HOTEL REVIEW: Residence Inn by Marriott New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center Area
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Here’s a quick view of the properties we visited in NYC:
Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel (Hyatt) – Downtown, NYC
Kimpton Hotel Eventi, an IHG property – Midtown
This is part two….it’s the second hotel that we booked in New York City. If you’re just getting caught up. We were on a 10-day trip to New York City, and instead of paying full price for our rooms, we opted to use our free night award certificates. Why? Hotel accommodations in New York City, especially during the holiday season tend to be very pricey. Here’s what I wrote regarding our first hotel stop, another Marriott property, AC Hotel New York Downtown.
You’re crazy for moving around too much
Were we too crazy for moving around? One might think that. But when I think of the savings of not having to pay for our hotel stays, then it’s not that crazy after all. To get to the Residence Inn from the AC Hotel New York Downtown, it only took a short 8-minute walk. We didn’t have to take the train, nor a cab. It didn’t rain nor snow during the day we moved. No sweat.
First impressions
Upon entering the building, it was your typical building lobby, but there was no sight of a front desk. The elevator was off to the left side, and we had to go up to the third floor to get to the hotel’s front desk. It was a spacious front desk lobby, with lots of seating area and workspace to the right side, and you’ll also get to see the breakfast area where they serve food and drinks every morning. Check in was a breeze.
Our room
Part of the reason we chose the Residence Inn, we knew we’d be in NYC for quite a bit, and it’s good to have home-like options in the room. We have access to a refrigerator, microwave, portable burner, dishwasher, and seating area, two beds, and a desk/workstation plus the TV. There’s housekeeping services everyday, and if you need your room cleaned, make sure to get it done before 3pm. No more housekeeping after 3pm.
Video tour of our room
Here’s a link to the Facebook Live video – click here for a quick tour of our room at the Residence Inn.
Location, location, location
Compared to the AC Hotel New York Downtown, this Residence Inn was closer to the train station on Fulton Street. It was also closer to One World Trade Center, Oculus, the 9/11 Memorial. It was also within walking distance to Eataly and quite a few stores. For us, the best part was the fact that it was close to the train station since we ventured out quite a bit.
Free Breakfast
Well, it is a Residence Inn after all. Free breakfast was served at 7am to 9:30am. This was located on the 3rd floor. No full on hot breakfast at this time due to COVID. There was an array of bagel selection, hard boiled eggs, fruits, cereal, and packaged muffins. There were a couple of machines right outside to get your coffee or tea hot chocolate and a spacious little section for you and your party dine. Or, you could also bring your food and drinks to the seating area in the lobby or back to your room.
Here’s a link to the Facebook Live video – click here for Lobby Tour and Breakfast at the Residence Inn.
Laundry facilities
We were advised that the use of the laundry facilities (including the detergent and dryer sheets) was free. This was a nice surprise. Later on, we learned that this was a temporary change. It looks they will begin charging for this moving forward (but not during our stay). The laundry room is located in the C floor (cellar). There were six washing machines and right above were six dryers. All you need is your keycard to enter the facility and the room. By the time you read this, I suggest double checking with the front desk on the charges for using the facility. The soap and dryer sheets, if purchased, those were worth $2 each when I saw them on display. I was lucky. Ours was free during our five-night stay.
It’s good to have your own little kitchen
I never really thought of visiting New York City and cook in our room. But it was good to have that option. We had so many dining opportunities where we had leftover food, and to warm them up in our room was a big convenience, and cost-savings too. During our last day, one of my wife’s college friends, Nomie, visited us at the Residence Inn. She brought us six lobsters and claws from Rhode Island. Imagine us having a feast in our hotel room with these delicious lobsters. We were able to use the plates and utensils, warmed up some butter for us to dip our lobsters. That was a great early lunch. Thank you, Nomie!!! We will never forget this visit.
Overall value and impression
You will find a common theme on all of my New York City posts when it comes to accommodations. We weren’t looking for a five-star accommodation. We were happy with 3-4 star hotel. Our requirements were:
- two beds
- clean room
- hot shower
- near public transportation
This property met all those requirements. The free breakfast and having our own little kitchen in the room – those were a big plus which was why we chose to stay in one place for five nights. I highly recommend this property, and would consider staying here again.
How did we get 5 FREE nights at the Residence Inn
My sister-in-law applied for a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card in 2020. At the time, the special offer after meeting the minimum spend was to earn five free nights (redeemable up to 50K value per night). NOTE: This offer is no longer available.
She was awarded the certificates, but have had no chance to use them due to the pandemic. When she learned that my wife and I had a trip planned to New York City, she decided to join us, and it turned out to be one big family trip. I took on the role of tour guide, helped them plan where to go, which shows to watch, where to eat, how to get around NYC using the train and bust, etc.
One might think that using 50K certificates in New York may not be the greatest deal but for the timeframe we were in New York City, these rooms were going for $300-$600 per night. So in my books – not too shabby given all the perks I’ve mentioned (breakfast, access to laundry facilities, oh and we were also given late checkout.)
Which credit cards could get you points with Marriott and/or FREE night certificates
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Earn 3 Free Nights ((each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases + 10X total points on eligible purchases in select categories.
- Enjoy a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary with redemption level up to 35,000
- Annual fee – $95
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee – $0
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
- Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible purchases made on your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Annual fee – $125
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express Card
- Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $200 in Statement Credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points).
- Receive up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels.
- Up to $100 TSA Pre/Global Entry Credit
- Up to $100 Credit when you book direct using a special rate for a 2 night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® and get up to $100 in credit for qualifying charges.
- Annual fee $450
For a list of over 60 credit cards, click here.