nyer

Ok, you can all laugh and get it out of the way.

I need to find a hotel somewhere within an hour or so of NYC for a weekend overnight or 2 this month. Some work is being done in the apartment and I want to get out of there , not spend a lot (less than $100 a night) and still be close enough to drive back to the city in case I need to get back . Independent or chain hotels (Hilton or Courtyard type) are both OK. I really want a good indoor pool and decent gym. I have no preference for a specific location, though Princeton or some other place with a walkable town or indoor sites would be good. I'm not sure how parts of Connecticut are doing after the storm.

Related question about brunch buffets, also within that one hour range of the city, possibly in the same area as the hotel.If you hate them and think there's no such thing as a good buffet,I understand., But I'm looking for one anyway to make someone happy. $30 per person is OK, unlimited alcohol not required,and in a hotel or restaurant.

Any ideas?

mclaurie

It's the less than $100/night that's making me laugh. You may be able to get that using Priceline or Hotwire but I'm not familiar enough with which hotels use those sites in the burbs. You could have a look on betterbidding.com hotel lists in places like Greenwich Ct., Tarrytown, White Plains.

There are often 4* hotels in Jersey City/Hoboken on Hotwire for less than $100 and they're all nice but maybe not as suburban as you'd like. I think the Chart House in Weehawken, NJ may have a brunch buffet. The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor near it is an idea.

mclaurie

The Chart House doesn't have a buffet but found this thread from Chowhound about buffets in Westchester. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/682466

mclaurie

Vintage in White Plains has the brunch you want http://vintagebar.net/wordpress/?page_id=21. You can get a 4* hotel in White Plains/ Tarrytown on Hotwire for under $100.

nyer

mclaurie , in this area, the suburban chains routinely go for $100 per night or less over the weekends. They are pretty much meant for corporate vistors on weekdays and if they're not near any major attraction, they can be really cheap even without Priceline. They've come in handy on some summer weekends when the A/C is on the fritz.
I'd rather not use Priceline this time since I need something cancellable

Thanks for the chowhound link.

By the way, the brunch and the hotel stay can be on different weekends so I'm not stuck on the combination of cheap hotel and buffet in the same area.

Lookin_Glass

Have family in westchester

we have done well with pricelining tarrytown

nyer

Thanks Lookin_glass, No Priceline for me this time since it's non-cancellable.

If anyone has specific hotels in mind, maybe something newer or renovated with good pool and gym, share it with me.

vickiebypass

You can take Metro-North train to Stamford (45 mins express) & walk 5 mins to the Hilton. It's right on Rte 95; has a big pool and decent gym. Brunch is a no-go there (not even sure they offer it and if so, the restaurant is nothing special at all). There is also a Hyatt right on the Stamford/Greenwich border (no idea about pool but I think they do have a brunch in their lobby restaurant). Prices might be your budget for a weekend. The other advantage of the Hilton is that they provide a shuttle to downtown Stamford (say to the mall or the movies).

DebitNM

If you aren't going to have a car, you are going to need to plan accordingly. Westchester and Fairfield Coiunty without a car is tricky.

nyer

I will have a car ("still be close enough to drive back to the city "). The train suggestions may help someone else, but are not relevant for me.

DebitNM

Sorry, I missed that part.

mclaurie

I was merely checking kayak for next weekend (this month is almost over) in Westchester and saw nothing for $100 or less that i would want.

HowardR

I think you're going to have a very tough time finding anything to your liking for under $100 in the suburbs. How high can you raise that minimum price? Brunchwise, once you have a location for your accommodations, there will probably a good choice of brunch places.

nyer

Thanks for all responses so far.
$100 is not an absolute number, but really there are plenty of hotels in NJ and other suburbs that are in that range on weekends. I've used Kayak and other sources to scope themn out, so I was just looking for a recommendation for a specific hotel that someone has recently stayed in or lives or works near, so they have knowledge of a better than average pool or general renovation. I'm still talking about chain hotels here, not luxury resorts or inns.

I also mentioned but it may have gotten lost in translation that the brunch and the hotel do not need to be in the same area. I can do different things on different weekends.
So if you have either suggestion separately, thank you too.

clarkgriswold

I think the Heldrich is just what you are looking for and there is a $99 spring special on their website. Not sure what the parking charge is or if they have a Sunday brunch, but I'm sure the staff will be able to find you one within walking distance.

www.theheldrich.com

msteacher

I am late to the game on this, but Morristown, NJ would be a good choice for you. It has a nice downtown area with lots of bars and restaurants. There is a nice Hyatt that has rooms in the range of $100-150 on the weekends (depending on type of room). It is also directly accessible by train from NYC.

As for brunch, Rod's Steakhouse offers a beautiful Sunday brunch. It is located at the Madison hotel, which is about 3 miles from downtown Morristown. Too far to walk, but a very short drive. I highly recommend their brunch... it is very high quality!

cyndee8

The Madison hotel in Morristown NJ is half hour from NYC and has the direct transit line right form penn station to convent station....they are known for their brunch
www.themadisonhotel.com

bspielman

Re the Madison Hotel: It is adjacent to Convent Station on the Morris-Essex line of NJTransit, one stop west of our home stop in the borough of Madison (and one stop east of Morristown). Travel time from Convent to NY Penn Station is an hour more or less, depending upon how many stops the train makes. Rates at the Madison Hotel start at $139 a night.

While it's true that the Hyatt is located in Morristown itself, with nearby bars and eateries, its location in a desolate mall, Headquarters Plaza, an urban redevelopment project that years ago went very wrong, is not the most desirable. The Morristown NJTransit station is a relatively long walk from the Hyatt.