Another NY hotel question
 

I've read all the recent threads about "reasonably priced" NY hotels. We are going for 5 nts over Thanksgiving weekend. Typically, we consider ourselves "upper range of middle" or "lower end of high" -- Marriotts, for example. We have stayed at and liked the Times Square Hilton, the Westin Times Square and the Renaissance Times Square. Years ago, we stayed at the Shelburne Murray Hill, which was great for a family, but was a little old and tired for my taste.

Location doesn't matter as long as it's in Manhattan and reasonably near the subway.

So, with that all said, all of the following are available for 3 adults in one room (couple and 20-year old daughter). Are the more expensive of these worth up to $200 a night more than the less expensive?

Flatotel Jr. Suite $370
Affinia 50 Jr. Suite $378
Affinia Dumont 1 BR Suite $393
Roger Williams 2 dbls. $394
Affinia Manhattan 1 BR Suite $423
Bedford Tower King Suite $427
Omni Berkshire Deluxe King $437
Time 1 BR Suite $454
Benjamin 1 BR Sutie $490
Fitzpatrick Suite $569

Among the Affinias, what's the difference amont the 50, the Dumont and Manhattan (besides location, of course). Is one newer than the others? Different styles? Size of rooms? I guess those questions go for all of the above.

Thanks.

My first question is are the suites listed below real "suites" -- i.e., with a separate room -- or are they "one-room suites" -- the hotel industry jargon for a larger room with a small sitting area? If they are real suites, it might be worth the money and I'd take the Benjamin or Fitzpatrick as I've heard very good things about both (and stayed in a suite at the Fitzp myself).

If not, I'd probably go for the Roger Williams. Friends have stayed there and loved it and you're getting a good rate. My other choice would be the Omni Berkshire as it's a lovely hotel.

We stayed at the Flatoel and liked it very much. It was extrememly attractive, and our standard room was quite large.

Add to the list the Doubletree Metropolitan and the Residence Inn.

Oh, and in addition to the other hotels I've stayed at previously, add The Wellington (through Priceline) which was a little on the "tourist class" side for me.

Any more advice?

I've been to the Flatotel, the Bedford and the Roger Williams. All are nice. The Flat and the Bedford have rooms that are larger than the typical NY hotel room, so you won't feel like sardines in a can, like you might in one of the chains. The higher prices are normally for hotels with more amenities, so it depends on what you want from your hotel, whether you want to pay. The nice thing about the Bedford is that it is in a quieter area (of course, quiet is relative in NY). Check out this site for good prices and no extra fees (plus pay when you stay at the hotel instead of in advance): CRSHotels.com. Have fun in NYC!

Thanks. I need NO amenities! Won't have time to work out, won't be there long enough to need to do laundry, never eat in hotel restaurants, won't be around for room service. I like the room to be nicely decorated, with comfortable beds, pillows and linens, with a good shower and enough room that 3 people won't be tripping all over each other.

indietraveler2 is here marketing his/her website.

Hey indie, PAY for your ads you bum!

dmlove,
You can hardly compare some of these hotels.
I have stayed in the Affinia 50 and it was perfectly fine. Very large with a full kitchen. The Benjamin is a higher end hotel. For 120.00 more a day, I would stay at the 50 and have a good dinner :)
Be sure to take home those leftovers for breakfast or brunch!

Reading your last post let me add... the beds at the 50 are great, there is NO restaurant, I have always had a decent shower and PLENTY of room!
I have had 5, yes 5, people in their standard suite (2 queen beds and 1 queen sofa bed).

TxTravelPro, thanks -- I know these hotels don't all fall in the same category, that's one of the reasons I was asking, i.e. whether the more expensive hotels are so much nicer than the less expensive hotels that I should spend the extra $$. I appreciate your thoughts.