Sheraton Times Square | NYC
What better location to showcase the Gears of Hospitality than the machine itself, Sheraton Times Square?
Located on 7th Ave between 52nd and 53rd, this iconic hotel has stood her ground for over 50 years. It started off as the Loews Americana in 1962, just in time for the '64 World's Fair, held in Queens, NY. It became what we know today as the Sheraton around 1979 (The Sheraton Center Hotel & Towers), fully adopting the Times Square moniker in 1992 after a lengthy renovation.
Needless to say, this is a very interesting property. The sheer size and scope of it makes it a daunting task to anyone in the industry. This property, along with a handful of others, is treating as a testing ground for those serious about making a career out of hospitality. The size, age, and union presence all lend to affectionate nicknames, like "the Beast."
What I can say is this: to me, at least, disregarding the reputation it has, it is a beautiful property. Many nights after wandering New York, or even after working at my own property, I'll step inside the Sheraton's lobby, through the ever-revolving doors, and take an empty seat wherever I can, as this place seems to always be busy. The lobby is large and tasteful - bright, inviting, plenty of seating. They have enormous event space, and beautiful marble floors. Giant columns break the space up into separate areas, giving the guest a feeling of a sprawling, pondering hotel.
Even an untrained eye can take in the sheer size and scope of this place: A front desk that must be half the length of a football field, or the 2 separate sets of elevators depending on just how high guests need to go; there's the fleet of bellmen escorting guests, and the teams of various concierge telling them where to go once they are settled in. It's grand. It's huge. It's imposing.
And that's not even taking into account the housekeeping staff underground or on the floors. 1,700 rooms cleaned regularly. Hundreds of staff going to and fro, 24/7, 365. What about the banquet servers? The housemen? All the front desk staff? seemingly endless lists of staff. And it has to be like that, because that's what this place is, really - it's the product of a production-line world. Guests here become statistics, because there's just too many to understand or appreciate individually. And that's not to say that this is a bad thing: on the contrary, it provides a little rest from those hotels that strive to make every single guest a VIP, every time. Here you can show up, sleep, and leave, on to the next destination, as anonymous as possible. You're a number, but you're a comfortable number.
Check-in
They host everyone, here, too, which just adds another layer to this place. Several airlines call this home, so don't be surprised if while you're sipping a coffee in the cafe area, an entire flight crew walks in and swamps the lobby. Mix in a few hundred "Welcome To New York" tourists, a handful of business travelers, and of course a few people just like me, and you've got yourself the Sheraton Times Square: Assembly-Line Hospitality, like a beating, towering heart in the center of this Island.
The original: Loews Americana
Sheraton Times Square: simply stunning.
Before the revolving door.