Thayer Package

I am wondering if anyone here has more information about the package that the Thayer offers, including r-day,a-day, parent-plebe weekend and graduation. I called the hotel but it sounded like the lady was speaking from the end of a tunnel . Very frustrating..but anyway, I did make out that there is a $2000 deposit and that it covered something about r-day and a-day. I am hoping that some of you can help me fill in the holes here? Thanks!!

Also, Is it really worth the extra money to be on the WP grounds for graduation day rather than one right outside the gate? I realize this is relative question but I would value your opinions. Thanks!

Oh...and one more thing What about the 5-star hotel on base? Once the cadets report to West Point and take the oath...are their families allowed to stay there?

UnpaidMaid45 said:

Oh...and one more thing What about the 5-star hotel on base? Once the cadets report to West Point and take the oath...are their families allowed to stay there?

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I thought the Thayer Hotel was the 5 star hotel?

On the other question, if your Graduation Day will be attended by the President, it's real hard to get in post with security, staying at the Thayer has you inside so no hassle that day. Other than that, I personally think it's a high priced place with very small rooms.
I will definitely stay there at least once but, I have no problems with the local hotels outside the couple of times I've stayed in West Point.

You may be right, obviously I am not exactly sure of all my facts. But I thought I remembered it being mentioned somewhere on these boards as a completly different hotel..

The problem is that there is no hotel right outside the gates. This is not Annapolis or Colorado Springs. The town of HIghland Falls is very small and lacking in a lot things like restaurants and hotels. The closest place to stay near the Thayer Gate (besides The Thayer) is the 5 Star Inn ( I think this is what you are talking about UnpaidMaid45). It is about a 5-10 minute walk from the gate. There is also one on post (not base ) that I think is near the hospital. BUT, you can only stay at either one if you are military or military family. BUT after R-day, your cadet can go to the 5 Star Inn and leave a copy of their ID, which enables you (now as a military family member) the ability to stay there. BUT, between April 1 and the last home football game (which would include Graduation, R-day and A-day), reservations can only be made 15 days in advance. So you are taking a huge gamble on these busy event days if you wait 15 days out to make a hotel reservation. If they are full, good luck finding a place to stay within an hours drive!
The Thayer is definitely NOT a 5 star hotel. It is historic and nice, but not luxurious. I have stayed there many times and have never had a problem. They just gouge you on the prices. Even during non-event times, it is not cheap, but in my book, it is oh so worth the convenience!
I would love to stay there for graduation. I didn't do 'The Thayer Package' because I wanted to see how my Plebe did his first year. Ya never know! He's doing fine, so I may look into reserving for graduation when we go up for PPW. Hope there are some rooms left!

I agree with Buff81. The Thayer is clean and comfortable, but the convenience is the main thing. They have a nice lounge where we have gathered with other families and a very nice dining room. It is within easy walking distance to the restaurants in Highland Falls and the post shuttle stops just down the street during big weekends like R-Day and A-Day. There are a few older motels in Highland Falls and there is a Holiday Inn Express in Ft. Montgomery a couple of miles away.

Many families stay in Newburgh and Fishfill. We stayed at the Hampton Inn at Woodbury Commons - next to the outlet mall- one time and that would probably be our choice if we were unable to get into the Thayer. It's about 20 minutes from post.

My parents chose to stay at the Thayer during my overnight for the experience (it's less expensive than on Rday, Aday, ect). We're staying at the Overlook on Rday- it's only 6 miles.

Buff81, we didn't do the "graduation package" either on Rday. When we called back last summer, we were #81 on the waiting list! So, no, there will not be rooms left!

UnpaidMaid45 said:

Oh...and one more thing What about the 5-star hotel on base? Once the cadets report to West Point and take the oath...are their families allowed to stay there?

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The Five Star Inn is the Army Lodging at West Point. It is not a "5-star" hotel but they are suites - some studio and some one bedroom. They have kitchens and sleep from 2-6 people. They are CHEAP - and you don't have to pay tax on the room.
They have a priority system for rooms. Parents who are not military may stay there once their cadet puts their ID on file. There are two locations - one is outside the gate near the visitor center and the other is on post across from the cemetery near the hospital.

I highly suggest that every parent have their cadet walk their ID down to the main office near the Visitor center and put it on file. That way if there is a medical emergency or your cadet should need surgery you can visit and stay cheaply.

It's also nice to have if you are able to go visit on the weekend - your cadet can come back to the room and watch tv and visit. Rooms fills up fast for bid weekends, but I was able to stay there for PPW and it was really nice to be close.
http://www.westpointmwr.com/ACTIVITY/5STAR/INDEX.HTM

About the Thayer....
Even if you never stay there, if possible at least one time go to Sunday brunch. On busy weekends you want reservations and it's not cheap but it is excellent!

