The Luxury Collection Midtown NYC: Complete Hotel Review

Property: The Luxury Collection Hotel Midtown (Formerly Conrad Midtown)

Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York City (minutes from Times Square)

Transition: Recently moved from Hilton (Conrad) to Marriott Bonvoy portfolio

Total Rooms: 562 rooms

Building Height: Up to 57 floors

Review Status: Honest, detailed assessment of rooms, service, amenities, and value

Property Background & First Impressions
Suite Room Tour (Detailed Breakdown)
Hotel Amenities & Facilities
Dining Experience (Breakfast & Dabble Restaurant)
Service & Staffing Assessment
Final Ratings & Value Analysis
Booking Strategy & Points Optimization

Chapter 1: Property Background & Transition

The Property's Evolution

Previous Identity:

Originally: Hilton Midtown
Then became: Conrad (Hilton's highest luxury tier)
Current: Luxury Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)

Current Status:

Fully renovated property
Feels brand new despite not being new construction
Still working out service kinks from recent transition
Marriott systems being implemented

Location Highlights

Prime Midtown Position:

Heart of Midtown Manhattan
Few minutes walk to Times Square
Central Park views from many rooms
Downtown access
Convenient to major attractions

Why Location Matters: Perfect positioning for both business and leisure travelers seeking central Manhattan access.

Chapter 2: Complete Suite Room Tour

Entry & Living Area

First Impressions Upon Entry:

Entryway Features:

Dedicated walk-in area with bench
Large beautiful mirror
Welcoming entrance design

Living Room Space:

Sofa bed (functional for extra guests)
Large flat-screen TV
Interesting colorful artwork (not typical style, but adds vibrancy)
Black and white photography displays
High-quality hardwood flooring in modern color tone
Premium carpet in center of room

Design Details:

Marble-accented lighting fixtures
Premium furniture throughout
High-end materials and finishes
Sophisticated color palette

Luxury Touches:

Decorative shapes and rocks
Curated book collection
"Little extras" typical of luxury properties
Adds sophisticated flair to the space

The Standout Lighting & Seating Area

Signature Design Element: Featured lighting fixture with exceptional design (reviewer's favorite element)

Functionality:

Dimmable lighting controls
Perfect for setting evening mood
Adjustable ambiance

Seating Configuration:

Sophisticated chair designs
Rooms designed with protruding layout
Central Park visible in distance
Higher floors offer superior views

View Classifications:

This room: Not official "Central Park view" (barely visible)
Preferred corner rooms: Central Park view PLUS full city views from side windows
Corner rooms are same size but offer dual view advantage

Note: This suite secured during very busy period (not preferred corner room but still excellent)

Minibar & Refreshment Station

Complete Setup:

Espresso Station:

Full espresso machine
Cups and accessories
Complimentary coffee and tea

Snacks & Provisions:

Middle cabinet section with purchasable snacks
Glassware storage below

Mini Fridge:

Built-in refrigerator at top
Fully stocked with beverages
All drinks for purchase (except coffee/tea)

Master Bedroom - The Star of the Show

Separation Design:

Two solid full-sized doors
Can separate spaces for privacy
Nice to leave open for flow
Higher ceilings
Open, spacious feeling

The Bed Design (Primary Selling Point):

"This is what it's all about. This is why I really wanted to stay here."

Signature Features:

Built into the wall
Huge premium headboard
Beautiful wrapping material around bed frame
Sophisticated side lighting fixtures
Gorgeous overall aesthetic
Bed design from photos was main booking motivator

Bedroom Amenities:

Second flat-screen TV facing bed
Beautiful wood tones throughout
Brand new condition (visibly new)
Ottoman in front of bed (luxury property standard)
Perfect for suitcase placement

Window Treatments & Views

Window Setup:

Large, beautiful windows
City views with Central Park in distance
Incredible morning wake-up experience

Disappointment: ❌ No automatic blinds

Surprising omission for Conrad-level property
Manual operation only
However, nice quality manual blinds provided

Climate Control & Technology

Air Conditioning/Heating: ✅ Works exceptionally well

Reaches desired temperature effectively
Huge bonus (many hotels struggle with this)

Alarm Clock:

