Salutations all,

I'm a college student from California who has champagne tastes and a beer budget. I've read a bit on all three of the above accomadations (yes I know none of them is the Plaza) but I need something relatively inexpensive but with a modicum of class. What does everyone opine about these three establishments (the Edison, President, or Broadway B&B). I would like to stay as close to the theater district as possible, which is why I've narrowed it down to these three. All help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Edward

Hi Ed - We've stayed at the BW President on our last 2 visits to NYC (summers of 97 & 98) It's definitely not the Plaza, but is clean and the staff is friendly. The hotel has been recently been renovated (a very noticable difference between our 1st and 2nd visit). The rooms are on the small side, but nicely remodeled. They also have a discounted parking policy at a nearby public garage. The hotel is literally next door to the Walter Kerr Theatre, and we found it conveniently located within the Theatre District and Times Square, and tons of places to eat. Also felt very safe walking around the general area regardless of time of day.

Have fun in the city wherever you stay!!

Hi Ed - We've stayed at the BW President on our last 2 visits to NYC (summers of 97 & 98) It's definitely not the Plaza, but is clean and the staff is friendly. The hotel has been recently been renovated (a very noticable difference between our 1st and 2nd visit). The rooms are on the small side, but nicely remodeled. They also have a discounted parking policy at a nearby public garage. The hotel is literally next door to the Walter Kerr Theatre, and we found it conveniently located within the Theatre District and Times Square, and tons of places to eat. Also felt very safe walking around the general area regardless of time of day.

Have fun in the city wherever you stay!!

Don't stay at thre Edison; the halls are scary... The lobby looks nice, and the location is great, but I found it to be frightening. This was probably 5 or 6 years ago, so they COULD have remodeled by now...

My mom and I go to New York every spring for 3 or 4 days to see Broadway shows and we always stay at the Edison. We LOVE the location and the coffee shop downstairs (which was used to film a classic scene of "The Godfather). It has a nice lobby and the staff is very quick and efficient (I wouldn't go as far to say "friendly," but if the staff were friendly I'm not sure I would know I was in New York). The rooms are small but so are most of the rooms in midtown. We even like the kitschy pink hallways. But the best thing about it, by far, is the price. I have stayed in lots of hotels in New York on business, including the Waldorf Astoria, but on my own dime the Edison would be my first choice in the theatre district. The location can't be beat.
Also, for a pre-theatre dinner a good choice is Joe Allen's which is only a few blocks from the Edison right on restaurant row. Great food, occasional celebrity-spotting, and the prices aren't bad at all by NYC standards.

My daughter and I stayed at the Edison two years ago and friends have stayed more recently. The price and location are right, the rooms are renovated and clean, the staff is friendly and helpful. The entrance, I believe, is the only remaining part to be renovated. I recommend it.

Whatever you do DON'T STAY AT THE BEST WESTERN PRESIDENT! My frist trip to NYC in April of 97 was a complete horror because of the hideous people at the BW President. The rooms are disgusting (or bathroom light didn't even work) and barely even fit the bed. All of the lights are replaced with buzzing flourescents (even the lamps). And the worst was that when we arrived they illegally tried to hike our price from $130 a night to over $250!!!! We stayed one night (one night too long) and then moved to the Howard Johnson down the street (on 8th Avenue) to a spacious *real* hotel room with a great staff and clean ammenities. It ran about $169 but was worth getting away from BW President. You can read all about my experience with BW President at my web page...http://kevito.com/nyc/worst.html I really hope this helps, I would like to avoid anyone else getting duped the way we were. Best of luck, Kevin

Ed - Sounds like Kevin got caught between remodeling at the BW President. Our fist visit in '97 found us in a yet to be done room that had quirks too. Yes, we had to call for repairs to our room on more than one occasion, but because the location was so good and the price fantastic (at that time under $100/night-found a special thru the NY Times), we returned in summer '98 to quite a different place. The room we stayed in was very nice, although small with a no view. The price had gone up slightly, although still a good deal (again, another special found thru the NY Times). We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, nor did we experience any difficulties with our room rate. Just goes to show what one likes, someone else dislikes !!

Just went to Edison with my 79 yr. old mother this past March.

Great bargain in NY near B-way plays. Lots of Europeans stay here.

Got a suite with a terrific bathroom.

The halls are not scary for an elderly woman and her 46 yr. old daughter.

Great Italian restaurant across the street called Carmine's. Go around 4:30-5:00 pm to avoid the huge line that begins. HUGE portions...you can share with your friend. Everyone does it or you will be sorry. Way too much for one person with hearty appetite. Share the best salad I have had in years. Incredible bread and lots of garlic. A truly fun eatery. Very cheap!
They serve all the terrific Italian specialties that I had as a child growing up in New Jersey that were prepared in the true Italian way.

The Edison is highly recommended by Frommer's and by several of my well traveled friends who have the same taste as you!