LilZeppelin

Unfortunately, around Aug 1 lounge food offerings have been changed. No longer will you find strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, melon and other fresh food in the morning. It has all been replaced by selection of yoghurts. In addition different bagels and pastries are available with cream cheese. Coffee served from thermoses in addition to regular machines is of prety lousy quality *bucks label notwithstanding. No peaches, or cherries or other what can be called "premium" fruit in the afternoon, just some apples, oranges and banana, with some cereal bars. Cash bar advertising 90+ rating wines in full force, but for the price, it's better to go out: you are in the middle of Manhattan after all.

Out of my Element

The hotel of choice for US Open referees who have been charged with killing their spouse.

STARFLEET

Stayed at the Sheraton NY two days ago...all-in-all I was pleasantly surprised after having read thru this forum. My only disappointment was how very very small the "upgraded" room was, albeit on a club level. Mrs. STARFLEET and I had to take turns walking between the bed and the desk...and, no, we aren't that fat!

joanek

Hmm, I may now be in that room. 50th floor, and I can't recall ever being in a room so small at this hotel.

I was also unhappy to see that this "newly renovated" room has lost the bathtub and is now one of those "walk in" showers. This is not a plus in my book. Give us a choice! I was told (again) that there were no club level king rooms with tubs in this hotel. I'm running into this more and more often and it may be enough to push me back to Hyatt.

sophiegirl

Well, don't rush. I am finding more and more HYATTS that are removing them. A hassle for those with young children...and I agree - please provide a choice!

joanek

I hope you're complaining to the hotels and the chain. I've started to do so. I've been told they're starting to get complaints.

One manager told me their business travelers didn't want 'em, but another has told me that it's purely financial. A tub takes longer to clean than a shower, so you can have a smaller housekeeping staff.

joanek

Btw, at this hotel: no tubs in any room on the club floors, king or double. Was told they could put me in a low floor double, but it wouldn't be as quiet. C'mon SPG, give your preferred guests a choice!

STARFLEET

Joanek, we were on 48, but the replaced tub was the same. Were it not for the fact that the location of the controls for the shower necessitate being drenched with cold water when turning it on, I don't mind not having to stand in a narrow tub while showering. To me the new arrangement is a "plus."

I didn't bother to check suite [read: Plat upgrade] inventory online upon arrival, as we were only there for a quick overnight, but between the miniscule room and $13/glass wine prices in the Club, a better lower floor room might have been a preferred option?

joanek

Yes, a better lower room floor would be nice. But not an option here or at the Westin GC---there's no such thing as a "better" room on the lower floors. No suites available for a PLT, and the manager told me the lower floors are usually full with tours and other large groups and therefore noisier. And they're not considered "SPG" floors, so perhaps the furnishings are not the same.


I noticed that cold water feature, too.

My issue is really that there's no choice of either a tub or shower at many of renovated hotels. If you only want a shower, that's fine. But those of us who prefer a tub have only the option of an accessible room or a double bedded room, neither of which are considered premium or platinum upgrades. Giving me an "accessible" room means someone who truly needs one might not get it), The same goes for a double bedded room (again, someone who needs 2 beds can't have them.


All I'm suggesting is that hotels have SOME "premium" rooms available that have bathtubs, rather than removing them from all rooms. This wasn't an issue a year or two ago, but we're starting to see it a renovated locations.

That said, I'm told we won't be seeing this at hotels in Europe and Asia, where customers prefer a bath.

jdawg

I am staying at the Sheraton NY right now and my experience was consistent with the comments, although the club lounge has improved aesthetically the offering has turned pathetic - a bunch of carb filled bakery items, apples / bananas, and yogurt. It truly disappoints me that the signature property has one of the worst club lounge spreads in the chain.

WrLdTrvLnIndian

I check in tomorrow for a 5 night award stay, any recommendations on how i can increase my possibility of getting a suite upgrade (i know its NYE in NYC so not all that optimistic) and if regular room or club room which floor is good to possibly get a south facing room on to get a view of the ball drop.

I am a GOLD and made the reservation on my account since my partner (PLT) didn't have points. but i called the hotel and asked to add her name and spg number to get the benefits since we will be staying together.

mikeef

If you want the upgrade that much, you're going to have to pay for it (assuming it's available). Even in a slow period, a gold at a NY hotel staying for five days is going to find it very, very difficult. For that matter, a Platinum would, also.

Mike

(ETA: Didn't see that partner's benefits would be used.)

Nfldflyer

As a Platinum, i would concur.

WrLdTrvLnIndian

thanks guys. According to the hotel, we will recieve PLT benefits. Now its only upto getting lucky to possibly get either a suite or at least a south facing room to be able to see the ball drop.

Flews

If you check the announcements page, you will see this property, like pretty well all NYC *wood properties, indicates there are no ball drop rooms available. They are spoken for well - years? - in advance.

You really should keep your expectations in check.

Cheers,