Thanksgiving week brought me to Westin New York Times Square. This was my first visit after years of staying at the Doubletree Times Square for work. Neither hotel is anything to write home about, but for the price and checking that $500 a night for “average” hotels was not uncommon during Thanksgiving, they’re not horrible.
Overall I sum up my Westin stay as good. This location has the basic Westin stuff down. Heavenly bed and heavenly bath are fine. Where they lack is in service. Now to their credit, being the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m not sure if they were on limited or secondary staff. Regardless it should not take the operator 12-15 rings to answer the telephone. Four co-workers reported the same delays in answering. For seemingly simple requests, comparing stories, not all of our calls were placed at what would be peak check-in and check-out times.
I was extremely displeased with the speed of their so-called “high speed” internet service. The connection was expensive, and so slow that they ended up crediting me as it’s less than dial-up speed was un-usable. Unfortunately due to being booked, they could not move me to another room.
The bedding and bath products were quite nice, as Westin has become known for. Yet, I found my room not to be stocked with items such as a laundry bag, robe and extra toilet paper. My co-workers alerted me to this, but the hotel does not supply shower gel. Though they did have bath bars.
In-room television was above and beyond with a 42” LCD HDTV, and unlike most hotels that just put in an LCD screen with “stretch-o-vision” SD programming, the hotel offers 15 digital channels. Including all of the local NYC network affiliates (excluding WNBC), ESPN and ESPN 2, Universal, and I believe Discovery or National Geographic HD. The hotel services/ppv preview channel was in HD, yet the film previews were SD stretched.
Upon parking your car with the hotel Valet, they warn you to give an estimated 30 minutes for them to have your car ready for you. Both times I called for my car they had it waiting for me in 12 and 15 minutes respectively. As of 11/07 cost for valet parking was $48 + $3.49 sales tax.
The hotel had great access to 42nd Street Times Square subway station, the main hotel entrance is on 43rd Street at 8th Avenue, yet they also have a 42nd Street entrance by going to the second level on the attached movie theater and Starbucks.
Toilet noises weren’t bother some, or noticeable until I read fellow TripAdvisors’ comments about the noise. Not until then did I begin to notice, and in my 12th floor room it was not a bother.
At check-in two staff members recommended the Brooklyn Diner on 43rd Street in Times Square for breakfast, and then the West Way Diner as an alternative on 9th Avenue north of 43rd St. After waiting 15 minutes for a seat in the Brooklyn Diner, and due to a limited menu, I left. I found the West Way to have a very large menu, with quick service and decent prices for NYC. A great recommendation from Westin staff.
Upon arriving at home, and checking my credit card statement, I noticed they double charged me for parking on the last day. Had to call accounting during their normal office hours, but they did correct the problem.
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