Just reserved West 57th street

[JonathanIT]

I am not able to see any availablility for NYC. Is anyone else having this same issue?

You must use the Revolution booking engine, and be sure to click the "Monthly Grid View" tab.

 

[hvacrsteve]

Does anyone know if Hilton Club members can book w 57th?
I would like to, but it does not show up on myhiltonclub.com website.
Thanks,

 

[fillde]

After going to Revolution, scroll down next to- PICK YOUR REGION/DESTINATION. NY, Miami and Las Vegas will appear. And like Jonathon posted click on "monthly grid view".

 

[DCBob]

Yes, please do! I have only seen those same four "fake" CG pictures posted everywhere, I'm really curious to see the real thing.

I was there for the first two nights the property was open (July 3 & 4). I didn't take any pictures because the artist's renderings look EXACTLY like the real thing (something I would not have expected).

 

[Socko33]

Open season

Are non-NYC owners privy to making open season/cash reservations @ W57th?

It doesn't seem to display that option in the monthly grid online.

Also...are you all noticing a discrepancy in availability between the monthly and normal grids in the revolution system?

 

[JonathanIT]

Are non-NYC owners privy to making open season/cash reservations @ W57th?

It doesn't seem to display that option in the monthly grid online.

I thought that HGVC members were allowed to make Open Season cash reservations at this property (at something like 25% off the regular rental rates)... but someone reported early in this thread that only owners are allowed access to cash reservations. I don't know the real story there (see my post #7, and reply post #10)

However, the fact that you cannot make them online is by no means the definitive reason, the new updated website is full of glitches. Regular points reservations cannot even be made online yet.

The way the new "Monthly Grid" feature works (as I understand it) is that the sliding "calendar" rule at the top shows the reservation windows for each type of reservation (Open Season, Club, Home Resort, Home Week). When there is green availability for a particular unit, the days show in green on the grid below.

When the box representing the number of days you want is clicked upon (and it is all green showing it is available), a window pops up that is supposed to allow you to choose what type of reservation to make. But the options are not allowing selection right now, for any type of reservation.

Also...are you all noticing a discrepancy in availability between the monthly and normal grids in the revolution system?

Yes, as mentioned above, the new website is full of problems and not yet fully operational it seems. I see the same; no availability on the regular Grid View, but plenty of availability on the Monthly Grid View.

 

[amoore007]

I had to make my resv. over the phone. There were plenty of rooms available at 44 days out. I used my points no cash. AL

 

[daisy23]

Internet access at W. 57th?

Thanks DCBob for your comments comparing the 2 HGVC NYC sites - helpful.

We are booked for W 57th in November, and are looking forward to checking it out.

Does anyone know if there is a PC and (free) Internet access there? In the Lounge? Don't want to bring my laptop if I don't have to......thanks.

 

[Piper]

Thanks DCBob for your comments comparing the 2 HGVC NYC sites - helpful.

We are booked for W 57th in November, and are looking forward to checking it out.

Does anyone know if there is a PC and (free) Internet access there? In the Lounge? Don't want to bring my laptop if I don't have to......thanks.

There is one computer available in the lounge. All rooms have free Wi-Fi.

 

[amoore007]

HI, I am back from 5 days at the 57th street HGVC. I will have photos and comments for you by Monday. It will be 90% positive. The computer noted above was removed on Monday to make room for the crowd at 5pm.

AL

 

[JonathanIT]

HI, I am back from 5 days at the 57th street HGVC. I will have photos and comments for you by Monday. It will be 90% positive. The computer noted above was removed on Monday to make room for the crowd at 5pm.

Coolio, I can't wait to hear your review! I hope they don't have issues with overcrowding in the lounge, this was one of my fears from the beginning when I first heard that every guest on the premises would have access. Hopefully they planned in advance to have enough space to accommodate everyone.

I'll be staying there in less than two weeks. I'm really excited, I can't wait to check it out for myself!

