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Some of you I’m guessing are very familiar with Manhattan – I once was, but my last trip was over 20 years ago, in a world before children..
I’m planning on taking my 11 year old daughter to New York in July (and then on to Washington DC).
Just looking for thoughts on Hilton vs. IHG in New York – specific properties or, more generally. The same I guess for Washington for those who know. Not familiar with the sort of charges I understand are sometimes now made even on reward bookings (I’d be booking all nights on points), and the limitations that may be imposed e.g. on breakfast (or at Hilton, executive lounge as we’ll have access to that, my daughter’s age permitting…) as compared to my experiences elsewhere.
Thanks!
Plenty of people will chip in here but I’d avoid the Hilton branded properties. This is all you get in NY for breakfast credit – https://stories.hilton.com/releases/hilton-honors-provides-us-daily-food-beverage-credit so I’m avoiding them on principle.
$18 per person will just about get you a coffee and a juice and maybe a pastry at an in house starbucks.
You should get lounge access as a Diamond but you need to make sure the specific property has one and is open at a weekend if that’s when you’re there.
Oh and 20% tipping is expected now. Even at some supermarket self checkouts believe it or not
Even at some supermarket self checkouts believe it or not
Who and how do you tip at a self-service checkout?
I’m diamond in Hilton, Plat AMB in IHG. Stay often in NYC for business.
All the Hilton choices are lacklustre for Diamond recognition. You really don’t get much, especially given how expensive their hotel breakfasts are.
For IHG, it’s better. As an AMB, IC Barclays is pretty good. Free buffet breakfast which is pretty decent. Drinks credit. Late checkout. Even as a Plat you get the breakfast I believe. But it is an expensive hotel. You do get value for money though for location and the level of standard.
For a cheaper option, consider the Indigo Wall Street. Pretty new, good hard product in the rooms. Plats get a free main course for breakfast, which is more than enough and pretty tasty food. It’s a little out of the way, except for the WTC museum and also for the statue of liberty ferry, and brooklyn bridge. But it’s a nice and safe area. And plenty of subway connections. This is my go-to for midrange chain hotel now.
Note that there are several Indigo’s in the financial District, easy to confuse them.
What sort of budget are you thinking? Obviously NYC isn’t cheap to start with but there’s no real limit from there on!
Hilton Home2 Suites Times Square South!
Some places might be full in July, especially ones which are the most convenient for families.
I was going to say we were impressed with the Hilton UN Plaza a few years ago – Gold and Diamond were given access to the lounge for breakfast and evening drinks and snacks. The breakfast buffet, though cold, was really good with bagels, cold meat, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, pastries etc. If this is still the case there might also be a nightly credit on offer which could cover other items.
The lounge was also on about the 40th floor with amazing views of the Chrysler building on one side and the East River on the other.Even at some supermarket self checkouts believe it or not
Who and how do you tip at a self-service checkout?
(sorry hit report by mistake)
apparently it’s on the till at the final screen and they go to all store staff. You’re able to decline though
Correct, that’s how it works. 15%, 20% and 25% are the normal options.
Thanks everyone, really helpful. Was veering towards IHG given what I’d heard about Hilton, so will investigate further. Forgot to say I’m Amb too so that will help.
Can’t believe you have to tip at a self-service till.! What next….
No need to tip in shops if you don’t want to! It’s not expected 🙂
It’s well known that servers in NYC make a lot of money, so I also don’t feel bad about tipping ~15% even if the lowest option on the machine is 20%.
Re hotels I would prioritise a good location over breakfast (as long as the rate is good…) – much more interesting to go to a nice cafe to make the most of your time in the city. I normally spend my free credit on takeaway coffees or a drink at the bar instead.
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/04/01/how-tipping-in-the-united-states-got-out-of-control.html
Or the video version if you prefer:
https://youtu.be/q_fMkXHYh6cJust stayed at Intercon Times Square – full breakfast for diamond and no amenity fee on reward bookings.
Just stayed at Intercon Times Square – full breakfast for diamond and no amenity fee on reward bookings.
