Questions re: W57th

[loosefeet]

We are now (resale) owners at W57th. Got a studio for our visits to NYC to visit eldest son. We really like the place, and wanted to have access to the lounge, etc.
1) I read about the units that have balconies--but can't seem to find the thread. Can anyone help with which units have balconies, or are more desirable for other features? We typically stay in the lower floors in a normal studio (prior to being owners). We are going to use this Fall for our anniversary, and will try to upgrade our usual room.
2). There is a program that you can pay an annual fee that covers reservation fees etc. Sorry, don't know the details. Does someone know what I'm talking about and again, tell me how to get information about this?
I have read about both these potential benefits on TUG, but did not save--and now interested because I have owner access.
Thanks!

 

[brp]

There are, I believe, a total of six balcony rooms - four Studio Premier and two 1BR premier. Very hard to get. We get STX (Studio Premier) every time we go and have gotten the balcony only twice, despite requesting in advance each time. The first was luck as I did not know about them. THe last was our most recent visit.

That's really the only substantial differentiator I can think of among the Premier rooms. The standard (Plus) rooms are lower floors and typically look over the courtyard while the Premier have 57th views.

Cheers.

 

[mateo9999]

To answer your 2nd question - yes the program is called All Inclusive (AI) and you have to have By Hilton Club (bHC) points in order to purchase it (which you now have as a W57 owner). AI cost is $120 year. Just call HGVC and ask them to add it to your account.

 

[loosefeet]

Thank-you. I have looked to see what AI includes, but it's elusive. Does this cover all the costs to make a reservation? Is it an annual Jan-Dec fee or when you add then 12 most (as in, when to join). When I looked at a sticky, All inclusive was $336--but not sure if that was the right option.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Thank-you. I have looked to see what AI includes, but it's elusive. Does this cover all the costs to make a reservation? Is it an annual Jan-Dec fee or when you add then 12 most (as in, when to join). When I looked at a sticky, All inclusive was $336--but not sure if that was the right option.

It waives the reservation fee on all reservations, but does not include the separate insurance you can buy. Reservation acts just the same as if you had paid the fee. It does give you some freedom to make speculative bookings and cancel/rebook others disregarding the normal reservation fee.

The $336 is in lieu of the normal club fee and I don’t remember if it is prorated the remainder of the first calendar year, but they should credit the normal club fee against it if you have already paid it. In future years it will simply be billed against a deed you own along with the Maintenance Fees.

 

[brp]

In future years it will simply be billed against a deed you own along with the Maintenance Fees.

And, FYI, may not be billed against the bHC maintenance fees. Ours is often (always?) billed against a Boulevard ownership even though it applies to our W. 57th ownership.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Ours too. I believe it is billed against the first MF due of the season.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

And, FYI, may not be billed against the bHC maintenance fees. Ours is often (always?) billed against a Boulevard ownership even though it applies to our W. 57th ownership.

Cheers.

Same with me. My bHC is The District and the AI is billed against Valdoro. I believe I've read on here that for multiple deed owners, it is billed against the oldest deed using the Original Purchase Date on the deed, even if it was retail.

 

[GT75]

I believe I've read on here that for multiple deed owners, it is billed against the oldest deed using the Original Purchase Date on the deed, even if it was retail.

This is how my club dues are billed which sounds like bHC AI is doing the same.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Same with me. My bHC is The District and the AI is billed against Valdoro. I believe I've read on here that for multiple deed owners, it is billed against the oldest deed using the Original Purchase Date on the deed, even if it was retail.

Resale? If so. That makes sense.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Resale? If so. That makes sense.

To clarify my comment, the oldest Retail date is used in my case. I bought all four of my deeds resale and the oldest retail one is Valdoro which was purchased by the original owner in 2003. That is the deed my AI fee gets billed to, and was the third one I purchased resale.

 

[GMan82]

I didn’t want to start a new thread about this, but I’m staying at W 57th now, the first time as a resale owner. Two days prior, they offered me an owner update, which I thought was weird as I did one at Carlsbad earlier in May. Anyway, gift was good, so I bit for the $250 maintenance fee credit. Other options were 80k honors points, some amount I can’t remember as a visa gift card ($150-200 I think) and $300 in elevated rewards.

Guy comes to get me and takes me back. Glances at my file, which probably shows Elara (retail) and W 57th (resale), and asks me why I’m there and if I’m interested in hearing about sales. I say I want the gift and no, respectively. He tears up my paper in front of me, says “thank you for your time,” and I am on my way. 10:45 appointment. 10:50 out the door, $250 maintenance fee credit in hand. AMAZING!

 

[brp]

Guy comes to get me and takes me back. Glances at my file, which probably shows Elara (retail) and W 57th (resale), and asks me why I’m there and if I’m interested in hearing about sales. I say I want the gift and no, respectively. He tears up my paper in front of me, says “thank you for your time,” and I am on my way. 10:45 appointment. 10:50 out the door, $250 maintenance fee credit in hand. AMAZING!

Our best is about 15 minutes, although most of that was talking about common background between the rep and mrs. brp. We took the Elevated Rewards dollars.

Cheers.