For this short stay in New York, I chose to stay at the Renaissance New-York Midtown, ideally located near Penn Station.
Here’s a look back at a very positive experience.
Booking
I booked the hotel 3 days before my arrival, as I had to replace a colleague at a workshop.
I had initially booked at the Renaissance Times Square, but changed to the Midtown hotel because of its proximity to the client site, and did so for $370 per night all-inclusive. Expensive indeed, but in line with average weekday prices in New York.
Arrival
Immediately after making the reservation, I sent an e-mail to my Ambassador to inform the hotel of my late check-out (as a courtesy, since the benefit is guaranteed for Ambassador members anyway), and to secure an upgrade.
Although the hotel responded promptly to my two requests, only the late check-out was listed in the application, as the room remained in the Midtown Standard category.
I checked in online 48 hours before my arrival. As I boarded my flight, I received a notification that my room was ready, but the room category remained unchanged.
I arrive at the hotel shortly after 8pm after a short journey by Airtrain and LIRR.
The hotel reception is on the 6th floor of the building. The welcome is excellent, warm and cheerful, and I proceed with the check-in formalities. My late check-out is confirmed, and I’m offered an upgrade to a room with terrace – excellent, especially as it’s a higher category than the Standard suites, and rightly so!
The receptionist even offers to escort me to my room, but I politely decline.
She also tells me that the Club Lounge is available 24 hours a day for cold drinks, and that breakfast and a Happy Hour are served there.
Room
My room was located on the 8th floor of the hotel, which is the lowest floor and for good reason: it’s where the rooms with a large terrace, like mine, are located.
The corridors are beautifully and elegantly decorated.
The entrance to the bedroom opens directly onto the sliding door of the bathroom, a combination of marble and dark metal, with a beautiful walk-in shower.
Back in the hallway is a large closet that encloses a now-empty minibar, a safe and a courtesy tray.
This closet is extended by a long shelf that converts into a desk at its far end, and is topped by the TV.
Opposite this is the king-size bed, which is quite comfortable, and is flanked by two shelves fixed to the headboard, which act as bedside tables.
To the left of the bed is a comfortable armchair, with its back to the French window.
Finally, a glass door gives access to the immense private terrace, larger than the room itself and well equipped with benches, tables and chairs.
All in all, a beautiful space that I’m sure I’ll appreciate during my stay.
Finally, the video tour:
Hotel facilities
The hotel doesn’t have any real facilities, but has an agreement with the neighboring Planet Fitness. Not great considering the mediocre quality of these clubs, and it forces you to go outside.
Catering
The hotel has a main dining establishment, Versa, located on the 5th floor of the building, as well as a Club Lounge for elite clientele adjoining the lobby.
Breakfast – Club Lounge
I’ll be going down to breakfast at around 6.40 a.m. on the morning of my stay, in the Club Lounge. The decor is very well done and the place is not overcrowded, as I feared. The staff are very friendly, and I’ll be making my own selection.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t take advantage of Happy Hour, as I arrived too late at the hotel and left too early the next day.
Lunch – Versa
On the day of my departure, I chose to have lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, Versa, located on the 5th floor.
Without a reservation, I went to the restaurant’s reception desk and was immediately seated.
A strong smell of cooking wafts through the air.
Soon, a waiter comes up to me to offer me a drink: I order a beer, as well as a flatbread margherita, which turns out to be excellent.
Fast service, excellent food and affordable prices… Perfect!
Service
All my interactions with the staff were perfect: something rare enough in New York to be worth mentioning!
Departure
Check-out formalities were simplified thanks to the app’s mobile check-out function. And my room card was properly encoded until 4pm.
Bottom line
An excellent stay. An excellent stay. Too bad there isn’t an “in-house” fitness room.
Itinerary
As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:
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