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Hi, got a two week work trip to NYC coming up in March. Budget tops out at about $400 a night. I’m diamond elite and might get ambassador to renew, if helpful. Happy with Manhattan (ideally not Midtown) or Brooklyn.
Can anyone recommend a hotel where a suite upgrade would be likely? Thanks!
I doubt – for a 2 week stay – you’d get a suite upgrade anywhere. You can be sure that one day during that period will be super busy. I think you need to focus on the hotel with the best base room you can find and not hope for much.
Ambassador would guarantee you a one level upgrade which, over 14 nights, may be good value.
If you can be bothered, you may have more chance of a better upgrade somewhere if you break up your stay between two or three hotels. That could be a pain, though!
If your work’s paying, would the budget cover a bigger room somewhere – so you’d definitely get a decent amount of space? Two weeks is a fair while if you’re unlucky and they put you in the cupboard overlooking the bins. You can also ask hotels you’re considering if they’ll confirm an upgrade before arrival.
There is a Candlewood if what you’re wanting is a suite in terms of having basic cooking facilities. I’ve not seen the NYC one, but the chain’s not geared to luxury if that’s what you’re wanting.
March is still pre-peak season so, I agree, for a 14 night booking at a hotel which has quite a few suites (InterCon Barclay is overrun with suites because of the history of the building) it is worth a direct approach.
If not, remeember that Conrad Downtown is all suite and Conrad Midtown is virtually all-suite (they split a few up purely to create bad rooms for points redemptions!). Conrad Downtown also has a cinema in the building and is next to the Brookfield Place mall which may be useful if you want somewhere you can go to easily in the evenings.
This isn’t IHG but sometimes comfort etc beats points!
I stay (and am here now) at the Mint House on Pine Street next to Wall Street. It has large rooms with proper immaculate kitchens (oven, hob and fridge freezer not just a microwave and mini fridge). Close to several subway lines so transport is good.
Fits within in with your budget as well. And you can spend $250 on a Mint Pass and save 30% on the room rate (this is a real discount not 30% off some inflated rate)
March is still pre-peak season so, I agree, for a 14 night booking at a hotel which has quite a few suites (InterCon Barclay is overrun with suites because of the history of the building) it is worth a direct approach.
If not, remeember that Conrad Downtown is all suite and Conrad Midtown is virtually all-suite (they split a few up purely to create bad rooms for points redemptions!). Conrad Downtown also has a cinema in the building and is next to the Brookfield Place mall which may be useful if you want somewhere you can go to easily in the evenings.
I stayed 10 nights at Intercon Barclay in December as a Diamond Ambassador. Only got an upgrade to a higher floor as that in itself is an upgrade…tried pushing for it but that was all they could offer.
Also note breakfast is only free for the cold cuts / pastries / fruits etc as Diamond. USD$15 top up if you want the hot food.
“Also note breakfast is only free for the cold cuts / pastries / fruits etc as Diamond. USD$15 top up if you want the hot food.”
I knew the Barclay wouldn’t have the good grace to grant free breakfast. The IHG t&c say that where there’s a buffet, Diamonds get free run at the buffet. They have no right to segregate the hot food off in this way unless it is ordered off a menu (which I doubt it is). I will be there end March with lounge access; I intend to self-serve in the lounge and rebut any attempt to serve me with a breakfast ‘bill’.
Room upgrades are always lousy there for Diamonds/Ambassadors. But it’s not all bad. Rooms are spacious compared to similarly priced Marriotts, the area is safe and quiet in relative terms and it has never tried wriggling out of 4pm check out. I also got a box of posh chocs on NYE and an easter egg on Easter Sunday.
FWIW, I had an excellent stay at the Kimpton Eventi as a Diamond in December, on a Creation HG free night (I am still luck enough to have the IHG Black card). Breakfast was a [limited] selection from the menu. The staff were very helpful, and the room was large (for NYC) and had a reasonably good view.
FWIW, I had an excellent stay at the Kimpton Eventi as a Diamond in December, on a Creation HG free night (I am still luck enough to have the IHG Black card). Breakfast was a [limited] selection from the menu. The staff were very helpful, and the room was large (for NYC) and had a reasonably good view.
How is the area at night? I have heard from 2 others who stayed there in 2022 that after Macy’s closes the area becomes a bit sketchy.
FWIW, I had an excellent stay at the Kimpton Eventi as a Diamond in December, on a Creation HG free night (I am still luck enough to have the IHG Black card). Breakfast was a [limited] selection from the menu. The staff were very helpful, and the room was large (for NYC) and had a reasonably good view.
How is the area at night? I have heard from 2 others who stayed there in 2022 that after Macy’s closes the area becomes a bit sketchy.
We arrived at 2230 with an exhausted toddler, so didn’t go out after we arrived. It’s mid-town Manhattan, so I’m not sure it’s that different than elsewhere (ie, be careful and sensible).
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