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W Hotel New York Review

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W Hotel New York

Address: 541 Lexington Ave., between E. 49th and E. 50th Sts., Midtown East, New York, NY, 10022 | Map It
Phone: 212/755-1200; 877/946-8357
www.whotels.com

Price range: $$$
Location: Midtown East

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 2.9/5

Fodor's Review:

This was the first of the W hotels to open in New York, and after a decade rooms got a much-needed overhaul in 2008. Window boxes filled with grass, bowls heaped with green apples, flowing curtains, and vast floor-to-ceiling windows that pour sunlight into the airy lobby all conjure up a calming outdoor vibe here—quite a trick considering a hopping bar and a sunken lounge flank the reception area. The rooms hew to the classic W formula: they're small and they look great—especially thanks to the overhaul, which added LED lights around the windows and beds, wooden desks topped with swiveling panes of glass, and amethyst wall coverings in the bathroom. Of course the party-hearty clientele also means you're likely to hear your neighbors partying heartily through the night. Downstairs, Heartbeat Restaurant serves heart-healthy foods; the attached Whiskey Blue draws a young, hip, and moneyed crowd; and the Bliss Spa flagship draws legions of beauty devotees. Pros: central location; great-looking rooms. Cons: thin walls; inconsistent service.

Hotel Details: 629 rooms, 62 suites
In-room: safe, DVD, Internet.
In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, spa, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, some pets allowed.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Subway: 6 to 51st St./Lexington Ave.; E, V to Lexington-3rd Aves./53rd St.

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by Nick00 from CT on 5/9/09
I really adore this hotel. I have stayed here twice in 2009 and each stay was better than the last. The service was terrific and the rooms were awesome. The Wow Suite is groovy and comfortable. Toss in the Bliss products in the bath (there is also a Bliss Spa in the lobby) with the cool atmosphere and you have what has become my favorite hotel in my favorite city. (Sorry Paris.) The best part is that it's a cool place to stay, but the staff makes sure you'll want to return. Nothing aloof about this hotel. Can't wait to go back.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Room: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by Rachel1972 from Anywhere but the W Hotel NY on 2/24/09
Do yourself a favor - DO NOT STAY HERE. The rooms are disgusting and filthy. Just try to change rooms.. It will not happen and the staff is rude. We tried to give the hotel another chance and they don’t get a W – they get an F.

Member Rating: 1.0
Ratings details: Room: 1.0 Atmosphere: 1.0 Service: 1.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by duke2nyc from Tokyo, Japan on 10/14/08
Stayed at the W New York Lex Ave over a weekend in October. The hotel underwent renovation in August 2008 and there is a noticeable difference. Great vibe throughout the whole property - the staff seems proud of their hotel and the service they provide, the decor is modern and elegant with funky touches in line with the W name, and there is a great feeling whenever you step back into the hotel.
The rooms themselves can be quite spacious, depending on the type of room you book. All of the rooms have a fresh, clean look to them and you can expect the staff to take care of whatever need you may have throughout the stay.
Overall, I was extremely pleased with my stay and believe that my experience was well above the current expectaions of this hotel. I'd venture to say they have recaptured their 4 star rating and I would return to this property the next time I'm New York.

Member Rating: 4.6
Ratings details: Room: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by Beautykat from Los Angeles on 11/20/07
When the Marriott across the street looks more appealing, you have to wonder who is giving the W properties the 4 Star rating.

I checked in to a smoky smoking floor which I did not request. The room was about 100 square feet and the entire floor reeked. Besides the stench and the size, the paint was peeling from the ceiling, wallpaper falling off the walls and cigarette burns in the carpet. We were given a bigger room on a non-smoking floor, which was kind of the manager, however, there is no turn down service, something typical of 4 star hotels and a hot water issue. The incredibly loud ice machine in the hallway did not work and the room service trays sat in the hallway all day long. For a city with a roach problem, I couldn't believe they would allow food stuff to sit that long. But then again, the wallpaper and carpets outside the rooms resembled the interiors.

I polled several guests over the two days I stayed here and all of them called the hotel "run down", "tatty", "overpriced" and "definitely not 4 Star".

I will say the W Union Square is fabulous, but this is like staying at a Comfort Inn on the outskirts of Detroit.

Member Rating: 1.8
Ratings details: Room: 1.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 3.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by sophiev from CT on 7/18/07
I agree with all the above reviews. I have stayed at the Tuscany, Court & Union Square W's. Love them all. We had an incident happen at the Court and were offered a great rate on a suite in the W New York as a consolation. It was not worth the switch! No one cleaned the room, there were mouse droppings in the corner, dirty bathroom. Tried switching rooms and they did not accomodate. Would NOT recommend! Stay at the Court or Tuscany!