The William Vale is selling itself as 5 star urban oasis. In actuality, it has monetized the pool to favor non-hotel guests, and if you have a room, don’t count on getting to the pool deck any time soon. I scouted the hotel a week before my stay, and asked at the front desk what I need to know about the pool. “If you’d like a cabana (a 8’ x 8’) benched area with no privacy), it’s $750". For non-guests $600, which you won’t know unless you look on the non-guest prices on the website. I was NOT told that pool is reservation only, even for hotel guests. There are only ca. 8 poolside chaise lounges which can be semi-reserved at no cost for the entire guest population, and even then the hotel dictates 3 hour time windows for your reservation, which is still first come first served.

What to expect at this hotel:

At no time may you use the pool and get a seat without an advance reservation. Far from a serene oasis, it feels like a cheap party scene (that’s very expensive).

The staff will treat you as an annoyance at all times.

All food and drink prices are hyper inflated.

My Amex was double dipped at the bar. The following day, a family gave their physical card to pay, and staff ‘lost’ it.

If you wish for housekeeping, you must actively indicate it with the door tag.

Pros:
The housekeeping staff is aware of the under-par general staff issues and hotel policies, and they’re delightful.

The room views of Manhattan are stunning.

A final cherry on my stay was that the fifth time my room key deactivated, it was the evening before my check out. Staff opened the door with their key, and when I asked for a new key, I was told “well, you’re leaving tomorrow, so you don’t need one.”

Avoid this hotel. It’s not worth it.