SPG Plat to New York... what's my best bet?
Jun 3, 2013, 5:40 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
just checked into the element this afternoon....another upgrade to a studio suite for this stay....i really like this property & will once again recommend it....
Jun 3, 2013, 6:24 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: irvine, ca
Posts: 368
The Andaz on 5th is very nice. If you have Diamond Status and a free suite upgrade the Large Loft (or above, apparently) are quite special. It's a very modern vibe which isn't to everyone's taste though.
I'm mainly waiting for the Park Hyatt to open and then for me to win the lottery so I can afford it.
If you have points to burn and are having a special weekend, you might as well enjoy the St Regis...
I'm mainly waiting for the Park Hyatt to open and then for me to win the lottery so I can afford it.
If you have points to burn and are having a special weekend, you might as well enjoy the St Regis...
Sorely miss that NYC doesn't have a Park Hyatt anymore
Question w re: to ST Regis is whether the value using points (22k points/night) is commensurate with Hyatt Andaz experience (which cost less points)
Jun 4, 2013, 7:08 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA EXP & 1 MM/ LTG, CX GO, US CP, SPG Platinum Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 124
No standard suites at W New York Downtown
The W New York Downtown does not have any standard suites, and thus a Platinum upgrade to a suite is not going to happen.
Jun 4, 2013, 7:33 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
If a nice room is a priority for you, I'd also add that the Corner Room at the W Downtown are really not much bigger than the entry-level ones, though I remain a supporter of this property overall.
Jun 4, 2013, 7:34 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
It'll all depend on how you value your points. I've never stayed in the New York St Regis, but I would assume it's a more "premium" experience than the Andaz which is a sort of up-market boutique W.
Jun 4, 2013, 6:26 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
Piggybacking onto this thread. Difference is that I'm planning to use points and for a 1-3 night stay (I have 90k points to use) in June.
There'll be 4 of us (2 adults+2 college age).
Spouse is thinking St Regis for 1-2 nights "just to try it out" thinking it would be nice to experience a high-end hotel with butler service.
Will we get a better experience elsewhere? How about Parker Meridien?
I also have Hyatt and plan to use it most of the week.
For those who use both Hyatt and SPG - am I better off using all my points with say Hyatt Andaz on 5th?
There'll be 4 of us (2 adults+2 college age).
Spouse is thinking St Regis for 1-2 nights "just to try it out" thinking it would be nice to experience a high-end hotel with butler service.
Will we get a better experience elsewhere? How about Parker Meridien?
I also have Hyatt and plan to use it most of the week.
For those who use both Hyatt and SPG - am I better off using all my points with say Hyatt Andaz on 5th?
We also travel with college-aged kids & rooms with 2 Queens are hard to come by in NYC! Do you have status with SPG? If so, you are likely to get a room upgrade at the WGC.
Jun 5, 2013, 2:39 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: SPG Platinum, Lufthansa M&M FTL, FlyingBlue, Air Berlin Top Bonus
Posts: 77
Recommending Westin Grand Central (though I can only compare this to the Sheraton Hotel & Towers New York way back in 2006).
Just stayed there last week for three nights (Wed-Sat) on points. Applied SNA which was confirmed 5 days in advance. Upgraded to a very nice Junior Suite on the 35th floor.
Platinum recognition was next to nonexistent for us. We were asked for our prefererred aminity and the front desk agent recommended to choose points as the continental breakfast really was just that (pastries and coffee). Apart from that no Platinum recognition at all. There's no additional welcome gift, no drink vouchers or anything else.
Anyway, I would still recommend this place for Platinums on a tourist trip due to the location and comfort of the rooms. Also Internet was fast which was a relief after a trip to Mexico :-)
Just stayed there last week for three nights (Wed-Sat) on points. Applied SNA which was confirmed 5 days in advance. Upgraded to a very nice Junior Suite on the 35th floor.
Platinum recognition was next to nonexistent for us. We were asked for our prefererred aminity and the front desk agent recommended to choose points as the continental breakfast really was just that (pastries and coffee). Apart from that no Platinum recognition at all. There's no additional welcome gift, no drink vouchers or anything else.
