travelbuff

I'd suggest taking a look at The TRavel Inn on W. 42nd, good transportation options from there, close to Times Square, but more quiet at night.

Also in August, a welcome option would be the pool, not alot of hotels in the city have pools, and August will be HOT.

doug_stallings

Honestly, if a single photo from a single poster on Tripadvisor is turning you off on this hotel, then you shouldn't stay there. But there aren't that many suite hotels with full kitchens. The Beacon, Radio City Apartments, and the various Affinia hotels are among the best choices. Affinia has many other hotels beside Eastgate Tower. The Shelburne was recently renovated and has nice suites, but it's quite a bit more expensive than the others. The location, however, can't be beat. The Tuscany and the Court have big rooms, but not suites (at least not ones you could easily afford). The Benjamin has many suites with small kitchens, but it's also much more expensive.

5alive

Doug, you are right, and that was my conclusion too. $60/night more for the Dumont was well worth the peace of mind.

You may think me irrational (fair enough), but lots of people on Fodor's post questions about bedbugs quite regularly. In my mind a fire hazard is more serious--not that I want bedbugs either.

doug_stallings

I've looked at that wire again. I'm pretty sure it's a telephone wire and would not be a fire hazard. It may technically be against code, but it's also a question of normal wear and tear over 20 or 30 years. Again, if that single photo bothers you so much, then you've made the right decision.

The Dumont is probably a better location anyway. Dunkin Donuts is next door and there are two really good delis on the corner (and it's across from a giant Duane Reade). It's a bit further from Grand Central, but only 5 minutes more, and there are many more good restaurants nearby. However, if you really want some of the best Cantonese food in the area, so walk up to Phoenix Garden on East 40th St. It's truly excellent (and closer to Eastgate).

taitai

OP here. I am going to absent myself from the whole wiring discussion above. I have narrowed it down to either the Affinia Shelbourne or Dumont. Both are about $40/night cheaper than the Beacon. Is one or the other obviously a better choice?

We will be cooking a lot and eating a ton of take out (sampling all the noodle shops that are non-existent in the Twin Cities) so I am not terribly concerned about being close to good restaurants.

Thanks for all the help!

emd3

I have not stayed at the Dumont (and I do not like to recommend or not rec. hotels where I have not actually stayed), but the Shelburne was really nice the two times I stayed there. One time w/suite w/full kitchen was really really nice, as I described above.

doug_stallings

The rooms at the Shelburne have been redone more recently, and it's closer to Grand Central. However you have marginally better access to restaurant deliveries at the Dumont. There are also more grocery options by the Dumont. There's just one grocery store near the Shelburne ... A D'Agostino and not my favorite. I think the Dumont kitchens are more complete. The Shelburne has a good hamburger place in the hotel.

5alive

Sorry to derail your post, taitai. Thanks for the restaurant, recs, Doug. I also found a deli near the Dumont that appears to be well regarded...Second Avenue Deli? I have the exact name in my notes.

SandyBrit

taitai:

I hope you will report back on this thread as to your hotel stay.

For anyone else searching and looking at this thread we have stayed many times at the Eastgate Tower and would do so again in a heartbeat.

We have also stayed at the Shelburne and it was very nice.

Sandy

doug_stallings

By "deli" I mean a small convenience store that sells a variety of items, including coffee, soda, breakfast sandwiches, and some groceries (at inflated prices). Second Avenue Deli is a delicatessen restaurant, a very different thing. It's quite good, though Sarge's between 36th and 37th on 3rd Avenue is a lot cheaper and is pretty good too. Sarge's also has a regular diner-style menu, though I don't particularly like to eat there; I usually get take-out.

nytraveler

If you want to cook/eat in a hotel suite in NYC the delis is your friend. Midtown, since it is primarily a business district, is very short on supermarkets. And those anywehre in Manhattan are much smaller and more expensive than you would find most plaes - due to the very high cost of real estate among other things.

(When I worked in Jersey I would do a major shopping every 2 or 3 weeks for all of the stapls, paper products, household and not real food stucff - cereals, water, soda, OJ etc - and would generally save at least $100 over what I would have paid in out loca D'Agostinos.)

lcuy

I think first timers to NYC are always pretty shocked at the size and furnishings of hotel rooms. Unless money is truly no object, be happy if you can get a clean, quiet room in a decent neighborhood. Be thrilled if you get a view, a stylish room , and a shower big enough to spread your arms!

nytraveler

I think most moderately priced NYC hotel rooms are a reasonable size, clean and have all the basic amenities. The problem is the definition of "moderate". People need to realize that property costs, real estate taxes and salaries in NYC are higher than elsewhere - and hotel prices will be nothing like the chain motel out by the interstate.

IMHO hotel prices in NYC are no more than in Paris or Rome and probably less for an equivalent property than London - just don;t expect them to be anything like a small city or town. I think people who are surprised or disappointed are looking at $ rather than equivalent properties.

5alive

I asked a question about a photo not because I thought it was ugly or dated, but because I wondered if it were unsafe. Doug has kindly taken the time to answer my question, but we have decided we like the other hotel more.

Wish there was a messaging feature on this board and most of this thread would never have happened. I apologize to the original poster, and apologize for questioning a favorite rec.