Keyser

another option i would recommend is the element....i primarily stay here for 2 reasons....i can walk to my client's office in under 5 minutes & the room sizes are decent given that they all come with a kitchen....but the other things going for it is that the location is decent....not in times square but close enough....they have free breakfast....evening happy hour where they serve wine & snacks....no destination fee....

they do have a problem with wait times for elevators during breakfast but i counter that by asking for a room on one of the lower floors....

christianj

Horrible elevators, beat up rooms and a zoo like breakfast with virtually no replenishment is all I have experienced at the element. I personally would rather stay at the Four Points by Sheraton TS or dare I even say the Sheraton TS..... but YMMV.

Keyser

the four points does not have free breakfast or a lounge/happy hour....the sheraton is a zoo at breakfast as well....

i'm an early riser so i get in for breakfast early & there is never a rush....as far as the elevators are concerned, like i said before. i always ask for a room on a lower floor so i just use the stairs....i've never received a beat up room & as a plat i've always gotten a corner room (sometimes even a suite) which tend to be a bit larger....

it is by no means my favourite property in the area but practical for my needs so i stay here often....

bosman

I stay at the Sheraton TS 2-3 times a year as my company holds an annual event there and I'm in a few times prior for planning. As noted, the lounge is nice with a nice view of 7th Avenue, but gets packed at peak times and the elevators can add 5 minutes getting too/from your room. Also, I've seen the check-in line literally be 40 guests long (line at Elite desk maybe 5-7 guests). So expect crowds - everywhere. The rooms themselves are ok; I've never encountered any dis-repair or cleanliness issues.

I have been successful in "rejecting" the Destination Fee as I think the T&Cs say you can refuse it. I just tell the check-in clerk who then checks with a Supervisor.

Beyond that, the location is great as you're near both Times Square and Central Park.

Kacee

Destination fees are not optional. If they waived it, it was a cs gesture.

I can't imagine calling a TS location "great" unless you enjoy pushing your way through thousands of tourists blocking the sidewalks.

margarita girl

Thank you for all the comments/suggestions. I have a flight that leaves JFK at 01:35, so the reason I'm asking for a lounge is I want a place to hang out in the evening before I go to the airport (since I've lost my Your24 privileges ).

• I did a bit of reading and it sounds like the Sheraton TS lounge offerings are rather meagre (no hot food). @bosman has that changed? Good to know about the destination fee as that is a stickler for me.
• The Element sounds like an option, but I'm guessing the evening reception is held in the lobby. Is that correct @Keyser?
• Sheraton Tribeca might be the best option with the free wine and outdoor lounge terrace (assuming it's still warm enough in early Oct).

I don't think cash stay will be an option even if prices come down. Right now prepaid rates at the Sheraton TS are $642+, the Tribeca $391+ and the Element $371+.

bosman

Waived Destination Fee: possible it was a cs gesture; this was shortly after they launched this concept and my rates since then have explicitly waived it.

I have never found the area immediately around the TS blocked by "thousands of tourists" until you actually get into the immediate TS area, but that is a good 4 blocks away,l so not a knock on the hotel to me.

Keyser

there is a sitting lounge adjacent to the lobby (between the lobby & breakfast area)....that's where the evening reception is held....

C17PSGR

Those rates are unusually high. Must be something going on, or they have just arbitrarily set high rates for future dates. These aren't my go to properties but I usually get rates at the full service legacy Marriott properties that are under $300.

margarita girl

Exactly! Convert that into Cdn dollars and it breaks the bank. (I won't even bother trying to BRG as it will still be unaffordable for me.) However, it's an excellent use of an Amex free night cert which is good for up to 35K pts.

bosman

There were hot food offerings at Breakfast at my last stay. I honestly don't recall the afternoon/evening options as I rarely stop by the lounge later in the day.

Re Destination Fee, as noted by others above, waiving may have been more of a cs gesture and not a predictable/guaranteed outcome for all requesting it.

Kacee

Fair enough. 53rd is out of the immediate craziness. I do find though though that even from a few blocks away, TS is something of a black hole which may be difficult to avoid getting sucked into.

helvetic

The Sheraton Tribeca can be had for cheaper usually but given the stay is so far away I'd book something refundable you're ok with and keep checking for a LNF opp. The hotel is a dump with tiny rooms but the lounge is alright.

VCURamFan

Anyone w recent stays at the Marriott Downtown New York? Their staff mentioned on TA that they will begin renovations in late 2018, are any renovated rooms complete? Is there currently construction noise?

holocker

Planning a tourist visit to New York between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have one of the old Cat 8 travel package which crosses to a Cat 5 hotel and I want to make a reservation before the category change.
What would be people consider the best choices?

Right now kind of thinking the Residence Inn Central Park, Residence Inn Times Square, or Sheraton Times Square. Other suggestions would be appreciated. If I luck out and can upgrade my certificate would do the ST. Regis. I am Titanium Elite and have some SNAa in my account if that makes a difference.
Thanks