Tell Fodor's where you like to stay in NYC

I like the Dream Hotel, and I bet the others in that mini-chain are great too. Dream has a great location in between Times Square and Central Park, and they usually have reasonable (for NY) weekend rates. I have stayed there with my 9 and 11 year old, but I wouldn't call in particulary kid-friendly....not kid-unfriendly though.

I am astonished that your list doesn't include my favorite Apple Core hotels, which are excellent values. The Comfort Inn Midtown is entirely nonsmoking, and the Red Roof In is cozy, friendly, and recently refurbished in soothing, classy taupe and nickel. Free breakfast and WiFi, too.

Marriott Marquis--for it's location

One of my favorite hotels in NYC is the Giraffe located at 365 Park Ave South.

Great rooms and lobby.

During the week they have a wine and cheese reception during the evening with a piano player.

They also offer a very extensive continental breakfast during the week.

They have a fabulous roof deck.

I love it there!

Marriott Residence Inn, Times Square. 2-3 blocks from TS one way and Empire State and Macy's the other way. Situated on 6th Avenue, almost opposite Bryant Park. Very convenient location, friendly, helpful staff. Rooms are new, clean and very comfortable (even although the bathroom is small) - excellent for up to 3 adults (king bed - typical Marriott comfy) and a sleeper sofa. Full kitchen. Buffet breakfast each morning, which is excellent. Lovely rooms to sit in - 24-hour free coffee, tea etc. Also a light 'snack' weeknights. To be fair, this is the only hotel we've stayed in in NYC, but wouldn't think to stay anywhere else if/when we return.

We've stayed in many hotels (including the Residence Inn) in Manhattan, including:

the Shelburne Murray Hill (it was "tired" at the time, which was a long time ago. I definitely would not stay there again unless it were completely refurbished)

Wellington - a tourist-class hotel, worn around the edges. Old-fashioned. Floral-y. Not my style.

Residence Inn Times Square. Location is great, room is fine, "lounge" is nice as is breakfast, staff is very pleasant, but the bathroom isn't just small, it's miniscule, the sofa bed isn't comfortable and the shower in our room was pathetic.

Courtyard Midtown East. Our favorite of the mid-priced hotels. Great location (Duane Reade downstairs, subway at the corner). Huge room (we had two queen beds AND a loveseat), nice size bathroom, laundry facilities, very friendly staff.

Renaissance. Very nice upscale hotel. Location is chaotic -- right across from the TKTS booth, above an Olive Garden Restaurant.

Marriott Marquis - Same as above. If you want to be in Times Square, it's a nice hotel.

Westin Times Square - Same as above. We got this one on Hotwire and felt we were given a less-desirable room.

Hilton Times Square - Same as above. Same trip, also did this one on Hotwire and got a GREAT room, with a view of the Empire State Building.

W New York - loved the location at 49th and Lexington. Liked the hotel a lot, but the room was very small (was fine for two people, comfortable bed and linens, etc., but VERY SMALL). Very busy and pleasant lobby lounge/bar. We did not notice the walls being thin as mentioned in the review, but who knows, maybe there was nobody in the room next to us.

I'm sure we've stayed in others, but that's all I can think of right now. Of all of those, for a family I would definitely pick the Courtyard Midtown East and for a couple the W.

Just glancing at your list I can think of two that are missing, The Milford Plaza and The NY Salisbury Hotel.

The SAlisbury is the best priced hotel in its West 57th Street location. It is within spitting distance of the pricer Four Seasons, The Plaza, Le Parker Meridian and two short blocks from Central Park.

The rooms are larger (my parents used to practically live in room 1708) and they have one and two bedroom apartments. All rooms have kitchenettes and they have queen beds instead of doubles. Also, for Manhattan the rooms are quite large. Carnegie Hall often puts musicians up there.

The Milford Plaza is a reasonably priced massive Times Square hotel. It is a half block away from MTV so the TRL crowds used to be a pain but it is okay since MTV canceled this show.

The basic rooms are small but adequate. Lobby always busy. It is a no frills hotel.

I would add On the Ave to your list for people who want a boutique hotel on the UWS. This hotel has style and a great location and until their rates went up so much (like almost everyone else's), it was my hotel of choice in NYC.

Bookmarking...

I've always loved The Hotel Bedford near Grand Central. Older hotel, but the suites are spacious and the staff is friendly. I've also enjoyed the Double Tree Suites in Times Square. Both properties can fit 5 ladies per room traveling for a show and shopping trip.

I love the London NYC. They often have great specials, and for the amount of space you get (over 500 square feet) and the design (herringbon wood floors!), it can't be beat.

Well since we live here I don;t "stay" here often. But do a couple of times a year for business meetings.

The place I like best is the Mandarin Oriental. IMHO a class above most other "luxury" hotels in the city - great views, great food, and the service is incredible - esp if you're entertaining prima donnas.

