We are planning to go to NYC end of Dec with another couple. I was able to get a deluxe king room at the Grand Hyatt on Lexington Ave for $189 a night. Normal price is like $400+. Other couple says it is too far from everything. They want to stay closer to theatre district, probably at a much higher price. I personally don't care since we only plan to go to one show. Does anyone have an opinion on the location of this hotel? We are going for the shopping, nightlife, meet some other friends from nearby, etc

The Grand Hyatt a bad location?! Across the street from the Chrysler Bldg, next door to Grand Central Station? Get outta here.

Times Sq. is maybe a 10 minute walk, enough to put a little distance between one and the attractions (?) of the renewed square, The UN also about 10 minutes, if that, jeez.

I'm not too crazy about the Grand Hyatt, but my gripes (not life-threatening) have to do with service, not location.

It is so funny that people used to think of Times Square as scummyville. Even with the renovation, it is still surprising for people to say that the Hyatt is a bad location and tell you that you should stay only in the Times Sq./theatre area. The Hyatt is primo location. Also from your hotel, you can take a train/shuttle to Times Square without really leaving your hotel (it will be literally 5 minutes door to door).

Kevin, I use to stay in the vacinity of Broadway and hike to my NY office which is around the corner from the Grand Hyatt. Not any longer, I like staying at the Hyatt for the area as well as for the convenience. I have discovered new areas since I switched to the Lexington area. The Grand Central shops attached are interesting too.

It's a good location and if the 10 minute walk to the theatre district is too much you can take the Times Square Shuttle subway ride that departs from just next door to the hotel (and operates 24 hours a day). $189 is a great price for this hotel - I would definitely take it at this price.

Mind of I ask how you found such a great rate?

I wouldn't say the Grand Hyatt is a "bad" location - at least, not scary. But it isn't a very user friendly location. By that I mean that most of the restaurants within walking distance close on the weekend. In fact we could only find one restaurant open last Sunday night. The shuttle to 42nd is right under your hotel its true, but the walk to the correct platforms take almost as much time as the walk to 42nd Street. I found the walk across 42nd o.k. during the day, but at night you do have to negotiate a stretch that houses lots of "peep" shows and the accompanying clientele.

I hate to disagree with Owen because he knows all things NY and I follow his opinions religiously, BUT I just paid $165 for a room at the Grand Hyatt last week so I'm not sure that $189 is all that good for what you get. Three weeks ago we stayed at The Time hotel on 49th and Broadway for $149. Its a new small European style hotel with a very accommodating staff - great location for Theater District sights and dining. I booked with CRS, but it was also available through QuikBook. And by the way, no one ever pays those "normal" prices quoted by hotels so don't let the reservation staff manipulate you. I hope this helps.

I am fairly new to this site and here's my two cents....

1. You would be very lucky to stay in a nice hotel like the Grand Hyatt. It is in a nice area close to all

2. TC--apparently this site is dictated by how strongly you say things. You may disagree with things that Owen says like his $189 is a good rate but let advise like that the shuttle runs 24 hours (a fact that all new yorkers know is not true--it is one of the only lines only to run to midnight--you have to otherwise take the 7 train i.e. take a cab) go because he says it with conviction. My advise is not to follow anyone on this site religiously and double check before you go or you might find out the advice was 0 for 2 when it is too late!

I stand corrected on both counts - I was truly unaware that the TS Shuttle only ran until midnight and I was also unaware that rates below $200 per night were readily available at the Grand Hyatt. I would guess that at the time of year mentioned(late December) it is in fact a very good rate but individual research would surely prove that point. I also sincerely apologize for my misstatement on the Shuttle schedule. I rarely take the shuttle, almost always walking that stretch and the trains that I do take regularly are 24 hour trains. It has never been my intent to misinform anyone on this forum and I'll check the accuracy of such blanket statements much more carefully in the future. For the record - I am not a New Yorker per se, having only recently moved to that area and do not live in the city itself, but I traveled there regularly for business and pleasure prior to moving to the area. I do take pleasure in encouraging people to enjoy the wonders of NY but for expertise in all things NY I defer (as always) to Howard Ravis, who is sure to have the correct answer when others of us may only scratch our heads.

Whether the information was correct or incorrect, you can't dispute that Owen O'Neill is a gentleman.

Owen, you embarrass me! However, I do thanks you for your very kind words. I must correct you, though. Unlike some others, in fact, I try not come across as an expert "in all things NY." It's just that I love NYC and want others to love and enjoy it as much. Finally, Owen, I must confess that I didn't know that the shuttle stopped at midnight either!

Note to Ken, Howard and the other civilized folks reading and taking part in this post: it's friendly, non-combative and helpful discussions like these and folks like yourselves that keep me coming back to this forum and remain confident that the less pleasant exchanges seen elsewhere will continue to diminish. Howard... by the way... you have never represented yourself as an expert on NYC - it's just my humble opinion that you are - whether you admit it or not!

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Ken; Since you're new to this site, please be aware that your "two cents" came across as picky and negative. I'm sure you could have corrected any well meaning misinformation about the shuttle schedule without the added attempt at disrespect to Owen.

And by the way, while I'm "double checking the facts" (according to your advice)let me ask, what documentation do you have that EVERY New Yorker knows that the shuttle stops running at midnight? Have you personally polled each and every one? You could be guilty of making a somewhat broad and potentially misleading statement,wouldn't you say?

The point is -in the future if you have nothing constructive to add to a conversation its usually best to stay quiet.