controller1

I've stayed at both the Westin Grand Central and the Westin Times Square. Both are very comfortable and easily reached via MTA. The breakfast at the Westin Times Square is MUCH better than Grand Central. At Times Square you will get a full breakfast at Shula's Steakhouse.

Eujeanie

Since you only have one day, pick the one closest to what you want to do that day. Or one in a part of town you've never stayed. I certainly wouldn't spend my one day in an outlying area.

flyerbjorn

I'd consider the Sheraton at JFK. Then you can take the subway to/from NYC without luggage.

typical

Thanks all! Further intel would be much appreciated

It's 199 for the night, plus I've found it not so convenient (AirTrain to the rental car centre and then wait for the hotel shuttle). If it had been in the 120 region I would just have gone there, but with so many cheaper options into the city I wasn't convinced

TheBOSman

If you're getting in at 11:45PM, public transit will take another 60 minutes at least to get to any of the hotels you list. You'll arrive to any of them around 1AM or so.

At the prices, I would only consider the two Westins or the W on Lexington. I'm partial to the W myself, it is usually my go to for NYC, but the Westin Times Square might be the way to go. Take the A to Port Authority (not to Times Square station) and it is a very short walk. Maybe consider the Aloft in Brooklyn as well, due to the price and that it would be the shortest trip from JFK.

mattp1987

Same question here except it will be in October. The wife and I are planning to make it a getaway for my birthday. I'm leaning towards Le Parker Meridien but also considering W Times Square and W Union Square. We want to do MOMA and Intrepid as well as visit some friends on the Upper East Side (around 89th and 3rd). We've been to NYC before and done Times Square, so I'm not too excited to stay there but would consider it if it's best for what we want to do or getting to the hotel. We'll probably arrive separately - her by train and me by plane, most likely into EWR but could do LGA/JFK.

3rdworldresident

W New York VS W New York Downtown???

I already had a booking at W NY Downtown this october. Through BRG claim, I can find a bit higher total room rate at W NY.

I've been to NYC twice, but this time I will go there with my mom who never been there before (she is 60 year olds).

I'm considering about the location. I thought the location of W NY is much better for the firsttimer (like my mom). I had stayed at W NY Downtown before and found it quite a nice stay overall.

So my question is does W NY deserve the 217$ premium? or I should stick with my booking at W NY Downtown.

PS. Sorry for my poor English.

TheBOSman

How many nights are you looking at for that $217 premium? I like the W New York a bit (usually my first choice as long as the price isn't outrageous), and haven't personally stayed at W NY Downtown, but I cannot see the W New York being $217 better than the Downtown. W New York also has a lot of smaller rooms, which might not be good for the first time traveler as well.

PS Your English seems quite fine to me .

3rdworldresident

thank you for your advice, TheBOSman.

(i will stay in NYC for 6 nights)

Score8

Funny, it feels as thought the W NY Lex has quite a bit of variability in reactions from users. I only stay there when I have meetings on Park - otherwise I'll choose almost any other Starwood in town other than Element.

The occassional tiny room, the unclear allocation of upgrades, the testy wifi and the bad Verizon coverage there can potentially wrinkle the trip. Maybe there's just more to upgrade to, but I find that W TS is much more gracious with room allocations - as an example.

zemb

I'll be in New York together with my girlfriend for 6 days/5 nights in September and looking for a points reservation.

Right now I have a reservation for the W Hoboken (16.000 points per night), but I'm wondering if we should better stay somewhere in Manhattan. The reason for booking the W Hoboken were:

• Only 16.000 points
• Great reviews on TA as well as on Flyertalk
• Not in Manhattan, but I seems that the PATH brings you to Manhattan in a couple of minutes and great views from the hotel

I have been to New York once for a couple of days, my girlfriends has never been there. Which hotel would you recommend to us (good plat benefits would be great)? Keep the W Hoboken or chose one in Manhattan (which one?)? Below you can see the available hotel at our dates. I excluded all properties > 25k points and not sure if I really want the pay the premium for the 25k hotels.

