koi

I am deciding between the Casablanca, The new Blakely and the Michaelangelo. Any opinions??

GoTravel

I highly recommend the Michelangelo but I have not stayed at the other two on your list.

Patrick

I'll repeat exactly what GoTravel said.

Rob

The Michelangelo

mclaurie

The Blakely is about 10 blocks north of TS so if you're looking to be closer, it doesn't fit the bill. I love that location though. Close enough to walk to and from the theater without being in the theater district. I thinked you've picked 3 winners. Just depends on your plans, when you're going etc.

circa2

I really wanted to stay at the Casablanca, but it wasn't available for my dates....if you decide to stay there...please post a review...

Vera

That 10 blocks from Blakely to Times Square are short ones. I walked several times from the Wellington (across the street)to the theaters. It is kind of best of both worlds because it is also a few short blocks to Central Park.
Vera

lindafromNJ

We have stayed at the Michangelo several times and really liked it. Last time we were in New York we stayed at a newer hotel called the Sofitel. we got a Junior suite at a good rate. It is a really nice hotl. We liked it better than the Michaelangelo. It is on 44 tne 6th. Close to everything.

elle

Of the three, the only one I've stayed at is the Casablanca. We didn't expect to love it--we just needed something reasonable and convenient in Midtown--but we ended up being very smitten by the place and will probably stay there again. It is truly an oasis of calm in the middle of one of the city's most hectic quarters. The decor was charming, everything was clean, staff was very accomodating and friendly.

HappyCheesehead

I have been following this thread with interest - going to NY in Oct, the 3 hotels you mention, Koi, and the Sofitel are the hotels I am also trying to decide between. They all seem nice, for different reasons. I am traveling with my Mom this time, instead of my husband, can anyone tell me if they they think it would make any of these hotels more unsuitable? ie: a mom and daughter would not find the rooms or hotel as comfortable, being that we are not interested in "romance"? Maybe I should have started another thread, hope you don't mind this question being added to yours Koi!

circa2

Thanks elle....that answers my question....

elle

Happy Cheesehead (love the name, btw)--maybe it would help if you told us a bit more about what you are looking for or gave us examples of other hotels you liked or disliked.

The reason I'm asking is that there's a world a difference between a hotel like the Casablanca and one like the Sofitel. The Casablanca is a little quirky and more like the two- or three- star family-run hotels you'd find in Europe. I haven't stayed in the NY Sofitel, but I've been in other Sofitels and like them very much--although I find them to be much more polished and corporate than something like the Casablanca.

I suspect you'd have more personal space for each of you at the Sofitel. The Casablanca used to have a web site that showed pictures of its rooms. If you do a web search, you may be able to see if you think the rooms will work for your situation or not.

Marilyn

We stayed at the Casablanca for about 10 days in May. Although the rooms are "New York Small," I have nothing but good things to say about it. Where I think it really excels is in service to the guest who is not particularly familiar with New York.

The desk personnel will help you in any way they can. For example, the friend we were joining there would call the desk from her cell phone while she was out and about Manhattan, and ask for the location of a store or for them to phone ahead to a restaurant for a reservation. They never let her down.

We also found their lounge, open 24/7 with self-serve coffee, tea, and snacks, very convenient. Daily happy hours with champagne, wine, cheese, etc were a terrific place to entertain our NY friends, and we were encouraged to do so by the manager, Joe, who is a great guy. (There's also an internet computer in the lounge.)

I even took advantage of the complimentary gym passes twice and worked out a large, fully-equipped sports gym a few blocks away.

If you want to know anything else, you can email me directly. Have a great trip!

HappyCheesehead

I posted a reponse to this thread, and it did not go through, so I rewrote and posted it again, still did not go through. However, when I went to reply (again) and looked at the bottom of the post both my previous replies are there, but they don't show up on the mail thread, just when I choose reply! How weird is that?

HappyCheesehead

This might show up as a duplicate somewhere down the line, but am trying one more time..........

Wonderful info on the Casablanca!

I personally love small hotels and the FREE coffee, ANYTIME I want it totally appeals to my frugal midwest sensibilities - free brekky, free cookies, free CHEESE!!!

I was leaning to the Michaelangelo tho, as we can get a 450 to 475 sq ft, 2 queen bed room ($1530 4 nights), and it just seemed like it would be more opulent and elegant.

The descriptions of the Casablanca are really swaying me now. I love the small european style hotels and they are always what I choose in Europe. I do not care for the big chains at all (ok once we stayed at the Marriott in Prague, but it was free on points)but I was a bit worried that the Casablanca would be filled with lovey-dovey couples (not that theres anything wrong with that, LOL) and the rooms might be too plain small. We can get a king deluxe there for $1320 for 4 nights. How small is small, really? I suppose I should just call the Casablanca and ask.

My mom is fairly easy to please, but I am hoping for something that will make her dream trip to NYC really special and fun and different. And it has to be really clean.

Marilyn

We had a queen bed in a king size room (that's what they called it), and paid extra for the larger space. Even so, it was quite a small room. The regular size rooms must be really tiny.

The room was certainly clean, with a good-sized closet and bathroom, but nothing opulent. I get the impression that the Michaelangelo is a better choice if you are looking for opulence.

It was certainly not filled with couples when we were there -- rather, the usual mix one would find at a small urban hotel. Rather less business travelers, I'd say, than a Sheraton or Marriott.

At these prices, what's a little free coffee and cheese and even champagne?

HappyCheesehead

LOL, Marilyn - "free" is not exactly true, is it? Still, I am quite the little coffee swill, so I am thrilled to have it available.

In the mail today I received the Casablanca brochure that I had requested, and I called them. I spoke to Scott this evening and he could not have been nicer! He found a room with two double beds in it for mom and I, and advised it will be a comfortable size room for us. I read thru Trip Advisor and the reviews there were quite favorable, although there were a couple of stories of over-booking. I will have to make sure I call and confirm.

Thanks, Elle & Marilyn for sharing your thoughts.

Koi - have you made up your mind which hotel you will try?