We recently spent a delightful weekend at the Radisson Martinique on Broadway in New York City.
This hotel is part of the Club Carlson chain, and I was lucky enough to secure a two-night stay for 50,000 points with their “second night free” option for Club Carlson credit card holders.
I earned the points as a bonus when I opened the Club Carlson credit card, and paid the annual fee of $60 for the business card. Thus technically speaking, two free nights cost me $60.
Are the eStandby Upgrades Worth It?
When I booked my stay online, I was offered the option of several eStandby upgrades.
- High Floor: Enjoy your stay about the streets of NYC, $30 extra per night ($40 value);
- Martinque Club Level – 1 King bed, includes a complimentary breakfast and access to the Executive lounge, $0 extra per night ($75 value); or
- Executive Suite – 1 King bed, separate living room area with sofa bed, complementary buffet breakfast and access to the Executive lounge, $69 Extra per night ($100 value.)
The deal is that you find out at check-in if you are awarded any of the add-on offers, and if so, you are obligated to pay the up charge.
I chose option 2, which had no added cost. I didn’t particularly care about being on the Club Level, because I had heard they didn’t serve refreshments there like at many other hotels, but the notion of free breakfast seemed worth a try.
Free Breakfast Vouchers at the Hotel Martinque in NYC
Ad things turned out, I was not offered the upgrade when checking-in. But I had a back-up option: the Radisson Martinque App! The iPhone app contains a coupon that you can redeem for a free breakfast buffet.
I was surprised when the front desk clerk provided vouchers for the full breakfast buffet for two mornings. I was traveling with my sister and my daughter, so we received 6 free breakfast vouchers in total. The regular price of the breakfast buffet is $29.95 per person.
Because I had Gold status (a perk of holding the Club Carlson credit card) I received a welcome gift of a small box of Belgian chocolates.
The breakfast buffet offered lots of choices, including fresh fruit, tomatoes and cucumbers, cheese, bacon, omelets, home fries, french toast, pastries, cereals, juice and coffee. It wasn’t the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen — I certainly wouldn’t pay $30 for it — but it offered a nice selection, and it enabled us to get an early start on our day.
What I Loved About the Martinque on Broadway
- 1.5 block walk from Penn Station
- Clean, comfortable rooms, and fairly large for NYC
- Free wifi
- Literally on top of the Subway station and an easy walk to midtown or SoHo
- A park across the street
- Belgian chocolates on your pillow at night
- In Korea town, across the street from Macy’s, and near many cheap jewelry stores
- Beautifully preserved historic hotel with gorgeous mosaics in the lobby and a 15-story marble spiral staircase
- International clientele including many airline personnel
- Genuinely friendly staff and good service
- Free bottled water in your room and a Keurig coffeemaker