Last edit by: bhrubin
Concierge email address: [email protected]
Expert Review (posted to Luxury Forum) from March 2018 including description of Table 55 at the King Cole Bar:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...ular-stay-2408
Expert Review (posted to Luxury Forum) from March 2018 including description of Table 55 at the King Cole Bar:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...ular-stay-2408
St Regis New York City NYC [Master Thread]
#211
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
#212
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Ethernal, what was the room number of the "Standard Inferior Room" you received? Was it on the 19th floor (same floor as fitness center) where the ceilings are lower or on lower floors in one of the interior additions?
I've stayed at this property a number of times as well and always book at least the Grand Deluxe room. Even the Grand Deluxe room (their best non-suite room) has their own "inferior" versions. They end with "22" and are located at the back of hotel near the elevator with an interior view. When I don't like my room, I always ask the front desk to do a room change the next day which always happened. I seem to almost always get a complimentary suite upgrade the second night of my stay when I suggest "upsell" to the front desk clerk before they suggest it.
I've stayed at this property a number of times as well and always book at least the Grand Deluxe room. Even the Grand Deluxe room (their best non-suite room) has their own "inferior" versions. They end with "22" and are located at the back of hotel near the elevator with an interior view. When I don't like my room, I always ask the front desk to do a room change the next day which always happened. I seem to almost always get a complimentary suite upgrade the second night of my stay when I suggest "upsell" to the front desk clerk before they suggest it.
If this is classified as a "grand deluxe" room then that is doubly troublesome. It does not even meet the standard of the superior room, much less an enhanced room. I cannot check whether or not it was given that the new Marriott app does not show the actual room type after check-in like the old SPG one did .
This property has a problem with almost everyone getting 4PM check out. It is gotten to a point that almost every stay I would get a letter on the morning of check out asking me to "volunteer" to early check out for extra points.
When staying at the property, do not rely on getting anything good at 4PM check-in if they are fully committed that day. If I am told "no" at 4PM, I would return about 6:00PM to 6:30PM and ask if there are any rooms/suites that were "previously in dirty status at 4PM but now clean". Since I've stayed there a number of times, they would now automatically offer me an upgrade (when checking in early) if I am willing to wait into the evening.
When staying at the property, do not rely on getting anything good at 4PM check-in if they are fully committed that day. If I am told "no" at 4PM, I would return about 6:00PM to 6:30PM and ask if there are any rooms/suites that were "previously in dirty status at 4PM but now clean". Since I've stayed there a number of times, they would now automatically offer me an upgrade (when checking in early) if I am willing to wait into the evening.
As for Platinum upgrades, the highest room type they upgrade to is the Madison Suite. Anything above is handled as an upsell. Was the price differential they offered you the difference between your Superior room and the St. Regis Suite or the price difference between the Madison Suite and the St. Regis Suite? Note that the St. Regis Suite is an interior facing suite.
At some hotels, what I would sometimes get is an "hypothetical upgrade" to their highest upgradable suite type and then an upsell.
At some hotels, what I would sometimes get is an "hypothetical upgrade" to their highest upgradable suite type and then an upsell.
edit: and just to be clear - I am not mad that I did not get a suite upgrade. I am mad that I was put in a room that doesn't even meet the advertised standard of their superior (standard) rooms when other options did exist.
Last edited by ethernal; Sep 24, 2018 at 8:49 am
#213
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Titanium, DL DM
Posts: 298
In countries where tips are expected the hotel should absolutely cover them on free breakfasts. Why shouldn't they? Is it your mind view that a free breakfast should only be free in countries where tip isn't expected?
#214
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
This is what we refer to as looking a gift horse in the mouth. Enjoy the breakfast benefit. Don't take it for granted by assuming it should include tip. You get the breakfast but you still tip the server in a tipping culture country.
#215
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Titanium, DL DM
Posts: 298
It isn't a gift horse, it is an earned benefit. The St. Regis isn't giving me breakfast out of the kindness of their heart or to help me out, they are doing it because I give my business to SPG/Marriott and that is the agreement. Now I do leave the tip but it is ridiculous that in the US (and a few other countries) this benefit still requires me to cover the labor cost of the employees. Either it is a free breakfast or it isn't. In this case it isn't, it is a subsidized breakfast which is not what the benefit is supposed to be.
#216
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
It isn't a gift horse, it is an earned benefit. The St. Regis isn't giving me breakfast out of the kindness of their heart or to help me out, they are doing it because I give my business to SPG/Marriott and that is the agreement. Now I do leave the tip but it is ridiculous that in the US (and a few other countries) this benefit still requires me to cover the labor cost of the employees. Either it is a free breakfast or it isn't. In this case it isn't, it is a subsidized breakfast which is not what the benefit is supposed to be.
The fact that tips are required to help cover the labor costs of restaurant employees isn't the fault of St Regis hotel employees. That's an American societal and political issue more appropriate for OMNI.
#217
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
It's a breakfast benefit. It doesn't include tip. it isn't so tough. If we're staying at a St Regis and complaining about the tip on breakfast, there are bigger issues at play, I think.
The fact that tips are required to help cover the labor costs of restaurant employees isn't the fault of St Regis hotel employees. That's an American societal and political issue more appropriate for OMNI.
The fact that tips are required to help cover the labor costs of restaurant employees isn't the fault of St Regis hotel employees. That's an American societal and political issue more appropriate for OMNI.
#218
#219
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
#221
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
While I didn't get a tangible upgrade due to the UN GA, I do have to say service was very good. The breakfast benefit went very well without selecting any sort of breakfast packages but main courses and other plates. For the perceived value of the breakfast I didn't mind tipping at this particular instance at all (which I usually hate with a passion).
#223
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
IMHO, Re: $50/night destination fee.
New York is one of those cities where there are many great places to go out, eat and have a great time.
What the St. Regis NY is basically doing is forcing its guests to pay a fee so that they would try to at least get some of the seats in their restaurant and bar filled up and appear less empty.
New York is one of those cities where there are many great places to go out, eat and have a great time.
What the St. Regis NY is basically doing is forcing its guests to pay a fee so that they would try to at least get some of the seats in their restaurant and bar filled up and appear less empty.
#224
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785