If you’ve binged the Netflix series, Inventing Anna, you may be asking yourself some of the same questions we have. How did Anna Delvey get away with staying in those hotels without paying? Anna Delvey stayed in her fair share of New York City hotels, conning them along the way. Think you can stay the same way? Think again!
We’re not sure about you, but anytime we check into a hotel, our card is authorized for way over the amount we are staying. This usually occurs before we can even get our identification out of our wallet. Are the rules different for the hotels in which the fake German-Russian Heiress opted to squat in for weeks at a time?
Anna Delvey & Our Hotel Check-in Process
Being someone (Shannon) who has always had the bucket list goal to stay in The Plaza in New York City, I wanted to do a little digging. What would the authorization process be, exactly at check-in for these hotels? Are they different? I decided to give some of the hotels that Anna Delvey, or Anna Sorokin, whatever name she is going by these days, conned, as well as some of the top New York City hotels a ring to see what would happen if we (or you, unless you are a VIP celeb) wanted to stay for just one night.
There was only one goal with this endeavor: calling the hotel with only one question, “what exactly would happen at check-in in regards to a hold on our card?” The check-in process must look very different than what it did for Anna, because there is no way that we would be able to stay for even one night for free. Oh, and it should be known that Anna Delvey did not stay at The Plaza, nor did she stay at all of these hotels, nor do we, or any of these hotels condone nor support anything that she did or did not do. Please take care of your hospitality workers and pay your way through travel. Karma is a bitch, friends.
All of the hotels’ authorization information provided below is based on the guest staying for one night. Note, this is only what was verbalized to us via phone. It should not be assumed to be confirmation nor 100% accurate upon your arrival. This information could also change from the time of writing this blog post. All information provided is accurate to what was verbalized via telephone from each hotel or hotel chain entity.
The Plaza, New York– Not Conned by Anna Delvey
The Plaza, New York– “Nothing unimportant ever happens at The Plaza.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald Again, Anna Delvey did not stay at The Plaza while she was on her path of scamming in New York City hotels. We were relieved to hear this. It would have been severely disappointing to hear if they could have been conned for so much money. We did include it due to the fact that it is on my (Shannon) bucket list for a hotel stay while in New York City.
The Plaza Hotel overlooks Central Park South and was built in 1907. It is iconic to New York City. Rooms range from $800-$3000/night, depending on how fancy you want to get. The hotel actually advertises on many sites that it is “perfect for a one night stay”.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
The representative via phone said: your card will be authorized for the amount of the room, plus taxes, plus a deposit of $250/night for incidentals, plus a resort fee of $68/night. If you have a pet, and/or will be parking, you will be charged for those as well, but if not, you’re good to go. So, planning on one night? On the low end, budget for $1118 to be authorized on your card, not including food or drinks you will probably add to your room bill while you are there. This is only at check-in.
11 Howard Hotel– Conned by Anna Delvey
11 Howard– Anna Delvey racked up a $30,000 bill at 11 Howard by making fast friends with most of the staff. This is where the real Neff (Neffatari Davis) worked- Inventing Anna. We’re still unsure as to how you do this at check-in, but we’re willing to bet they won’t allow that anymore. How do you accrue $30,000 at a hotel without anyone shoving you out the door before this? Who knows?! If you recall, she ended up paying the bill, when she was locked out of the hotel, though no one knows how.11 Howard is nestled in Soho, so prime real estate if you want to be close to the Bowery, Chinatown and Little Italy neighborhoods. Rooms range from $300-$500/night.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
We were told when we called the hotel that upon check-in you can expect your card to be authorized for your first night, plus taxes, plus a deposit of $50/night for incidentals, plus a resort fee of $40.17/night. Pets, parking, wifi, anything else, of course is additional. 11 Howard does have an on-site bar and french restaurant, so it could get pricey, depending on your taste. Hopefully not to the tune of $30k but we won’t judge. Actually, we will totally judge.
The Mercer Hotel– Conned by Anna Delvey
The Mercer– though this hotel is on every court docket stating that Anna left them hanging with a bill also, we could never find an amount of how much. This hotel is also located in Soho, contemporary-chic, touts itself as giving celebrity treatment to its guests providing private exercise trainers, massage therapists, yoga lessons, dog walking services, and of course limo service anywhere you want to go. It’s obvious to see why Anna Delvey did not want to leave. Rooms range from $650-$2800, depending on what level of baller you want to be for the night.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
We had to call this hotel 3 times because they were super suspicious. We were asked if we were journalists twice. We’re guessing the Anna Delvey story is making the rounds and they are not getting the best press about it. Finally, we spoke with someone who gave us the bare minimum, legalese, that one can decipher for themselves what they will.
Upon check in, your card will be authorized for your first night, plus taxes, and we were told the hotel “may place a hold on your card per night to cover any extras charged such as use of the mini-bar, etc.” When we asked how much that would be, they said, “there really is no set amount, “it’s just at the discretion of the manager.” We asked how we could plan for what would be held on our card for a trip, and were told that if we booked a night they would be able to tell us. Interesting.
