I finally managed to get to NY's elevator amusement park - the Marriott Marquis. This place is amazing. Schindler 7000's traveling over 1000FPM in a 45 floor atrium. Truly spectacular. IMO this is even better than the Atlanta Marquis, considering how here all the elevators are built into one central cylindrical "core." The cabs too were very futuristic looking (from the outside) and nice and quiet inside.
This was also my first experience with a predestined elevator system (well that's what I call it) Miconic 10 behaved well when I was there in the mid-afternoon, but after reading up on some hotel reviews on this place on TripAdvisor I wouldn't be so quick to praise it. At peak hours wait times quickly inflated to over 10 minutes. This is an elevator system, not the subway! Granted, many of the scathing reviews I read were from when the system was being implemented (when Schindler as ripping out the old cabs, controllers, and hall fixtures) but when I returned to the hotel later around 6:00 the elevator banks were considerably crowded. I'll have to come back here again before I pass my final judgment.
The ride the elevators offered, however, was fantastic. Going up you're actually pushed into the floor as the gearless Westinghouse motor reaches full speed. Going down you actually get a floating sensation, as if gravity were suddenly reduced. They must have some really powerful motors in this system - just listen to the background noise when I'm on the 45th floor. Overall the elevators here are not to be missed!
To all Schindler Haters (not me, I just found this funny): On one of the reviews I found on TripAdvisor here: www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRe...
The person actually said (and I quote) "-WHOEVER AGREED TO THIS CONTRACT WITH THIS COMPANY, SHOULD BE FIRED!!!! " Really. Very funny!
Brand: Westinghouse
Installed: 1986
Modernized: Schindler (7000 with Miconic 10), 2003-2005
Floors Served: 1 - 8, 28 - 45
Fixtures: Cab: Epco SSL variation; Hall: Miconic 10.
Fear/DT Index: Low. These are quite forceful and have a disturbing delayed start. I found them amazing but some riders might not enjoy the sights and speed.