KandKmom

I have two reservations that I am trying to decide between for our trip to NYC in Dec. We have two kids, a son who is (rapidly getting to be a big) 13 and a daughter who is 8. Keeping our budget in mind, I had originally booked the Belvedere Hotel which has two double beds and the mini-kitchen facilities,thinking that my husband and I would split and sleep with each child. In looking further, I called and found the Doubletree for 100 dollars (w/ tax) more;however all that is available is a king deluxe with a pull out sofa. I thought that we could take our Aerobed for one of the kids to sleep on, if the room at the Doubletree is larger. Has anyone stayed at each or knows how much floor space there is at the Doubletree? Do you think the extra space there is enough to warrant the extra $? The other concern is parking. We will be driving in on Sunday AM Dec. 21 and my husband is a bit leery of driving those NYC streets. Which hotel would be easiest to get to? (Once there, we won't drive anymore until our departure). Sorry this is so long- you all have been so great thus far with your advice! Thank you!

jd

We stayed at the Doubletree with 2 teenagers. The rooms are small. It is basically 1 regular sized room with a wall to make it 2 rooms, so each room feels very small. I'm sure you could find a place to squeeze in an aerobed. I'm not familiar with the other hotel,so I don't know if it is worth $100 more, but I doubt it. Rooms were dark and dreary-I would not stay here again. The rooms at the Marriott Marquis are actually larger, and Le Parker Meridian has Jr. suites and a pool.Also, check out The Kimberly.They had lge suites, and were about the same price as the Doubletree.

mclaurie

Affinia.com is a group of suite hotels you might want to consider. They're all on the east side (vs what you've selected on the west side), but the rooms are like apartments with kitchens. They have one and two bedrooms for 4 people. The one bedrooms have 2 beds in the bedroom & a pull out couch in the living room. Prices range from $219/night-244 for a one bedroom in most properties (the Surrey is more). They also have valet parking for $25/day. I think this would suit your needs better & the east side will have more of a neighborhood feel than staying in Times Square. The website has floor plans & gives square footage. The Beekman Tower is a lovely hotel with a restaurant/bar at the top with great views. The Shelburne is also nice. I've never been in Eastgate or Southgate Towers. I ahve a friend who used to stay in the Lyden Gardens. Can't vouch for decor in any of these but worth a look.

AHaugeto

KandKmom- I don't know much about the hotels you mention, but I do know about avoiding driving in the city. Which direction are you coming from? Do you have to drive in? I ask because rates are kind of high for garages in the city, and if you park at one of the many ferries or train stations and go into Manhattan that way you'd be able to save $$ for your hotel room. Search under "Weehawken" for a thread where I asked for help on taking the ferry in from NJ - two gentlemen were quite helpful with directions for my trip this past weekend (the Weehawken ferry takes you to W. 38th next to the Javits center, and has free buses to Midtown-see nywaterway.com for the other ferry options), and one also mentioned a website for a chain of parking garages in the city. Parking for the ferry was $8/day, compared to $26/day for a smallish car at some city garages, and those rates go up to $85/day if you have an SUV (gulp!), depending on where you park. I'd also recommend a look at the Metronorth system - most of their outer-limits stations have parking that's $7-8/day - I think it's www.metronorth.com. Sorry for the long post, but I have the same phobia about driving in the city!

freemant

We stayed at the Doubletree this summer and had a great time. We were there with 2 adults and 2 teenagers. Two double beds (which is what we had) would be better. The pull out couch will be tough for 2. There is probably enough floor space for the bed but it will be cozy.

We really liked the location - my kids loved being in Times Square and our room looked down onto the square. I did not think it was dreary. We would certainly stay there again.

It is smaller than suites (ex. Embassy Suites) in other cities but that is to be expected and was bigger than regular hotel rooms I have had in NYC.

Parking is expensive & I'm not sure I'd want to drive. Parking in NJ and taking transit into the city sounds quite attractive and I'd certainly look into that.

KandKmom

Thanks for the input thus far everyone. We will be driving in from central PA. Yahoo directions say we will take I-80 East to I-80 express Ln, to I-280 east toward Newark/The Oranges. I would love to either park outside NYC and shuttle or ferry in or find inexpensive parking. Would the ferry route or parking in NJ work coming from that direction? I also looked into the GOrham Hotel. It has two queen beds instead of two doubles. I think my big old boy and his dad may fit better on that. Interesting to reak the different opinions on the Doubletree. Maybe I can keep rechecking to see if they have the double bed alternative available.