AZ Travels the World

About an hour ago I drove by this hotel. They've got more than a little work to get accomplished in the next month. And not the nicest of locations -- kinda rough.

KENNECTED

Foot meet mouth! I looked at the wrong address. Sorry.

However, my question remains.

I personally don't find that Time Square/Port Authority as "rough". The are has been sanitized and Disney-fied to no end. There the NYTimes building and theaters and the Port Authority.

AZ Travels the World

OK. You stay there.

I'll stay at the St. Regis.

KENNECTED

I don't plan on staying there, I'm not a Four Point kinda guy. I'm interested in hearing why you think the neighborhood is "rough"?

10 Years ago, I probably would agreed with you. Now with development on Ninth Avenue and Hell's Kitchen (or Clinton - genetrification folks ) a former hot neighborhood to live in, the image (real or perceived) of the area/neighborhood has changed.

PS: If you want to book a room at the St. Regis for me using your points, by all means do so! ^^

AZ Travels the World

Well, I was in a car, going down 40th street at just before midnight. While I'm not familiar with that area south of the Port Authority, my impression was that it's not the cleaned up Times Square area. It's where a number of the porn shops seem to have relocated. Lots of unseemly characters loitering around, crossing the street, looking into your car -- the kind of thing that will make a lot of people nervous.

To label this property 'Times Square' is even more ludicrous than calling the Westin 'Times Square.' This should be called the Four Points Port Authority South.

itsaboutthejourney

I agree. The blocks in the vicinity of the Port Authority are not clean, have some undesirable businesses and people: cluesless tourists! Although no peace garden, I think the area is safe. And it's a great location with so much to do and see nearby. And there is a Dean & Deluca across the street in the NY Times Bldg!

Four Points Port Authority South is a very accurate title.

freebee

FYI, Marriott just opened a Fairfield Inn Times Square right next door to the new Four Points, so Starwood isn't the only one to see the potential on that block of West 40th between Eighth and Ninth Avenue. Granted, it may not be the best block in the area, but New York is still the safest major city in the nation, so I wouldn't hesitate to stay there if the price was right.

OAK AAFlier

I would have to say that is very definitely the Times Square neighborhood. Whether you think its rough or not, it is Times Square. It is 4 blocks from 42nd and 7th which is the heart of Times Square.

andymo99

I am at the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown - Times Square right now.

I booked in the late afternoon when I realized I'd be coming to NYC. Rate is $168.75 plus tax - I've never had a lower SPG rate in Manhattan, including at the Four Points Chelsea.

When I checked in, the desk clerk informed me that they'd opened up last Thursday. The process was smooth. I asked about a Platinum upgrade, and she recited the Platinum benefits ("250 points, robe in your room..."). I explained that I was asking about a room upgrade/suite, and she said that I was moved to a higher floor, but the suites were not yet ready for occupancy.

My room is standard. 29th floor. Layout of the floor is very similar to Four Points Chelsea and some other urban Four Points - central elevators with about 8 rooms in a square arrangement all the way around the lifts. Anyhow, room is smallish but fine. Obviously, everything is brand new. My view is of the parking lot roof of a long flat building across the street - I think the Port Authority. I also have a view of the W.

Now, on to the neighborhood...

Folks, this is a few blocks from Times Square but kind of a world away, if you know what I mean. It is like the little part of the neighborhood that Giuliani just never got around to cleaning up. There is indeed a new Fairfield Inn (Marriott) next door. On the other side is some parole office, with some big locked gates surrounding the front door. It will be interesting to see what that is like in the day time. The other neighborhood attractions include a handful of porn shops just down the block, the aforementioned Port Authority Bus Terminal, a few shuttered storefronts, a sad little parking lot, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I don't feel at all unsafe walking around at night, but it is nonetheless a depressing and downmarket location. I expect some others would feel unsafe leaving the hotel at night who would feel 100% fine walking out of Westin Times Square, W Times Square, and the two nearby Sheratons.

I really enjoy reading the description of the hotel from SPG:
[emphasis added]

Honestly, I just stayed here sort of out of curiosity/on a lark. The room is fine and staff was nice, but can't imagine staying again when there are plenty of good Ws plus the Westin and the Le Parker Meridien in Manhattan.

