New hotel brands in New York – Marriott launches Delta Hotels, Hilton launches Tempo

Some New York hotel news in brief:

Marriott opens Delta Hotels New York Times Square

If you’re looking for a new hotel (in both senses of the word) in New York, Marriott Bonvoy launched its Delta Hotels brand in the city this week. See here.

Originally a Canadian chain, Delta Hotels was bought by Marriott and turned into a ‘conversion brand’. It is a brand for owners of midscale hotels who want to join the Marriott ‘system’ without having to meet a huge list of brand standards. There are now 120 properties globally.

This property used to be a Staybridge Suites. It has had a full makeover and looks smart, if a little functional. The rooms look like they are a good size which is a throwback to the Staybridge Suites days when they would have included a kitchenette.

Marriott often makes its new hotels attractive for points redemptions, in order to get people through the door whilst word of mouth builds. This isn’t the case here in the very short term.

Taking 29th August as an example, it is $236 all-in for cash (including 3,000 bonus points) or 68,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This works out at just 0.27p per point, astonishingly poor compared to our standard valuation of 0.5p per Bonvoy point.

Oddly, looking into peak season in mid September, it all changes. Cash rates jump to $582 on a random date whilst the points price remains at 68,000 – getting you a generous 0.67p per point. Do your maths before booking!

The Delta Hotels New York Times Square website is here.

…. whilst Hilton launches the first Tempo hotel in the world

Meanwhile, also in Times Square, Hilton has launched Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square. The website is here.

This is the first Tempo hotel to open anywhere. When Hilton announced the brand in 2020 it was described as:

an approachable lifestyle brand curated to serve a growing segment of “modern achievers” who seek a hotel experience that reflects their ambition. By combining thoughtful design and diverse lifestyle partnerships, Tempo by Hilton provides hotel owners and developers with a highly scalable brand that is both uplifting and within reach for future guests – all powered by an efficient service model.

In terms of looks, it seems to align with IHG’s Hotel Indigo or Hyatt Centric, but in terms of ‘soft product’ it is described as a ‘limited service brand’ (albeit rated as 4-star) with large communal areas.

There is a ‘Wellness Room’ category which will include a Peloton bike and massage therapy devices. The brand standard is ‘no breakfast buffet’ – we don’t mean it’s all a la carte, we mean there is an in-hotel cafe and you need to buy what you need.

The Times Square property has a whopping 661 rooms so is probably not typical of how future Tempo sites will feel. In theory upgrades for Hilton Honors elite members should be good, but with so many Hilton credit card elite members in the US even a Diamond member can’t be certain of much. Remember that Hilton gives away Diamond status with one of its US credit cards.

What is clear from the website is that there are some fantastic views available from the high floors, especially the corner rooms with floor to ceiling glass on both sides.

In late August rates start at $381 all-in or 90,000 Hilton Honors points, in line with our 0.33p per point valuation. There is much better value in mid September when I see rooms at $578 or 90,000 points, getting you 0.5p per Hilton Honors point.

The Tempo New York Times Square website is here.

Hotel offers update – December 2024:

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.

Want to buy hotel points?

• Hilton Honors is offering an 80%-100% bonus when you buy points by 31st December 2024. Click here to buy.

• IHG One Rewards is offering a 100% bonus when you buy points by 13th December 2024. Your annual purchase limit is increased to 300,000 points plus the bonus. Click here to buy.

• Marriott Bonvoy is offering a 40%-45% bonus when you buy point by 23rd December 2024. Your annual purchase limit is increased to 150,000 points plus the bonus. Click here to buy.

• World of Hyatt is offering a 25% bonus when you buy points by 4th January 2025. Your annual purchase limit is increased to 110,000 points plus the bonus. Click here to buy.