I have 2 reservations at that hotel. Your report does not encourage me to keep them. Thanks for the warning.

I also have a reservation during the
Christmas holiday and another one with a
friend for this coming weekend along with a
stay I have at the Russell. I am going to
book another room for the Christmas holiday
just in case things do not improve. In
addition I am warning my friend to accept
nothing less than comfortable for this coming
weekend. This report is disappointing to me.
I just called the Hotel. The 1 and 2 calls
were disconnected. The 3 call I asked for
the duty manager, got voice mail. Called
back 4th time and no duty manager at front
desk so given voice mail again. I have my
doubts. I hope the Russell can accomodate us
one day earlier. Thank you for posting this
report for all of us. I appreciate.

Its not that bad I have stayed there and would go back again. The gym is now open (finally) and the rooms are great. The resteraunts are slowly comming on-line. The staff are truely great to deal with, none of that NYC attitude. I found the furnishings to
be nice in my rooms (a little W like).

I'd say that by Dec this should be the best SPG property after the St. Regis (beats the Sheraton sisters hands down anyway !)

As for the noise this is NYC after all.

I disagree. A well-designed hotel should take soundproofing into consideration.

Aye, aye - the illusive "soundproofing" - I've had some experience with that recently. I had a hard time falling asleep at the the Framingham, MA Sheraton the other night because of the snoring coming from the room next door. Last night I actually stayed at a hotel which boasts of its soundproofing - the Hyatt Harborside at Logan Airport. It does an excellent job blocking aircraft noise but the ferries docking down below can really shake your eyeteeth.

I didn't realize there were so many light sleepers out there! The hotel staff was great and bent over backwards to help out. There will be more than 40 floors by the time it is fully operational and I imagine the higher floors will be quieter. The heavenly beds were very comfortable and there was no hallway noise into the room, just the noise from the metal plates in the street. I would probably stay there again in a room on the side where there wasn't any street noise. There were some good restaurants in walking distance and we love to walk. It was only one block from Times Square. The quietest hotel we've stayed in is the Hilton NY, but the staff there is some of the worst I've ever encountered and they are poorly managed.

------------------

I just posted my "trip report" for this hotel. (see "Don't stay at the Westin New York...yet." Yes, the staff is great but you really should wait for the bugs to be ironed out before staying there.

Which begs a question...if no one from Flyertalk stays at this hotel, when (how) will we know that the bugs have been worked out? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sorry, Neal, just funnin'. I couldn't help playing devil's advocate here. I certainly don't want to make light of any deficiencies you experienced. Hopefully, you've already reported them to Customer Care. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Westin Times Square trip report 11/15/02
 

I put the date since the property is
construction in motion. More floors were
opened this past week and all facilities are
now available. Arrived early and left
luggage with bell staff (in a rush to
meeting). Went back around 5:30 PM to check
in. Given very nice and spacious corner
junior suite on 15 with wrap around windows.
Chairs positioned to view the excitement of
Times Square below were already in position.
Bathroom was very nice and style was
minimalist modern. Given vouchers for
breakfest and drinks in lounge. Given all
access including gym. Noise low. As P given
choice of amenity. Based upon rate given
very good upgrade. I would definitely
return. In fact I am returning. Thanks and
regards

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I'm thinking of a stay here in March. Any more recent stays at this hotel? Advice?

I stayed there last week, and just made a reservation for this week. I think it's one of the best hotels in NY. Did not hear any noise (I stayed on the 33rd floor).

Thanks for the info. I will be staying here at the end of the month and will report back also.now if I can only get a high floor.

Not a good report. I would say avoid this property until kinks like these are worked out. William, I know your stance is always that properties won't know unless guests report the problems (and guests should report problems). But, once again (based on my management expertise), good management helps insure that a quality product is being offered in the first place. Quality control is an important part of effective management.

Can anyone comment of the quality of the gym at this hotel? Is it just a "fitness room" or is it really a gym? Is there a fee for use?

The problems experienced earlier in this thread happened in November shortly after the hotel opened. Chances are very likely that they have the wheels on by now. In fact, I think there are some other threads that indicate that this is true, but I'm willing to let IL-18 and PETEFLYS be the best judge of that since they seem to be willing to give it a try. IL-18 even said it was one of the best hotels in NYC. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Hopefully PETEFLYS will be able to give us a good report also after next week.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

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