Anyway, I would still recommend this place for Platinums on a tourist trip due to the location and comfort of the rooms. Also Internet was fast which was a relief after a trip to Mexico :-)
Jun 5, 2013, 4:08 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: irvine, ca
Posts: 368
The St. Regis is 30,000 SPG points versus the Westin Grand Central at 12,000. I know which one I would take!
We also travel with college-aged kids & rooms with 2 Queens are hard to come by in NYC! Do you have status with SPG? If so, you are likely to get a room upgrade at the WGC.
We also travel with college-aged kids & rooms with 2 Queens are hard to come by in NYC! Do you have status with SPG? If so, you are likely to get a room upgrade at the WGC.
Recommending Westin Grand Central (though I can only compare this to the Sheraton Hotel & Towers New York way back in 2006).
Just stayed there last week for three nights (Wed-Sat) on points. Applied SNA which was confirmed 5 days in advance. Upgraded to a very nice Junior Suite on the 35th floor.
Platinum recognition was next to nonexistent for us. We were asked for our prefererred aminity and the front desk agent recommended to choose points as the continental breakfast really was just that (pastries and coffee). Apart from that no Platinum recognition at all. There's no additional welcome gift, no drink vouchers or anything else.
Anyway, I would still recommend this place for Platinums on a tourist trip due to the location and comfort of the rooms. Also Internet was fast which was a relief after a trip to Mexico :-)
Just stayed there last week for three nights (Wed-Sat) on points. Applied SNA which was confirmed 5 days in advance. Upgraded to a very nice Junior Suite on the 35th floor.
Platinum recognition was next to nonexistent for us. We were asked for our prefererred aminity and the front desk agent recommended to choose points as the continental breakfast really was just that (pastries and coffee). Apart from that no Platinum recognition at all. There's no additional welcome gift, no drink vouchers or anything else.
Anyway, I would still recommend this place for Platinums on a tourist trip due to the location and comfort of the rooms. Also Internet was fast which was a relief after a trip to Mexico :-)
I most likely will stay the majority of the week @ Hyatt Andaz but was mainly wondering whether "splurgin" 30k points for 1 night would be worth it to feel like the part of the "1%" crowd
Jun 6, 2013, 12:06 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I'm platinum with SPG, Diamond with Hyatt (equivalent to SPG Plat)
I intend to use points so I'm not sure a SNA can be applied - right?
I most likely will stay the majority of the week @ Hyatt Andaz but was mainly wondering whether "splurgin" 30k points for 1 night would be worth it to feel like the part of the "1%" crowd
I intend to use points so I'm not sure a SNA can be applied - right?
I most likely will stay the majority of the week @ Hyatt Andaz but was mainly wondering whether "splurgin" 30k points for 1 night would be worth it to feel like the part of the "1%" crowd
Go ahead and splurge, if you want to. You will have some people say it isn't worth it etc. however you will never experience it if you don't spend the 30k points. Satisfy your curiosity and splurge if you want to. Enjoy your points the way you want. Point hoarding doesn't pay off, it only satisfies yourself with having a big balance. It isn't an investment account, in that this "investment" or points as it were only goes down in value. Earn and burn. You have an opportunity. Burn em.
Jun 6, 2013, 12:23 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYC
Programs: Marriott LTP - Aeroplan 50K
Posts: 676
If you don't mind being a bit further out, how about the W Hoboken ? Good Plat recognition and the view of the Manhattan skyline is terrific.
Have fun :-)
Singlepoint
Have fun :-)
Singlepoint
Jun 7, 2013, 5:58 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I spent a month at the Element Times Square in 2011 and I'm just heading back for another 3 weeks. It's a great hotel for a longer stay, as the room is large and feels more like a small apartment.
You won't get much out of your platinum benefits though. They typically don't upgrade to suites and the welcome amenity is just points. There's a free breakfast downstars, but it's quite basic. The high floor rooms facing north have nice views of Manhattan and are slightly larger than the rooms facing the other way. You should get one of those.
The elevators are a problem in rush hour. Going down is not a problem if you're on a high floor, as you're the first one to board.
You won't get much out of your platinum benefits though. They typically don't upgrade to suites and the welcome amenity is just points. There's a free breakfast downstars, but it's quite basic. The high floor rooms facing north have nice views of Manhattan and are slightly larger than the rooms facing the other way. You should get one of those.
The elevators are a problem in rush hour. Going down is not a problem if you're on a high floor, as you're the first one to board.