Girls Weekend in NYC
 

We are 4 late-thirties women wanting to go for a weekend in NYC but I have not been in many years.

Can anyone suggest a mid-priced hotel (or hotels) in a good section of the city, central to shopping, museums, good dining and theatre?

I am so confused with the sheer number of hotel options so I thought that I would post to get some ideas.

Thanks.

We crammed seven women into two rooms at the all-suite Doubletree Times Square. There were two double beds, a separate living room with pullout couch, refrigerator, fantastic (large) bathroom. It was well-located, secure, and a roomy bargain when dividing by four. Highly recommend!

I think Joan's idea of a suite or an all suite hotel is a good one. The Doubletree is a nice modern option in Times Square. There are now lots of hotels that are like apartments with kitchenettes. If all of you want to stay in the same room, the Salisbury has 2 bedroom 2 bath suites and is well located (but not in Times Square).

Most of the museums except MOMA are uptown. Post your budget and whether you prefer one or two rooms. Also post what's most important. If you plan on doing any clubs, most of that, just to complicate things, is downtown.

When we went to NYC as a family (in the early 80's!!!) we stayed at the Helmsley Palace (now the NY Palace I think). It was really nice but I don't think that we have the budget for that now. I like the area though, I think that it was safe and within a short cab ride to most places.

I was hoping to get 2 rooms, maybe connecting or at least beside one another. I think that we will need 2 bathrooms.

I was checking tripadvisor and the Benjamin has gotten some good reviews. Does anyone have any knowledge of this hotel?

Our budget is probably about $200 - $275 per night.

Any help is appreciated!

As soon as you said you liked the Palace location I thought of the Benjamin. Yes, it gets good reviews although people have been complaining recently the place needs a redo (rugs and furniture a bit threadbare). It's the only all suite hotel I can think of in that location.

A bit further east is the Kimberley and the Affinia 50. The Affinia 50 is owned by the same group that owns the Benjamin and has been recently renovated. The "rooms" (more like apartments) are very large. The last 2 would be a bit closer to Bloomingdales but a bit further from the theaters.

The Blakely is an all suite hotel more in the theater district. Not as pretty a location as Madison Ave. but just as convenient.

The Roosevelt and the Omni Berkshire are 2 regular hotels (not all suite) off Madison Ave., not far from the Palace that are usually affordable and get good reviews.

My final idea (now that I've given you too many choices) is to check Le Parker Meridien rates. It's just off Fifth Ave. near all the major shops there, it's a modern skyscraper, has good restaurants and an indoor pool. Friends stayed in a junior suite and liked it a lot.

Maclaurie has mentioned The Blakely.
I stayed there for a girl's midweek trip at the end of February, but not in a suite. There may be suites available but we didn't inquire.
Our 2 rooms were adequate in size and had shining new decor and fixtures , a mini-fridge, a microwave, and in-room coffee & tea.
The location was very convenient for walking to many the things we wanted to do/see: the theater district, MoMA, the Gates in Central Park ... and Barney's, and Bergdorf Goodman. ;-)
We ate a very tasty ( pricey, too, but we were expecting it to be) breakfast one morning at Abboccato, the restaurant that is next to the hotel.

Thanks. I checked out the site for the Affinia 50 and it looks good.

Anyone know anything about the Michelangelo?

Our four-woman group took adjoining rooms at the Renaissance Times Square - four beds, two baths. It was perfect. Great location for walking or hopping on any subway line. Excellent theater or dining location.

For a truly memorable meal at an affordable price, check out the Gotham Bar & Grill prix fixe lunch special Monday's through Friday's. The cost per person is always the same as the year. So, this year it would be $20 and 5 cents (20.05). It's the least expensive way to sample one of NYC's finest restaurants. The same meal at dinner would be closer to $100 per person!
You can get the same kind of discounts at most of New York's finest hotels. But you have to be a travel agent to qualify. Surprisingly, it's really easy to become an associate travel agent. If interested you can e-mail me at [email protected] for more info.
Enjoy the Big Apple - I love New York! Happy travels.

The Michelangelo is a lovely hotel that describes itself as a European boutique hotel. Lots of people like it. In the theater district.

Some of the Affina properties have two bedroom apartments. The Salisbury Hotel has a two bedroom apartment. My parents stay in it frequently. The master has a king bed with a full bath. The second bedroom has two queen beds and a full bath. There is a sofabed in the living room as well as a kitchenette. It is huge.

We rae going in July and Quikbook has some good prices (for NYC).

I am worried about all of us staying in one room with only one bathroom, but our choice for this may be the Affinia 50, as suggested above.

Otherwise, we may check out the Blakely (2 rooms), the Michelangelo (2 rooms) or the Renaissance (again 2 rooms).

4 women who are not related using the same small bathroom in NYC may equal disaster!

Anyone else want to add any hotels to my list?

Thanks.

I vote for the Michaelangelo--great location, pastries and cappucinno in the morning! I am about to stay there for the 3rd time. It is perfectr for a girls trip--I like to stay there when I am traveling with my daughter.

The number of women on the trip has now incresed to five! (I hope no one else decides to join in !).

What does everyone think:

The Benjamin
The Blakely; or
Affinia 50?

They all have some options for each of us to have either our own beds and/or space (ie, either 2 queen beds/room or 1 king and a pull-out, etc.)

5 late thirty-somethings sharing one bathroom. Boggles my mind.

No - There are 2 bathrooms with each of these options Patrick. Do you think I am nuts?

Don't be boggled- just be glad you are not joining us!

Ah, much relieved. I missed the two bath part. And yes, I was starting to think you were nuts. LOL.