Alrighty now I'm down an NYC rabbit hole

[SNS02]

Welp, after my query around NYC in the summer with my kiddo, I went down the NYC Hilton timeshares rabbit hole. (Christmas break things). So my main genuinely curious question for those that own there is why? From what I gather, some of you strictly only use it to stay in NYC so therefore ok with a slightly higher MF. Some of you convert to hhonors at the higher conversion, though most think that is still not a good use. Some of you have gotten crazy good deals on resale/ebay recently. ( yes I went through many threads). HCNY is its own little world that at one point wasn't deeded but now is? So does it still stand that it's only worth having platinum there? Is it the booking windows that make it appealing? Is it saving that much more money/better experience than other NYC hotels? Really I'm just starting a discussion because I had truly never paid attention to it till today and now just want to know everyones strategies.

 

[brp]

So does it still stand that it's only worth having platinum there?

Yes. I think it's the only way to have enough points.

Is it the booking windows that make it appealing?

Yes. Much easier to get just what one wants.

Is it saving that much more money/better experience than other NYC hotels?

Yes. I do find the experience as an owner at W. 57th superior to hotels.

I'll add that owning a by Hilton Club (bHC) resort like NYC allows the possibility of paying something like an additional $149 i dues for an All Inclusive capability that has no reservation fees on any HGVC reservations (and doesn't come with higher cost of "status."

Cheers.

 

[Nomad420]

Own at HCNY and brother owns at 57th. Stayed at both of them over the years of course and now like the 57th street a bit more but they both have there pros and cons. Yes, HCNY has long been a deeded property. Both properties have typical high NYC MFs, 57th is a bit higher (you can check the exact amounts out the recent thread on this as well). I would of course buy only in the after market and there are deals out there as you have already noted at basically all NYC properties. I was going to add to my points buy purchasing more retail but decided the MF's were too high and I really don't go there more than a week a year which is about what I have in points. Good luck.

 

[SNS02]

I'll add that owning a by Hilton Club (bHC) resort like NYC allows the possibility of paying something like an additional $149 i dues for an All Inclusive capability that has no reservation fees on any HGVC reservations (and doesn't come with higher cost of "status."

Ah, that makes so much sense. I saw a few references but didn’t know what people meant by AI! Could see a real plus in this when you are making multiple reservations over a year.

 

[letsgobobby]

booking window to go to NYC

AI (fee free reservations)

owner's lounge

much better than a hotel - not even close

 

[ljmiii]

So my main genuinely curious question for those that own there is why?...So does it still stand that it's only worth having platinum there?...Is it the booking windows that make it appealing?

So...I dipped my toe into NYC through an almost free Gold EOY Week at W57. Which to me was a worthwhile purchase to get access to All Inclusive dues for all my HGVC reservations and Open Season in NYC (plus the occasional reservation those 6000 EOY points allow). Then I added a Platinum deed at the Quin because the price was right, it gave me another NYC location at which to make Home Resort and Open Season reservations, and gave me access to the "bHC Reservation window" at The Central, Residences, and District (not to mention a bunch more points).

Between the two of them I now have a 'spare bedroom' that's almost as flexible as booking at NYC hotels but at a much more attractive price point.

 

[Nomad420]

So...I dipped my toe into NYC through an almost free Gold EOY Week at W57. Which to me was a worthwhile purchase to get access to All Inclusive dues for all my HGVC reservations and Open Season in NYC (plus the occasional reservation those 6000 EOY points allow). Then I added a Platinum deed at the Quin because the price was right, it gave me another NYC location at which to make Home Resort and Open Season reservations, and gave me access to the "bHC Reservation window" at The Central, Residences, and District (not to mention a bunch more points).

Between the two of them I now have a 'spare bedroom' that's almost as flexible as booking at NYC hotels but at a much more attractive price point.

An interesting quirk and correct me if I am wrong, but you cannot use non HCNY points to book at HCNY if you own there. I believe that is not the case at the other bHC properties. Sounds like you have multiple properties so you could use your HGVC points at for example the Quin or 57th St so not really a big issue for you. In my case being an owner only at HCNY I thought I could buy some additional HGVC properties on the cheap and use my points at HCNY as an owner, I found out the hard way that was not the case.

 

[ljmiii]

An interesting quirk and correct me if I am wrong, but you cannot use non HCNY points to book at HCNY if you own there. I believe that is not the case at the other bHC properties. Sounds like you have multiple properties so you could use your HGVC points at for example the Quin or 57th St so not really a big issue for you. In my case being an owner only at HCNY I thought I could buy some additional HGVC properties on the cheap and use my points at HCNY as an owner, I found out the hard way that was not the case.