Thanks so much!! This was just what I was looking for! I am "one of those" that doesn’t mind paying the extra if it is worth it but cant bring herself to do it without surveying the options obsessively!! I am defintly going to look into the Overlook, and the Hampton.

I am wondering... My husband is a contractor for the military and my dad is a retired civilian employee of the army base where we live. (What determines base or post, btw? I may have misspoke here as well.) I dont suppose either of these would be eligible to stay at the hotel?

Now I am going back over all your posts and take notes!

Hmm, one more thing...what is the best way to get from a hotel that is 15 or more minutes away to West Point? We are coming from too far away to drive so what are our options here? I have looked into a place near Stewart Airport, which I understand to be a smaller airport. Am I correct to assume that there would be a ready supply of cabs in the area? Or is someone with out a car better off paying for a room at the Thayer? I think that if we rented a car for our 3 to 4 day stay it would end up costing us about the same total amount as just staying at the Thayer...Correct?

We're flying in to Newark, and renting a car. For all our previous visits, we've rented a car for the drive up.

For any of our previous visits, I don't recall seeing any cabs in the West Point area, but I'm sure they exist out of Newberg/Stewart. There is no taxi queue in Highland Falls that I noticed. The real question will likely be, "will we be able to get a taxi when we want?" There may be quite a few other parents looking for either taxis.

You may also want to ask your hotel if they have a shuttle that will take you between your hotel and one of the West Point gates. Once within West Point, there are shuttle busses with frequent service. The walk from Thayer Gate to the cadet area and admissions office is quite pleasant, as long as it's not raining.

Check out www.kayak.com for a good idea of rental car cost. If you are a member of AAA, be sure to check out the discounts offered for reservations made thru the aaa.com website.

Newark to West Point

Is there a shuttle bus that runs from Newark to West Point? If not would it be best to rent a car or taxi? This is all new so we're trying to find the most convenient mode of transportation.

For families a car is so convenient.

If the new cadet candidate is traveling on their own, sign up for the hotel/bus package that is mentioned on the travel preferences form on the candidate portal and in the appointee handbook.

The drive up from Newark is just under two hours and quite easy.

Can anyone weigh in on the town of New Windsor and how far away that is or how long it would take to drive?

New Windsor is just outside of Newburgh, on the way to WP if you fly into Stewart (my fav airport). It's a very easy drive...maybe 15-20 minutes? Less if you don't get behind a school bus...

vampsoul said:

My parents chose to stay at the Thayer during my overnight for the experience (it's less expensive than on Rday, Aday, ect). We're staying at the Overlook on Rday- it's only 6 miles.

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The Overlook? Not familiar with that one except for the one in, 'The Shining' and I REALLY don't want to stay there!

Where is this Overlook that is 6 miles from West Point?

Is the Overlook the lodge at Bear Mountain? Hopefully it's the rennovated one, if it is...had a friend who stayed at Bear Mtn....it was nasty.

We have flown in to Stewart and Newark. My advise: Fly in to Stewart and rent a car! SO much easier. Smaller airport - less congestion. About a 20 minute drive to WP on roads that aren't congested and quite a beautiful drive over Storm King Mountain. It is always nice to have a car even if you stay at The Thayer. We have driven over to Central Valley which has a nice upscale outlet mall. Also you can drive to surrounding towns (like Fishkill, Hyde Park and Cold Springs) which have many more options for restaurants than Highland Falls. Flying in and out of Newark was a hassle for us. We aren't used to big city driving and traffic so it was not easy for us. Several toll booths that you have to go through. Comparing the drive from Stewart to WP and the drive from any NYC airport to WP, hands down we would choose Stewart. For some, I've heard that Stewart is a lot more expensive for them than the NYC airports but for us it is about the same or not significantly more. Another small airport option is White Plains. A little further than Stewart but not as far as NYC. I've never flown in to there so I can't say what it is like.

If you want transportation from NYC to WP, there is a bus line that leaves the Port Authority Bus Terminal in the Theater District. It takes you to the Visitors Center-which is close to the Thayer Gate. You can also take a train from Grand Central Terminal to Garrison (across the river from West Point), but you will need to prearrange a cab to pick you up there to take you to your hotel.

After many trips to WP over the years, here is our preferred iterinary.
Fly in to Stewart, rent a car, stay at the Homewood Suites there at the airport or The Sierra at Fishkill or at The Thayer. The Sierra is very nice by the way and very reasonable and includes a great breakfast. Between our visiting times at West Point, we like to shop at the outlet mall, visit the cute little towns around West Point and a couple of times we have taken the train from Beacon ( near Fishkill) to NYC and to see a play, shop, eat and then take the train back. It is about a hour train ride and beautful as it runs along the Hudson. Doing all that makes it necessary to have a car.

This is MUCH more information than any of you have asked for, but I got on a roll! Sorry! The Hudson River Valley is quite a beautiful area - so take advantage of it while you are there!