The Beekman Hotel– Conned by Anna Delvey
The Beekman– touted to be straight from a Baz Luhrman film, The Beekman could have been the set of Luhrman’s, “The Great Gatsby” film, for sure. In fact, it brands itself as being from a “bygone era”. With concierge service, 5-star restaurant on-site, again, why would Anna want to leave? The real question is, why didn’t The Beekman make her? We’re scratching our heads, too. The Beekman is in the Financial district of New York City and starts around $350/night and goes up to $1200/night. Anna Delvey left The Beekman Hotel with a $11,518.59 bill. Things that make you go, hmm.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
Again, this hotel was suspicious and didn’t want to give us any information about authorization. After a few trials, we called the main number for Hyatt and spoke to a representative who gave us the information they had about The Beekman since they are owned by Hyatt. We were told that upon check-in you can expect your card to be authorized for your first night, plus taxes, plus a deposit of $100/night for incidentals, plus a resort fee of $40.16/night.
Thompson Central Park New York– Almost Conned by Anna Delvey
Thompson Central Park New York (Formerly Le Meridien)- super modern, minimalistic, neutral decor, just steps from Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, Thompson starts around $550/night and tops out around $800/night. This is super affordable in comparison to the rest of the list. Though Anna Delvey never actually conned this hotel, nor stayed here, she did try to dine and dash from the restaurant (once she was caught she had a friend pay the bill very quickly). We thought we would include them in the list in case you wanted to know what the check-in authorization process would be.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
We were told that upon check-in you can expect your card to be authorized for your first night, plus taxes, plus a deposit of $100/night for incidentals, plus a destination fee of $40.00/night. Since Thompson is also a Hyatt hotel, that was in line with what we learned from the call regarding The Beekman. The only difference was the resort/destination fee terminology and a few cents difference. Well, and a very different price range.
W Hotel Manhattan– Conned by Anna Delvey
W Hotel-Manhattan– this location is in the heart of Times Square, busy, busy! The W Hotel was one of the lucky ones when it came to Anna Delvey with being stiffed $503.76, or perhaps they are just smarter than the other hotels. W Hotel is fairly affordable. With a deal, you can scoop up a room in the $250 range, but it can go into the $800s at times. Again, this is affordable compared to most hotels on this list. It is in a noisy section of the city, so if you want the hustle bustle of NYC, this is your jam! Plus, there is a Dos Caminos on site, so you really cannot go wrong.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
We were told that upon check-in you can expect your card to be authorized for your first night, plus taxes, plus a deposit of $100/night for incidentals. Parking and pets are additional fees, of course. No resort fee was mentioned.
The Standard- High Line Hotel– Maybe Conned by Anna Delvey
The Standard, High Line– it has been rumored that Anna Delvey also conned The Standard during the New York City hotels shopping spree. We were unable to confirm it. We hope it’s not true because we do love The Standard, and it is also an iconic, very cool hotel right on the High Line so we are putting it on the list. Rooms start around $350/night and go up to around $1200, again, it all depends on your level of baller on the Hudson you feel like being for the night.
What should you expect to be authorized on your card at check-in?
We were told that upon check-in you can expect your card to be authorized for your first night, plus taxes, plus an incidental hold of the equal amount of the night’s stay, so you need to be prepared for double the amount of your stay to be held on your card, plus a facility fee of $34.43.
Resort Fees at New York City Hotels
It should be noted that a lot of hotels charge resort fees. This isn’t just a New York City practice. This is everywhere. It’s sometimes called a destination fee or facility fee. If you ask the hotel about the resort fee, they will often tell you that it covers the use of their premises like their fitness room, pool, daily newspaper, library, complimentary coffee/tea, arrangements made through the concierge, etc. Sometimes, there are added bonuses like wi-fi or tickets to local destinations, parks included. Be sure to ask what the resort fee includes so that you get your money’s worth. After all, it is an additional fee per day you are paying. You should take advantage of what is offered.
Deposits/Incidentals at New York City Hotels
If you don’t travel a lot, you may be asking yourself about these deposits that we mentioned in this blog post. You may also be asking, “when will I get my deposit back?” Upon your check-out of a hotel, the funds are released (minus any expenses you may incur from your incidentals) back to your card. Depending on your card/bank’s processing time, the funds usually show back up on your card or in your account anywhere from 3-10 business days. It really depends on your bank.
This was obviously not the case with Anna Delvey at these New York City hotels, nor the other hotels she stayed at outside of New York City, like Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, or La Mamounia hotel in Morocco. Otherwise, she either wouldn’t have been able to stay, or wouldn’t have accrued such an enormous bill to walk out on. What we do know, is that these hotels would not allow us to camp out in them Anna Delvey style, that is for sure.
We couldn’t leave you without letting you know that our favorite place to stay in New York City is Club Quarters World Trade. You can read about our stay here.
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