Hilton Manhattan East
304 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
I really have mixed feelings about our stay at Hilton Manhattan East. We booked a king bed one bedroom suite since we found out the room has a pull out couch. Perfect for Greg, myself, and Porscha. We arrived early and completely understood that our room wasn't going to be ready (this was around 11 am). Unfortunately, it wasn't until after 4 pm that our room was ready and at that point things still weren't right. I reserved so pre-check in items that should have been in our room. I had to call down to receive these items. Next we realized there wasn't any bedding for the pull out couch so I had to call down again. Our room was pretty spacious however the furnishings were pretty beat up and the view was of a building. We had to keep our curtains down because the apartments across the way could see right in.
The first morning at breakfast was terrific. A good variety from the buffet, friendly staff, and the ability to make dairy free scrambled eggs. The second breakfast wasn't great at all. The staff initially weren't willing to make dairy free eggs, the staff was a bit rushed, and then the worst offense was the almond and soy milk had gone bad. One was curdled and the other was like condensed milk.
The manager of the hotel did email after our stay and after hearing our complaints he did apologize and offer us Hilton Points as compensation. Most of the staff was terrific, the hotel was clean, the location is great, and the ability for them to recognize problems and try to compensate was appreciated. We would give the Hilton Manhattan East another try.
The first morning at breakfast was terrific. A good variety from the buffet, friendly staff, and the ability to make dairy free scrambled eggs. The second breakfast wasn't great at all. The staff initially weren't willing to make dairy free eggs, the staff was a bit rushed, and then the worst offense was the almond and soy milk had gone bad. One was curdled and the other was like condensed milk.
The manager of the hotel did email after our stay and after hearing our complaints he did apologize and offer us Hilton Points as compensation. Most of the staff was terrific, the hotel was clean, the location is great, and the ability for them to recognize problems and try to compensate was appreciated. We would give the Hilton Manhattan East another try.
Hotel Sofitel New York City
45 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
One of the most confusing hotel stays in our travel history. We arrived to the hotel at 10:00 a.m. Knowing how hotels operate we were not expecting either of our rooms to be ready. Greg went to get the valet because our friends wouldn’t leave their car until the valet arrived. They had previously experienced a problem that resulted in a ticket.
We walked through the lobby, past the concierge, to the reception desk. Here’s where the first problem occurred. There were two guests being helped ahead of us. 15 minutes goes by and one guest is finished and the receptionist goes and does something else without ever acknowledging us. 10 minutes later I am helped and the other receptionist is back but takes someone who just walked up and past my friend even though she had been waiting there. Once we are both helped we’re told that the room category we booked is over-sold and we won’t be able to be on the same floor. My friend is given a room on the 17th floor (non feather room) and myself on the 21st floor. We are then told to come back at 3:00 to see if our rooms are ready.
At 3:00 we head back to the reception desk and see 5 people helping 5 guests. 10 minutes later and all the guests are gone except for 1 and all of the reception staff are gone except for 1. 10 minutes later and we are at the head of a very long line. We finally get helped and that’s where the second problem happens. The computers state that our rooms aren’t ready so we are asked to wait there while the reception staff heads upstairs to physically check the rooms. Finally, I am given the original room I was told about earlier in the morning. My friend on the other hand is given a room on the 23rd floor. We asked why her room was switched and no answer was given except that it was also feather free. We handed our baggage claims over and the staff called to have them delivered.
Upstairs we went! Here is third problem. My friend’s room had a tray in the room with warm water, warm dried fruit, missing fresh fruit, and chocolates. This wasn’t ordered, wasn’t complimentary with all rooms, and wasn’t meant for them. After several calls we didn’t really feel comfortable with the answer given; it was meant for someone else and it’s their mistake but feel free to enjoy it. The fourth problem was that the wrong bags were delivered to my friend’s room, ours was fine. The bellman also delivered a birthday cake I ordered for my friend (although neither the concierge nor bellman thought to go a step further and deliver utensils).
We both booked Luxury King Rooms through Jetsetter. They were large, well appointed, modern, clean, and had no visible wears and tears. The bathrooms were great except for the fact that the doors don’t really close. There is a quarter of an inch space between the doors so anyone walking past can see in. The view was okay but nothing special. The hotel itself is in good neighborhood with lots nearby and an easy walk or taxi ride to anywhere in the city.
Overall, I wouldn’t stay here again especially knowing that we got the room at a great discount through Jetsetter.
We walked through the lobby, past the concierge, to the reception desk. Here’s where the first problem occurred. There were two guests being helped ahead of us. 15 minutes goes by and one guest is finished and the receptionist goes and does something else without ever acknowledging us. 10 minutes later I am helped and the other receptionist is back but takes someone who just walked up and past my friend even though she had been waiting there. Once we are both helped we’re told that the room category we booked is over-sold and we won’t be able to be on the same floor. My friend is given a room on the 17th floor (non feather room) and myself on the 21st floor. We are then told to come back at 3:00 to see if our rooms are ready.
At 3:00 we head back to the reception desk and see 5 people helping 5 guests. 10 minutes later and all the guests are gone except for 1 and all of the reception staff are gone except for 1. 10 minutes later and we are at the head of a very long line. We finally get helped and that’s where the second problem happens. The computers state that our rooms aren’t ready so we are asked to wait there while the reception staff heads upstairs to physically check the rooms. Finally, I am given the original room I was told about earlier in the morning. My friend on the other hand is given a room on the 23rd floor. We asked why her room was switched and no answer was given except that it was also feather free. We handed our baggage claims over and the staff called to have them delivered.
Upstairs we went! Here is third problem. My friend’s room had a tray in the room with warm water, warm dried fruit, missing fresh fruit, and chocolates. This wasn’t ordered, wasn’t complimentary with all rooms, and wasn’t meant for them. After several calls we didn’t really feel comfortable with the answer given; it was meant for someone else and it’s their mistake but feel free to enjoy it. The fourth problem was that the wrong bags were delivered to my friend’s room, ours was fine. The bellman also delivered a birthday cake I ordered for my friend (although neither the concierge nor bellman thought to go a step further and deliver utensils).
We both booked Luxury King Rooms through Jetsetter. They were large, well appointed, modern, clean, and had no visible wears and tears. The bathrooms were great except for the fact that the doors don’t really close. There is a quarter of an inch space between the doors so anyone walking past can see in. The view was okay but nothing special. The hotel itself is in good neighborhood with lots nearby and an easy walk or taxi ride to anywhere in the city.
Overall, I wouldn’t stay here again especially knowing that we got the room at a great discount through Jetsetter.