tripmaster

Since I race bikes and want to train even when in NYC, proximity to Central Park even for endurance pace rides is pretty important to me, so the CPS hotels have become really desirable. Plus proximity to 1/2/3/A/B/C/D/N/R cannot be beat.

StR charges for rollaway, so while DS is still travelling with us, there's a hidden cost!

I want to try the Ginza Edition maybe next summer. I remember looking at the Edition (TS) - the double bed rooms were not available on points :-(

WasKnown

The TS EDITION is not worth considering on redemption IMO. For category 7, I really think it’s either the NY EDITION or JW Essex House. If you want to be close to Central Park, JW Essex is your only real option at cat 7.

Fwiw, I think the JW Essex lounge breakfast is disgusting

tripmaster

Scrambled eggs, bacon, lox... seems ok? Do you not like the way they scramble the eggs?

nachosdelux

I recently had an awesome 3 night stay at the JW Essex House. Everything was fantastic. BTW the breakfast in the lounge is the same buffet that the restaurant uses, and was very nice. Not sure what an earlier poster was complaining about.

DELee

The perspective: It's not good enough for what is a flagship upper end Marriott property.

David

WasKnown

I simply found the quality of the food to be bad, especially the meats. Different people have different preferences but I honestly could not be paid money to eat it again. YMMV. IMO the JW Marriott Essex House is not really a luxury hotel (even by NYC standards) but I found the breakfast to be bad by any metric. I highly doubt they used qualify/fresh ingredients. Compared to the St. Regis breakfast, it is much much much worse. It’s honestly worse than what you’ll find at a food cart for $6 IMO

joey965

I would vote for the St. Regis, hands down. You are unlikely to get an upgrade, but all rooms are wonderful and come with butler service. And the breakfast you get free as a platinum is amazing. Service is also the best. We have even lucked out and got rides in their car. We have a 4th stay booked there for next May.

WasKnown

STR is nice, but seemingly polarizing on this site (though it seems like most NYC properties are polarizing here). I agree the breakfast benefit is actually great. Service IME has been very good but ymmv. I sincerely believe they care about what rate you are paying. Idk why…

mciampa

Apologies, I totally missed this!

We stayed there in February of 2020. We had another point redemption this past weekend at the St. Regis and got upgraded AGAIN, this time to a regular suite (room 301). The one thing that we had in common each time was that well in advance I asked for a 4:00 PM checkout and both times when we checked in they said you can have this suite if you can be out by 1:00 PM. So I wonder if they did it in order to free up rooms during busy times. Both times they were for one night.

We are staying at 11 Howard Dec 4-7 so fingers crossed on a suite upgrade there (I think unlikely. The city is once again jammed with hotel reservations). I do agree that the one thing that I really like about 11 Howard is the restaurant selection around that hotel is outstanding (Thai Diner, Rubirosa, Osteria Morini, La Esquina, etc. etc.).

kanexxz

Avoid the Marriott Essex House, worst 5* House I stayed in. I would better invest more points on my award stay to the Ritz instead of this, just annoying.

WasKnown

The STR NY is famous for trading suite upgrades in exchange for 4 PM check out. I'm surprised they let you check out at 1 instead of noon.

Have fun on your NYC trip!

tripmaster

I wanted to maximize my chance for an upgrade... agreed that breakfast there is meh if only on variety; Westin Tokyo breakfasts were fabulous, and of course Suiran and PH Tokyo were off menu. Even Hyatt Regency Kyoto bfast was aces. But I havent stayed at StR NY to compare and probably wont given our prioritization for suite upgrades as a family of 3 adult-sized humans + bike.

WasKnown

STR seems very hit or miss with upgrades. Previously, I theorized that they are only stingy with points stays. However, I now think the staff gives different people different treatment based on their superficial perception of you. I know for a fact that staff at this hotel will google their guests. Kind of weird imo but it is what it is.

If (for whatever reason) they want to impress you, upgrades to the fifth avenue suite and the STR suite are on the table. If they don’t care, you will be lucky to get an upgrade to a grand luxe. Regardless, you will likely be trading a suite for a late check out.

Essex House seems pretty generous with upgrades. The suites are much worse compared to STR suites though. The ceilings are also much lower. It does not feel like a luxury property but it is easier to get more space. It’s also obviously a bit cheaper.