DownSouth

Our daughter will be a freshman at Bard College in August so we want to spend three days in the City before she has to be there for a writing seminar. Thanks to McLaurie, we stayed at the Blakely three years ago and loved it. It is available but the prices have greatly increased. I have found 6 Columbus (two doubles)on their website and Affinia 50 (two queens)on Expedia for about the same money - approximately $1,250 for three nights - August 5 - 8. Not sure which is best location. We will have a car so parking is an issue. Any other suggestions are welcomed. We are a family of four with a 12 year old son.

nytraveler

For parking you can use a public garage near the hotel (probably about $35 per day (check iconparking.com for info). Or you can put it in a lot on the far west side for less - but that means dropping everyone at the hotel, parking the car and then trekking back. Or parking at the lot and cabbing to the hotel.

As for hotels - have you looked at travelzoo.com. In the summer they sometimes offer decent hotels for $199 a night plus tax (but you would need to check on rooms for 4).

Am not familiar with 6 Columbus - so can;t comment.

DownSouth

I've been looking at Travelzoo, trying to get into Warwick but deal didn't work out. Daughter LOVES MOMA so I thought that was an excellent location. Any other hotels near there that may work? I guess I'm just stunned at the prices!

Thanks for the tips on parking.

DownSouth

ttt

mclaurie

6 Columbus is a newish, trendy hotel with a great location near Columbus Circle (sw corner of Central Park near the Time Warner building) but their rooms are on the small size and 2 double beds doesn't sound all that comfortable for the 4 of you. 2 queens at the Affinia 50 I think will be more comfortable and might be a large suite. Most of their rooms have small kitchens. I would look at the affinia.com website and also check other Affinia hotels. It looks like the Affinia Gardens, also very nice near Bloomingdales has a 1 bedroom suite with 2 beds and a sofabed for about the same price.

Some other options.

On quikbook.com
The Belleclaire has a 2 bedroom suite for $279/night, each bedroom with a double bed. No living room or kitchen. With tax should be under $1000. It's on the upper west side, nice area.
Park South has 2 doubles for $284
The Kimberly for $295

The Belleclaire also has a 2 bedrom suite with 3 double beds, a better option for your family. It's $351/night on quikbook.

A nice option in midtown with 3 beds is the Courtyard Marriott Midtown East. They have some rooms with 2 queens and a sofabed. If you prepay, one of those is $288/night plus tax. (no cancelation or changes) otherwise it's $339.

DownSouth

Thanks, McLaurie. How would you compare Belleclaire with On the Avenue Hotel? I'm seeing some weekday specials on Expedia and their hotel website (2 Queen Suite for $1,120 before taxes). Would our children enjoy the UWS or is Midtown better?

nytraveler

The upper west side is residential with with a lot of street life on the avenues - hundreds of sidewalk cafes and good inexpensive restaurants and lot of shops, some local and some chains (VS, B&N, etc). Also close to Central Park and a lot of museums.

The midtown areas tend to be more business oriented (tons of high rise offices - as well as traditional department store shopping) and can be kind of quiet at night except for Times Square - which is a zoo.

I would prefer the UWS - but then I live here.

Lillith

Hi DownSouth, I'm new to this board, but wanted to jump in here. I too have a child that will be a freshman at a New York college. He chose Sarah Lawrence. We did visit Bard as well, very impressive school. Congratulations to your daughter!
I wanted to tell you about a bed and breakfast I've read about on another NYC board. It's Jack and Judy's Bed and Breakfast, on the UWS. I've read lots of good things about it, (from people who have stayed there) and believe prices are between $200. to $275. per night. Web address: jacksbandb.com

Good luck to you.

DownSouth

Thank you, Lillith, for your kind words. As we are from Louisiana, Bard will certainly be an adventure for our daughter! Good luck to your son at Sarah Lawrence!

I will look into the B & B. At this point, I'm leaning towards Embassy Suites but I'm still not sure. Keep those suggestions coming!

mclaurie

On the Ave is nicer and more modern than the Belleclaire. I think the kids would like the UWS. 6 Columbus is to a certain degree, the best of both worlds on the border of midtown and the UWS. 12 yr old would probably prefer being in/near Times Square. Embassy Suites is a great deal with lots of space and full breakfast included. Hard decision but whatever you chose will be fun. If you plan on doing a lot of theater, Embassy Suites is less convenient than midtown or the UWS.

lincasanova

have you checked www.hotwire.com and would you consider "priceline"?