Correct...as of now HGVC recognizes three 'buckets' of points, HCNY, bHC, and HGVC. Theoretically they could require that reservations made in the "Home Resort" window actually be from the bHC resort in question but currently do not.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Correct...as of now HGVC recognizes three 'buckets' of points, HCNY, bHC, and HGVC. Theoretically they could require that reservations made in the "Home Resort" window actually be from the bHC resort in question but currently do not.

That would be a mess. It is hard enough to manage 6 buckets when you own bHC and club points x 3 years ( think of a 2x3 grid with each square containing points for each use year.) If separate bHC then you would make 9 square buckets for 2 and 12 square buckets for 3 bHC plus club.

Diminishing returns to code and manage reservations because there are not many owners who own more than 1 bHC.

 

[Nomad420]

Correct...as of now HGVC recognizes three 'buckets' of points, HCNY, bHC, and HGVC. Theoretically they could require that reservations made in the "Home Resort" window actually be from the bHC resort in question but currently do not.

I would think that would be difficult as well since they also sold those properties expressly stating stating you could use HGVC points for bHC reservations. Is it in writing, I don't know, so anything could happen to your point. My brother who owns at 57th was at a Vegas "update" meeting and was told "you already own bHC so buy my cheap points". FWIW he didn't.

 

[brp]

I would think that would be difficult as well since they also sold those properties expressly stating stating you could use HGVC points for bHC reservations.

Yes, HGVC points can be used for bHC reservations, but in the limited window. Right now, my understanding is that, if one owns multiple bHC, those are one bucket, and one can use all of those points for Home Resort bookings. They could, theoretically, limit the off-axis bHC points to only being used during the reduced window for an owned bHC and only let the points owned at that bHC be used during Home Resort.

But, as mentioned, the matrix that they would have to manage (because they need to include a lot of possible permutations, is unwieldy.

Cheers.

 

[Snezz1e]

For me, what got me started was it was simply the cheapest way to stay in NYC. I started with regular points an took the risk of non-availability at the 60/90 day booking window. I liked staying at W57 so much I bought up a lot more bHC points to guarantee I can always book the cheapest 1 bedroom. I own 89k in bHC at a cost of $.112/pt or $.145/pt once I factor in the opportunity cost of my initial investment. For the 40 nights I plan to stay this year it comes out to about $250/night for the 1 Bedroom (two beds) or $180/night for Studio (single bed).

You can't book a hotel room for that low in NYC consistently regardless of hotel quality. Taxes and fees are crazy high for hotels in NYC. You usually have to add another $50/night to the advertised rates. So even for people who say they just need a place to sleep and don't care much about the quality of the room (I'm one of them), they can't do any better.

I think only exception to that is the Pod Hotels which can sometimes be cheaper overall. But those rooms are 100 sqft with a single twin bed or bunk bed. A standard hotel room would be 150-200 sqft. The rooms at W57 are huge at 355 sqft for the studio (Quin is smallest in NYC at 223) and 710 sqft for the 1 Bedroom. It has a fridge and microwave (if you ask). Many hotels don't have it or charge extra for it. Owner's Lounge is convenient for a quick bite and there's a supermarket a few doors down to easily supplement their food offering.

Depending on what you own and book, some are paying extra for a much nicer room which they consider to be worth it. For me, I think I'm paying less or the same at worst for a much nicer room.

However, this is only worth it if you consistently go to NYC like I do. If you don't I recommend looking into the Wyndham Hotels Rewards program which is what I was using before all this to get nice cheap rooms. Each person can buy 200k points/year. I previously bought at around $.009/pt during their point sales but their current mystery point sale that ends today is as low as $.007/pt. Rooms in Manhatten cost 30k/night or 27k if you have one of their credit cards (business version is best since the annual free points is worth more than annual fee plus free diamond status). They use to have many Long Island City options at 15k/13.5k/night but all but one (Wingate) is now homeless/migrant shelters. So with current point sale it's $195/night for manhattan or $95/night for Long Island City. Although the point sale could be a sign of some kind of point devaluation changes to the program so book right away after buying. I might stay in LIC for a few of my trips and let my friends/family use my points at cost or save it into next year. I can put the savings towards my show budget. Do note that there are some negative reviews for any hotels in the area because most of them were converted to shelters so some people felt unsafe but I've had no issues with my previous stays in the area.

 

[h2oflyboy]

I bought my first HGVC deed at the byHC The Residences, It didn't open until 2 years later - but it by far the best of the 4 I've stayed (HCNY, TR, 57th, and QUIN). #1 only 3 floors and 2 of those only have 6 rooms on the floor. The OL is usually empty or has opens seats during meal periods and it has excellent views of Central Park. The staff (Housekeeping, Lounge, and Front Desk) are most friendly and professional. My last stay, I had a studio and a room in the Hilton, it was dark and dreary and the SXP. I compared the "lounges." TR lounge has a far better set up of food items! The SXP says 2 guest, but it has a pull-out couch; I could have put all 4 guests into the room.

