Lovely hotel, right in the middle of everything! (The Westin New York at Times Square (New York, USA))

Member Name: emmajt81

Product:	The Westin New York at Times Square (New York, USA)
Date:	13/08/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Subway round the corner, beds are AMAZING, Times Sq 2 minutes away

Disadvantages: Slightly pricey, business centre not very big, bar expensive, phone calls extortianate!

Was very happy when we got to the Westin and discovered just how close we were to Times Square and the subway. The subway was literally 30 seconds out the hotel (or another entrance 2 minutes down the road for another line) and Times Sq was a 2 minute walk round the block. Check in was swift, rooms were ready straight away. Room was nice - small - but what we expected from a New York hotel to be honest. Yes its true to say there are no locks on the bathroom door (it's a sliding door and although isn't see through, you can see shadows through it). But if the door's closed you know someone is in there, so wasn't a problem at all.

We had a twin room with 2 double beds and it's true what they say about the Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Showers - they really were! The bed has to be the most comfortable I have ever slept in. More comfortable than my bed at home - wish I could afford to buy everything (you can buy it all but it's a lot of $$!). The shower has the option to have on 2 shower heads (or just one if you want to save energy but what the hell) which made for a lovely hot power shower. Maids were in everyday making the beds and changing towels but never early enough that we saw them or they got in our way which was great. Had a paper delivered every morning and coffee facilities were topped up every day. One thing I did miss was tea facilities. Us English do like a cup of tea, but all they had was coffee (my friend was pleased as they provide Starbucks coffee which he loves but not good for me as I hate coffee). Just a few tea bags and a kettle would have been sufficient - all they had was a caffetier and coffee granules.

We had a view over the Hudson River which was lovely. We were 45 floors up with a fantastic view and didn't hear any noise at all from the streets below.

One down side to the hotel is how much it costs to make a phone call from the room. We are from England and made calls back home and even calling a landline in London, where someone didn't pick up and it just went to answerphone where we immediately hung up cost $18. A 20 minute call to London cost $150! And I am not joking. We were shocked when we got the final bill. Lots of £18 for when people hadn't been home and a couple of $150's! I assume all these hotels would be the same but please don't use the phone - it's cheaper to use a mobile!

When you check in you have to leave a credit card and they automatically 'hold' £150 per night you are staying there for 'incidentals' then at the end of your trip they obviously decuct phone calls, mini bar, internet etc from it and put the rest back on your card. We weren't prepared for this as it's not on their website, and a 6 night stay meant we needed $900 or about £600GBP free on a card for them to 'hold'. We ended up going to the business centre and transferring money about so we could do it. I knew they'd want a credit card but had no idea about the $150 a night rule. So be prepared for this.

The business centre wasn't really much of a business centre - 2 computers and one printer. But didn't seem to be busy so was adequate enough. You can call up and get a code to use with your laptop for wireless internet in your room which was fairly OK with rates - think it worked out as $60 for a week which wasn't too bad for the type of hotel it was I didn't think. It's what you'd expect to pay anyway.

Bar was nice, bit overpriced but so are all hotel bars. Somewhere to have one drink and then move on elsewhere I think. Was fairly busy early evening with business types. There is also a gym but we didn't use it. After a certain time in the evening you have to show your keycards as you come in the door (the reception is after this, up some escalators) so felt this hotel had very good security and felt safe in the complex. The doormen are friendly and will get you a taxi at the drop of a hat.

Overall I loved the Westin, have booked to stay in their Vegas hotel and hope it is just as good, and when I return to New York later in the year I will be staying at the Westin again. It's in such a great location, right next to the subway, supermarket and chemist over the road, there's even a Starbucks and cinema attached to the hotel if you dont want to go out as well as Shulas Steakhouse which is their own restaurant. Didn't use it but menu looked good! There is another Starbucks over the road though, and a McDonalds. It's quite expensive (a 6 night stay cost us £1100 which was about $2000 at the time would be more in £'s now with the rubbish exchange rate) but this was the week before Christmas.

Have just booked to go again for 6 nights Thanksgiving week and they had a special deal on meaning for 6 nights we only pay for 4, meaning we got 6 nights for just £800 which is a fair bit cheaper. Well worth the money anyway for the service, comfort of the rooms and the location! Recommended.

Summary: A very nice, comfortable, mid priced 4 star hotel right in Times Square - could not ask for more