 

[amoore007]

Yes everyone in the building is invited morning and night. A few must wait on a seat but everyone works together. I would think that it will be cut to HGVC owners ONLY at some point. AL

 

[Benjy]

Just completing a four day stay at West 57th, in a "cozy" Studio plus. Our stay has been wonderful. The staff has been extremely helpful and friendly. The location couldn't be more convenient.
The lounge has been fairly busy due to its compact size. Catering and staff come from nearby Redeye Grill. The computer mentioned previously was moved so that an additional serving area could be set up. It is now located near the lounge in the welcome center. Wireless works well in the guest rooms. There is additional seating on the adjoining outdoor terrace, which works well in the warm weather. They also provide carryout containers to take items to your room.
I am quite pleased with my stay, and hope to return often if circumstances allow.
I would be happy to answer any questions.

Benjy

 

[Piper]

Coolio, I can't wait to hear your review! I hope they don't have issues with overcrowding in the lounge, this was one of my fears from the beginning when I first heard that every guest on the premises would have access. Hopefully they planned in advance to have enough space to accommodate everyone.

I'll be staying there in less than two weeks. I'm really excited, I can't wait to check it out for myself!

We stayed at W57th last weekend and there was definitely an issue with overcrowding in the lounge. If the weather is not good, everyone is stuck inside and (even at 85% capacity) there was not enough room.

They were not making the take-out containers obvious when we were there. I think they don't want folks loading up on lots of food and bringing it back to their little refrigerator in the room. When I tried to leave with my plate of food when I couldn't find a seat, that's when they offered me the containers.

I think they are still working on the details of how the place will run. Sounds smart that they moved the computer to the Welcome Center. They're still doing the sales pitches up the street so the Welcome Center was unused when we were there.

 

[DCBob]

I am hoping that I am so thrilled when I stay at W57 that I will be willing to let go of being mad about the misinformation at the sales pitch.

Now that you have actually stayed there, please give us a more complete review than your limited comments on the computer access and the overcrowded lounge. How did you like your room and the food??? Thanks!

NEVER MIND. I found the new thread established for that review, although the review doesn't comment on the food at all.

 

[DCBob]

I would think that it will be cut to HGVC owners ONLY at some point. AL

That's not going to happen. Paying guests at HGVC properties are entitled to use the common amenties. Same rule applies at the Hilton Club New York, where the Owners' Lounge is even more crowded than West 57th. And no one is checking IDs at the door in any event.

 

[alwysonvac]

Now that you have actually stayed there, please give us a more complete review than your limited comments on the computer access and the overcrowded lounge. How did you like your room and the food??? Thanks!

See detail review here - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103553

 

[DCBob]

See detail review here - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103553

Thanks. I was not expecting piper to begin a brand new thread for West 57th Street when this thread was available. Maybe they can be merged by a moderator.

In any event, the review didn't make any comments on the quality and variety of food in the lounge or the marble glass-enclosed shower & bathroom in the unit. These were two of the best features of West 57th Street, IMHO.

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks. I was not expecting piper to begin a brand new thread for West 57th Street when this thread was available. Maybe they can be merged by a moderator.

But you didn't post your review on this thread either
Your review is on Tripadvisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/DCBob

 

[DCBob]

But you didn't post your review on this thread either
Your review is on Tripadvisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/DCBob

See post #23 in this thread. I informed everyone in that post where to find my review. But you are right and I will post my full review in this thread now.

 

[DCBob]

Review of West 57th Street - Opening Weekend

The location of this property is in the heart of midtown Manhattan and it's on the same block as Carnegie Hall. You couldn't find a more convenient location to both Central Park and the Theater District.

I checked in the morning of Friday, July 3, which was opening day. The check-in experience was very quick with so many staff members working that day. The staff were all friendly and tried their best to accommodate any reasonable request. I requested and received a Studio Plus room on a high floor (the 20th - the top floor is the 26th). The elevator was fairly quick up to the 20th floor. Key card access is set up in each of the two elevators but is not working yet.

