First time to NYC - 40th B-day- Which would you choose?
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to NYC in May for my 40th birthday and our 16th wedding anniversary (without the kids!!). Neither of us have ever been to New York City! I can't wait.

I've narrowed our search of hotels down to the following:

The Blakely
Michelangelo
Ameritania
Casablanca

All of these hotels have availability and similar rates for the weekend we're traveling. Which hotel would you recommend and why?

FYI...while in NYC, we plan on visiting the usual touristy places because this will be our first trip (Central Park, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, 5th Ave., St. Paul's/Ground Zero, and Wicked (yes, I will buy tickets ASAP!).

thanks in advance for sharing your advice, suggestions, and experiences.

kelly, in michigan

Michelangelo: It is the nicest and in the best location.

Did you check rates for the London NYC? It was formerly the Rhiga Royal and along the same lines as the Michelangelo.

The Ameritana is a dump.

Hi,
thanks for your reply, Go-T.
Yes, I did check into the London NYC on quikbook and there was no availability for the weekend we're going to be in NY (May 17-20). It looks amazing, though.

Thanks for the warning about the Ameritania.

kelly

I agree that the Michelangelo is a good choice -- in fact a good choice regardless of the other options.

But friends of mine now love the Casablanca. They mention do NOT get a standard room. There is a double bed only because a queen bed would not even fit in the room. But they love the style and charm of the deluxe rooms.

Thank you, Neo, for casting another vote for the Michelangelo.

I found a rate of $295 on quikbook. That appears to be a pretty good rate for that hotel, yes?

We stay at the Michelangelo every January for a weekend, it is lovely. That is a good rate - we also often ask for and receive an upgrade when we check in, don't know why, but if they have one they always do it.

Lovely bathrooms, bed/sitting area - nice piano player usually in the lounge/bar area where it's nice to sit and rest at end of day or before heading out.

Once after the theater we were all sitting in that area but they'd stopped serving their late menu; so we ordered from room service but had it delivered there instead, just as an fyi in case you want a late something to nibble on but don't want to retire in your room yet and want to enjoy a drink and something....

It's a great location in my opinion for visiting the city - esp w/ our friends when the 8 of us are sometimes togther and sometimes going in different directions -

friendly staff, very accomodating on all counts

oh, the only thing I might add, is, as with many hotels, I think the breakfast is overpriced for what you get - we always do it one morning for convenience while mapping out our day, but there are tons of places nearby to grab a light breakfast, fruit, coffee or eggs for much less.

PLEASE eliminate the Ameritania from the list. The others are all good options. The Blakely and the Michelangelo are very near it each other, north of Times Square area but still within walking of the theaters. The Blakely is small and feels more like an apt. building with hotel amenities. (There are some 1 bedroom suites there that are very nice). The Michelangelo is a classic traditional hotel with grand lobby etc.

The Casablanca is much smaller. It's closer to Times Square without being right in the middle of the mobs. It's getting very good reviews on tripadvisor but I've also heard not to get their basic room but upgrade to a junior suite.

So, of these 3 I'd take the one that would be the best price for the largest room. I think that could be the Michelangelo.

Here's a pkg. for sale on luxurylink for a 3 night stay at the Sherry Netherland for $1535. It includes taxes and breakfast. Pricey but a lovely hotel.
http://luxurylink.com/fixedprice/fp_...41206&nav=
If you want to consider this, you must phone the hotel first and make sure they'll take you for the dates you want. (Have them confirm it in writing before you buy the package).

Thanks, All!
I really appreciate the wonderful feedback & tips. It looks like the Michelangelo is the clear winner. I'm so glad I asked for help with my decision.

I found a good deal on airfare to/from Detroit/LaGuardia today, too!
$205 rt/non-stop on Northwest.
whoo-hoo!

kelly

Shoppegirl,

I have reservations at the Michelangelo in May and got much better rates by calling the hotel directly!

Wow, how long ago was that, Lovetolaugh?
Did you call the main hotel number or reservations? I just tried their reservations # and the cheapest room rate she offered me was $625! eek!

It was a few days before Christmas. Their website indicated that rooms were $595 a night. I called the main number and talked to Cheryl in reservations and she gave me the Superior room for $325!

But shoppegirl's got a rate of $295 on quikbook. ;)

Yep - $295 for a Superior room on quikbook for each night of our stay (Thurs. Fri. & Sat.) I did place the reservation yesterday to hold the rate/dates. Maybe your rate includes taxes, Love2Laugh? If not, you might want to try quikbook.

Sorry - she upgraded from the Superior to a suite for $325.

Wow, that is a good deal. Is that for a Junior Suite?

I was kind of hoping for a free upgrade when we checked in, but that's probably not likely in May. I'm tempted to call to see if I can get a similar deal, but that extra $100 for the suite would cover the tab on a very nice meal. But who knows when we'll be back to NYC, so maybe we should just go for it??? :-P Oh, so much indecision!!

I did get my Wicked tickets today!

kelly

shopgirl, go for the suite. At the end of the day, you'll appreciate a large room. Manhattan can be claustrophobic.

Thanks, Go-T.
I'll make a call to the Michelangelo after I receive my hotel confirmation # from quikbook to see what they can do.

Thanks again to everyone who weighed in on this thread. I really appreciate your comments.
~kelly