- Joined
- Jul 6, 2010
- Posts
- 1,125
So I've traded in my Dividend Miles points to visit NYC for 11 nights around New Year. There are a few reasons I picked this time of year - easy to take leave, Christmas / NY in NYC is on the bucket list (well technically I'll miss Christmas but all the decorations etc will still be up). And because after new year some of the hotels are very cheap (a consideration for me as a solo traveller). I have booked the Hilton New York Fashion District for 7 nights from January 1. I have stayed there before and like it.
For the 4 nights leading up to NYE I figure I'd use my HHonors points (No standard awards available at Hilton NY FD). When rooms are running up to $750 a night it seems a good value proposition. I have 140k points which gets me 4 nights (GLON) at a Cat 6 property or I can buy points (around $300) for 4 nights at a Cat 7 property. Not a heap of money to step up a category but also it's $300 I could spend on something else. My hotel requirements are fairly basic - I prefer modern rooms and I avoid where possible a shower over bath scenario in favour of separate shower. Here are some of my options below and I'm interested in any relevant thoughts or experiences with these properties.
So basically I'm tossing up whether the Conrad is worth $75 a night more than the HGI West 35th St and whether the Conrad location is a negative.
Thoughts?
For the 4 nights leading up to NYE I figure I'd use my HHonors points (No standard awards available at Hilton NY FD). When rooms are running up to $750 a night it seems a good value proposition. I have 140k points which gets me 4 nights (GLON) at a Cat 6 property or I can buy points (around $300) for 4 nights at a Cat 7 property. Not a heap of money to step up a category but also it's $300 I could spend on something else. My hotel requirements are fairly basic - I prefer modern rooms and I avoid where possible a shower over bath scenario in favour of separate shower. Here are some of my options below and I'm interested in any relevant thoughts or experiences with these properties.
- Doubletree Times Square (Cat 7) - Only twin bedded rooms available but that's not a deal breaker. Has shower over bath and I don't really need the extra room of a suite. I also figure times square will be a zoo on NYE and best avoided (I have no desire to stand in the cold for 7 hours waiting for the ball drop). Also assuming I'm not likely to get an upgrade but it's on my list because everyone speaks so highly about it.
- HGI Times Square (Cat 6) - Well reviewed and seems best value points redemption. Has shower over bath so that's a strike and the rooms seem a bit dated.
- HGI West 35th St (Cat 6) - The current leader. Fairly modern and separate shower. I also like the location.
- Conrad New York (Cat 7) - Just opened and nicest rooms by a mile. Location may be a little out of the way but it also gives me a base to explore the area (including Soho, Greenwich Village etc) before moving to Chelsea. The showers seem to be their own room!
So basically I'm tossing up whether the Conrad is worth $75 a night more than the HGI West 35th St and whether the Conrad location is a negative.
Thoughts?
