Traffic congestion in New York City is a common sight, especially during the summer months. With the congestion pricing plan on hold, travelers can expect long delays when trying to get into Manhattan. However, guests staying at select luxury hotels in the city have a unique opportunity to avoid the highways altogether.
Marriott International Luxury Group recently announced that they are offering complimentary helicopter transfers from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport to Manhattan from July 1 to Sept. 2. This exclusive perk is available for guests staying at least two nights in one of the six designated Manhattan hotels.
To qualify for the helicopter transfers, guests must book a specific type of suite at the participating hotels. Entry-level rooms will not grant access to this service. The selected hotels include The St. Regis New York, JW Marriott Essex House New York, W New York – Union Square, The New York EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, and The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown.
While the convenience of helicopter transfers sounds appealing, it comes at a premium price. Suites at Marriott’s luxury hotels in Manhattan can be quite expensive, with rates reaching record highs. For example, a “Liberty Suite” at The Ritz-Carlton NoMad can cost around $3,500 per night. In addition to the room rate, the cost of a round-trip helicopter transfer with Blade starts at $390 and can go up to $500 for a “Maximum Flexibility Fare”. Ground transportation to and from the helipad locations is an additional $180.
Guests who are staying in rooms, rather than suites, at the designated hotels can still take advantage of discounts on Blade’s services this summer. Blade, a company specializing in urban air mobility, began offering on-demand helicopter services to New York-area airports in 2019. While Uber Copter also entered the market around the same time, it ceased operations in 2020.
Marriott’s luxury hotels in Manhattan are offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for guests who want to avoid traffic and arrive in style. However, the cost of such exclusivity comes with a hefty price tag. Whether you choose to splurge on a suite or take advantage of discounts for room guests, the option of helicopter transfers adds an extra layer of indulgence to your stay in the city that never sleeps.