MiamiBeachMomma

Found good deals at both these hotels which are ironically around the corner from each other. Wondering if anyone knows much about them.
http://www.parksouthhotel.com/
http://www.themavehotel.com

doug_stallings

The MAve has a great location, but I've never been in. I recall a review by the Washington Post after it opened. I don't know either hotel personally, but this is a pretty convenient area.

mztery

My SIL turned us on to the Park South some years ago and we love it - great continental breakfast, catering to the more European model of meats, cheese, rolls etc so it's quite substantial. VERY clean, staff are very helpful and friendly. The staff DOES come form a variety of backgrounds - Puerto Rico, Africa, Eastern Europe so if you're coming from a small "white bread" town their accents might seem challenging.

Location is great, it's a busy street but the rooms are relatively soundproofed. Their standard rooms ARE small so if you're not used to NYC room sizes you might want to spring for an upgraded room.

nytraveler

The staff in every hotel in NY comes from countries around the world. If this is a challenge to someone they will have problems in a lot of places - since we are a city of immigrants - even if 2nd or 3rd generation>. (Think wait staff, cab and bus drivers, staff in shops - and then there are the gazillion people from the UN.)

Park South seems to have a lot of fans in the budget/basic moderate category. Do check the web site to see rooms - they are NYC sized - not what you find in a chain motel by the side of the highway.

Bowsprit

I've stayed at Park South more than a few times. None of the rooms are the same. We had a huge room during one stay, a miniscule room another stay and something in-between during another stay, etc. All of the bathrooms were teeny. Obviously we enjoy the hotel and the location is fine. There is a good bodega on the end of the street across from McDonalds where they'll make a good sandwich and serve really great coffee. Blue Smoke and Jazz is right there too; great place.

mclaurie

The cheapest rooms at both are quite small. The Mave's cheapest rooms only have double beds up against a wall rather than the more typical queens. If you're traveling solo, may not be a problem if you're not claustrophic. Oyster.com has photos of both.

Nikki

I have stayed at the Park South several times and like it a lot. The last room we stayed in was very large, others have been smaller. Breakfast is included and served in the attached restaurant, which has a bar with a great fireplace area that is a very pleasant place for drinks.

Bowsprit

Yes, our room size has varied although our nightly rate has not.

Aduchamp1

We have had a number of visitors stay at the Park South and liked it. It is especially nice if you like Indian food.

Nikki

The Indian food to which Aduchamp refers is not in the Park South hotel itself but on the stretch of Lexington Avenue around the corner from the hotel known as Curry Hill. Both hotels considered by the OP are in this neighborhood and would have the advantage of proximity to these restaurants.

MiamiBeachMomma

Still torn!!! Although I just noticed that Park South jumped up on TA from 158 to 150. The last 3 stays in NY I have stayed in TS and I cant take it anymore!! I am traveling this time with my parents and we have all agreed to try to move a bit south for our accommodations as many things we want to do are heading that way. My dad wants to take my son to see where the factory his father owned in Soho was (its gone now.)

I am a big Priceliner - but I am worried this time, as I am now gambling on my parents behalf as well and I know they would never complain, but I dont want to end up somewhere sucky!

Thanks to all for your feedback. I have stayed in Murray Hill before back when the St. Giles was a W property and I like the neighborhood.

MiamiBeachMomma

When I said I was still torn - its not between the 2 hotels in the original post - its pretty much where to stay in general!!! I'm looking for a great hotel without the ridiculous price! I am surprised that June is so expensive. Anyway - I have to say I'm particular and some of the pix on TA make the hotel seem a little on the dumpy side - am I right?
Should I wait it out a bit for a June visit? Or will prices only go up?

Bowsprit

Prices went up wildly last summer. I was sorry I waited. Park South isn't dumpy, it's not a chain so it can be quirky. It's a fine hotel; good value. How much time you going to spend in the hotel? It's a 3 or 3.5 star, right? It's not a resort hotel.