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Just finished a stay at the Westin TS for the first time, and I find the hotel to be excellent at its price point and type. Much better than some of the comments here suggested. As Plat I was not upgraded very much, but thanks to FT knew to ask for a corner room and that was promptly provided but only on request (it wasn't assigned even though requested in my reservation). The corner rooms are quite nice; I slept with the drapes open all night and it was gorgeous. Usually stay at Essex House which is the other end of NY hotel types (and double the price), but the Westin TS really does have a great location and nice touches like fast elevators with TV. The club had remarkably good food which was a nice touch (but no cappucino machine). For NY it is a really good choice as long as you are not expecting traditional luxury.

Although on lower floors, the club rooms are significantly larger than standard rooms.

It sounds like the corner rooms are the way to go. Any suggestion as to which corner of the hotel provides the best views? Are there rooms that actually have views of Times Square?

The hotel itself is on 8th Avenue, so Times Square is on the other end of the block. Doubt you'll get much of a view of Times Square itself from any of the rooms. I'd think southeast corners should give you a decent view of Empire State Bldg and points south. I did not have a corner room, but still managed to see a bit of the top of the Empire State Bldg. At least it kept the kids excited. :)

I had a xx29 room, which is SE corner and has nice views, but not of Times Square itself. Probably the best view is the SW corner, xx09 rooms. You need to be above 20th floor to have a view (not sure what floor is the cutoff, I was near the top). The club rooms are on low floors partially because of their larger size, and partially because the club is on 8 and you have to change elevator banks from higher floors to get to the club. The other advantage of corner rooms is that they are quiet (relatively, after all this is NY). I went to this hotel with low expectations, picked for convenience as I had a meeting nearby, and was impressed. Will be my first choice for quick trips (when I really don't have much use for a traditional hotel). The room style is competitive with W while being bigger and more practical.

Just stayed again this week at the Westin TS. Was checked in by Anna from Poland, who was pleasant and acknowledged my Plat status. Jokingly asked "am I in a corner room?" and she looked and looked and said that there are no more corner room available. So I said "OK, any suite available?" at which point she looked down on a computer print out, circled something, and asked me to wait a second. She disappeared behind into the office behind the front desk (presumably to check with a supervisor?), and tah dah, I was upgraded to a Junior Suite!

So I had to ask for my upgrade, but got it.

The Junior Suite is above the 35th floor and is room number xx10, which gave me a fantastic view of 8th Ave and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, all in all, a nice view of NYC, so ask for rooms ending with 10 if you want a decent view. The suite itself is one big room, with the bedroom separated by a large TV armoire from the living room, which has comfy couches and chairs. Not bad at all. Bathroom was fairly large but unremarkable, and came with the Luxury Bath dual shower heads and wide out curtain.

Again, the Westin TS's location cannot be beat.

I'll be back there next week, and will see if I will once again have to ask for my suite upgrade or not ;)

Actually Junior Suite on the 45th floor (top floor) has an even better view - that's where I am now. Although they did not give it to me right away - I had to twist their arm. ;)

I am booking two rooms as a Plat. If I do not stay on the Executive Floors, will I have access to the lounge? Gaining access, do they program the keys to allow you on the floor or is there some other method? Obviously, I want all in the party to have access, which they would if on the Exec. Floor?

No key required unless something has changed. Last time I was there, there was a desk right at the entrance to the lounge and you had to sign in with the attendant.

Last week there was a card key to the lounge provided (separate from room key and on different design card stock). The lounge looks to be attended at all times and you do get to sign in at the counter, after you get through the locked door using the card key. Lounge access is provided to all Plats regardless of floor, but from the upper floors you have to change elevators so it is a bit less convenient.

Rather not start a new thread, but I'd like to hear from Plats that have stayed here on an award night or points and what type of upgrade you were given. I'll be staying on a Fri/Sat later this month using the 301 promo.
Thanks!

Just checked out of the Westin Times Square today, and have been staying there almost every week since January.

Depending on how busy they are (the Westin TS is often sold out), as a Plat you can expect an upgrade to either a corner room, a Club room, or a Junior Suite (I got the JS about 4 times this year already). The key is to check in fairly early, since they do the upgrade based on availabilty.

I noted that many in this thread did not like the Westin TS - well to each its own, as I consider this hotel my home in Manhattan, and that's after staying at many Starwood, Hilton and Marriott properties in NYC. The location can't be beat, the subway is at the front door, the Shula steakhouse is fabulous, and the Club Lounge and gym are both more than adequate ^ :D

Checked in recently at 4pm on a Thursday, and got a room on the 39th floor, facing Jersey. Didn't seem much different from a regular room, though high floor helped the view. This was some kind of bulk corporate rate prepaid by a client, so probably similar treatment to an award stay. Didn't earn any starpoints except the plat bonus, or stay credit, but did get plat benefits.

I noticed an old post saying that there were no coffee to go cups. Now it's the opposite: no ceramic coffee cups. (Noticed the same thing at Westin River North last month -- they said people kept stealing them).

Can't say I love the place. The Heavenly Bed seems softer than usual, and I don't sleep as well in it. Some kind of extra padding? Club very crowded at breakfast time, and pretty full in the evening. Ate for the first time in the Shula's restaurant for a dinner meeting. Very noisy, expensive and absudly huge portions -- the Creme Brulee would feed a familiy but tasted average at best. (I don't like football and am indifferent to steak, so your mileage may vary). The bar has no particular view, charges a lot even for NYC, and is nothing special in terms of decor.

Not much competition in New York at Cat 4 with recent rises, though I do like the Four Points Chelsea. Don't let the name put you off.

Stayed there recently. I am SPG Gold and was upgraded to acorner room on the 43rd floor. Nice view facing Central Park and Times Square.