Whenever I go through a longish stretch of not traveling, I console myself with the fact because I live in the ultimate vacation destination: New York City. Living here is like one long staycation… Ok, maybe not. But my husband and I did get to experience a true staycation when I was hosted by The Westin New York Grand Central. Because I’ve always lived in NYC, I’ve never had the experience of staying in a hotel here. Well now I have, and I think I could get used to it! I acclimated quite nicely to The Westin’s famous Heavenly Bed and to the lovely view from my room on the 35th floor. If this has you dreaming of a staycation or a real vacation in NYC, keep reading this post because I’m giving away 16,000 Starwood Points that can be redeemed at The Westin Grand Central or any Starwood property of your choice!
Ah, that Heavenly Bed! Our Deluxe Room with a view from the 35th floor at The Westin New York Grand Central.
The Westin Grand Central celebrated its one-year anniversary this week. Prior to September 2012, the hotel used to be The Helmsley. To become The Westin, the property went through a $75 million overhaul, resulting in bright, modern rooms. The Deluxe Room, where we stayed, was 330 square feet, which is easily the size of some studio apartments in New York City. The hotel gym is 3,000 square feet, and I was almost tempted to use it. For those who like to work out when they travel (not me!), the Westin does a really cool program where you can go on guided runs with the hotel’s RunWESTIN™ Running Concierge. There’s so much to see in New York City that going for a morning run is a great sightseeing option for business travelers.
Brunch at The LCL: Bar & Kitchen, New York City
As much fun as it was to stay at The Westin, life two miles south was calling. Literally. In the morning, we ended our stay with a delicious breakfast of waffles and French toast at THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, NYC. This is the first time that the Gerber Group (known for its trendy bars in W Hotels) has created an eatery for The Westin group. We had peeked in the evening before, and it looked like a Happy Hour scene was brewing. We were quite impressed when we went for breakfast, and I finally got to try Organic Avenue juice, which really is better than regular juice. I’ll definitely return to LCL as I’m always on the hunt for places with great coffee (they serve Stumptown) and free WiFi (a real rarity in this city) and now I’ve found one.
Do you want to stay at The Westin Grand Central? Or any other Starwood property? Then make sure to enter my contest to win 16,000 Starwood points!
Comped but Never Compromised: I was given a free stay at The Westin Grand Central but I’m free to write whatever I want.
I would love to stay at the Westin in NYC or anywhere honestly. I’m hoping hubby and I can head back east before the end of the year, drop the boys off with the grandparents and escape for our very first night away together sans kids. Seriously! When you live 3000 miles away from all family it is almost impossible to find someone who can watch your kids for a night. And we would sleep and sleep and sleep. It’s been a while since we slept without interruption 🙂
Keryn @ walking on travels recently posted..Travel Essentials: Cable Organizer
Oh, a night in a hotel ALONE sounds divine!!
Missa recently posted..Hi Estelle
I’d use the points to stay in New York City one night before leaving for Cape Cod later this month.
I’m like 2500 miles from New York so if I won I might try to use the voucher for a more local stay… but then again it’s been a few years since I went to New York, so this could be a good motivator for me to visit (I’d just plan to stay longer than one night).
Alouise recently posted..Niagara-on-the-Lake You’re Pretty Pretty
Love it. Sounds perfect.
Heidi Wagoner recently posted..Nice To Meet You!
I love doing staycations in my hometown of Chicago. It’s a city I could likely never get sick of! I went to NYC for the very first time last summer, and feel like we saw only a small fraction of everything the city has to offer – looking forward to going back!
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas recently posted..Tapa Thursdays: My Most Memorable Spanish Meal
I love taking staycations. Sometimes a night in a hotel is the perfect way to relax.
Adam recently posted..Travel Photo: Cologne’s Love Lock Bridge
What a fun giveaway! I have to say, staying at a nice hotel can make you feel miles away from home – even if you’re not.
long-time starwood preferred guest and love their properties! we’re also pro-staycation, especially it involves a fancy hotel 🙂
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required: #frifotos
I would agree with you that living in NYC means you can stay there just about all the time…I have stayed at a couple of Westins and they are amazing. I would love to use these points to stay in one of their properties here in California.
Jenna recently posted..Travel Style: What to Pack for Fall Travel
I would love to spend a night at the Westin in Venice with Boyfriend. We usually travel low budget, so it would be great to stay in such a nice hotel when visiting Venice, especially Venice!
Sofie recently posted..#FriFotos: fields
Ooh… fun. I am trying to build up enough points for an anniversary weekend in NYC next spring, so this sounds perfect. Love the SPG hotels!
Paige Conner Totaro recently posted..What to do in Washington DC with kids during the federal shutdown
Oh my – what a lovely brunch shot! I’d love to visit this amazing hotel.
wanderingeducators recently posted..Shy Feet: Short Stories Inspired by Travel
Tough call on where, but I’d be very tempted to use them right there at the Grand Central!