Thanks for the datapoint @tiriavpo . Apart from these benefits, what were the other pros and cons of the IC Times Square? We are going to NYC next month for 5 nights and I’d originally discounted this IC as I wasn’t sure of the location etc.
Re IC Times Square: Location-wise, it is approx 5 mins to Times Square, 10 mins to Madison Square Garden, 15 to Rockefeller and 20 ish to Empire State Building. There’s a subway entrance right outside from where you can go up or downtown, or take the E Line to/from JFK (via Jamaica). Smith’s Bar, opposite the main entrance, is cheap and cheerful. We liked it.
Thanks – that’s really helpful 🙂
Also consider the Kimpton Muse.
It is under a minute walk to proper Times Square.
From the IHG portfolio, I believe only the CP is closer.Just as a counterpoint, I stayed at the IC Times Sq in March and thought it was a distinctly average place. Rooms were dated, service was awful (asked for bottle water to be sent to the room – didn’t arrive, ditto room service on my last day when I had an early departure for the airport), and whilst breakfast was free for Diamond, it was a pretty average spread when compared with a top-notch buffet
Also consider the Kimpton Muse.
It is under a minute walk to proper Times Square.
From the IHG portfolio, I believe only the CP is closer.I think the Muse is gone since lockdown.
Also consider the Kimpton Muse.
It is under a minute walk to proper Times Square.
From the IHG portfolio, I believe only the CP is closer.I think the Muse is gone since lockdown.
I think you’re right!
Shame.Anyone stayed at the Draper New York which is part the Tapestry collection? I was looking at that or Intercontinental Times Square.
I have fixed travel dates 8-11 Sept and looking at hotels for points, all coming out 80k per night Hilton or 60k IHG. Thoughts on best? I am Hilton Gold and IHG Diamond Ambassador.
Some places might be full in July, especially ones which are the most convenient for families.
I was going to say we were impressed with the Hilton UN Plaza a few years ago – Gold and Diamond were given access to the lounge for breakfast and evening drinks and snacks. The breakfast buffet, though cold, was really good with bagels, cold meat, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, pastries etc. If this is still the case there might also be a nightly credit on offer which could cover other items.
The lounge was also on about the 40th floor with amazing views of the Chrysler building on one side and the East River on the other.Re Hilton UN Plaza – I have been doing some research as it looked an interesting option but FlyerTalk is very clear that the lounge option is no more and indeed the F&B credit ($18pp) that Gold and up receive doesn’t go a long way (e.g. the full buffet charge is $60 pp !). Combined with multiple comments about the property being ‘a bit tired’ I’m not sure that the unique location / views alone can make it compelling over other options. Shame because when @NorthernLass mentioned it I was intrigued!
Any experience with the Crown Plaza HY36 Midtown here? Really well reviewed on TripAdvisor (and by what seem to be real and reasonable people with multiple contributions!) and whats looks to be a very interesting location, near Penn Station, the Hudson Yards and walkable for Times Square, Empire State etc. I know it doesn’t have a lounge but as a Diamond Ambassador I’m just happy to get a good brekkie, hopefully a decent room and a good night’s kip to book-end the touristy days 🙂
That’s a shame @GG. We were upgraded to a huge (for NYC) corner room with amazing views, it was anything but tired and this was only 4 years ago.
I stayed Hilton Midtown in November – I’m Diamond and benefits were pretty limited, I think I had a slightly upgraded room, and there is a small lounge (rammed with people in the morning) where you can have a light breakfast or pick up some free waters etc. during the rest of the day. Overall, the hotel felt like it needed a refurb!
I also stayed Hilton Times Square, pre-Covid, the room was nicer (upgraded to a ‘high’ and corner room with empire state building views), voucher for breakfast (I can’t recall how many $). The communal areas of the hotel were small but I didn’t spend much time there. I preferred it overall though on the basis of the better room.
There is a doubletree near Times Square too that I was heavily warned off by a colleague who had been – and also by Tripadvisor – as it essentially seems to draw its aircon air from an area where people stand and smoke weed.
On the weed point, seems like it’s everywhere in Manhattan, you can barely escape the smell.
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