Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum - September 2012

We decided to explore the museum on a recent trip to NYC. The museum is a leisurely stroll away from Time Squares and easily accessible by the subway plus about 20 minutes’ walk to the Hudson river.

Do a quick internet search, you can find 20% coupons available readily. They are not good for the combo package though, but still can save considerable sums if used.

The museum is big and includes the Intrepid aircraft carrier, the concord (which you cannot go in without a tour), the Enterprise shuttle and a submarine. If you plan on saying everything you can easily spend half a day or more in the museum.

Unfortunately, despite the hefty entrance fee, everything else is extra. Tours are extra, audio guide is extra, attractions are extra. This is a bit of a disappointment, considering all of the exhibitions were once functioning army vessels which were paid by the tax payer.

Another thing I found a little disturbing but not unexpected, is the amount of propaganda that is interlined into the exhibits. Yes, it is an army vessel; and yes, the US did won the war, but the displays and especially the interactive films and exhibitions are a little too one sided for my taste. I would prefer to see a more even description of the facts. It really felt like army recruitment add at times.

That said, the exhibition is very nicely done. There is plenty to do and see and of course learn from the museum.  It can be a different but interesting day in NYC.

Intercontinental Times Square - September 2012

This is my first visit to the IC at Times Square. Usually I will not pay to stay at this price range, however, I used the Chase PC Credit card free night certificate, which provides an excellent value.

Check-in was relatively quick as the area was pretty full. We were welcomed warmly by the receptionist (which turned out to be the manager on duty). My Platinum status was recognized, and despite it should not mean much we were upgraded. In the end we got a corner room with great views.

As the room was not ready we looked for the bell man to store out luggage, but as the wait was around 5 minutes, we already got a call back from the front desk that the room was ready.

The room itself was great. It was very specious for NYC. Nice view of the street below. Big nice shower and bathroom. The room contains a computer as well as WiFi and wired connections (at a cost). We had some problems with the connections and billing but they were resolved immediately and without a problem.

The hotel is well situated at 44^th street and the corner of 8^th Ave. It is a big hotel with a lot of coming and going. Elevators were never a problem (just mind that the first couple of elevators only go to the 7^th floor). As usual with IC, there was no special perks (no free breakfast, no free WiFi), though we did get couple of chocolates and fruits at night.

All in all, for a free night, it was a great experience, and I plan on coming back to the hotel in future visits to NYC.

Staybridge Suites – Times Square - September 2012

This is my third stay in the hotel in so many years. I still like it and consider it to be one of the best redemption value in New York City, but this stay has some little problems and issues with it that made it less than perfect.

The Staybrige chain is part of the Intercontinental brand, on its lower end. It is an all “suites” hotel, which means you have a small kitchen in the room. As it is on the lower end of the brand, redemption rates are very competitive. Especially in New York City the hotel represents a great redemption value. Now a night cost 25,000 points (I booked the rooms before the devaluation and got them at 20,000). As you book with points, you can buy 10,000 points during the booking process. In the end, the room cost only 8,000 points (after the Chase PC credit card 10% rebate), which is a great deal for NYC.

Despite the name, the hotel is not in Times Square (but close enough). It is located across the street from the Port Authority, on 40^th street, between 8^th and 9^th Avenue, which is about 10 minutes’ walk from Times Square. It is close enough to anywhere you’d like to go in the Times Square area.

Check-in experience was less than stellar. Despite being a Platinum member (which I realize means absolutely nothing despite being the highest status in the chain), checking-in around 2:30 PM, the room was not ready yet. Everyone else around us seems to get a room just fine. Short and long, by the time we decided what we want to do (about 10-15 min later) a room became available. As the reservation was made months in advance I knew I we were upgraded to a city view room. Frankly, I don’t know what that means because all rooms have the same view, apart from being on a high floor, which we were.

Small but functional Bathroom

King Bed room - small but extremely functional for NYC

The problem with being on a high floor though, is the elevators. There are only 3 of those, and the cleaning staff uses them basically all times during the day as well. It means that waiting for an elevator can be a very lengthy situation, especially in the mornings when everyone tries to get to breakfast. This time around there were several instances that I had to wait 10-15 minutes to the elevators. Compound that with the fact that the doors are not sound proof and when people congregate waiting to the elevator and talk, one get a wake up “call” early in the morning just from people talking as they wait for the elevator.

At check-in I got the “platinum welcome gift." It was couple of candies and a note welcoming me as a gold member (but I’m platinum). Those welcome gifts are a joke. I would rather get a note addressing me by name welcoming me back than those gifts.

"Platinum Welcome Gift"

Another problem we encounter during the stay is how housekeeping treats dirty glasses. We used two glasses (one gets full stocked kitchen). The next day when we came back to the room, the glasses were in the dishwasher which for the next hour or so made so much noise cleaning those two glasses.  Even if one disregard the guest inconvenience, the absolute waste of water and power to wash only two glasses seems excessive.

View from the Room

View From the Room

That said, those are only minor negatives. The hotel is a very good deal on points (room can cost $500-$600 easily), located pretty well. There is good fast free WiFi available throughout, free breakfast, and free dinners (reception) some days during the week. Despite the shortcoming this stay I will be coming back as this is my to go hotel when coming to New York City.