When I opened the door, I smelled the odor of new leather from the stuffed chair in the corner. The next thing you notice is the handsome blonde all-wood floor and an awesome all Italian marble shower stall with a glass wall letting in lots of light from the floor-to-ceiling windows it faces. You can also slide an opaque door to cover the glass wall if you want privacy, but you might prefer not to do that to get the most natural light!

The boutique toiletries are from Archive and include Green Tea & Willow soap and shampoo, Rosehips & Lavender body lotion, and Grapefruit and Neroli shower gel.

There is a 37-inch LG high-def flat screen TV and a Yamaha surround sound projector plus a separate Pioneer DVD player. Full 800+ channel digital cable TV is provided through the Time Warner Cable system. The array of available channels is nearly unlimited. The only downside is mastering the use of three separate remote control devices. There is also free high-speed internet in the room using wired Ethernet access. Wi-fi access should also be available soon.

The bed is comfortable albeit a bit firm for my personal taste. There are three designer lamps in the room, a 2-cup coffee maker, a mini-bar, and a separate refrigerator that you can fill with your own items.


You will find a beautiful Owners Lounge on the second floor across from the fitness center. I won't comment on the fitness center because I did not use it. The lounge features ample seating both inside and on an adjacent outside terrace. There is no kitchen, so all food is catered by the nearby Redeye Grill.

Continental breakfast is served from 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM seven days a week. They have fresh fruit, Greek-style strained yogurt with fruit or honey, bagels, croissants, pastries, cereal, cookies, cheese and crackers, bread, orange and grapefruit juice in addition to milk and various bottled water, juices, and drinks, coffee and tea, etc.

Evening cocktail hour runs from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM seven days a week. In addition to soft drinks, red and white wine, canned and bottled beers, and spirits, there are the usual cheeses and fresh fruit plus several hot tapas served from Redeye Grill, including Kobe beef pigs in a blanket, shrimp dumplings, mini quiches, meatballs in marinara sauce, and spring rolls. The food is delicious and a several cuts above the Hilton Club New York, probably because of the caterer used. The spirits are all top shelf (for example, Ketel One vodka and Tanqueray gin).

I truly have enjoyed my experience here and highly recommend it to others.

 

[Piper]

Thanks. I was not expecting piper to begin a brand new thread for West 57th Street when this thread was available. Maybe they can be merged by a moderator.

In any event, the review didn't make any comments on the quality and variety of food in the lounge or the marble glass-enclosed shower & bathroom in the unit. These were two of the best features of West 57th Street, IMHO.

Sorry if I didn't follow typical TUG protocol. I thought I would start a new thread with my comments that wasn't under the title of "JUST MADE RESERVATIONS..." In any case, I"m glad you found my other comments.

As to food and bathrooms.....

The food was definitely a step up from HIlton Club -- but the fact that I couldn't sit i the lounge to enjoy it because of overcrowding put a bit of a damper on the experience. When the lounge at the Hilton Club has been too crowded, we have exercised the option to get vouchers to eat in the hotel restaurant. For no extra money, you can have the cold buffet (a bit more extensive than in the members' lounge) or for something like $7.95, you can upgrade to a full hot breakfast buffet. I missed not having that option available when there was no place to sit in the lounge. It also seems that the lounge is only open at the times when they are serving food. At the HIlton Club, you can grab a soda, fruit or cookies at off-hours. I would think that a members' lounge would be open more of the time for hanging out even if they weren't serving the food.

The bathroom was deluxe. The fixtures and lighting were well thought out. I even had a luxurious bath in the free-standing soaking tub. Having natural light in the bathroom from the floor-to-ceiling window/wall is quite nice. I can't think of any hotels where I've experienced that in the bathroom!

 

[DCBob]

It also seems that the lounge is only open at the times when they are serving food. At the HIlton Club, you can grab a soda, fruit or cookies at off-hours. I would think that a members' lounge would be open more of the time for hanging out even if they weren't serving the food.

