I just stayed at the Westin TS a few weeks ago in a corner room on the 31st floor. I can't say anything was wrong (although hallway noise really did seem to come through) and it was clean with great views and very comfortable. The whole time I was there though I felt as though something was missing.

On my last night in NYC I moved over to the W Times Square (great corner room on the 52nd floor) and it became evident immediately what it was that I had been missing at the Westin - friendly staff! At the W every single person I encountered always greeted me in some fashion or other. Even if it was riding the elevator with a maintenance man or passing by housekeeping in the hallway or walking passed the W store every single cast member to a T said at minimum "hello" to me. At the Westin I missed this 100%. Countless times I walked by the bell staff at the 53rd street entrance of the Westin or walked by the front desk or passed housekeeping in the hall and not once did I get a greeting in the 3 nights I was there.

The W TS will get me back every time now when I need to be in Times Square, I am also a huge fan of the W Court for a more residential feel when I don't need to be in Times Square.

Please understand that I'm not staying stay away from the Westin, it is a fine hotel, it is simply my opinion that the friendliness level could come up a notch or two.

anybody? any info? thanks! :cool:

Departure as late as you want
 

I checked out at 3 pm, went shopping, saw a musical and drove out of town 'bout 11 pm. Nothing added to my bill for parking later than departure. I would have been incensed if they had. I expect you could arrive early as well. Drawing a parallel with luggage... if I don't have a rental car, I drop my bags at the hotel at 0700, but don't check in until 7 pm or later and they don't charge for that, why would they charge for dropping the car earlier.

The Westin NY @ Times Square doesn't have it's own parking, they have an agreement with the lot down the street, who charges by the day, so the in/out time shouldn't matter.

-- CaptainG

thanks for this info!

it is simply my opinion that the friendliness level could come up a notch or two.[/QUOTE]


Clearly experiences vary as evidenced by the one I'm having right now. I happened to read this before leaving for WTS, so I was kind of preparing for such an experience. I am having a completely different experience! I checked in expecting adjoining rooms on club floor (gold status, not earned). Paid 14,500 points per room per night for club access. I got here and was told that there were no adjoinings in the whole place. I was told by "Alba" to sight tight and that she would speak to the manager "Jonathan" In no time flat, I was moved to 20th floor with adjoining and for my troubles, I would pay only 12K per night per room and would still be granted club room access. Both employees were kind and enthusiastic. All concierge employees were warm and patient. One concierge even gave me a secret to get an extra ticket for my party to see Wicked. She was dead correct. Club room staff fantastic and respectful of my bringing my three kids. Made me feel comfortable as can be. I'm a customer for life!

I completely agree and even as a lowly Gold I get upgrades, including this weekend, and from a ridiculously low internet rate. The neighborhood is great, quiet, good for a run and yet walking distance to most everything. There's a nice, relatively quiet, smoke-free bar across the street from the Court for a last drink before heading in for the night if, like me, you're not hip enough for the W bars. Of the two, I prefer the Tuscany, as the standard rooms are HUGE (even though the biggest room can have the smallest bathroom) and I find the service friendlier and better. This weekend the doorman (or whatever they call them) went to the corner and threw himself in front of cab for me in the pouring rain and then jumped in and rode it back down to the hotel to make sure nobody else snatched it.

I'm not running down the Westin but my two stays there were unimpressive: had to fight just for the room that I reserved and certainly no upgrades. Service and friendliness were equally unimpressive and the bar was bad, especially the rubber shrimp cocktail. And I don't like the neighborhood. The Court or Tuscany will always get my business (including passing up on the triple point promotion this weekend at the Westin).

Westin New York Times Square [Master Thread]
 

Hey, all.

Can anyone share any experiences from staying at the Westin Times Square in New York? (I normally stay at the Barclay Intercontinental, but am considering the Westin for an upcoming trip at the end of June).

Thanks for your help!

Feed Me!

Before someone tells you to use the search function... let me say that the Barclay is a much nicer hotel and "hotel experience". At least it was for me.

Uh oh! Dangerous question. You'd be better off pulling the pin out of a grenade! Gently put the pin back ever so delicately and do a search with the words: westin times square

Trust me. You will incur far less shrapnel (sp?)

By the way....stayed twice....LOVED it.

LOL! Damn! Beat me by three minutes!!!!!!!

Loved it - stayed there last May and as a Platinum I got upgraded to a fabulous corner room - great service and had drinks with the members of the NHL Players Association (they were negotiationg with the NHL then)

Excellent property; super location; Stayed there now 2 or maybe 3 times, most-recently last fall w/ a bunch of high school kids and staff treated us well.

I'm not so sure I agree with the above posters... if you look around a bit, you'll find the W Times Square has a much more favorable review - you actually have a view of Times Square instead of a bus depot, and it's of course cooler because it's a W. But it depends what type of hotel you're looking for.

We stayed there over at Christmas in 2004. We asked for and got a corner room. We thought it was a good location. We had a couple of housekeeping issues which we brought up to management and we given coutesy points for the inconvenience. Overall I would stay again.

What a friendly board.