Unique design
Dimmable feature
Can turn completely off at night for total darkness

Closet & Storage

Walk-In Closet Space:

Not a separate room, but spacious
Connects to bathroom
Plenty of hanging space
Well-designed layout

Provided Amenities:

Two Frette slippers
Very soft and plush (required luxury brand)
High-quality textile

Storage Note: ❌ Only ONE robe in entire suite (wish there were two)

Bathroom - Impressive Design

Size Consideration: Smaller bathroom space, but executed perfectly

Flooring:

Intricate small tile work
Gorgeous detailed pattern
Similar quality to Luxury Collection Budapest
Premium craftsmanship

Shower: ✅ Rainfall showerhead with extremely strong water pressure (huge plus) ✅ Handheld shower attachment included

Sink Configuration: ❌ Single sink only

Typically suites have double sinks
Disappointing but manageable

Countertop:

Beautiful marble throughout
Premium materials

Robe Situation:

Only one Frette robe (thick and plush)
Located in bathroom
Reviewer notes shortage again

Toilet:

Separate enclosed space
Privacy design

Bathroom Lighting (Standout Feature)

Illuminated Mirror: Standard luxury feature

Special Feature: ✅ All bathroom lighting is dimmable

Set exact perfect ambiance
Adjustable for evening use
Less harsh on eyes in low-light situations
Exceptional functionality

Bath Products:

Bayrido La Chemin soaps
Appearing at all new Luxury Collection properties
Very nice scent
Premium brand selection

Overall Room Assessment

Reviewer's Opinion:

"I'm actually very impressed with the rooms. The rooms for me are just perfect."

Key Strengths:

One of best-designed rooms in New York City (reviewer's opinion)
High-quality furniture throughout
Premium materials and finishes
Modern aesthetic
Incredible views from most rooms
Thoughtful design details

Concerns Moving Forward: Service quality and rest of property need evaluation to match room excellence.

Chapter 3: Hotel Amenities & Facilities

Lobby & Common Spaces

Size & Layout: ❌ Very small lobby for 562-room property

Limited lobby space
One restaurant off to side
Check-in desk area
Can get crowded easily
Not much congregation space

Atmosphere:

Nicely decorated (especially for Christmas)
Feels cramped for property size
More "big box luxury factory" than boutique

Reviewer's Concern:

"I'm surprised Marriott chose to go with the Luxury Collection versus Autograph Collection or making it more of a premium tier hotel versus super luxury."

What's Needed for True "Luxury Collection" Status:

More staff
More efficient check-in
Welcome drink offering
Next-level service delivery
More spacious public areas

Limited Amenities Overview

What's MISSING: ❌ No pool ❌ No rooftop ❌ No spa ❌ No wellness floor ❌ No club lounge ❌ Very limited on-site amenities overall

What's AVAILABLE: ✅ Fitness center ✅ Business center ✅ One restaurant (Dabble)

Comparison: Most Luxury Collection properties offer multiple restaurants, bars, lounges, spa facilities, and specialty venues. This property falls short of typical luxury hotel amenities.

Fitness Center

Assessment: Required standard amenity

Features: ✅ Modern and clean ✅ Well-equipped with cardio machines ✅ Free weights available ✅ Strength training equipment ✅ Complimentary towels ✅ Complimentary water ✅ Spacious enough for property size

Disappointment: ❌ No floor-to-ceiling windows with skyline views

Windows on lower floor only
Doesn't offer "insane views" like other luxury hotels
Missed opportunity for spectacular city panoramas

Business Center

Purpose: Dedicated space for practical business needs

Services:

Printing documents
Email checking
Light work tasks
Quick professional needs

Assessment: Standard offering, nothing exceptional

Chapter 4: Dining Experience

Dabble - The Primary Restaurant

Location: Lobby level

Reality Check: For a 562-room property, on-site dining is surprisingly limited. Unlike true luxury hotels in NYC with multiple restaurants, bars, lounges, and specialty venues, this hotel revolves around ONE main outlet.

