I booked 2 nights for weekend of New Year's Eve th...

I booked 2 nights for weekend of New Year's Eve through Hotwire. The facility was nice, very modern and very clean. The layout is a little strange with street level walk in only. You have to immediately take elevators to lobby for reception check-in. Then you have to take separate elevators to rooms....very circuitous with lots of walking around. Service was OK, concierge was a little snobby. There was a planned New Year's party but it was poorly organized. Coat check in and way to terrace was same line, which made it long and not very efficient. All drinks were the same price - $20 for beer, wine, cocktail, champagne or soda. Problem was they wouldn't take any money at the bar, only coupons that had to by purchased at different table but they ran out. Here we were on New Year's Eve but we couldn't get champagne because they ran out of coupons and bar wouldn't take our money. We waited for a while and lost our spot on the balcony to watch the ball drop....very frustrating. Location of hotel itself was very good though, literally right in Times Square and close to Rockefeller Center, the 2 places we wanted to see and close to our favorite eateries as well.

I would have given them a 4 except that after getting home, I discovered a charge on my credit card. When I called to inquire they explained it was their daily fee. I told them that I was not told about it and the rep blamed Hotwire for not telling me and lectured me that had I booked directly through them, they would have told me. I then asked why their hotel reception didn't tell me when I was there in front of them at check in and check out. I was surprised that they would have a practice of running charges without telling me. The rep actually said that they try to expedite their check-in and check out SO THEY DON'T TELL GUESTS ABOUT THE CHARGE! When I pointed out that they were not being transparent by avoiding to tell me, he said that they did tell me by posting their fee on a sign and TV monitor in the lobby. I reminded him that it was crowded on a holiday weekend and it's shady for their staff to not tell me when they took my credit card at check in and didn't say anything. Even at check out, I was told simply that I was "all set" but no mention of a charge. He was completely unapologetic about their practice.

I would have gone back given decent price and location before I saw the charges. even after the charges, I would not have cared about paying the fee had they been nicer about it: apologizing for their staff not making it clear, plan to improve on their lack of clarity, etc. But given the rude response and not taking any responsibility, I will not return because of their poor customer service and sketchy practice. In fact, I will discourage my friends and family from staying at this hotel. If you stay here, at least be warned now that their will be daily fees. These fees may not be unusual in NYC, but this place is not upfront in telling you about it.