The Westin New York at Times Square

There is a reason why we are return visitors to the Westin New York at Times Square--and it is because of the amazing hospitality from the Westin team! HUGE THANK-YOU to Terry and Michael for ensuring a seamless and lovely visit. Michael and David were so kind to send us a welcome which was so appreciated as my husband and I had to work a full day from the room on Friday. Monica, who checked us in at the front desk, was efficient, professional AND hospitable, a rare combination of qualities during a very, very busy Spring Break crowd and full lobby. As an Ambassador Elite, I travel a LOT for work, and I can say from personal experience that Monica is one of the best folks a the Front Desk that I have ever encountered! We also had a lovely interaction with Justin, from the Marriot Vacation Club, one afternoon after returning from our Broadway show. He was wonderfully warm and accommodating, taking photos for us and offering to help us make dinner reservations. We cannot say enough amazing things about the Westin New York Times Square and we sincerely look forward to our return visit back! (Oh, and I forgot to get the name of the Security guard on the ground floor, but when we returned late night Saturday he sent us to a great pizza place across the street and was so warm and lovely! :-)) Thank you to everyone at the Westin New York Times Square for continuing to serve its customers with such warmth and hospitality, even during one of the busiest Spring weekends we had ever seen! Cheers to you all--you are so appreciated and make an impact and difference to every customer who walks through your doors.

I wanted to like this hotel. I travel to NYC several times a year and usually stay at the Intercontinental Times Square. To maximize Marriott points, I went with the Westin this time. Mistake. The location is good. The rooms are basic. This isn’t a 4 or 5 star venue. But my biggest complaint is the required $40 charge a night extra that you must use at the property. First night, I checked in late and couldn’t use it. Next two days I tried to use it for breakfast. Unless you want to wait in an hour long line, don’t try. They only open the basement portion of the restaurant and it is overwhelmed with people trying to use their “credit.” I don’t use my $40 a day credit once during my stay.

I had to attend an event in the city and decided to stay overnight at the Westin. It is in a very convenient location and near everything located in midtown. You are in walking distance to all of the theaters, restaurants and public transportation. The hotel really begins on the second floor since when you enter on the main floor there is an escalator taking you to the check in area. The second floor has a nice sitting area to have drinks or decompress after a day of sightseeing. My check in was smooth and the room I was assigned was very nice. I had asked for a desk and one was provided. The chair with the desk was comfortable. Amenities in the room included the coffee and tea service, iron and ironing board, safe, and hairdryer. Closet space was ample and there is a nice credenza with drawers upon which the wide screen TV sits. The bathroom is a nice size and there is a tub, not a walk in shower. The bed was very comfortable with had a very nice down comforter. The downsides that I found with my room were as follows: the water pressure in the shower is not good, although the water was hot. There are no robes or slippers in the room, this being standard in most hotels. There is no microwave and the fridge is locked but you can access it for an additional cost. The room lacks a good desk lamp and is in dire need of additional outlets. There are no USB ports. The bathroom itself shows a little more wear with evidence of stained wallpaper etc. The towels provided are ample for one person but a couple could not survive on the towels provided. Breakfast is not free but there are ample places outside the hotel to get breakfast. I did not eat the the hotel restaurant. I like the location but the room did show some signs of wear and tear and would need to be upgraded, especially the bathroom. Despite this, it would not prevent me from staying there again.

There’s a lot to say about this property—both good and bad. We arrived at 2 PM and were quickly checked in, which was efficient. However, our assigned room was very outdated, so I immediately requested an upgrade at the reception. For an additional $35, I was upgraded to a Deluxe room. The staff were genuinely helpful and friendly, which was a definite plus. The upgraded room had been partially renovated—the bathroom and curtains were new—but the rest of the room still felt quite old and in need of attention. The lobby and elevators were impressive and modern. Despite the hotel having 45 floors, we never had to wait long for an elevator, which was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, the in-room amenities were quite basic—more on par with a two-star hotel. Items you'd expect in a five-star property, such as slippers, a shower cap, vanity kit (cotton buds, pads, nail file), dental kit, comb or brush, and sanitary bags, were all missing. Even the complimentary two bottles of water that are supposed to be provided daily were not consistently replenished. One major downside was the mandatory $35 "destination fee." Contrary to what the duty manager told us, this fee is not a government tax. However, it does come with a $40 daily food credit and two attraction tickets per day (options included the American Museum of Natural History or a Hudson River cruise). That said, the hotel has over 900 rooms and suites but only one concierge. To collect the attraction tickets, you must queue daily, which results in long lines and frustrated guests. Many simply gave up rather than waste precious time.