emd3

Hi all. Long-term poster here looking for help with finding a hotel rm w/a great NYC river ( and hopefully city) view for our 30th anniversary in Oct. 2016.

We are in Northern VA and go to NYC twice a yr, but usually are looking for the best deal for a good solid rm. However, this big anniversary weekend, which will be Oct. 21-23 (or could do Oct. 28-30 but that gets us into Halloween rates) we want a very nice room, or preferably a suite, with great views of either Hudson or East river. Wish list is also some good city view. And we need either two beds, or a queen/king bed and sleep sofa.

Price point is up to $500 a night with taxes/fees.

I have a cancelable reservation at the Conrad hotel already, a Hudson view suite w/king bed and a sleep sofa, for $314 per night, $731 for Oct. 21-23, with taxes and fees. This seems like a good deal but is it the best value for what we want? Could go higher price to get something more spectacular and memorable.

Some of you know that we have a 25 yr old son with mental health challenges. He will likely be with us so we do need a 2nd bed or a sleep sofa to accommodate him.

Thanks in advance for your info, it is appreciated.

scdreamer

Happy Anniversary in advance!

We stayed at the Affinia Dumont on 34th near Lexington (Murray Hill) last fall. We booked one of the skyline suites and had a marvelous view - huge windows on two sides of the very large room. River view in one direction. Two queen beds. There was also a full kitchen - which the hotel actually stocked for us - unexpectedly at no charge. .

We loved the location - as we could walk to Grand Central, or use the subway which is only a block away.

http://www.affinia.com/dumont/rooms-suites/skyline

HappyTrvlr

One UN NY, 44th between 2nd and 3rd, begins on a high floor and has terrific sweeping views in several directions, beat I have ever had in NYC. Originally a Park Hyatt. Large indoor pool also has great views.

doug_stallings

Another option is the Residence Inn/Marriott Courtyard on 54th Street. If you can get a high-floor room on the west side, those rooms have good views of the river. Rooms on the north side view Central Park.

The Dumont would also have great views of the East River and the Chrysler Building from high floors on the north and east sides.

emd3

Excellent info, thank you all! I am on it and checking all these out now.

ekscrunchy

Small correction: One UN Plaza is on First Avenue across from the UN and was a Millenium Hotel, not a Park Hyatt. But should be good for the OP.

SusieQQ

I had a spectacular view of The Empire State building at the Hilton Times Square. But, I didn't like it's location. It's right on 42nd Street which to me isn't desirable.

HappyTrvlr

Ekscrunchy, way back in the 1980s it was a Park Hyatt and for years the same wonderful bellman was there through a variety of owners. He always longed for it to return to being a Park Hyatt.

mclaurie

Hi EMD! I think the Conrad probably is best value for money for what you want assuming you're okay with being in the financial district. Just be aware the subways often get re routed down there on weekends which can be an inconvenience. I assume you also know that while all the rooms are suites, there is no door that closes off the sitting room from the bedroom? Have a look at photos on oyster.com

The Dumont could give you more privacy with a proper 1 bedroom suite but it,s not as modern/glamorous.

Yes, happytrvlr is absolutely correct. ONE UN was originally a Hyatt. A good friend worked there during that time. It then changed to Millenium. Note that it's like 2 totally different hotels between the west tower and the east tower. One is renovated and one is not. I can never remember which is which so doublecheck if you,re interested.

Ink48 is a Kimpton Hotel all the way west in midtown with some killer views. It's lovely but also somewhat removed from things.

The park view rooms at the Residence Inn Central Park that Doug mentions are gobsmackingly amazing....but the rooms are not that large ( although well designed) and t think the largest rooms are 2 double beds.

There's a new hotel opening downtown called the Beekman that should have some river views, but I think it will be over budget.

emd3

Mclaurie, thank you! I am not sure why I did not see your helpful post earlier. I think based on the other posts and yours ( and subsequent research I have done) that I will keep the Conrad reservation. It sounds like the best for what we need and a good price for that in late October which is a high rate time.

Nice that you mentioned Ink 48, as my husband and i were there over Easter weekend. My assessment is that it is a great place to go for their rooftop bar, but the location makes it not such a great place to stay, esp for late nights, if you are taking public transportatiom.

Really GREAT to hear from you, MsLaurie! Maybe we can have a drink during the late Oct. weekend!

Eileen
Emd3

ekscrunchy

The UN Plaza Hotel was almost certainly not a Park Hyatt. I'm not even sure that Park Hyatt existed in the US the 80s. The first one in NY is on 57th Street and opened not long ago.

Sorry to sound persnickety. (are we evenn talking about the same hotel? I am referring to the one opposite the UN, just off First Avenue, with a pool) I've lived in the area (northeast of the hotel) for many years and thought that one was Milennium from the start, so thanks for the correction. I remember my first experience with restaurant week was at their restaurant, Ambassador Grill, which I'm pretty sure is defunct.

Christina

The One UN Plaza hotel is a Millenium still, and they just changed the name slightly a few years ago (from Millenium UN PLaza hotel or something like that). In fact, it was bought by Millenium hotels around 2000 and was owned by Regal hotel corp. before that, it was Regal UN Plaza since the late 1990s. Before that, the property was owned by the city of New York, actually, but Hyatt hotels managed part of it, that's all. I don't think they ever called it a Park Hyatt but it was called UN PLaza Hotel, but don't recall for sure. I haven't lived there since the 1970s.