isn't until December.
However, after staying at the hotel I concluded that while the imposition of these fees could be a simple matter of "gouging", as you suggest, there might be value for the payment. A case in point would be that the $14 charge for a glass of wine in the Executive Lounge, might be offset by the fee, with the $11 balance being credited to the cost of a second glass for your wife.
I have LT Plat status with MR, and found the lounge to be one of the best that I have visited in the US. The breakfast buffet offering is marvelous, and is the same offered to guests in the hotel's dining room. The only distinction is that a guest in the lounge is not able to order items not on the buffet, such as eggs cooked to order. We had our evening meal in the lounge on two of the five nights that we were at the hotel, and the offerings were what you might expect, i.e. an assortment of vegetables and cheeses, etc., plus a hot entree. One night the hot dish was roast turkey breast with mashed potatoes and gravy and on the second evening it was a lamb stew with egg noodles. While these dishes might not be gourmet items, on both occasions they were well prepared and solid comfort food.
Also, although our confirmation did state that we would be charged a nominal amount for taxes and fees, none of these items ever made it to our final bill.
I also neglected to mention previously, that in accordance with my request to the FD, The NY Times was delivered to our room every morning during our stay.
Last edited by SCEflyer; Jul 21, 2018 at 8:22 pm Reason: Update
#213
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
....
However, after staying at the hotel I concluded that while the imposition of these fees could be a simple matter of "gouging", as you suggest, there might be value for the payment. A case in point would be that the $14 charge for a glass of wine in the Executive Lounge, might be offset by the fee, with the $11 balance being credited to the cost of a second glass for your wife.
.....
However, after staying at the hotel I concluded that while the imposition of these fees could be a simple matter of "gouging", as you suggest, there might be value for the payment. A case in point would be that the $14 charge for a glass of wine in the Executive Lounge, might be offset by the fee, with the $11 balance being credited to the cost of a second glass for your wife.
.....
But I'd be happy to be proved wrong.
#214
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
Also, as a Gold aren't you already entitled to the enhanced internet service, not that it would really matter since it would also be covered by the fee?
Perhaps someone who has had to deal with the first issue could weigh in on their experience.
#215
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
I'll be here in July for a week
I will update this thread on the situation
In addiition, I will likely fight it [to little or no avail most likley] just on principle.
I will update this thread on the situation
In addiition, I will likely fight it [to little or no avail most likley] just on principle.
#216
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Considering New York's aggressive attorney general office, someone should consider filing a complaint against hotels charging a fee for internet when internet is advertised as complimentary.
#217
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
Most of the full service SPG and Marriott properties in NYC are now charging destination fees. Ren Midtown still an exception.
#218
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott/SPG Ambassador, Delta Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 215
This is actually a really smart idea and is the kind of thing the AG would love some press around. Or Chuck Schumer, though it's less of an "everyday American" issue, so maybe not.
#219
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago (ORD)
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 566
Can someone update what the $25 credit can be used for? For example, is it available for the lounge alcoholic beverages (or does it need to be from a specific bar or such)? We will be there for one night next weekend and any experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.
#220
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: AC 50k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 30
They ended up removing the charge as a "one-time" gesture.
Also don't expect any sort of upgrade. I'm Platinum and got a 6th floor room facing. Pretty noisy although I'm not sure if it was the street I was facing or the lack of soundproofing in the (historical) hotel. I stayed in mid-town a few weeks before (at a Residence Inn) this stay though and didn't have any problems with noise (it was also a much higher floor).
#221
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 502
#222
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
$25/day is not a bad . . . certainly better than what most properties give you in exchange for these execrable fees.
I've gotten nice upgrades here. Much depends on the agent who checks you in.
I've gotten nice upgrades here. Much depends on the agent who checks you in.
#223
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Also don't expect any sort of upgrade. I'm Platinum and got a 6th floor room facing. Pretty noisy although I'm not sure if it was the street I was facing or the lack of soundproofing in the (historical) hotel. I stayed in mid-town a few weeks before (at a Residence Inn) this stay though and didn't have any problems with noise (it was also a much higher floor).
#224
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Plum Nelly
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Delta Sky Miles, and S&H Green Stamps
Posts: 636
My experience a few weeks ago was that no one seems to really know what's included. I asked the concierge, and an FD manager and neither could tell me everything that was included. One thing they were sure about is that it doesn't accumulate. It's $25/day use it or lose it.
#225
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,007