travelenthusiast

I bid on priceline for a MTW 4* hotel and received the Rihga Royal JW Marriott. I have not seen this come up on priceline very often. Has anyone else stayed in this hotel recently especially on a priceline bid? I would like to know what to expect. I've searched here and have not seen a lot of recent info. I have read some unfavorable reviews on other sites but I's like to get your input. Thanks for your help in advance. Michelle

Patrick

I visited a typical suite (yes, it's all suites to my knowledge) when they had an "open house" and I was very impressed with it. It sure seemed like a lovely place to me, but I haven't actually stayed there. Frankly the only time I checked a couple years ago, the cheapest I could get was about $400 a night.

kcapuani

I enjoyed the Righa Royal although I thought the rooms were a little worn. The location is good, the rooms are spacious, Aveda toiletries and the heated toilet seats are a nice touch It is an all suite hotel but a rather loose deifinition of a suite IMO - one large room with a sitting area and sofa bed. Oh, I'm not sure what your bed configuration request is but the room I stayed in had 2 twin beds rather than queen beds. I guess this is common for NYC but the beds were rather small.

Sabrina

Friends of mine have stayed at the Rihga Royal twice when they have been in New York for the opera. They loved it and thought it was a wonderful hotel. I believe they got a group rate, making it more affordable. They were in one of the suites.

ms_go

I'm pretty sure I've responded before about the Rihga. My former employer's office was next door, so I stayed there a number of times -- always on corporate group rates, which are pretty far down at the bottom of the barrel, not much higher in priority than Priceline.

The last time I stayed there was a couple of years ago, so I can't speak to how worn the rooms are now. I never found that an issue in any of my stays.

At a low rate, you will likely get one of the "royal" suites, which are on floors 5-20; separate bank of elevators. They are all relatively standard, with a separate sitting room (every suite I stayed in had a door between the bedroom and sitting area), TVs in both rooms, CD player and a pretty nice bathroom with robes and decent amenities. The picture on the website is pretty consistent with how I remember the rooms:

http://www.rihgaroyalny.com/royal.cfm

I would not count on having much of a view. I'm trying to think of any bad experiences and not coming up with a lot -- maybe trying to get a cab and get across town toward the airport during evening rush. Otherwise, I really liked the location.

I'd ask to be as high up as possible when you check in. Maybe you will luck out.

jasper

travel...i work across the street! the hotel always looks nice. and the staff are always friendly. it's right in midtown, so i don't know about nightlife, or trendy. but plenty of great resterants, and shops 1 block over on 5th.

mclaurie

Michelle, all I can say is the location is terrific and I think you got a good deal. Most PL users don't bid that high which may be why you don't see many people getting this hotel. There is one other person who won it at a similar price (listed on bft)

Reading some of those reviews on tripadvisor, I think if you're paying top dollar (like $350-450/night) as most of those people were, you'd be more critical. You'll have a great time. I read in another thread that you stayed last year at the Sheraton Russell. This might not be quite as good but the location IMO is much better for shopping, theater, restaurants. The Manolo Blahnik store is on the next block (54th betw 5th-6th). On 55th betw 5-6th are many restaurants from good take out places to La Bonne Soup for a moderately priced lunch or dinner to Michael's (Calif. cuisine, pricey, wonderful, chic hangout, power breakfast, good prixe fix lunch or early dinner) to the new LCB Brasserie (formerly La Cote Basque). Have fun.

EmilyC

I just stayed at this hotel last weekend with my Marriott Points. We had a room on the 37th floor - yes, they call it a suite, but that's a loose definition.We had a view of Central Park but not much of a view really - you would need to be higher up. We had a large sitting area, and a separate room with the bed in it. The rooms are large and the mattress is great. I would call the rooms a little "old" looking but not bad and quite clean.The rooms are quiet - no loud street noises and the air conditioning is excellent.There's robes, and a minibar with a giant icemaker, and a shower stall as well as tub. I enjoyed the location - away from the crazy stuff of Times Square and close to Central Park and shopping areas. We walked to all of those areas (and more) easily. The lobby is quiet, the concierge was incredibly helpful. We got vouchers for a free continental breakfast and that was quite good. One morning we splurged for breakfast, it was good but it cost $48.00 for two of us. We didn't eat an evening meal in the hotel. I would go back again...I wouldn't pay $300 for it, but it's a nice property.

mclaurie

Emily, out of curiousity (and wanting to make Michelle feel better hopefully) how much did you pay and with whom did you book it? (ie hotel itself, 3rd party site, Priceline etc.)

mclaurie

Sorry, duh...just reread your post. Points! Disregard my question

sturgeon0

hi there-

We just stayed at the Rhiga this past weekend and had a great time. We stayed on points and got a 2 bedroom suite on the 42nd floor ! This was not my first stay at the Rhiga, I have stayed there previously with family -- and that is what you will find at the hotel. As one of my friends who still lives in the city put it, "I always think of the Rhiga as such as parent-oriented hotel."

Anyhow, we had a very good experience at the property. The staff were very curtious and helpful, the bed was great, and the room was immaculate. Breakfast was included with the room and though it was cursory pastry, fruit, and coffee it was a nicely appointed set up.

While the bar isn't very exciting, you are in a great location only blocks away from the Park and the new Time Warner building.

Enjoy your stay!