I need a hotel on the upper west side in NYC. (I hated the ridiculously small rooms at the Paramount!) I want to decide between Hotel Excelsior, Hotel Lucerne or On The Ave. Which one? I think it's between the Lucerne or Excelsior? Which?
Thank you!!!

Hi tanzer...suggest you start another post mentioning New York City , otherwise you may not get many replies.I know because I did exactly the same thing and have since got a great deal of assistance ( funnily enough on Upper West side places largely ). Good luck!

I don't know how to help you decide other than to tell you what I know. The Excelsior's location is probably a bit nicer looking. It sits facing the museum of Natural History & the Planetarium. It's quite close to Central Park. I haven't been in the rooms nor have I been in the hotel in many years but people seem to like it. There is a wonderfully written weekend trip report here done by a poster Neal Sanders (or Saunders-sorry Neal). You should read it if you haven't already.

The Lucerne is a short few blocks away but a bit further west. The building is a bit unusual looking from the outside I belive it was an apt building at one point. The lobby has been done in lots of marble. I stayed there once a few years ago (maybe 2). The room was very nice & the bathroom was new, fresh & marble. My room was quite small & the window only looked onto an interior courtyard so it was a bit dark, but I've read there are a few small rooms on each floor but the rest are a decent size. Since I was only there overnight I didn't mind. The bed was comfy, the Tv worked, nice furniture etc. & I paid not very much (I think I did hotels.com)

A third option is the Beacon which I think has kitchenettes if that interests you. Have you read reviews of these on tripadvisor & here?

Here is the link to Neal Sanders' report (not easy to find I might add)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34472050

Remember he stayed in a jr suite. I'll also mention as I was searching for this thread I found a mention of a terrific view at the Lucerne on a higher floor, a mention of very nice/good but EXPENSIVE breakfast at the Excelsior (not included w/room) & a number of positive cmments about the Lucerne. I'd say flip a coin.

I liked the Lucerne very much when I stayed there. Funny, but I don't consider the exterior to be odd -- it's fieldstone which is perhaps unusual for NY, I don't know. We have some buildings like it in FL.

My room was not REALLY small, especially by NY standards. I had an exterior with a great view. I had a room with two double beds, which I hear is an oddity in NY. And I had a great view looking east. And I ordered from their restaurant (dinner room service) and it was excellent.

I've not tried either of the other two hotels.

I agree that it seems a toss up. TripADvisor has almost universally positivie reviews for both - and the few negatives seem to be from first timers to New York who have unrealistic expectations for the price range (no - you don;t get a true luxury hotel for this price - they cost at least twice as much!).

You may want to chose based on any special amenities they're willing to offer you.

Another hotel to consider is the Hotel Beacon on 75th Street. Good price and large, spotless rooms with a full kitchenette in every room. Check out http://www.beaconhotel.com/.