Hotel Advice - Times Square vs Midtown East
 

Planning a trip to New York in April. We are looking to do all the typical tourist attractions( first time visit). We are looking at staying at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan or at the Grand Hyatt or possibly the Waldorf=Astoria. Rates I am finding are appoximately the same. (Crowne Plaza $224, Grand Hyatt $224 and includes breakfast, Waldorf $234) I need advice on if it is better to be right in Times Square or if we would be better off in the Midtown East area. Any advice would be Great!!! Also advise on the Hotels I listed above!

The Waldorf is so New York! Stay there. Great location on Park Avenue, a short walk to Rockefeller Center, St. Pat's and Saks!! Just a word of caution- the room may be smaller than at the other hotels. Have you considered the Hemsley Hotel on Central Park South?

Definitely much better to stay away from Times Square. I suppose for tourists it's OK to visit TS but you definitely don't want to stay there. It's not nice at all. <BR><BR>You'll have a more typical "New York" experience in Midtown East and you'll still be within walking distance of all the tourist sites. <BR><BR>Enjoy NY. It's wonderful.

I stayed at the Waldorf, the Sheraton, and the New York Hilton. I thought the Waldorf was beautiful and if you are a Hilton Honors member you can ask if they can upgrade you to the concierge level (which they happily did for me at a rate of 225 a night)which gives you access to morning, afternoon and evening complimentary food/snacks. I did not like the location though! It was a very quite area, seeming to be far from everything except th Grand Central terminal. Times square is to noisy and hectic. I can't make a statement about the Crowne Plaza as I am unfamilar with the location of that hotel. I thought the best location was the Sheraton New York Towers. Close to everything.

Given the three choices and prices, I'd go with the Waldorf-Astoria. We just stayed there for a couple nights over New Year's, and it's still one of the grande dames of hotels!<BR>I'll disagree with the previous poster about its location. You're a mere two blocks from Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center (actually closer than Grand Central Station) and not that much farther from other popular sites.<BR>Just bear in mind that its restaurants are expensive, so you'll probably want to go out for breakfast! No problem, as there are plenty of nearby places to choose from!

Well, I suppose it depends. <BR><BR>I won't dispute most of what previous posters say, but if you' want to be in a good location that's near the theaters and restaurants, the Crowne Plaza is a good spot. From there (especially in April) you can walk to Rockefeller Center and the Central Park area. <BR><BR>And I kind of like the Times Square area, but I guess that's a matter of personal preference. You'll probably do OK with whatever choice you make.

My personal preference would be for the Waldorf. I have stayed there before and it is true that the rooms are small. But the lobby is grand and it is really a 4* hotel.<BR><BR>While Times Square is fun to visit, it is WAAAAAAAY crowded (as in, hard to walk down the street) and most of the restaurants in and around Times Square are ripoffs.<BR><BR>From the Waldorf, you can walk or subway to everything you want to see, including Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's, Times Square, theatre district, Fifth and Madison Aves shopping, museums, etc.

If the Grand Hyatt includes a "full" breakfast, that's worth about $25 per person. If you enjoy having a leisurely breakfast at the hotel restaurant, than go with the Hyatt. If you don't mind a quick breakfast at a local deli or diner, than the Waldorf will give you a better overall experience. Keep in mind that the Waldorf, being an old hotel, probably has smaller rooms and when you pay the minimum rate, don't expect much unless you are luck enough to get an upgrade.<BR><BR>As everyone else has indicated, midtown east is a better choice than Times Square.

What are you looking for?<BR>Crowds, day and night, illuminated signs day and night, lots of glitz in the area - Crowne Plaza<BR>Sedate laid back atmosphere, especially at night - Waldorf<BR>Somewhere in between - Hyatt

How much theatre are you seeing? When I'm in New York I always see a play every night I'm there, and two on Wednesdays and Saturdays. As a result it makes a lot more sense to stay near Times Square and the theatres (unless the shows I'm seeing happen to be away from the central theatre district). On the other hand if you're there for 5 or 6 days and only seeing one or two shows, then by all means feel free to choose a place a little more away from the hectic Times Square if you would prefer a little more peace and quiet (relatively speaking). Of course, I have plenty of peace and quiet at home, so I really like all the activity of Times Square area anyway.

The Waldorf ranks tops as part of New York's history, and I would feel more confident about reasonable rates and quality there than at that other NY hotel icon, the Plaza. I am with those who agree that Times Sq is obnoxiously noisy, and all you see there are thousands of other tourists; also I would like to get out of that restaurant scene if I was a visitor to NY. Have you considered the Westin Essex House on Central Park South? Very reasonable internet rates. I have heard reports of bad quality at the Grand Hyatt, and just don't like the location on top of Grand Central (though would recommend the food court there for quick lunches, esp. if you are travelling with kids). The only thing about the Waldorf area is that it is filled with "expense account" restaurants, which might be fine with you, but I would find it more relaxing to dine in a residential, rather than a business, neighbourhood. If you should want to be really close to Broadway theaters, there is a new W Hotel which is just opening now, and I bet they need to drop rates to fill rooms. Think it is around W46th St.

I wouldn't be persuaded by the so-called "ripoff" restaurants near Times Sq. and the theater district. Fact is, from Little Italy to Times Sq. all the way up to Central Park, ripoff joints abound. For evidence, try the pastrami sandwich at Lindy's -- shoe leather will seem more appealing.<BR><BR>There are plenty of good restaurants in the theater district -- Becco is one. You just have to choose carefully. But don't think you're less likely to get ripped off just because you eat above 50th St.

decent variety of reasonable (non-ripoff) restaurants can be found west of 8th av in the theater district. Also some good, inexpensive brazilian places in the mid-40s. Many of the 'chain', or big-name restaurants are the ripoffs.

I like staying in Midtown east just to be closer to Grand Central. From there, you can get ANYWHERE...

If you stay at the Waldorf and are not pleased with your room, do not hesitate to speak up and insist on being moved. I stayed there for a month and started out in a very nice, large room (complete with fake fireplace) and then had to be moved because of chemical fumes on that floor. They showed me a room which barely fit the king sized bed and was totally unacceptable, then a double which had filthy curtains (the smell was horrendous), and finally a corner room with double bed that was at least clean. None were as large as my original room and the front desk clerk didn't seem to have any idea which rooms were better than the others - she claimed they were all "deluxe" and should have been the same. I saw many room at the Roosevelt Hotel that were much nicer than the ones I rejected at the Waldorf!<BR><BR>If you have a Hilton Honors card, they will upgrade you - even to the Towers if available.

By the way, those rates seem a little high - are you using a reservation website or getting the rates from the hotels themselves?

We did our first trip to NYC during Christmas week and stayed at the Inter-continental on 48th @ Park (right across from the WA). It was a great hotel and location to stay. Very central to the subway, NBC, UN, Rockefeller, etc...all the 1st time tourist things (we did them too!). Plus easy drop your shopping packages off thoroughout the day. We walked everywhere. Having said that we're going back in Feb. and this time my husband wants to try staying in Times Square. We'll see shows both visits. All I can say is look at the vacation days you have left and start planning your next trip! We hadn't even left NY and we knew we had to go back...that place is amazing!! Have fun =)