We are a family of four booked in the Blakely's one bedroom suite for a few days in August. I recently read the post about problems with the a/c and problems reported with the elevators on Tripadvisor. I am beginning to think...should I pick another hotel?

The elevator problem sounds like an isolated incident but I'd find the a/c issue more concerning. I'd look for something else and if you find something affordable, I'd book it. Meantime why not write to the manager about your concerns and see what he says.

I am going to contact the manager. That's a good idea. Any suggestions on another hotel? We had a great rate for the Blakely $285/night. Space is important to us. A room with two double beds does not work in our family unless we can have a roll a way and fire restrictions usually restrict that. We stayed in the Affinia 50 last summer and while I liked having the space I thought the hotel was just OK. I was considering the Loews Regency at the time we made the reservations because we have some upgrade ability with Loews First but there were mixed reviews for the hotel as well.

You might consider the Doubletree in Times Square. They have suites, with either a king or 2 queens (or doubles) in the bedroom and a completely separate living room with pull out (or cot). Expensive though, and not as quiet as the area around Blakely. (right in the middle of Times Sq - but the lobby is ont he second floor, so once you're in the hotel it's peaceful.)

I like the Blakely though. Maybe call there and ask about the a/c?

I called the Doubletree and got $359/night. I was able to get a one bedroom suite at the Benjamin for the same price with a corp discount. From what I have read in posts in the past I think people would say to take the Benjamin.

So it sounds like you need 3 beds. One of the other Affinia hotels would work. The Affinia Gardens or the Affinia Dumont or what about the Benjamin? The San Carlos is another nice all suite hotel near the Affinia 50. Some of their 1 bedroom suites have 2 bathrooms.

I just hung up with the Blakely and they said no one has ever complained about the a/c in the one bedroom units. I guess that means either that incident was isolated or they are not admitting there is a problem. I am not going to cancel my reservation yet because the rate and size seems ideal for us but I made another reservation at the Benjamin too. Maybe someone will have more info on the a/c in the next few weeks.

I hadn't seen your post about the Doubletree and the Benjamin when I posted. Did you get the Benjamin for the same price as the Blakely or as the Doubletree? If you want to be on the west side near the theaters, the Doubletree is a better option but the Benjamin will be a nicer hotel.

I got the Benjamin for the same price as the Doubletree average about $360/night for our stay. The Blakely is $285/night.

I forgot about the second part of your email. We are seeing a show but we don't mind if we are on the west side or not. We seem to be all over the city when we go.

I meant post not email..sorry.

We just stayed at the Benjamin and walked back to the hotel after Wicked and after Curtains. I enjoyed the walk after sitting for so long. Also, the Benjamin is very nice and we plan to stay there again, although I can't compare it to the other suggested hotels.

$75/night PLUS tax is not an insignificant sum. I'll try to check the a/c situation at the Blakely out and report back.

How about the Embassy Suites? It's pretty nice and gets favorable reviews on TripAdvisor. I got a July rate there once for $175 (AAA) a night. It's Downtown, if that's a problem...

The rate at the Embassy Suites for August is over $300/night and that is with a corp discount.

Hilton has some package rates that could bring the Doubletree Guest Suites in cheaper. Have a look here
http://www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com/n...p=dt&id=18;#18

We stayed at the Hampton Inn on 8th Ave and the a/c was fantastic. It was a great hotel.

lLuvLexie- I was wondering why you thought the Affinia 50 was just OK. We have stayed at the Affinia Dumont and loved it, but wanted to try the Affinia 50 b/c its closer to Rockerfeller Center. We even looked at a 1 bedroom corner suite there last week while in NYC(but staying at The Kimberly), and it seemed very spacious, modern, and clean.

I know this is an old post, but I'd like to say that I have indeed complained to Blakely management about the A/C in the one-bedroom suite. I complained last May during our stay. I love the Blakely for the staff and the location, but the A/C in the one-bedrooms is woefully inadequate and the hotel has been made aware of the problem.