Operating Hours:

Breakfast: Morning service
Lunch: Midday service
Dinner: Evening service
Weekend Brunch: Special weekend offering

Space Design: ✅ Warm and polished ✅ Elegantly designed ✅ Modern feel ✅ Convenient (right off lobby)

Challenge: ❌ Primary gathering place for entire 562-room hotel ❌ Can feel quite busy, especially at peak hours ❌ Breakfast rush particularly crowded

Breakfast Experience - Detailed Breakdown

Two Options:

Option 1: Continental Buffet - $25 per person

What's Included:

Fruit selection
Few pastries
Regular coffee to table
Located in hallway within restaurant

Marriott Platinum+ Benefit: $50 credit off bill (for two or more guests) - essentially covers continental breakfast

Option 2: Full Buffet - $50 per person

What's Included: Continental items PLUS a few additional hot items

Reviewer's Assessment:

"Extremely disappointing"

The American Buffet Problem: Reviewer notes consistent disappointment with U.S. Marriott Bonvoy properties:

Limited buffet selections
Sad M Club lounges
Stark contrast to international Marriott properties
Reason reviewer prefers international travel

Alternative: À La Carte Menu

Strategy:

Order items like omelets from menu
$50 credit still applies to bill
Can be better value than buffet
Items can get pricey

Final Note: Breakfast pricing at NYC hotels is universally expensive, but quality-to-value ratio here is questionable.

Chapter 5: Service & Staffing Assessment

Check-In Experience

Initial Arrival:

Reviewer arrived at 10 PM (no wait)
Lucky timing avoided queues

Typical Experience: ❌ 30-45 minute wait times common ❌ Frequent lines at front desk ❌ Any request takes "very, very long time" ❌ "Very complicated to do anything" ❌ Systems struggling with volume ❌ Moving rooms or changes particularly difficult

Understaffing Reality:

"They're just extremely understaffed. You'll see that in reviews - people have to wait a while to check in."

Observable Issues:

Lines building up regularly
Not enough staff visible
Front desk overwhelmed
System inefficiencies

Recent Improvement: ✅ More recent surveys show improvement ✅ May have fixed efficiency issues ✅ Possibly added more staff

Reviewer's Note: "At the time we were here, this was just our honest experience. But recent reviews definitely have improved a bit."

Door Service (Major Luxury Failure)

Critical Observation: ❌ NO ONE opened doors during entire stay ❌ Not once - coming in or going out ❌ Even with heavy luggage ❌ Shocking for "luxury" property ❌ Should be requirement at luxury hotels ❌ Heavy doors difficult for guests with bags

Standard Expectation: Every other luxury property provides door service. This is basic luxury hospitality.

Positive Service Elements

✅ Turndown Service:

Provided nightly
Fruit delivery
Personal note included
Luxury standard met

✅ Automatic Room Upgrade:

Upgraded to suite with beautiful view
Done proactively
Nice Platinum recognition

✅ Staff Friendliness:

Check-in staff very friendly
Other staff members pleasant
Positive interactions when they occur

The Problem: Not enough staff to provide consistent luxury service across 562 rooms.

Chapter 6: Final Ratings & Comprehensive Review

Room Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Why Full Marks:

Really modern design
Main reason for hotel selection
Beautiful Conrad/Luxury Collection design
Amazing views from rooms
Central Park visible
Heart of Midtown location
Minutes from Times Square

Room Excellence: Genuinely one of the best-designed rooms in NYC

Inspiration Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Why Not Perfect:

Positives (+):

Rooms very inspiring
Views exceptional

Negatives (-):

Limited on-site amenities
Only one restaurant
Only fitness center
No pool, spa, or wellness floor
Small, cramped lobby
Big wall immediately visible upon entry
Not super open or modernized lobby
Doesn't match typical Luxury Collection property amenities

Missing Elements: Most Luxury Collection properties have multiple restaurants, pools, spas, and extensive amenities. This falls short.

Service Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Why Four Stars:

Positives (+):

Staff very friendly when encountered
Turndown service provided
Automatic upgrade received
Friendly check-in experience

Significant Negatives (-):

Extremely understaffed (primary issue)
Long check-in wait times (30-45 min typical)
Lines frequently building up
Everything takes very long time
NO door service entire stay (shocking)
Heavy doors not opened even with luggage
Not enough visible staff
Systems struggling with volume

Bottom Line: Friendly people, but not enough of them to deliver luxury service.

