My parents were born and grew up in NYC. They are in their late 70's now and just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Friends and family contributed to a "New York Trip Fund" so they could go back to the City and see their old childhood neighborhoods (if they're still there), and of course how wonderful and changed the city is now. We're making plans for a May visit; they will probably go up by Amtrak and spend two nights in a hotel. We are arranging for a family member to get them on and off the train at departure and arrival points. We are also arranging for a limo service/driver to take them wherever they want to go. Father is active and healthy, but Mother walks with a cane and mobility is very difficult. A couple of questions for you wonderful Fodor's contributors:

-- I've done extensive research on Manhattan hotels over the last year, so I know a LOT about prices, locations, amenities, and so forth. But what would be your personal recommendation for a place they could stay that would (a) have a staff that would treat them like royalty, given their ages and the reason for their visit; (b) be lovely, not overly crowded or hard to maneuver; and (c) be in an exciting location but not too far from where they want to go -- which is, frankly, from the upper 90's on the West side, to Brooklyn, to the lower teens East. Room service for breakfast might be necessary given Mother's walking difficulty, but also, where might they have a wonderful dinner? (They're not gourmets, but we want it to be a night to remember.)

We have a very healthy budget for this trip but I think the hotel room would have to be in the $200 range.

Your personal experience and advice would mean everything to us.

What a lovely gift you're giving your parents! For their memorable dinner, I think the ideal place would be one of the classic French restaurants such as Cafe des Artistes, La Cote Basque, or La Caravelle. The food is classic, not nouveau, the settings are quietly elegant and lovely. Look them up on www.zagat.com for phone, address, and price info (I think they all have prix fixe menus in the $65 area). When you make the reservation, be sure to explain the circumstances of their visit, and I'm sure they'll be treated very well!

Sara I am planning a trip to NYC in April and found an organization called "Big Apple Greeters". It is volunteer and free. Check out their website at bigapplegreeters.com. Might be just the ticket for your parents.

My knowledge of NY hotels is quite rudimentary so I'll leave those suggestions to others. Caitlin's suggestion about explaining the circumstances to the restaurant when making dinner reservations is a good one and I'd suggest extending it to the hotel. A good concierge or a savvy hotel manager/asst manager will generally extend themselves and provide some extra attention when they're aware of special circumstances such as these. I hope your parents have a wonderful time and I'm sure they will.

Try posting the names of some of the hotels you are considering and you will probably get replies from people who stayed at the hotel. As a New Yorker I can provide informtion on location but have little or no experience staying in a New York hotel. You mention the 90's on the Upper WEst Side. I have lived on the upper west side (90's) for the past 42 years and I can tell you it is basically the same. The avenues have relatively new high rise buildings with plenty of older apartment buildings remaining. Most of the brownstones on the streets still exist. The lower east side is still the lower east side. If you have any questions post a note - you are sure to get answers.

Is there a particular car service anyone would recommend, with a helpful, kind driver? Doesn't have to be a "limo" per se, just a sedan big enough to see sights and easy enough for Mother to get in and out of.

Your indulgence please with one more question. We're making final plans now and are about to settle on a limo service for their Grand Tour of Old Haunts at $50-$60 an hour, X hour minimum. However can one arrange for a car service to pick them up to take them to dinner, and pick them up after dinner, at a cost less than that? Again, Mom has difficulty walking around and at their age hailing a regular cab might be difficult.

I'm not sure about the car service question, but I would think that most restaurants would call a cab, or have someone hail one for you.

Is it possible to see if any of their favorite old restaurants are still in business? Often Italian restaurants stay in the family for a number of generatioons back in NYC and might provide the perfect setting for a nice evening out for your parents.

What a wonderful gift for them! I hope they have a fabulous time.

please note that hotel rooms are usually
30-50 percent cheaper on the weekend. Also, there is less traffic. It would better if your parents came on a weekend.