We'll be in NYC for a weekend in January and plan on attending an opera. The Empire Hotel across the street from the Met is so close and seems so convenient, but the last inquiry about it on this forum was in 2007. Is there any reason not to stay there?

Have you read reviews on tripadvisor.com? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html I had a friend stay there about a month ago. His first room was on the top floor and there's a club on the roof that was keeping him awake so he had to change rooms. Not sure this club runs all winter though. Another similar hotel in that area is 6 Columbus. Just don't book a "pod" room there which is minuscule.

Thanks Mclaurie.
So, after thoroughly reading many reports on tripadvisor, I am rethinking the Empire. I have to say that I'm not one to go to the tripadvisor site. But, clearly, there are a lot of people unhappy with their stay at this hotel.

The hotel you mentioned, 6 Columbus, looks terrific, is in a similar price range, and certainly is close enough to the Met opera. The rooms (beyond the pod size) look large enough. I appreciate your help.

I stayed at the Empire about ten years ago and enjoyed our stay. I had no complaints about the hotel. Looking at the Empire's Web site, it appears that the rooms have been totally refurbished since we stayed there.

kathleen, I have to say my friend was satisfied with his stay at the Empire (although moving rooms in the middle of the night would not have made me happy). But I personally would prefer 6 Columbus or even the Beacon Hotel which is a bit further uptown. Yes,takemealong, it was closed for some time and redone.

I'm staying there this weekend, so I'll report back. Doing the opera, Esther, friday evening, South Pacific saturday afternoon and then Philharmonic saturday evening...

Looking forward to your review of "Esther". We are opera fans but have never seen it. We often eat at O"neals before the opera/concert. Good food, not expensive and never a problem getting out in time for the performance. Of course, eating at the Grand Tier before the opera, with desert during intermission is a pleasure.

Booked the 6 Columbus for three nights in January, although I first checked out the Beacon Hotel and it too looked good, similar price range. The location of 6 Columbus just seemed better for us.

Takemealong, I did read that the hotel had been refurbished so that was a plus, initially.

I'm also interested in reading the hotel report for the Empire when you return SuzieQQ, since I won't rule it out for next time.

Also, Elainee, appreciate the suggestions for eating before the opera.
Thanks everyone.

Kethleen, you might also try Café Fiorello, across Broadway from Lincoln Center, for pre-Met dinner. Or, if you don't mind walking a little and the January weather cooperates, you might want to try Nougatine's prix-fixe dinner. It's a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant directly adjacent to (and using the same kitchen as) his flagship place in the Trump International Hotel on Columbus Circle, just a few blocks south of the Met. A four-course p/f dinner is $38 plus beverages, tax and tip, a bargain by NYC standards for superior food and service.

Enjoy the Met. We're seeing Turandot next Saturday, the 21st. Can't wait to hear the audience applaud the scenery (LOL!), though, I'll admit, this spectacular Zeffirelli production is grand opera at its grandest, and as only the Metropolitan Opera can do it.

I just booked the Empire via Hotwire @ $163 over Easter. I doubt if you get a similar hotel in this price range.

Thanks bspielman,
More choices for places to eat are always welcome. And, your places do sound very nice. We should be able to pick something from among all those mentioned.

We'll also be seeing Turandot--seen it before but not at the Met, so really looking forward to it.

Not really expecting good weather for January (it is the north, and we live in the south), but really, it is NYC after all. No doubt we'll spend hours walking, regardless of the weather conditions.

Echnaton, Sounds like a good deal and I look forward to reading your report from your stay at the hotel.

I spent last night and friday night at the Empire and did a Lincoln Center Blitz...that was the reason for picking the Empire, to be at Lincoln Center.

The Pluses: Lovely furnishings and amentities. Location, particularly on this rainy weekend.

Negative: Absolutely the smallest hotel room I've ever been in, including some pretty small single ones in Europe.

Thanks for checking back in with your hotel report so quickly after your trip. I'm glad to know that the negatives for the Empire seem to be limited only to the small size of the room. That's good news. Next time I'll certainly consider this hotel.
Hope you had a terrific time.

SusieQQ:

Was the pool open or is it seasonal?

Any more tips? On TA, some reviewers recommend not to have breakfast in the hotel but to go out.

Echnaton,
The pool deck wasn't open, it is seasonal.

There is The Rooftop Bar and Lounge which is open but it is accessed by it's own elevators at the lobby entrance . Each night when I got back to the hotel, there was a line of people waiting to get into it.

I am a big fan of room service breakfast, so both mornings I had that...just scrambled eggs, home fries, toast and coffee the first morning...all were good except the toast which was hard and stale. Second morning just coffee and English Muffin...I ordered early, around 6:15AM and had the food within 20 minutes.

Their restaurant, Ed's Chowder House, is relatively new so I don't know if it could have been reviewed yet on TA...it is open for breakfast at 7AM.

Thank you Susie.

I just did a little web research on Ed's Chowder House and found some interesting articles, like this... read especially the comments:

http://ny.eater.com/archives/2009/09...wder_house.php

About the owner, I found this article on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Chodorow

I must say, it was never so interesting to research a hotel restaurant. NYC must be a special place. I am looking forward to our trip.