I'm at my wit's end. Been surfing the web for weeks trying to find the perfect place to spend our 20th. (I was really thinking ARUBA but the hubster thinks I need to discover New York. Besides, much of New York is IN Aruba this time of year anyway, right?) We really want a nice place close to Central Park. (He is ALL ABOUT the view.) Any thoughts? We're blowing it out and considering only 4 or 5 star places with the understanding that we're probably looking at $400-500 per night. Helpful hints on ways to negotiate for a 4 night stay would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

When are you planning your trip? That's a crucial question. Your options for hotels with views of Central Park are all upscale, and I think you've underestimated the cost. $500 sounds a bit low to me for a park-view room. There are several options (Mandarin Oriental, Trump International, Ritz-Carlton, Jumeirah Essex House). The latter is often the cheapest. All are luxury hotels.

If it were me, I'd skip the view from the room and enjoy it from Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental for dinner (it's an expensive but worthwhile place). The money you'd save on the room would more than pay for the $300 meal.

Check out luxurylink.com. They often have upscale New York getaways. Sometimes you really have to look through the site to find what you're looking for. Good luck!

Agree that for a luxury hotel with a Central Park view room $500 per night is going to be too low unless you come across some super special. I would look at the web sites of the hotels around the park and see if any are offering specials - not reduced rates but lots of extras for your anniversary weekend.

(For instance the Mandarin Oriental rack rate is $895 per night, but they have special occassion packages starting at $695 including breakfasts and some other extras. But - these may be basic -not Park view rooms.)

Also look at travelzoo to see if they list anything.

The sooner you're coming (in Jan.?) the better the rates will be. 2 hotels that might work are:

The London NY hotel has some great park views in their vista suites on higher floors. All rooms in hotel are suites and b/c it's not on Central Park South like Ritz Carlton, Trump, Mandarin Oriental etc., it's usually a better deal.

The Parker Meridien, while rated 4* is NOT as posh and also has some nice park views on top floors in rooms facing north.

The Essex House does have some nice park views as does the Helmsley Park Lane, but neither hotel is getting very good reviews on tripadvisor.com

If it's a view as opposed to a park view, the Ritz Carlton Battery park can sometimes be a great value since it's downtown in the Financial district. They have some great views of the STatue of Liberty.

Luxurylink.com is a good idea, but be warned that you must first check whether the hotel has availability on the dates you want BEFORE you bid or buy since luxurylink doesn't guarantee dates. Also, the rooms from a luxurylink package may not include those with a view.

If you haven't bought your airline tickets, you might find a package deal with americanexpress.com or elsewhere that will give you a better deal.

I am a huge NYC booster, but I run in the park 2x a week and a park view this time of year isn't worth the bucks, in my opinion. Without a nice layer of snow, the park simply looks barren.

You should come to NYC, but splurge on the best you can afford for you budget and don't worry about the views. Spend the money on food, shows, and shopping instead!

I live in SoHo, NYC and I don't know anyone in Aruba right now. Nor do I even know of anyone not currently in town.
In fact, right now NYC residents are here playing post-holiday catch-up while most of the holiday tourists have packed up and gone.

Just giving you some idea of what's going on.

If you don't need a "park" view, there are others that are wonderful. Does anyone know if the views from The Dream hotel rooms are good? The view from the roof-top bar is spectacular at night. Seems that some rooms should have the same view.

Don't know first hand, but I heard the Dream Hotel rooms were like closets. Could be wrong.

The London is a great hotel.