Great location; Hotel will be great Business Hotel after renovations
Stayed at the Westin this week, on 10/3 ... just two days after the change over from Helmsley to Westin. I am very excited to have a new Starwood property in this neighborhood, as it is very convenient to my office, to Grand Central and to many of the major mid-town business restaurants. It will be very convenient.
The hotel is still under a lot of work, so be prepared for noise. The rooms have been updated and were very nice, although a bit small even by New York standards: perfect for business where you won't spend a lot of time in the room, but not really something I would book for a vacation or weekend get-away. I was a little disappointed to hear so much noise from the hallways at night, assuiming that updated noise control would have been a part of the renovation. It was not bad enough that I would not stay here again, but generally have me the feeling that I was not really in a very private location. (I found myself wispering on the phone as I had concern that people in the hallway and the rooms next door could hear every word of my conversation.)
Overall, as a business hotel in this neighborhood, it's a great choice. Much newer than the tired Grand Hyatt and with so much construction, I can only assume that great things are planned for this property. I only hope the build out a nice rooftop bar like the Grand Hyatt has, as their location makes for a perfect place for such a bar. (If they don't however, and you still choose to stay here, be sure to go to the Grand Hyatt rfooftaop bar, it's spectacular.)