By Danny R. Johnson – Entertainment/Travel News Editor
THE BASICS AND LOCATION
When you first walk into the lobby of the New York Marriott East Side Hotel, the first thing that catches your eye are the friendly hotel and security personnel eagerly waiting to serve you and welcome you to their facility, which was a welcome delight after a grueling three hours Amtrak ride from Washington, DC. The hotel, located at 525 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street · New York, New York 10017, is centrally located in Midtown Manhattan near all the major attractions such as the Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, Times Square, unlimited entertainment venues and hundreds of restaurants.
The January 13, 2018 arrival of course was in the dead of winter and the temperature was hovering near 18 degrees. Because I had already pre-checked in using the efficient Marriott App, my room was waiting and I was able to check-in within 10 minutes upon arrival. As a premium Marriott Elite member, I was disappointed that the front desk service personnel did not explain the Elite Members Benefits/Amenities of the hotel. I was given my keys to the room with no mention of the layout and featured amenities of the hotel.
THE ROOM
Our guest room did not feature any up-to-date and state-of-the-art technology, and the room itself was clean and provided the basic necessities for a good stay. If you are a Premium Elite Member looking for attention to details and unique room designs sure to please any discriminating interior designer, this is not your hotel. The room was around 285 sq. ft. and styled with basis touches. I was expecting a lot more. But due to a scheduled meeting, I did not want to go back down to the front desk and request a room change, which all Premium (Gold/Platinum) Elite Members have the option of doing. Keep in mind there is no guarantee management will have an upgraded room available – so you may get stuck with what you have.
No matter which room style you choose, count on the utmost in comfort and discretion. Our room had the usual suspects – a late model Vizio large flat-screen TV, which had very limited TV channels; and there is access to dependable high-speed Internet ($12.95 for 24 hours); however, free for Marriott Rewards Platinum and Gold members. The standard king-size bed was comfortable and maintained its bounciness throughout my stay. You can also check this source for additional reading where you get to know how the room was also equipped with the best ice maker. In addition to a concealed miniature refrigerator, the room was equipped with a miniature sofa designed for two, and a work desk accompany with a chair that was very uncomfortable to sit in.
THE FOOD
The New York Marriott East Side does not have a full-service sit down restaurant Elite Members would expect and accustomed to. What it does have is the 525Lex Restaurant & Lounge, which is located on the main lobby floor. The only draw-back is the location is not a great place to be when the temperature is 18 degrees, and people are coming in and out of the front entrance using the revolving door. Despite this obvious and unavoidable nuisance, Executive Chef Paul Fazi (The Frenchtown Inn, New York Marriott Marquis and most recently, The New York Palace), has created an assortment of lite bites, salads, large plates, and flavors with a New York flare and California’s local treasures, which make up the menu. The impressive signature cocktails, beer, and wine list will impress any demanding wine aficionado. And there is the Illy Café, the hotel’s Midtown coffee bar, which offers freshly-brewed coffee and made-to-order espresso drinks, plus muffins, pastries, yogurt and other grab-and-go items.
The hotel does have an Elite Concierge Lounge, which serves the usual continental breakfast with all the accessories. The only problem is that the second floor lounge is also open to any of the guest who are willing to pay a nominal fee. Which means that the lounge is always jam-packed to compensate for the fact there is no full service restaurant to accommodate all the folks staying in the hotel.
BOTTOM LINE
The perfect flourishes for your stay at The New York Marriott East Side is to indulge in all that this Midtown Manhattan hotel has to offer. This hotel is undoubtedly the BEST value for families and singles alike. The selling points of this hotel extend to the superb customer service, the daily happy hour receptions, exceptional service and food menus. Room rates start at $255-$485 per night depending on your level of accommodations.