Big bucks but worth the money if you want what they're selling.

The Sofitel. Great location, nice restaurant and lovely rooms with huge bathrooms.

Deb

The Four Points - Chelsea. Reasonably priced, great location, surprisingly stylish for the price

The Benjamin Hotel has always been a favorite for our family.
Gorgeous rooms and executive suites..across from the Waldorf.
It's been awhile but the wife enjoys the Hotel Plaza Athenee.

Erica, it depends on who pays.

My own needs are simple: A bed from after the closing of the last Jazz club to about 7AM, and maybe another quick shower late in the afternoon before dinner. For that I want to pay as little as possible.

On my own nickel I have liked very much Hotel 17 and Hotel 31 and Larchmont (I know, I know, some cry shock and horror, bathroom down the hall, but gets cleaned often, never had a problem...).

If budget is a bit richer and I need to be in midtown for business, the Super 8 “Times Square” (really at 59 W 46th St.) or the little Comfort Inn at 442 W. 36th St (close to Javits) or the New Yorker (ditto) have been ok.

The Best Western down by Seaport (33 Peck Slip) was cool one time, and sometimes I stay at the Hilton (W 53rd St/Sixth Ave) if on an account. No fun, but suits the posh-minded types if I have to host and network.

There were a few more over the years, some non-descript ones like a something-Plaza across from the Garden, can't remember, and another one was so expensive and over the top trying to be royalty-worthy you could hear the starched shirts creak and the bling rattle on its patrons, I think it was a Marriott. Utterly forgettable, no character.

I would have to say On the Ave. I really enjoy staying in UWS. Great hotel that is very contemporary and elegant. I would recommend to anyone traveling to NYC.

i have stayed at many great hotels during my many visits to nyc.
since most of the trips were a combination of business and leisure, i was able to indulge and stay at some of the more expensive properties from the classic waldorf and plaza to the hip morgan and gansevoort and anywhere in between.
i have finally come to the conclusion that my hotel chain of choice is the w. i particularly like the w tuscany in murray hill and the w union square. the rooms are comfortable and well lit and the service is beyond compare.
i love the concept of " whatever/whenever" as they really have followed through on it on many ocassions.

We usually stay in a suite at the Benjamin. The hotel is a boutique hotel and in a terrific location. The suites are very comfortable, elegant and private. The staff is very helpful and professional. They even have a pillow menu!

I would not hesitate staying at The Benjamin. http://www.thebenjamin.com/

I agree with Mike. Four Points Chelsea is great. Good location, nice and surprisingly big-enough rooms, and you only have to walk about ten steps to reach the elevator. My favorite NYC hotel.

This post actually brought up some great memories. Love the Giraffe, but have found that it's alot more pricey relatively speaking than it was when it first opened. back then, it was a steal! Have stayed in a corner suite at the mandarin on someone else's dime and that was pretty incredible. But, IMO, nothing beats the elegance and comfort of the St. regis.

Our new hotel of choice is the London. we love it- very spacious rooms , brand new redo, great location and great service.

It's on the list, but I liked the Lucerne on W 79th. I had a heck of time trying to find a reasonable ( around $200) CLEAN hotel that had 2 double beds. Friendly staff and subway around the corner.

Courtyard Midtown East. Our favorite of the mid-priced hotels. Great location (Duane Reade downstairs, subway at the corner). Huge room (we had two queen beds AND a loveseat), nice size bathroom, laundry facilities, very friendly staff.

Ditto ditto check check.

Plus Ess-a-Bagel is across the street.

I really liked the Cosmopolitan Hotel - inexpensive (for NY), clean, great location right in funky Tribeca, easy access to Subway etc.

Hi all,

Thank you for these fantastic suggestions. I've noted them all down and will look into the properties that we don't already cover.

A follow-up question, if I may: I've noticed in other threads many recommendations for suite hotels and apartment rentals like Doubletree Guest Suites and Radio City Apartments. Do you think we should devote more coverage to these types of properties, or keep the focus on hotels?

Please keep the recommendations coming -- I really appreciate your feedback.

Best,
Erica

Hi Erica:

We prefer smaller hotels and have much enjoyed the Hotel Elysee on 54th between Madison and Park for its good location, friendly service, and European vibe.

I'm surprised not to find it on your list.

maytraveller

Mandarin Oriental:
The biggest downside to these rooms are the mattresses which are average at best. You need to make sure if you get a park view room get a corner suite so the Trump building isn't blocking your view of the park. Room service menu is one of best I've seen at any hotel in the USA.

Ritz Carlton Central Park:
This hotel has a small intimate feel to it. The beds here are very comfortable and the higher floors offer the best views of the park. Rooms service menu is Ok but the service is first rate.

