Planning a trip to NYC with mom and sister (16 years old). We want to splurge on a top notch hotel. Any suggestions?

Sammy -

As a New Yorker, let me offer you these tips:

First of all, decide what kind of New York experience you want...sleek high-rise ultra-luxe hotel or Old World charm on a quiet street.

I'll offer you a sample of some of my favorites:

SLEEK & LUXURIOUS:
- Righa Royal Hotel (Upper Midtown) Ultra-tall luxurious hotel near Times Square...great central location. Modern.

LARGE, LUXURIOUS & GRAND:
- St. Regis Hotel (5th Avenue & 54th) This is THE hotel to stay in!! Very beautiful and elegant. Recently underwent a MAJOR renovation.
- Peninsula. (5th Avenue & 55th). Just a fraction of a notch below the St. Regis, however swarmed by celebrities. VERY beautiful.

OLD NEW YORK, BUT LUXURIOUS:
- The Murray Hill Inn. Located in a quiet neighborhood, this beautifully decorated hotel is like living in a wealthy New Yorker's townhouse. Beautiful garden in the back and the rooms are unbelieveable!!!!

Hope this helps! E-mail me if you would like more recommendations.

- KEVIN
-

Another sleek hotel to consider - The Royalton on West 44th between 5th and 6th. If you don't stay there, at least go check out the bathrooms downstairs.

In the event that you find the hotels suggested above beyond your price range, be sure to check out the Helmsley Middletown. Very, very nice, but terrific value for the dollar. Well located in Midtown in a lovely neighborhood.

What are the room rates at these hotels?

We stayed at the Rhiga Royal last Christmas and agree it is a great hotel and ideal location. We got a special holiday rate $260/night for a suite (we had our teenage daughter with us), and that included $25/day food credit for use in the hotel dining room. We walked everywhere we went, including the theater.

I stay at the Tudor. It is not expensive, (for NYC) great location and NICE.

The Plaza, The Plaza, The Plaza - its over the top-- from the people watching (especially those having bruch int he palm court and having drinks in the oak room) the lobby, the doormen, the view of the park... very special experience.