Value & Return Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

Would Return? ✅ YES - Definitely want to stay again

Primary Reasons:

Rooms are luxurious
Want to try corner room next time (Central Park view + full city side view)
Sofa bed in living area
Luxurious marble bathroom
Clean and well-maintained
Excellent air conditioning
Incredibly comfortable beds (best night's sleep)

Conditional: "If they can definitely perfect service, it would definitely be a reason to come back."

Chapter 7: Pricing & Points Strategy

Pricing Overview

Cash Rates: $500 - $800 per night (varies by season/demand)

Very high standard pricing
Typical for Luxury Collection NYC

Marriott Bonvoy Points: ~100,000 points per night

Getting very expensive on points
Not particularly good redemption value

Booking Recommendation

Reviewer's Advice: "Maybe recommend more towards the point option just because the standard pricing is so high"

Reasoning: When cash rates are $500-800, using 100K points can make more sense than paying cash, even though it's not an exceptional point value.

How to Unlock Suite Upgrades & Luxury Stays

Educational Opportunity Mentioned:

The Luxury Stay System (Reviewer's Course)

What It Teaches:

How to maximize points
Choose the right hotels
Unlock incredible suite upgrades (like this one)
Access hundreds of dollars in extra value per trip
Use loyalty and smart booking strategies
Transform trips into luxury experiences

Strategy Over Luck: Reviewer notes that suite upgrades aren't luck - they're strategic.

His Journey:

Used to book random third-party hotels (Expedia)
Never got upgrades
Didn't know luxury experiences were possible
Learned system of points, loyalty, and smart booking
Now consistently unlocks upgraded stays

Course Link: Available in video description

Summary: Should You Book This Hotel?

BOOK IF:

✅ You prioritize room design and comfort above all else ✅ You want modern, beautifully designed accommodations in NYC ✅ You value location (Midtown, near Times Square) ✅ You have Marriott Bonvoy points to use ✅ You're Platinum+ status (for breakfast credit) ✅ You want Central Park proximity ✅ You're using points and can get suite upgrade ✅ You don't need extensive on-site amenities

RECONSIDER IF:

❌ You expect full-service luxury hotel experience ❌ You need pool, spa, or wellness facilities ❌ You want extensive dining options on-site ❌ You expect immediate door service and high staff-to-guest ratio ❌ You're paying full cash rates without point optimization ❌ You want true "Luxury Collection" level amenities ❌ You need M Club lounge access ❌ You expect seamless, quick check-in process

The Honest Bottom Line

The Rooms: Genuinely exceptional - among the best in NYC for design and comfort.

The Experience: Falls short of true luxury hotel standards due to understaffing, limited amenities, and service inconsistencies.

The Reality: This feels more like an "Autograph Collection" level property than true "Luxury Collection" tier. The rooms deliver luxury; the overall property experience doesn't fully match.

Best Strategy: Use points for upgrade potential, arrive late to avoid check-in lines, keep expectations calibrated to "premium business hotel with exceptional rooms" rather than "full luxury resort experience."

Nearby Recommendation

Times Square Church

Location: 51st & Broadway

What to Expect:

One of most powerful churches to attend
Incredible worship
Amazing messages
Must-visit if in town on Sunday

Reviewer's Note: Highlight of every New York City trip

Final Thoughts

The Luxury Collection Midtown NYC delivers where it matters most - the guest rooms. These are genuinely some of the most beautiful, comfortable, modern hotel rooms in New York City. The design is impeccable, the beds are perfect, the bathrooms are stunning, and the views are spectacular.

However, the property falls short in delivering the comprehensive luxury experience the "Luxury Collection" name promises. With only one restaurant, no pool or spa, limited public spaces, and significant understaffing issues, this hotel operates more like a premium business hotel with luxury rooms rather than a true luxury resort experience.

The Verdict: If you can secure a suite upgrade (particularly a corner room), use points to offset the high cash rates, and arrive with realistic expectations about amenities and service, this is an excellent choice for Midtown Manhattan. Just don't expect the full-service luxury experience the brand name suggests - but do expect an exceptional night's sleep in a gorgeous room.

This New York "Luxury Hotel" Has ONLY 1 Restaurant! (562 Rooms)