First time to New York with a 15, 13 and 12 year old. All three hotels are within my price range and are available when I want. (mid July) Any recommendations on which one would be the best choice? I have read comments on priceline and expedia and am becoming overwhelmed. Any help is much appreciated as my time for booking is running out. Thanks

Stay at the DoubleTree. It's well-located (if you like the Time Square area; I don't - but it's a personal choice) and would give you more room, which should be a consideration given the size and ages of your party.

The Park Central is nice, but the rooms are extremely small -- I don't believe you would be comfortable there.

No exp. w/ Novotel -- but have read on other reports that their rooms are also on the small side (as are most of the hotels rooms in NYC).

If you can venture away from Times Square, the Affinia group of hotels are another option. I never miss a chance to praise these hotels, and if you do a search, you'll find I have plenty of company. Nice, huge rooms, great staff, and no more expensive than the Doubletree. www.affinia.com

good luck!

We also like the Doubletree; it's really nice to have a bedroom and a living room.

Since when we're in NYC, it's for a theater weekend, the location is perfect.

For the kids first time in NYC, stay in Times Square, it will be something they will always remember. There are lots of restaurants in the area, fast food to good local spots and some national chains so there are lots of choices for kid food. The subway is a couple of blocks away from the hotel so you can easily get around the city.

The Museum of Natural History is not far, take the B train and get off at 81st St. After that you might enjoy walking around Central Park.

Have a great time while you are here.

I appreciate all of the help. My husband is unable to travel with us so I'm doing this as a single parent and it's a bit scary. So far it sounds like the Doubletree is the place.

Sorry but after looking into what I can REALLY afford it looks like I can't pull off Doubletree in Times Sqare but the one at 569 Lexington Ave. What's the location like for this one?? Thanks again

I wondered about that. The Doubletree on Lexington is NOT a suite hotel and that location isn't great. You really should try to get a suite hotel and even then, some of the kids will have to share beds. Will that be ok?

The Salisbury is a very good suite option within walking distance of Times Square, Central Park and lots of good eating/shopping places. nycsalisbury.com Also check prices for it on quikbook.com

If that doesn't work, have a look at the Belvedere hotel. The Affinia Manhattan and the Affinia Dumont might also be good.

I should clarify for others reading this, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the location of the Doubletree on Lexington, but with teens, staying closer to Times Square is probably a better idea. Also, rooms at that Doubletree are small.

Thanks mclaurie, I'll check into those places. What about the Affinia 50?
My kids don't mind sharing beds and they are all good walkers so we don't need to be right in Times Sqare but this is their first time to New York and probably their last for a long time so it would be great to have a good location.

The Affinia 50 is great (and near the Metropolitan on Lexington). The Kimberly and the San Carlos are other suite hotels near there. Actually, the Best Western Hospitality might be the best idea in that area. They have well priced 2 bedroom suites. These are all near Rockefeller Center, not far from Bloomingdales, but not as near to Times Square as say the Salisbury. Have you checked Radio City apts.? radiocityapartments.com

Guichon, The Affinia 50 is where I stayed w/ my 16 y/o daughter and 21 y/o son last summer. Lovely hotel, huge rooms w/ kichenette, fantastic staff. Very nice, safe area close to Bloomingdales and other 5th Ave. shops. Also -- and this was important to us -- very close to the subway. The #7 train got us to Times Square in about 10 minutes. Plenty of restaurants nearby as well.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the info mclaurie. I tried both hotels but they had nothing available. So far I'm thinking that the Affinia 50 is my best bet.
Brookside, I have a guest room, 2 beds booked. Would I be better to pay the extra $40.00 per nite for a larger room? Thanks again

What are the gender of your children? Since I had a daughter, she and I shared a bed -- it was a comfy queen-sized mattress; she's a thrasher, and it accomodated us nicely. The rooms are generously sized; closet had lots of shelves. There was plenty of room for our things.

But if you have three boys -- I would say go ahead and pay the $40.

Good luck -- you'll have a wonderful time!