I am surprising my husband with a trip to the Big Apple to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve this year. I have reservations at two hotels and need to cancel one soon. Can anyone tell me which of these is better in terms of being in the mix of the action: Marriott Marquis or Hilton Times Square. We have stayed at the Marriott Marquis several times but I can't picture where the Hilton is. Their nightly prices is comparable so that won't be a factor in the choice. I just really want to be closest to the fun!! Thanks!!!

Are the rooms you reserved guaranteed "view" rooms - that is you can see the ball drop. If not - they will give you any room in the hotel and you may see nothing. (I'm not even sure the Hilton has 'view" rooms.)

And - if you're planning on being out on the street being a hotel guest is no help - you have to line up early and stand the whole time along with everyone else (some of the hotels are allowed only to use side entrances during the event since the sidewalk out front is filled up early.) They even shut subway enrances for the evening.

I would talk to the front desk at each hotel directly to find out exactly what you're getting and to understand the restrictions/closings around New Years Eve. You don't want to get there and find out you can see it only on TV.

The Marriott Marquis is the best of the two.

You might even get a room with a view of the ball drop.

You do know that watching the ball drop in the chaos of Times Square is miserable right?

You are stuck in one place for at least 8 hours, you can't leave and return, no place to use the bathroom, a lot of brown baggers, etc.

I'd find out how much tickets are for The Broadway Bar at The Marriott Marquis also. Depending on your age and stamina, it may be a much better option.

GoTravel's last paragraph is definitely the best suggestion.

We were staying at the Marquis one year and left to fly home on New Year's Eve day. As we left they were literally putting plywood over all windows of the shops and other areas of the ground floor of the Marquis -- presumably to prevent the masses from being pushed through the glass. That was enough to tell me I didn't want to be a part of that madness. But I suppose the idea of the Broadway Bar isn't bad. At least you'd have access to a bathroom in your hotel room if you were on the street and staying at the Marquis, but I suppose it would take an hour or more to get to your room and back even with the proper ID they must issue for that night.

Bathroom hell, I'd be unhappy without access to a bar

Dear NYTraveler, GoTravel and Patrick: Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions.

We are from the midwest and, as hokey as this sounds, every year when we watch "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve" we always look at each other and say, "We've GOT to be there one year." I understand it will probably be a miserable evening with crazy crowds, tight security, etc., but it's just one of those things we've both wanted to experience for a long time. Probably when it's over we will say, "Well, that was an ordeal BUT aren't we glad we can say we've done it!!" And, MAYBE, it will be a really, really wonderful experience after all!

At any rate, I have chosen the Marriott Marquis. A room with a view isn't really a requirement on this trip as, like I said earlier, we want to be down among the crowds. I did call the hotel today to get the lowdown on getting security passes for entering and exiting the hotel. AND, I am trying to make dinner reservations at either The View or the Broadway Lounge (a GREAT suggestion I might add). At least if we eat IN the hotel that will eliminate some of the traveling through Times Square headache.

Thanks again!!!!

If you mean eating dinner in the hotel - once you're done they won;t let you out the front into the crowd. You'll have to go out the back and circle around and join the crowd from the back - so you may be too far away to see anything (as people start gathering around 3 in the afternoon).