First time NYC - need help with hotel location
 

We (2 adult couples) are planning a 3 night trip to NYC in December. We have never been and want to find a place to stay that is convenient. We are planning on seeing several shows, major tourist stops - Empire State, Rockefeller, Statue of Liberty etc. Also Wall Street - New York Stock Exchange. What area is the most convenient - hotel recommendations for certain areas? I know hotels are expensive - would it best to book hotel/flight together? I have never done that since I prefer more of my own choice but some have said it is more economical.

For our first trip to NYC, we stayed in Midtown, which we found very convenient. No one location will be near all the attractions, of course, but from Midtown you can walk to Central Park, along 5th Avenue, to Rockefeller Plaza, St. Patrick's, Times Square, most theaters, and many museums (this a gross generalization!). As in every neighborhood, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. We are fans of the Michaelangelo Hotel; I gather, though, that rates there are much higher than they were when we stayed. Good luck with your planning!

Midtown is central and many first time tourists prefer it - just be sure NOT to stay right in Times Square - which is a frantic zoo-like atmosphere,

But - December is high season and hotels rates astronomical - so you may do best looking for bargains and focus more on getting the most for your budget - rather than exact location (unless money is no object).

Staying on the upper west side is also quite convenient, since there are 2 subway lines - and a nice area if you can find a deal.

It's worth looking at travelzoo and hotwire - although they may not have much to offer depending on your dates.

If you give us an idea of budget people can make specific recos.

Thanks, this was helpful. I love to travel and usually plan much in advance, but this one will be quick and not much time to plan because of work, life etc..... I will start with the Midtown area and go from there. Which airport is best to fly into from ORD? I have only been through JFK once, it was a very unpleasant experience, but many have told me that is the norm for there.

Our budget per night for a room is under $350 - this is top price we will pay. Are we dreaming?

Stay in Midtown, but avoid Times Square. New Yorkers avoid it like the plague, and invariably when tourists complain that NYC is crowded & dirty, they stayed in Times Square.

Stay east of 6th Ave.

Enjoy!!

Thanks - hotel names?

I really think you should first look at which hotels are within your budget and then narrow your selection based on location and other issues. Any place that's near a subway station is convenient. The main sites you list are scattered around the city so no one location will be near all of them. That said, if you plan on seeing a show every night, despite Gekko's advise to avoid Times Square (which I will grant is not very pleasant) it's a convenient area to be able to walk back to the hotel after a show. I recommend looking on quikbook.com and kayak.com for some pricing info. Kayak also has airfare. It's probably a good idea to check what air/hotel deals there are but I find that while the prices may be cheaper than what you get buying separately, the hotels are often clunkers that wouldn't fill up otherwise OR, you get the less desirable rooms at desirable hotels.

I hope you're not trying to find one room for the 4 of you for under $350 b/c that's not likely in early Dec. To that point, if your dates are flexible, the later in Dec. you can go, the more likely you'll find better prices. For example, there's a special on travelzoo.com for the Westin for $199/night plus tax (hotel tax in NYC is ~ 15%) between Dec. 21-25. That's a great deal.

Thanks - this is just the kind of information I was looking for. We are planning on going from Dec. 20 - 23 and getting two rooms. Thanks again.

$350 for a room for 4 isn't happening in Dec. (The average rate for a room for 3 in NYC is more than $300 per night at any time - never mind high season.)

You should start NOW to try to reserve something (the closer you get the higher the prices will rise) - trying all the discount web sites. Reserve something cancellable - and then keep looking.


But - we are mobbed with european and asian tourists - due to the pitiful state of the dollar - and doubt you will find a lot of deals.

Agree for 4 you will very likely need to pay more - or split into 2 2's.

Have a look at some of the hotels inn the Financial District downtown. Kind of dreary at night - but there will be very few business travelers -so you might find something there.