tdrag97

holocker

Thinking of booking a point stay at one of these properties tomorrow before the point requirement goes up. DOes one have nicer rooms or offer better services than the other?
Thanks

Antarius

Not sure about either property, but my personal rule is that the further away from times square, the better,

KRSW

Fortunately, the Residence Inn "Times Square" is actually 1 block south of Bryant Park on 6th Ave and not really in/near Times Square. I've stayed there many times over the years; never had a bad stay there. Prices can be very cheap at times.

Rooms are small by Residence Inn standards (320 sq ft for most, larger for 1BR/2BR) , but larger than a typical NYC hotel room. Location is excellent, with Bryant Park having many bus stops (42nd St), and the subway station servicing 7,B,D,F,M lines. 2 blocks over is the Times Sq subway station (1,2,3,7,N,Q,R,S lines). ~3 blocks east is Grand Central (4,5,6,7,S). Plenty of restaurants and pretty much dead center to everything. Corner rooms are nice and feel bigger to me. North corner rooms have a view of Bryant Park, South corner rooms have a view of the Empire State Building.

I've also stayed at the Residence Inn Midtown/East and all of those have been good stays as well. Rooms *ARE* smaller than the Times Square location. The smaller rooms don't have sofas, but do have kitchens. Their sofa bed rooms are quite nice, great staff. I have scored some amazing LNFs from this hotel. It's directly next to The Lexington, also a Marriott property, but I generally avoid The Lexington. I've stayed at The Lex many times over the past decade+ when it was still a Radisson, but all they've done is put lipstick on a pig. Many rooms are <200 sqft, HVAC is temperamental, housekeeping is hit-or-miss. Even if The Lex is less, I'll pony up the extra $ for the RI next door.

Neither one of these charges resort/destination fees, unlike many other hotels in the area.

I wish I could comment on the Central Park location, but I've never stayed there as it's too far away from where I need to be when I'm in NYC.

ExpatSomchai

If it helps anyone Trip.com have the Fairfield Financial District for Ł83 at present for a few dates. I checked Nov and found good availability.

ORDAAFlyer296

jaejaez

Slightly OT, but the last time I visited the King Cole Bar and asked for a Bloody Mary, it seemed that they poured me a glass from a ready-made jug full of it. It literally came 40 seconds after I had ordered it - which triggered my curiosity, so I kept watching the bartender in case someone else ordered it. And voila, some minutes later, I saw the bartender pick up a jar full of pre-made Bloody Mary and pour it into a glass, before decorating it with garnishes and serving.

I thought this wasn't cool for a drink that's almost $30, but didn't make a fuss given how busy the bar was and since I had finished my drink by then. It didn't taste bad and frankly I would not have known that it was pre-made if I didn't pay attention... but still cannot shake off the feeling that it just wasn't... "St. Regis"-like to serve its signature cocktail out of a jar. Am I being picky? Tell me if I am please..

flandery

@jaejaez - That was exactly my experience. I sat on the side of one of the far ends of the bar the other night and had a pretty good view. After the bartender poured the liquor into the glass, out came the jug of the Bloody Mary mix, followed by a garnish of a lemon wedge and a stirring stick. Like you, I found it tasty and it seemed very fresh, but wasn't what I expected to see when I ordered their signature cocktail.

That aside, I found everything else at the St Regis to be perfect, and I don't think I could recommend it enough. Even their deluxe room (not the suite) felt fairly spacious, and I was surprised that I didn't hear any noise despite only being on the 3rd floor.

johnaalex

Hoping to use a Cat 5 travel pack for an upcoming trip to the Big Apple. I'm looking for a good location (Times Square etc) a lounge would be nice but not essential. Note I am Titanium Level so I assume breakfast will be given in most places. All suggestions are welcome.

TIA

margarita girl

Start at post # 61.

johnaalex

Thank you.

Does anybody have an comments on the Courtyard Manhattan/Fifth Avenue?

realityking

I need some help for an upcoming trip to NYC. I've been plenty of times on business in Manhattan (usually in a FourPoints) and on both business and vacation in Brooklyn but I'm looking for the first time for a "vacation-quality" hotel in Manhattan. It's my girlfriend's first time in NY ever and we'd like to be central, even TimesSquare is an option.

What's important to us?

• Full service or luxury property
• Great breakfast (I'm a Titanium member)
• Central location

Nice to have: a club lounge with snacks

I have 240k points available for 5 nights so a category 6 or 7 property would be great.

In a twist, I have a point reservation at the St. Regis for 240k points. I'm a little hesitant about confirming it because we'll be at the St. Regis Punta Mita later during this trip and the NYC part of the trip is supposed to be about exploring the city - not staying in the hotel 😅

Kacee

Keep the StR at 60k points. While I had some issues with service, the rooms are large, the location is excellent, butlers are awesome, and the breakfast benefit is one of the best of any Marriott, anywhere.

Dav77

EuropeanPete