Thanks for the expanded comments. Just one comment. I did go to the Owners Lounge around 3-4 PM opening weekend and it was open, although no food or drink was provided, except for a few cookies. I will be back in two weeks and provide even more details.

 

[Piper]

Thanks for the expanded comments. Just one comment. I did go to the Owners Lounge around 3-4 PM opening weekend and it was open, although no food or drink was provided, except for a few cookies. I will be back in two weeks and provide even more details.

My husband tried to go to the lounge at non-breakfast or happy hour times and found the door locked. I went about 30 minutes before the happy hour time and found the door slightly ajar. A RedEye Grill employee was in the lounge setting up and said that they weren't "open" yet. She did allow me to grab a water to take back to my room.

Since the check-n staff is not located in the lounge like they are in the HIlton Club, it may be a little trickier to keep it open all the time. They would have to have a dedicated staff member to be there. (Personally, I liked the HIlton staff in the lounge and am sorry they moved the concierge staff to the lobby.)

I'll be happy to hear your comments about your return visit. I know that they are working on the issues that we have been talking about.

 

[amoore007]

copy of

This is a copy of my trip advisor review. You can go there to see the photos... bye

My family has returned from a five day stay at the new HGVC West 57th street in New York. I wanted to give you a few of our observations and suggestions.
A. People
B. Building
C. Location
D. Suggestions

A. Certainly having good people on site is very important. Our experience was very good. The staff was willing to help in every area where we had a challenge. As DCBob previously reviewed, the Television system is complicated and challenging. The Hilton staff came to our room several times to get the set up explained to us. This includes day and night request. The doorman was quick to recruit us a taxi and to give walking directions. When the computer was removed from the Owners Lounge (now relocated to the welcome area) the desk was willing to let me use the machines downstairs to check emails. I don’t want to single out people, but Eva checked us in and out and she was very helpful during the process. Another standout name is Julie K. She is not working for Hilton but is part of helping the Redeye with the food service morning and afternoon in the Owners Lounge. Cute, sweet and helpful to all, Julie should be your first friend to make.

B. The building is very much our taste, modern and contemporary. The artist drawings are VERY much what it actually looks like. There are just two guest elevators and they stay busy and move slow. Even thought the lifts are small, my compliments on having floor buttons on each side of the door. The exercise room has a glass window over the street on the 2nd floor. My wife used a treadmill each morning; this area is a 10. It is a super view. Journey to the 25 floor to enjoy the outside terrace (see photos). My family sat up there an hour one night, with a cold beverage, to enjoy the night lights! It is an even better view than the exercise room. Please note that not all the guest rooms face the north (57th). On our floor only 803,804, 805, 806 and 807 had the premium view. Hey, I did not travel to the city to look out the window so our poor view was not a problem for me. A photo of our view is attached. A guest ice machine would be great even if on a few floors. I do not mind calling guest services for ice or even giving a tip, it’s the waiting that is a thorn. The large bathtub has no horizontal place to set your soap, shampoo, or wine. Perhaps a wire type basket could be attached. Our room refrigerator did not get very cold, only cool. We did call and have maintenance check it but it was below standard.

C. Super location. One subway entrance is 30 yards and another is at the other end of the block giving us access to several lines. Please note that there is a large pharmacy next door with everything from Q-tips to beer so doesn’t worry about forgetting anything. We walked to Top of the Rock, a Broadway play, Central Park and Time Square with ease. Local restaurants will keep you happy Rue 57 has sidewalk seating which is fun. We walked to Le Cirque and to Ruth Chris, both very good and expensive. My favorite meal was at the Brooklyn Diner just a block west on 57th. The burger was $17 but very satisfying. The club had umbrellas for guest use no need to bring one. This is a location HGVC owners will enjoy as a home base for NYC fun. I did overhear a few people complaining about parking but I do not know the details.


D. Better television set-up
Ice Machines
Bath tub basket
Accessible computer to check emails
Outside sidewalk cover for rainy days
It would be helpful to have a mirror in the living are of the 1BD