Shelly Rivoli recently posted..Flying with a toddler? Beware of airplanes with airbags.
I’ve been to New York City four times and stayed at a different hotel every time – would love to check this one out!
Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted..A Glimpse of Halifax Through Instagram
I just found out there’s a chipotle in Frankfurt, Germany. So, i would love to stay at the Westin there.
Ann recently posted..My favorite family travel wallets
With the holidays coming soon, it would be great to stay at the Westin Grand Central and visit family and friends in the city.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..JORDAN: Why I’d Prefer to Forget Visiting the Dead Sea, Jordan
Great! I’m entered! Just hope I’m eligible to win as I’m not from the US.
Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted..Bidding for Business Class – List of Airlines That Allow Bidding for a Business Class Upgrade
I would love to stay at the Westin in NYC!! I love NY!
Val-This Way To Paradise recently posted..Embracing Imperfection: 3 Magical Ways Mexico Is Causing Me To Love My Flaws
The heavenly bed definitely sounds like a dream. And who could pass on a stay in NYC?
Elena recently posted..Are There Bananas and Nutella in my Pancakes?
Would use it to book a stay at The Westing Grand Central.
I’ve got no intention of allowing the word staycation to ever enter my vocabulary, but I’d sure like to put those Starwood points to use getting out of town for an adventure.
Tim recently posted..Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County, IN serves leaf peeping pleasure
Next summer, I’m leaving for a year long trip around the world so I would like to use these points to treat myself to a nice hotel stay along the way.
Haven’t been in New York in more than 20 years. Perhaps it’s about time 🙂
Sophie recently posted..Dublin after dark – mobile theatre
Those waffles look so good! I love a hotel that does a great brunch; it’s so luxurious to wander down late from the room to breakfast.
The Barefoot Nomad recently posted..The Best of Lisbon 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Oh, and I forgot! 🙂 I would use the Starwood points for a local getaway.
The Barefoot Nomad recently posted..The Best of Lisbon 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Staycations are the best. I love this hotel. And I especially love that they grow some of the food served in their restaurant on the roof.
Terry at Overnight New York recently posted..Yotel New York: On Your Bikes
I recently thought about how I’ve never stayed at a hotel in my own home city. (And yes, we have a Westin.)
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..I’m a surfer chick!
I would love to stay at The Westin Grand Central. I moved out of NYC almost three years ago and am in desperate need to return to one of my favorite cities.
I’ve never stayed at one of these hotels. I actually don’t even know what points are 🙂 We usually stay at boutique, family owned places. Would be great to try something totally different.
Marina K. Villatoro recently posted..Don’t Know What to do in Guatemala – How about Going to a Race Track?
What a lovely hotel.I’d love to visit this amazing hotel.
Gabi (The Nomadic Family) recently posted..How Do You Deal With South East Asia Heat? Crawling Out and Back Into Hell Heat- PP, Cambodia (part four)
I would use my points to grab a staycation with my kids. We travel a lot for church events, workshops and family events. Rarely do we just take a day for ourselves. This would be awesome.
Elizabeth Towns recently posted..Relax… Win a $50 Gift Card
I’m partial to beach vacations, so I’d use the points to stay by the ocean!
Christine Luken recently posted..Meal Planning Monday ~ My Best Time-Saving Tips
I would plan my own little staycation since Southern California is a great place to live AND visit as well!
NYC is a short trip away from where I live, but too far to drive back the same day, and since hotels are very pricey there, it would be great to win and spend a weekend in NYC with friends.
I’d go out with my husband, no kids!
Jessica @Bkeepsushonest recently posted..Giving a New Mom the Gift of Sleep {Giveaway}
I’d use the points for an indulgent stay in one of those Heavenly Beds (anywhere), and then I’d order in Dinner and Breakfast and never leave the mattress 🙂
Larissa recently posted..Ghost town: The Minidoka Japanese internment camp in Idaho
I’d use the points to take Hubs somewhere nice for his birthday. Ahhh!
Virginia @thatbaldchick recently posted..Running in the Dark
Wow! that is lovely and excited to know about it.
I would use them for a stay in Europe next year!
We would use the points for our honeymoon! We’ve been married almost a month and are planning a longer trip around our first anniversary so these points would be so helpful!
Go see my brother’s family in L.A. 🙂
What a great contest! I’m planning a trip to Asia early next year, so I would use the Starwood points to visit some of their amazing properties.
Hillary R recently posted..Friday Photo: Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket
I am dying to return to NYC and free accommodations would make it all the more easier!
I visited last year without my boyfriend and I haven’t heard the end of it.
A Christmastime visit may be in order!
Murissa
Murissa recently posted..BlogHouse Ireland 2013: Looking Forward to the Future
I would use the points for a getaway for my anniversary.
Melissa – Bargain Shopper Mom recently posted..Today’s FREE Kindle Books From Amazon
Half the fun is picking out the place to stay. I’m not sure what property but all Westins are nice so you can’t go wrong.
I used to travel for my job and I really it ( the job and travel).