Brian

Hello, we are booked through Expedia into Astor on the Park on Central Park West about 5 blocks from the north end of CP. I would like to ask someone in the know if this is a reasonably safe area or if we should be looking at rebooking some place mid-town or or on the East side. Thanks.

Jess

While that isn't the nicest area, I doubt that you will have any problems. Just avoid going north of your hotel, and be aware at night. There are several housing projects in the area, but they effect the atmosphere more than safety.

Flynn

Brian, I don't know anyone who's stayed in that area so don't know how 'safe' it is. Here is a review of the hotel:
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11450795/

If you have any qualms, follow your instincts. Sometimes an inexpensive room just doesn't justify being dissatisfied.

SEH

Brian, if you don't mind, can you tell us how much the Expedia rate was and when you want to travel? Maybe we can help you find an inexpensive alternative closer to mid-town. Also, how many rooms do you need?

Fran

I don't feel that this is the best location for walking NYC. I'd prefer to be in Midtown West given the choice. I'm not familiar with this hotel so can't speak for that, only the location.

Brian

Thanks all for your help. SEH, the rate is $129/night for a room. Wish that I had found this message board BEFORE booking!! Argh!!

Brian

SEH, we are travelling the 3rd week of October and need 1 room for 3 nights. I tried Priceline but found that the service is only available to U.S. residents. A 63 cent Canadian dollar was making me cheap out.......since the $129 U.S. per night converts to about $200 CDN per night.

Brian

Hi SEH, obviously you are online right now!

Expedia charges about $40 for cancellations.......but that may be worth it if the area is not great and we have a long taxi or subway ride everytime we want to see something other than the north end of Central Park.

Frank

Brian: If you plan on using subways, it's about a 15 minute ride to Times Square. Taxi's will be cost prohibitive. The area going South of the hotel is okay, but there are no stores or restaurants on CPW, and nothing you will want to explore on Columbus Avenue north of 97th Street. It seems you paid a high rate for such an out of the way hotel. If you can get a midtown hotel for a similar price, eat the cancellation fee and stay elsewhere. On the otherhand, if you are only using the hotel to sleep in and will be sightseeing all day, it only involves one roundtrip subway ride from and to the hotel.

SEH

I just looked at quickbook.com and they are showing the Best Western President for $119 USD/per night. Do a search on this forum to see what other have to say about the hotel. Also check out the Madison Hotel - it is a BASIC property, but a more convenient location the Astor On The Park. The website is http://www.madison-hotel.com/ sometimes rates can be as low as $88 USD per night. You may also want to take a look at the DaVinci Hotel (again, basic hotel but great location) website is: http://www.davincihotel.com/about.htm rates seem to run from $95 and up. There is also The Habitat Hotel, some rooms have shared baths, some have private baths, wonderful Lexington Ave location, VERY VERY TINY rooms at $75 and up, http://www.stayinny.com/ Stay away from the Pennsylvania Hotel and the Milford Plaza - YUCK.

Fred

It's not unsafe, I live near there, but I wouldn't stay there on a vacation. Walking around at night isn't dangerous but you might feel a bit nervous because of the neighborhood. I would switch to something in midtown. If you're looking for cheap and good location, try either the red roof inn on 32nd street or the comfort inn central park west at 71st street (both are new and have spotless rooms, great locations, and reasonable rates).

Jen

Another source of good deals is the Apple Core group of hotels, all recently renovated budget places. I stayed at the Comfort Inn MIDTOWN and thought it a very good deal.

Brian

Thanks everyone for your help. I truly appreciate it. I've dumped the Astor on the Park reservation and eaten the $40 CDN cancellation charge (what a rip off!) and booked at the Comfort Inn Manhattan. Let's hope the experience is a positive one. The location seems right in the middle of everything.

Thanks again.

xxx

Brian, thanks for posting your follow-up. Try not to think about the cancellation fee - by moving your hotel location you just made your entire trip a little easier and your new location is great for touring, theaters etc. I don't think you'll regret the move! Have a wonderful time, and be sure to post a trip report when you get back!

Brian

Well, we arrived back home last night from our 3 nights in New York. The Comfort Inn Manhattan/Murray Hill was great. Granted, my expectations were not sky-high considering the relatively low room rate but the rooms were clean and bright and the beds were comfortable. The location was great....one block from Empire State Building and walking distance to just about everything. Herald Square subway stop was at the corner of our street West 35 St and 6 Ave. There were lots of great restaurants just outside our door. We tried Korean, Irish, and Italian over the 3 nights. Brendan's (the Irish restaurant) was particularly good and attached to our hotel. Nice old decor with pillars and high celings and great comfort food and big servings. Nice upbeat but not in-your-face atmosphere. Thanks again everyone for your suggestions.

new yorker

Sounds like you had a good time! You definitely made the right decision, you would have spent most of your vacation time trying to figure out how to get to your destination had you stayed at the Astor.

SEH

Brian, glad you had a good time - and good for you for trying a variety of food! Thanks for posting your report.

d_manzur

I found what looks like an amazing deal of the astor on the park hotel, during January, 29$ (!!!) per night on easyclicktravel.com
How can it be that cheap?
Is it because of the date?

nytraveler

Yes - that is the lowet of low season in NYC. And the area, although safe, is not the ost pleasant (people used only to suburbs and not big cities might not be comfortable there - definitely some housing projects in the area - but also some high priced co-ops).

Most people prefer to be not so far uptown and closer to what they want to see do.

d_manzur

Eventually I decided to book at "Pod Hotel", a hotel closer to midtown Manhattan, which I found for 84$ a night at easyclicktravel. It's probably in a better location, I just hope the conditions there are decent.

Thanks a lot for the reply!