HCNY - I stayed in a studio with another person - the room is simply too small. It is the only property in NYC with a 2 Bedroom suite.

W57th - Love this place, staff friendly. It can be a challenge to find a seat in the OL, and with only 2 elevators, I have seen people waiting during busy times. I've had extreme difficulties getting a "balcony room" and for that reason I sold my deed last month to a deed at the Quin.

Quin - I've been 3 times and each time the front desk staff are on their phones. You can stand directly in front of the counter, and I swear they do not look up! The Doormen are the best. I never reached for a handle. They must have some kind of remote in their hands, always attentive and kind. This Sunday will be my first visit to the OL, I've seen others post pictures. My past visits had my staying in one of the PH (620sqft and a massive balcony - table seating for 6, chairs, and chaises for another 8 people). ODD Fact: all the Penthouses 17, 18, 19th floors use the same point structure - whether you book the 427, 620, 900+, 1100+ sqft rooms. The reason I moved my deed from the W57th to Quin - booking a room with a balcony is not a crap shoot! It's guaranteed.

LGA is as quick as :30 minutes using the Q70 and F train to the Quin, and W57th, and Midtown Hilton (TR, HCNY) using the Q70 and E train.

I'm opting out of the Central. I do not know anything about it.

The points for all byHC convert to HH at 1 to 32.

After 8 years of ownership, I have had only 1 incident where I couldn't get a room for my entire stay and had to switch rooms. It happened this past month DEC2024. I make 4-6 trips to NYC a year and I never book a home week. There is a lot of inventory (like Oahu & Hawaii) you can always find something - if you are flexible.

 

[Eric B]

It is the only property in NYC with a 2 Bedroom suite.

At The Quin, two of the penthouse suites are sold as 2 BR lockoffs - those are the combination of 1901 (the two story 1 BR PH) and 1802 (the studio PH adjacent to the bedroom of 1901 on the 18th floor) and the combination of 1803 and 1804. On the 17th floor, 1702 (1 BR PH) and 1703 (studio PH) are set up as a 2 BR LO, which could be combined with 1704 (1 BR PH) as a 3 BR LO but were sold individually. Bottom line is that there are 2 BRs available there by ownership but they aren't listed that way in HGVC to book; you'd have to know someone that owns one. We just upgraded to the 1901/1802 combination and have seen postings of others on TUG that own the 1803/1804 combination.

 

[Eric B]

The reason I moved my deed from the W57th to Quin - booking a room with a balcony is not a crap shoot! It's guaranteed.

There are actually two studio PH units at The Quin that do not have balconies, BTW. They are units 1802 (SHL) and 1803 (SH2). The remainder of the units at The Penthouses at The Quin have terraces and the descriptions on the website are accurate with regard to that. I had provided a listing of what codes go to what units, available here:

HGVC Detailed Resort & Affiliated Information

Ocean Oak Additional Information: Both Plus and Premier Units have water/ice dispenser from the refrigerator.

tugbbs.com

If anyone is interested, the 1 BR Premier and 1 BR Premier + units actually have 1 1/2 baths rather than the 1 bath listed on the HGVC site except for the 1 BR Premier on the 3rd floor and the 1 BR Premier + units on the 14th and 15th floors. If it matters (e.g., for someone using the sofa bed to avoid having to share the bathroom), ask to be on a different floor than those in advance of checking in.

 

[brp]

W57th - Love this place, staff friendly. It can be a challenge to find a seat in the OL, and with only 2 elevators, I have seen people waiting during busy times. I've had extreme difficulties getting a "balcony room" and for that reason I sold my deed last month to a deed at the Quin.

There are scant few balconies, but we've gotten them each of our last three stays. Definitely luck.

LGA is as quick as :30 minutes using the Q70 and F train to the Quin, and W57th, and Midtown Hilton (TR, HCNY) using the Q70 and E train.

JFK is even more convenient, IMO, requiring simple train connections (AAirtrain to E/F), but does take longer. This is where we fly now, but have done a bynch of LGA as well. Both are easy.

Cheers.

 

[Nomad420]

HCNY - I stayed in a studio with another person - the room is simply too small. It is the only property in NYC with a 2 Bedroom suite.

Great review of the NYC HGVC situation. Try the 1BR units at HCNY some are quite large (end corner units). Yeah the studio's are small and I almost never book them. When I booked at the Quin I was disappointed with the small !BR (obviously no deck) unit I was given but it was at Xmas at the end of the pandemic and as I noted previously the lobby was under construction so I wasn't impressed. It sounds like the Quin from my perspective needs another look. Maybe down the road I would look at trading out of HCNY for the Quin as many here seem to really like what has happened there.