I'm a local so I haven't stayed in either hotel. I have attended several conferences at the Crowne Plaza so I can speak of its location and what I observed in the building.

If you are going to theaters, the location couldn't be much more convenient. Especially in the winter, the ability to get to and from shows on foot and easily can be a plus.I like access to concierge lounges in general if I think I just want a bite to eat rather than a full sit down dinner sometimes. But it is on a very busy block and the entrance on Broadway is a little odd--just a sliver of an entrance with no doorman(at least not when I was there) that leads you to an escalator to the main lobby. I think there is another entrance on the side street that also has a driveway entrance for taxis.

I don't see a W hotel listed as just below Central Park? Is it one of these locations instead?

W Times Square 1567 Broadway
W New York 541 Lexington Avenue
W Union Square 201 Park Avenue South

Or is it a different chain?

I believe you are considering the W on 47th street and Broadway. Which is south of Central Park but still at least 12 blocks from the park.

There is, IMO, not much of a better location for the theatres, especially the ones literally right around the corner.

People here whine all the time about how bad it is to stay on or even near Times Square but the easy walk to theatres is a big plus IMO and since that's the meain reason I go to NYC that is the area I always stay in.

I've stayed in the CP once; breakfast was particularly good IMO and yes there is that escalator up to the registration. I thought the room was kinda sterile but it was convenient and the price was right.

>>The other is the W Hotel (just south of the CP on B'way)...

Just south of the Crowne Plaza, perhaps?

I would go for the concierge level. That is a nice perk, especially if continental breakfast and a cocktail hour are provided.

">>The other is the W Hotel (just south of the CP on B'way)...

Just south of the Crowne Plaza, perhaps?"

That must be it (though the OP hasn't come back to clarify) This NYer was sure it meant Central Park!

Since they are so close, the locations wouldn't matter than much though 47th is slightly less busy than 45th street, if that's a factor.

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza a few years back. My Mom had planned a wonderful trip for our family at Christmas. I would never stay there again.

First, our rooms were not ready until almost 7pm. It seemed like they were busy that day but all the luggage was piled up in the lobby. We returned a few times during the day and the luggage was still there. Finally at about 7 our rooms were ready and we retrieved our luggage from the pile in the lobby.

Second, my Mom had requested 2 adjoining rooms if possible. No that was not possible. We could live with that.

Third, when I arrived at my room I had an adjoining room with someone else and the door was open. I noticed a sign on the other room that said "Hospitality Room." Not knowing what that referred to I just ignored it. Later that evening I found out. The adjoining room was for a party of about 50+ people until about 4am. I called the desk several times with no solution. At one point the police came to my door thinking that the noise was coming from my room. Still no solution. When we checked out the solution was, "Oh well, it's over now." Unfortunately my Mom had prepaid for the rooms so they were not willing to credit her account for any cash.

Third, she had ordered play tickets through the concierge desk. We went to the desk to pickup the tickets and was told that the tickets were at Will Call at the theatre. Get to the theatre, no tickets. A helpful person at the theatre called the concierge desk and she had the tickets. Thankfully he gave us vouchers so that we would not have to go back to the hotel.

Never again.

I'd probably choose the W since it's more convenient to more theaters (you don't have to cross Broadway).

However, if the concierge level at the Crowne Plaza does include a real free breakfast, then that might be worth it. I'm sorry for Gardendiva's laundry list of problems, but what happened a few years ago is ancient history and really has no bearing on the hotel today.

I guess that makes it a toss-up.

"I'd probably choose the W since it's more convenient to more theaters (you don't have to cross Broadway)."

???

The Crowne Plaza, like the W is on the west side of Broadway so crossing or not crossing Broadway would be the same for both. Most theaters are between Broadway and 8th avenue, though they are spread out over about 10 blocks north to south and 3 avenues or so east to west.

I'll also correct myself (above) where I wrote
"Since they are so close, the locations wouldn't matter than much though 47th is slightly less busy than 45th street, if that's a factor"
It should have said 49th is slightly less busy than 47th...

You're correct, nyer. I was thinking of the Renaissance. I mixed up my hotels. The location isn't that different, but the W is still closer to more theaters. But I definitely agree that 49th is slightly less busy than 47th. That's undoubtedly true.