AZ Travels the World

Careful now. . . I got spanked up-thread for such an assessment.

andymo99

I would personally characterize it as "rough" insofar as it is not polished. It hasn't been cleaned up like Times Square proper has. It has the porn shops, low-rent retail, crummy garages, vacant lots, etc.

I would not characterize it as "rough" to mean "dangerous." I had no qualms walking down the street for a bite to eat late at night.



Let's be clear here, this is not the Disney-fied section of the neighborhood. Rather, this is where the "undesirable elements" (e.g. porn shops) were pushed when Giuliani cleaned up the heart of Times Square. Anyone walking on the block of the Four Points would consider it to be a vastly different "feel" from, say, the Westin Times Square or W Times Square.





Agreed to the first two points: not the cleaned up part of Times Square, and yes to the porn shops. I did not encounter unseemly characters peering into cars. Again, I personally would not be nervous here, but agree that some people certainly would.



Look, I don't really think that people are going to find my characterizations at all controversial when they frequent this property themselves. I would really be shocked if someone stayed here and disagreed with my main points, both objective and subjective:

• Porn shops
• Strange, seedy looking parole office
• Worlds away - figuratively speaking - from the atmosphere of the heart of Times Square
• Not "Giuliani-ized"
• Somewhat downmarket and depressing

Time will tell. I am eager to hear what others will have to report. With rates this low, I doubt I'll be the last to stay here!

andymo99

I'm a Four Points and St. Regis kinda guy. Last night was Four Points Pornville, tonight is St. Regis NY. Stark contrast.



By the way, the whole discussion of the neighborhood of this Four Points has me wondering when they'll open a Four Points New York DoWiSeTrePla.

edsh

I stayed here last night and agree 100% with your review. Having stayed in various New York hotels and neighborhoods for the past few months, it was a bit of a culture shock walking from the Times Square subway station to the hotel entrance at 10PM. I passed a few policemen helping homeless people find shelter for the night. I didn't find the neighborhood dangerous at all - just wasn't expecting such a drastic change from the overwhelming glitz of Times Square. The room rate is great for a clean and well furnished room in Midtown. Now that I know what to expect of the neighborhood I would stay here again if room rate was the main determinant in choosing the hotel.

bigguyinpasadena

Thanks for the report Andymo99,
By chance did you notice how close is a subway stop from the hotel enterance and whaich lines?
Unless there is an event nearby I think I will pass on this property and expect many others will also.Expect it to be the cheapest SPG option in NYC once the word gets out.

Gski

I also stayed last night. They opened on Thursday and were at 97% capacity; all other *Wood properties in NYC last night were sold out. I booked at $165 at 7pm and got a room on a very low floor (Suites are not yet ready) with a beautiful view of the Port Authority. Yes, it's the Four Points Port Authority South, past numerous adult DVD shops [one was going out of business and had a giant banner for 2 for 1 DVDs – perhaps a harbinger?], a one (half?) star rated Chinese restaurant, and a high volume liquor shop. The rooms are brand new, free internet and water is nice. Ice machine and fitness center in the basement. There is a restaurant with a few tables, but they don't yet have their liquor license. As for the room, its nice. The bathroom is ok, but there is precious little room to put your toiletries and the towels hang in the shower, which you have to open to get to them. I guess I've been spoiled by the Parker Meridien. If you need a *Wood property for a low price, this is it, albeit it on a block that will take some time to clean itself up – yes, a world away from Times Square -- a single block that is not like the others. But seriously, walk to the end of the block to 8th Ave and you're back in civilization, the NYTimes, Dean and Deluca, subway. There's a great Italian place on 38th, mid block between 8th and 9th north side of the street called Carbone. They’ve a little outdoor area to eat in the back. Also HK [Hell’s Kitchen] Café on 9th is great. It’ll be interesting if commercial rents will increase and perhaps more NYC t-shirt shops will move in. Back at the Parker next week. Oh, and how many of you actually get reimbursed for the St. Regis? Seriously?