highland_lass

My girlfriend and I are planning a winter break to NYC, possibly 4 days.

Now I've never been and want to do a couple of "definite" things.

1. Tour Ellis Island

2. See a musical on Broadway

Now the question is, which area would be best for us ?

No doubt someone out there will direct me to search for hotels myself as I'm sure this question must be asked millions of times. I have done that and have some good information.

My friend has mentioned the Beekman Tower Suites, any comments ??

Its just the 2 of us so we dont need a huge amount of space but definately 2 beds !! Dont have a budget worked out yet. We'll take on board recommendations and then check out prices.

Is the Beekman too far away from the hustle and bustle of Times Sq , or is that a good thing !!

Street noise maybe an issue for night-time, so a quieter area may be best.

I dont want to be too far away from the " touristy " areas . With this being my first time in NYC I want to , shop , go to Ellis Island, go to a show and see a couple of museums.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

doug_stallings

To be honest, it doesn't matter much where you stay as long as it's in Manhattan between 60th Street to the north and 14th Street to the south. Both above and below the middle part of Manhattan, transportation can be an issue, but even then, if you are willing to take the subway, you'll have no problems anywhere in Manhattan except for the UES, which is very inconvenient. I also prefer to be between 9th Avenue on the west and 3rd Avenue on the east because transportation across Manhattan is expensive by cab and slow by bus.

I think you'd appreciate being away from the bustle of Times Square myself. While I can't tell you much about the Beekman Tower itself, I see that it is an Affinia Hotel, and that is a good company, and it's in a very good location near Grand Central. I'll just caution that you may more difficult to find a hotel room with 2 beds. Rooms in Manhattan are typically small, but there are still plenty of hotels with 2 beds. Make sure you reserve one of those and not a typical "double" room, which will have 1 bed.

BarbaraS

We stayed at the Beekman a couple of years ago and thought the location was pretty good. We walked back from Times Square one night and felt safe, and there were places all along the way that we recognize from movies/tv. We had a room with one bed and a sofa bed. The rooms were old, but really clean. It had a little kitchen and a dining table.

mclaurie

If the Beekman Towers is offering a bargain price (as it sometimes does), it's a very nice (but old) hotel in a nice, somewhat quiet location. But it is a bit off the beaten track near the UN and not too near a subway stop or the theaters so it wouldn't be my first choice for a first time trip.

Quikbook.com is a popular website for "shopping" for hotels (and possibly booking them). I'd see what's available for your dates and then check hotel reviews on tripadvisor.com. You can also doublecheck to see whether you can get a better rate directly from the hotel (usually not).

Beekman Towers in the area known as midtown east. The typical tourist locals (Times Square, ESB, Rockefeller center) are in midtown west. There are hotels in midtown west that are not right in the middle of Times Square. There are also hotels in midtown east that are a bit closer and more central than the Beekman Towers.

I'll also add if you're young and are interested in any clubs/partying, that's often downtown. If you'd like to share a budget and more info (like dates) we can offer specific recos. Hotel prices are fluctuating dramatically one date vs. another.

bill_boy

The Beekman is much more quieter than the hotels in the midtown touristy areas, starting at Lexington and onwards to 9th Avenue. It's in a quiet neighborhood place and get's quieter during the nights.

The suites are very large, very clean and decently appointed - almost like a nicely-maintained apartment in the city. I know because since we live in the area of Beekman Place, I have directed a few of our visitors, especially small families,tot the hotel and they are generally happy with it.

It's a 3 minute walk to the UN, about 15 minutes to Gran Central and 30 minutes to Times Square. The nearest crosstown buses are not frequent than the ones at 42nd Street, which is a 6 minute walk.

One major gripe about the area of Midtown East - major dearth of good restaurants (by NYC standards).

For a first timer in NYC, as suggested earlier, I'd say try the hotels in the more touristy areas further west.

emd

For me, hotel location really matters in NYC. It matters a lot at night after I've been out all day, are tired of walking long distances and taking the subway, and want to get to and from theater without hassle and be able to walk another short distance to eat or have a drink or do something else after theater.

I have stayed at another Affinia hotel a short distance from Beekman in Murray Hill and this is not a location I'd choose for my first trip. I'd stay in midtown, not right in Times Square but in the area so you could just walk to your Broadway show and have some fun afterwards, maybe go to Top of the Rock at Rock. Center or something. The hotels between Times Square and Central Park are good for this (the two Sheratons, Michaelangelo, etc.) as they are in a more quiet location than Times Soare hotels but offer close proximity to theaters and fun at night.

Unless you stay downtown, you are going to need to subway to the boat terminal at the bottom of Manhattan to get the ferry to Ellis Island.

What price range are you hoping for?

nytraveler

First of all in Manhattan quiet is relative. It's a big city and there is always noise somewhere - even if it's just police/fire sirens of garbage pick-up (commercial is required to be done at night - often the middle - so it doesn;t block traffic during the day).

And the closer to Times Square/tourist central the louder it will be. The quietest areas wil be the farthest frommost things to see/do.

Only you candecide what matters most to you.

I do not prefer the area around the Beekman - although the place is fine for the money - since it is too far east for good transit (10 min walk to the subway) and there are few good restaurants.

If you want more amenities and better transit but in an area less frantic you might try Central Park South or the mostly residential upper west side.

Many hotel rooms in NYC have only 1 double bed. Some have a choice between 1 double or 2 twins. If you want 2 double beds you will need to look carefully - and probably pay a premium.

I woud look at the affinia group for moderate places or applecore group for budget. All are relaible - but differ at so neighborhood.

Since you don;t give a budget or date can't make specific recos on the upper west side. Lucerne is nice and moderate and there ar eothers that are more modest but still pleasant.

And the things you want to see are spread out over the major tourist areas - which means subway for at least some activities. (And honestly in the winter it's better than standing in the cold waiting for a bus to come - besides being much faster.)

bill_boy

Central Park south area is still almost very touristy and definitely busier and noisier than the residential neighborhoods.

To be in the residential area of the Upepr West Side means you'd want to go further north or west - transportation also not as frequent. Plus, the Upper West side doesn't give you much choices on good restaurants in Manhattan, anyway. The better ones are in mid to lower Manhattan.

In spite of some of the cost saving by staying in the UWS, but since you are a first-timer, stay in areas in midtown West - where most of the action for tourists are. Especially, since you'll be here during the winter - when being always close to your hotel is an advantage.