25.000 points per night

• W New York - Times Square
• W New York

20.000 points per night

• The Westin New York at Times Square
• Le Parker Méridien New York
• W New York - Downtown

16.000 points per night

• Four Points by Sheraton Midtown - Times Square
• Element New York Times Square West
• Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea
• Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village

12.000 points per night

• The Westin New York Grand Central
• Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel

boognish24

I work most weeks in NYC, and have stayed at all of these properties.

First of all, the W Hoboken is a great property if you can get a suite - they are spacious and have a balcony overlooking the city.

I'd eliminate the 4pts, especially if its your GFs first time in NYC. for me, Element is out as well, crowded and noisy, slow elevators.

I wouldn't touch either of those W's for 25k a night, W NYC on Lex is my least favorite of all the Ws in NYC area. Times Square is Times square... (so Westin is our for me as well, but

at the 20k point range, Le Meridien is nice, the furthest north of all the properties, W downtown is the furthest south, so you will be taking one of the express trains. I like this property, but 20k may be a bit steep.

I honestly think for 12k, Grand Central is a great deal. The rooms are renovated in the past 18 months, if you stay here, try to get a corner room. Nothing special about the views. Location wise, you are close to midtown but not overwhelmed by Times Square lights / noise, which is why I prefer it (for my biz stays) over Westin / W TS.

Tribeca is not as nice of a property, but does have a nice lounge with a decent breakfast and a good balcony facing north. It's on Canal st, which is pretty busy with traffic and not my favorite part of the city.

For context, I work downtown and usually stay at the W Union Square (favorite property) if the rate is decent, or Tribeca / W Downtown. This summer has almost exclusively been Tribeca for the 3x points promo.

I'd narrow your choices to W Hoboken, Le Meridien, or Westin Grand Central. W Hoboken probably is the nicest of the 3, but the fact that it's across the river and the train doesn't run as often on the weekend may be a downside... I always try to stay 'in' the city when there for pleasure.

hope this helps, happy to answer any specific q's you may have

redanman

I'll be at the Parker Meridien this weekend, I'll report with my jaundiced (to NYC) eye. The Mid-Town location of this hotel is a plus, they have a rooftop pool and some rooms are extremely nice. Some are closets. My first stay as a Platinum, I have 2 rooms reserved, so I ought to be able to add a bit.

In my O, the W hotels are all quite cramped and Andaz from HYATT gets this concept way better than any other chain even though SPG broke the ground. W Times Square is wholly dependent on your room and would be my W choice, the rest are just small and noisy. Not stayed in Hoboken as I have no need to but several Euro friends love it.

Points is the only way I've stayed at the St. Regis, it's far too American ***** read - stupid fussy - for my taste (Tastes may vary), it always seems such a waste.

Westin at Times square is a zoo - if you like or loathe that act accordingly.

4 Points TS - small but effective.
Element TS - probably better for the theatre.

Yet to try the Chatwal, but "Luxury in New York" really worries me.

Again, I am not a NYC lover so take with a grain of salt.

Quasiconvexity

If it is her first time, I would recommend staying in Manhattan (Hoboken is close enough, but doesnt give the same feel as staying in the city). I love the location of the Le Meridien (I live only a couple of blocks away) - it is close enough to central park, Lincoln center, MoMA, Carnegie Hall, Broadway etc. while being sufficiently removed from the zoo that is Times Square. There are nice restaurants within walking distance - and subway stops nearby should you want to go to the Village or downtown.

The hotel itself is a bit meh - the rooms are somewhat dated, and they charge for pool access (at least they did, when I was there a couple of years ago - not sure if that has changed). They also have a somewhat spotty record when it comes to Platinum treatment.

I stayed once at the Chatwal for 2 nights and loathed it. The rooms were tiny - we were upgraded to a suite which was just two tiny rooms connected by a long corridor - in essence, not feeling spacious at all. The service, location etc. was subpar especially for such an expensive property.

redanman

Excellent stay at Parker le Meridien. Two rooms, both upgraded as a platinum to high floor, Jr. Suite. Quiet despite proximity to elevator. Excellent treatment by all SPG staff. I love this location, not a Broadway guy, not a Times Square guy. Am a Midtown guy. I will continue to stay here.

Only negative was parking, the contracted team were incompetent clowns. Drove in this time because party was 4 people, cost less this way. NYC parking is so incompetent.

I did eat at the St. Regis for breakfast as usual, top recommendation, fave in NYC.