Best W in New York? Best Hilton in London and London?

[Febs]

Hi all,

Looking at booking Award stays in August, and I'm trying to decide on which hotels (too many choices! ).

I'd like to book one night at an SPG Property in NYC, one night at a Hilton in NYC, and 3 nights at a Hilton in London.

Ideally I'd like to book the W Times Square, but there's no award availability for the nights I'll be there. That leaves W New York, W New York - The Court and W New York - Union Square.

Location isn't a huge concern, and I know roughly where all these are. I've had dinner at the Union Square W, but haven't visited any of the others. Does anyone (Keith? ) have any recommendations? Would prefer to stay at a W over Westin etc...

Also - which NY Hilton is best? Times Square or Hilton New York?

Lastly - I've narrowed my London Hiltons down to Tower Bridge (seems to be rated pretty highly) and Park Lane (colleagues rate it, looks to be quite nice). Does anyone have any experience with either of these?

Thanks all. Appreciate any input.

Cheers,
- Martin.

 

[NYCguy]

W Union Square, without doubt. Fantastic local area, excellent subway connections, and not as "touristy" as other spots in Manhatten.

 

[Keith009]

Another vote for W Union Square, fantastic location, service, great music and awesome crowd. Underbar is total hotness. I did a review of 'em somewhere in my DONE4 TR. Rooms aren't as edgy as other Ws though (but far nicer than W NY), they're modern for sure but hardly "W-cool." Be sure to say hi to Aisha, Heather or George at the Whatever Desk - 3 of the best concierges in the world.

W Times Square is a lot more hip but location is far too touristy. And lots of wannabes at the Living Room there.

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys, much appreciated! Spent a bit of time in Union Square last year and it definitely seemed like a pretty cool place. Only 1.4mi to MePa too.

Unfortunately stupid me forgot my ID when we were there for dinner last year, so I didn't get to check out Underbar (just the hotel lobby bar, near Olives).

Still keen to check out "The Whiskey" @ W Times Square though.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Keith009]

Still keen to check out "The Whiskey" @ W Times Square though. .

Whiskey at W TS isn't as hot as it once was, but if you really want to do go after 1am or so when it starts revving up (or it'd be totally dead). But anyway do avoid the W TS Living Room bar - full of posers and wannabes.

 

[simongr]

Stayed at the W on Lexington - never again...

Staying at the Waldorf in NY and London in the next few weeks and will advise how they fare.

 

[NYCguy]

Unfortunately stupid me forgot my ID when we were there for dinner last year, so I didn't get to check out Underbar...

Oh, to be young again ...

 

[Febs]

Oh, to be young again ...

Hey, this is the US we're talking about. Some of my colleagues who are 35+ regularly get asked for ID! (Yeah, they love it ).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Keith009]

Stayed at the W on Lexington - never again...

That's the debut W property, built in 1998 and hasnt been refurbed since unfortunately. Nice Living Room OTOH.

 

[Febs]

Thanks for all the help.

Booked W Union Square for one night (TripAdvisor's reviews of W New York were umm...interesting to say the least :shock. Booked Hilton Times Square for the other night.

Also ended up booking Hilton London Tower Bridge. Reviews were good, apparently it's quite modern, and the location looks great.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[alect]

I have stayed at Hilton Tower Bridge several times and it is my London Hilton of choice. The location is great (walking and tube), the rooms are good size and modern, the lounge is good too, but above all the staff and service I have experienced there were some of the best anywhere. I have recommended it to others who have had similar experiences.