Hi,

I'm always curious to see how suites compare in different hotels. Is it possible to just walk in to a hotel and ask to see one of its better (top 5)suites? Anyone has any experience with this?

Hotels are always happy to do this - just go to the front desk and they'll have someone show you around.

I could just walk into the Mandarin Oriental NY(A block away) and go see their best suite?

If you implied you were serious. You might want to make an appointment too - you know, to make sure it was unoccupied: the General Manager is Rudy Tauscher.

Sure.. it's a product they want to sell. As long as they don't think you're just there to gawk and are actually considering booking it they'll be happy to have someone give you a quick look.

I've never done this with "top suites" but I've done it many times in hotels outside the US when I want to see the different room types before I choose which one I want.

My husband and I were unhappy with our room at the Ritz, Paris (this was a return visit and we knew that it was inferior to the one we had in the past). We dressed in very fine clothes (he with suit and tie) and went to the Plaza Athenee, Crillon, LeBristol, GeorgeV and in each hotel, we explained to the Manager that we were currently at the Ritz and unhappy with our accommodation. In each hotel we were escorted in a very courteous manner to different available rooms. We ultimately chose the Crillon as the Mgr said that he would be delighted to give us a large suite with balcony overlooking the Place de la Concorde for the price we were paying at the Ritz. The key is to dress well and be very courteous. It was a great experience seeing all of the different rooms in Paris' most luxurious hotels.

Hotel sales people are there to SELL, and when I visited a bunch of Manhattan hotels interested in only seeing the standard rooms, most insisted on also showing me the suites and deluxe rooms. The suites are just as much for showing as for renting.

I guess dressing nicely doesn't hurt, but hotels LOVE to show people around and show off all the amenities, you don't even need to make up a story. But once you spend a day hotel hopping, all the rooms look the same.

No, I don't spend my spare time doing this anymore, nor did I originally do it by choice... ;-)

Given what I've seen with staffing levels at hotels these days, I don't think a walk-in show might be available. By appointment, it's not going to be an issue.

If it's at a luxury hotel, it probably would work unless the rooms are occupied.