You call this a modern hotel?

We visit NYC last month and our first hotel was the W Times Square. We weren't really sure which W to choose (or perhaps something from Ian Schrager) and as this was the latest, we chose it.

Check-in was fine, they upgraded(?) the room to "spectacular room". I don't know what was so spectacular about it, our view was just the neighbouring Marriot and the lights from Times Square reflecting from their windows.

We had originally booked for a long weekend and when I tried to extend the stay, they said that they did have rooms available but not for the same rate. The receptionist instructed me to make a new booking on-line for a cheaper rate, which I did on the terminal next to the reception, and in 5 minutes we had a cheaper extension to our stay. However we never got the invoice for our "first" stay (it was charged, though), and we never received the extras our package was supposed to include (some special weekend-package with goodies).

The lobby and reception area have nice decoration, very modern, nothing to complain about. That's pretty much everything the hotel has I'd define as modern or contemporary.

The room was pretty standard Westin, if I saw pictures from the two Westin hotels we visited during our trip and W, I couldn't tell which was W. The bed was quite fine, the bathroom was pretty standard, very little space for anything. Aveda amenities a plus.

I cannot believe the hotel is less than a year old, the bathroom was already breaking into pieces. Why was everything painted black in the corridoors? To hide something? The paint quality was pretty poor.

Eventually we moved out to the neighbouring Westin Times Square, which would have been a good idea already after the weekend and we shouldn't have extended the stay at W. Not very good value for money and nothing really exciting about -- after the first evening and seeing the lobby..

The W people should really take a trip to St. Martin's Lane and Sanderson in London, or some other nice, really modern and contemporary places in continental Europe. At those places the athmosphere doesn't end in the lobby but goes all the way to the rooms, they're modern from the start to the finish. Take a room with a bath and you actually not only get the Starck-designed shower but also the over $5000 Starck bathtub as well (I don't know if the W and Westin Times Square rooms really had a bathtub or was is just part of the hilarious shower).

We have previously also stayed at the Clift in SF and Delano in Miami.

Both had a nice lobby, Clift "ok" rooms, the room at Delano was a joke.

One cannot believe they're from the same company as St. Martin's Lane and Sanderson. I hoped W would have been different to this "nice lobby, average or poor room" scheme but it really wasn't. A pity.

Always stay at the W Times Square!

I love this hotel! The service was fantastic. The room had views overlooking Times Square and was very stylish. Fantastic Aveda toilletries and a very comfortable bed. Large TV and well-stocked mini-bar.Hotel bar on the expensive side, but food at Blue Fin was delicious! Will definately stay there again. Unfortunately couldn't get a check-out past 12 noon.

The most happening place in the city- Great Location

Just returned form a 'Girls weekend' in the city. This was the place to be. This is not a family-oriented hotel, it's definitely a very chic, hip, modern looking property. If your looking for Renaissance decor, this hotel may not be for you. The bellman are very attentive and look like models/actors. They greet you promptly. Downstairs from the hotel is the Whiskey Bar, which make this hotel a hangout for other tourists and the people of New York at night. The sidewalk in front of our hotel was filled with people all night long. This hotel is in the heart of Times Square. The rooms are small, but, the beds were so comfortable.

The amenities in the rooms were wonderful and it was fun finding all the little extras hidden in the room. This is definitely a great hotel for couples or single people traveling. It was great. I'd stay here again.

Loved the westin!!!

On August 2nd 2003 I stayed at the Westin Time Square it was great!!!

The hotel is very rich and modern and clean. There was not one thing to complain about. The beds of course are so comfortable and the rooms are very modern and clean. The restaurants was a little pricey (Shula's) but it is Manhatten. Would definately stay here again!! Great location.

I *Heart* W Times Square

The W Times Square is my absolute favorite place to stay in NYC. (My last stay was March 2003.) It is *the* place to stay. It's hip and trendy, but not snobby. The rooms are bigger than what most hotels in the area offer and are well maintained. I appreciated the very comfortable bed with nice linens and the complimentary Aveda products in the bathroom. Service is excellent, as is the location. Entrance to the hotel is via an elevator from a ground-floor room with a neon-lit, cascading waterfall on the wall. The hotel bar, which is an open area next to reception, can be a very happening place. Try a mojito or sour apple martini from the bar. (The drinks ain't cheap, but they're mighty tasty!) One recommendation I make is to request a room *not* overlooking Times Square if noise bothers you. I always request a room on the opposite side and don't hear a pip. The W Times Square is for the traveler who values comfort and style more than a bargain.

Very Impressed

My girlfriend and I stayed here in August 2002. I was impressed from the moment we pulled up in the cab. The bellman was prompt, showed us to the lobby, check-in was quick and all the staff was pleasant. The bellman even remembered our name and said hello each day... by name.... that's rare. The rooms were smaller than other W Hotels but were very clean with wonderful views (34th floor Times Square view). And the Heavenly Beds.... well, they were heavenly. So much if fact I ordered one for my home. We are planning on staying there again this year.

Worth the money

Just spent 5 days in New York at the 'W'. At $209 a night it's not the cheapest but the quality of the rooms and the service make it a worthwhile cost.Large, comfortable rooms with all modern amenities you could want. Beds to die for and superb views (although try for 20th floor up). Staff all friendly and helpful without the attitude you can get at other 'trendy' hotels. Treat yourself, give it a try.

Style without the bad aftertaste

There's something glamorous about this hotel. As a traveler who's tried most of the so-called hip hotels as well as the more grand ones with lion's heads in their logos, the W Times Square has managed to give a world class feel to the sleek presentation that goes along with the trendy boutiques in town - remarkably, they do so without leaving that chintzy aftertaste or that feeling that you've sacrificed quality for hipness that you often get when staying at many trendy hotels. A welcome change, particularly in a city practically littered with "cool" places to stay. If I had to point to specifics, I'd have to recall the sublime waterfall that greets your entrance, the pleasant but not overly gushing front desk staff, and more than anything else, I'd have to mention the clever use of translucent plastics, glass, and resins in the guest room that convey the sense that you've reached a place where substance meets style. The most impressive part of my stay was the seamless way that the look of my room seemed to mirror the view of Times Square's flashing bulbs at night and glistening reflections of billboards while floating up on the 35th floor - I felt as though I were in a BladeRunner-type movie or had been transported to some not-so-far off vision of a modern utopia.

W can be Worst or Wonderful

I have had great stays at W. I have also had worst stays at W. While architecture is great, service is totally the opposite. I have had cleaning maids trying to squeeze herself into the elevator with me (and she succeeded). I have had trash in my car from the valet guy. I have also had the front desk forgot to put me in a suite, being their Platinum VIP guest. W staffs act like they are your friends (if not your boss!) None of this would have happened at the St. Regis or the new Westin Times Square. If the manager is reading this, please tell your staffs to drop the attitudes. Good-looking staffs mean nothing if they can't keep their guests returning. Some of the staffs are really exceptional however, and I feel sorry for them.

Very Chic Hotel! Great Location!

The W Hotel in Times Square is a very chic hotel, in a great location! It's perfect if you will be taking in Broadway show! The staff was very friendly and courteous. The rooms are small, but nice. I was there on the weekend and the bar in the lobby can fill up and get pretty noisy, but it's part of the ambience of the hotel. The club in the basement of the hotel was cool and had decent music. I would recommend the hotel, but search around for a good rate as it can be expensive. It's a nice hotel, but don't overypay. We spent around 234.00 a night in November. The hotel restaurant, Blue Fin, is excellent but expensive. If you want ambience, and a great location, then I would recommend staying at the W Times Square!