Hi fellow fodorites,

Is the Courtyard New York hotel out of the way? I usually stay smack dab in the middle of the theatre district. This is on 866 Third Avenue.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...-midtown-east/

I can get a family/friends discount at this hotel.

Looking to stay in the $250 price range. I decided not to return to the Milford Plaza, but I do like the location there.

Thanks!

Monica

PS: I meant to add: Is this hotel also convenient to transporation? We'll be driving in from Maryland but plan to walk, taxi, or take the subway.

Monica

That Courtyard hotel is on the East Side which means you are across town from the theatre district. For example, it could be a 20-30 minute walk to the West 50s where some theatres are and how fast you walk and how crowded the streets are.

That neighborhood is less touristy in that you have more offices than T-shirt shops in the neighborhood.

There is one subway line on the east side which runs on Lexington which is a block up from 3rd Avenue. The E train also crosses over from West to East not too far from there which can come in handy. There are also bus lines running north or south on just about all the east side avenues.

Not sure, but I think I last saw Milford Plaza surrounded by scaffolding so maybe they are undergoing a much needed renovation?

I've stayed at that Courtyard and highly recommend it. We walked everywhere, including to the theatre district. There's a subway station 1/2 block away and a Duane Reade right downstairs. The rooms are HUGE by NYC standards (some have two queen beds AND a sitting area with loveseat-size sofabed).

I should add, just so you know something about me, that we are "Marriott" people -- typically stay in Marriotts in big cities (have stayed in the Marriotts or Renaissance hotels in Chicago, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, New York, Anaheim, etc). We would normally only stay at the Courtyard "brand" near the airport, but NYC prices are so high, that we've stayed at the Courtyard and the Residence Inn there (as well as the Marriott Marquis and the Renaissance). Still, I would definitely return to the Courtyard Midtown East.

Thanks dmlove for your comments! I just want to make sure we're not out of the main area and as long as there's transporation we should be fine. I will check other hotel options in the meantime, but I did book the Marriott. With the friends/family rates, it was $239 plus taxes.

Monica

Monica the area is fine for transportation..you have the V and E as well as the Lexington Avenue trains within a 5 minute walk. These will take you most places although getting to the Upper West Side requires a change of trains, or a change of buses.

I live not far away (much further east and even further from transportation!) I walked home from LIncoln Center last night in about half hour and the theatre district is much closer.

It's a very nice hotel with big rooms. Good places for breakfast near there including Ess-A-Bagel. If you want parking near it, look on iconparking.com in the east 50's. There should be some reasonably prices garages a bit futher east.

The Residence Inn in NYC and the Courtyard Times Square South are probably more money but are closer to the theater district. The Residence Inn includes full cooked b/f I believe.

ekscrunchy, any chance we could meet up for drinks or dinner on Saturday May 10th?

Monica

We too will be staying at this hotel. We will be touring upstate New York and then driving to Manhattan. Where would be a good place to drop off our rental car? We will be using city transportation for our six days in the city.

Monica, I would love to meet you while you are here. We can discuss China!!

I will ask you to wait until that week to confirm, however, as there is a chance that I will be away that weekend.. For how long will you be here?

ekscrunchy,

Tony and I will spend 3 nights. We have friends flying in from Vermont on Sunday to spend time with us, so if you're not available the 10th, maybe the next time we visit we can catch up with you. Email me: mjpileggi @comcast.net

Brockbank, have your rental agency give you the best location for dropoff of your car.

Monica

Brockbank, I know that we picked up a Hertz car nearby the hotel.

Sometimes you can find great bargains at the Roosevelt Hotel. And Algonquin; I got great rates there through Priceline.

Third Avenue is not convenient.

Bill you're joking, right? 3rd Avenue and 53rd Street is not convenient? You're at most a 10 minute walk to Rockefeller Center/ another 10 minutes to the theatre district . . . 10 minute walk (tourist walk not NYer walk) to Bloomingdales north or Grand Central South . . . The E/F subway is a block away, the 4,5, or 6 is two blocks away . . . I mean really . . it's not like 3rd Avenue is Long Island City or New Jersey!

As an FYI, I'm booked at the Marriott, printed out the parking lot information via iconparking.com, and booked tickets for Sunday's Spamalot!!

Monica

Monica, which Marriott (did you go with the Courtyard Midtown East)?

Yes, I went with the one in Midtown East - 53rd street and 3rd avenue.

Monica

Have a great time!

Will do!!

Monica