Erica --

I think it would be helpful to include reviews of hotels that have suites, such as Doubletree and Radio City, etc. When we were researching for our upcoming trip, we were really focusing on finding a suite for our family of four. (We have reservations at the Blakely.) Sometimes you need more than just a room w/ two doubles!

I don't see "On the Ave Hote! I love it, and several others on this board have given it high marks as well. It is on 79th and Broadway, about 50 steps from the subway, in the midst of lots of good restaurants, markets, and shopping, walking distance to the Natural history museum and Central park.

The rooms are nicely furnished, the staff friendly, and they have great specials.

But then again, maybe I don't wan't others to know about it!

if you are looking at suite hotels, the affinia across from madison square is fabulous.
the rooms are spacious with 2 full bathrooms.
they also have the pillow menu!
every wednesday they host an appreciation evening where they serve free food and booze. i did not have the opportunity to sample but it smelt and looked really good.

No one has mentioned the newly opened Desmond Tutu in Chelsea. It is a redone seminary located in the midst of Chelsea art galleries and the growing Chelsea market area, close the 8th ave subway and uptown 10th ave bus. Excellent buffet breakfast in a high ceiling rectory surrounded with wood panelling and stained glass windows. Can't wait to stay again

My (new) favorite - The Muse in Times Square. I love the Kimpton group boutique hotels

On Priceline - I often get the Hilton on 6th at a good rate

Moderate choice - LaQuinta - was very pleased with location, price and hotel features

I would go for something more moderate, value priced and not some big chain or ritzy celeb hotel with the super avant garde furnishings in the front desk, something more locally owned and with a history and unique.

I'd stay at Hotel Chelsea.

Le Parker Meridien..the pool on the roof and the views of Manhattan are awesome.

I really like the Park South Hotel in Murray Hill. It is reasonable with a great breakfast. And the location is terrific! It's between Park and Lex w/the 28th subway stop on the corner. A great value in a city w/expensive hotels.

We always stay at the Courtyard Midtown East. The rooms are moderately priced, yet spacious and include a pull-out sofa bed. There is a subway stop right next door, as well as several dining options and a drug store. The staff is friendly and accommodating.

Erica; I do think its a good idea to include suite hotels as many times we're looking for a place to share -- 3 ladies out for a theater holiday or the like. With prices so high on even the most basic NY hotel, it is often essential to share the cost. Having enough room for 3 or 4 is great and the price is often less when sharing a large place than if we were each to get our own room.

In that regard, I think the DoubleTree Times Square is wonderful. The suites are large enough for at least 3 to share -- two beds and a sofa bed. The baths have double sinks and then there's another sink and mirror in the living room bar area, so we can all do make-up at the same time.

The Blakely also has nice sized suites for sharing, although the hotel is not quite as conveniently located for walking to theaters and the baths aren't quite as large as the Doubletree's. However, the staff is great and there are wonderful restaurants in the area.

In both of the above its a help to the budget to have a small refridgerator and a coffee maker. We keep breakfast items and our own snacks. We are able to make cocktails if we like to save a bit also. Both hotels are located on very good subway lines for easy access to the entire city.

On a smaller scale, we love The Muse. The Kimpton staff is really good, the location great, the evening wine hour is a nice bonus pre-theater as is the morning coffee. There is a wonderful E.A.T. deli on the corner too.

DH and I have also stayed at The Time on several occasions. While the rooms are miniscule, they do make extremely good use of the limited space. We often find excellent last minute prices at The Time and the location can't be beat for theater and subway.

My daughter and I just returned from nyc. We stayed 3 nights at the On the Ave for $139.30 for a double. I guess they were trying to fill their rooms, it's not usually that reasonable. Very nice hotel in the UWS (which we like) and the hotel staff is very friendly.

Hi all,

Just wanted to thank you for your very insightful NYC hotel suggestions. We are planning to visit several of the properties you recommended for reviews in the upcoming edition.

We are always looking to improve our hotels coverage, and want to hear from you about what's great, and what's not so hot.

There are two ways to contribute beyond the forums : 1) post your own reviews within our destination guides here on the site(http://www.fodors.com/world/hotel-reviews.html); or 2) email your feedback to the editors anytime at editors@fodors.com.

Thanks again! Erica

One of my faves is The Library - in the theater district.

It's tough, though, as it's always booked.

So, I get stuck with the old standbys - If I'm there for work, I'll sometimes say at the Embassy Suites overlooking the river. It's just got a great view and a huge room for NYC.

I also love the Ritz Carlton Central Park South. I stayed at the Omni Berkshire a couple of years ago and did not go back. The furnishings and linens were tired.

Enjoy!!

I was looking for another thread and found this one. I'm topping because I think it may be useful for people planning trips now.

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I would add The Roger Williams as a choice for a nice hotel in a great location in Murray Hill section.

I agree, Radio City Apartments should be on the list. I stayed there recently and had a nice stay.

Like restaurants two and three year old recommendations for hotels may or may not be accurate.