I’ve always dreamed of having a Manhattan apartment and living the city life for a while. I finally got a chance to make my fantasy a reality when I booked a two-bedroom suite at Club Wyndham Midtown 45. What I didn’t realize, until I checked-in, was that Club Wyndham is actually a mainly timeshare. Club Wyndham shows up on hotel booking sites, and non-timeshare owners can book rooms, but be warned—you’ll definitely get a sales pitch in exchange for a cheap room. Is the tradeoff worth it? Read my full review of Club Wyndham Midtown 45 to find out.
Pros
- Private rooftop lounge with beautiful views of New York City
- Great location one block from Grand Central Station
- Friendly service
- Apartment-style setups available
- Some suites have fully stocked kitchens
- Spacious rooms for Manhattan
- Discounts available for guests at local bars and restaurants
- Free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
- Free activities and cocktails offered throughout the day
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour gym
Cons
- Frequent pitches to come to timeshare sales presentations
- Strict check-in time of 4 p.m., not flexible on early check-ins
- The rooftop lounge closes during inclement weather and can remain closed for longer than necessary
- Checkout is at 10 a.m., which is earlier than most NYC hotels
Location
As the name implies, Club Wyndham Midtown 45 is located on 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan. It’s just one block away from Grand Central and within easy walking distance to a number of attractions including the United Nations and Park Avenue. The location was great for public transportation, with a number of subway lines nearby.
Rooms
The hotel has three main styles of rooms:
- Suites, which are available in 1- or 2-bedroom configurations
- Standard Hotel rooms
- Studios
I stayed in a two-bedroom apartment that was incredibly spacious for New York City. Located on a higher floor, it had great views of the Chrysler Building, along with two large bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Having two bathrooms was really nice for our group of four people, so we could get out the door faster without having to wait for everyone to shower in one bathroom.
The main bedroom had a king bed, and the smaller room had a queen. There was even a queen pullout sofa, so the room could sleep up to six people.
The suite had a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and stove, and was stocked with all the dishes and silverware we might need.
Restaurants
The hotel does not have a restaurant onsite, but this is New York City, so there are hundreds of restaurants right outside the door.
Club Wyndham Experience
I booked my suite through TripAdvisor, so I didn’t realize that Club Wyndham was primarily a timeshare. I was surprised when my check-in spiel included a pitch to attend a sales presentation. The receptionist was not too pushy when I politely declined, so it wasn’t a big deal.
In the lobby and elevators, there are signs with the Club Wyndham schedule, which were activities and cocktail hours that served to lure people into timeshare presentations. Activities included things like margaritas on the roof, mimosas in the lobby, etc.
Every time I entered or exited the hotel during the day, I was asked by a salesperson if I wanted to chat about timeshares. All it took was saying “no thanks” for them to leave me alone, so it wasn’t too bad. At night, all the salespeople go home for the day, so you don’t have to dodge pitches.
The rooftop lounge is a highlight of this property. I really liked that it’s a lounge rather than a bar or restaurant, so you can bring your own food and drinks up and enjoy the views without paying crazy prices.
Parking
Only valet parking is available at Club Wyndham 45. Parking costs $65 per night for vehicles less than 181 inches and $85 for larger vehicles or SUVs. Pickup trucks and large vans cost $105.
Guests will have to pay $15 every time they want to take their car out.
Pets
Pets are not allowed at any Club Wyndham location, except for service animals.
Overall Review
Despite the timeshare atmosphere, I actually really enjoyed my stay at Club Wyndham Midtown 45 and wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again. The suites were huge for Manhattan and were very clean and well-stocked. The location was great, and the price was really affordable for the location. The timeshare pitches really weren’t too bothersome, and I wasn’t tempted at all to attend any presentations.