I am planning a romantic weekend getaway to NYC in mid-May. I am looking for a nice hotel near Theatre District/Times Square. I am planning to get tickets for the Saturday evening show of Grey Gardens and would like to have a romantic dinner before the show. Any recommendations? I am trying to keep hotel under $400/night. Suggestions?

Thanks!!

I would hesitate to do a romantic dinner before a show - since you have to eat so early and don;t really have time to linger over dinner (to me a romantic dinner would be 8 or 9 pm to 11 - not 5:30 to 7).

But - if that's what you want - can you give us a budget and favored cuisines?

As for a hotel - again I wouldn't consider Times Square romantic. If you search below there are dozens of recos on Times Square hotels.

I gotta agree,Times Square is far from being romantic.
But to each his own.

I think he asked for one near the the Theater District/Times Square, so to me that would mean within walking distance but not in the square?
Do you want to be able to walk or is a cab ride ok?
if the latter, there are other hotels I would recommend too - but

The Michelangelo is a nice hotel near the Theater District - I don't know if you can get a room for 400 in Mid May, winter rates can start at 250 or even lower with specials, but by spring things spike -esp around Mothers Day wknd, but you could check their web site for specials.

I agree that it's tough to have a romantic dinner and make it to a show unless you want to eat very early.

Are you only going to be in NYC one night? If you are going to a show then staying near Times Square is fine. Just find a hotel that is on a quieter side street.

As far as a romantic dinner, many people on this forum suggest River Cafe which is actually in Brooklyn. The food is fine but the view of the city is what makes it memorable. Maybe you could have your romantic dinner another night and walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge after your dinner.

If you are only in the city for one night and ahve to eat prior to theater, look at the pre theater menu at Remi - we've enjoyed nice meals there pre theater, but you have to plan your day so you are ready to eat at 5:30 andl leave there at 7:30

"Times Square is far from being romantic."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Twinkle in the Sky was thinking of setting up a card table and eating in the middle of Times Square itself. Why could the inside of a restaurant within the theatre district NOT be romantic? By the same token I suppose one couldn't "get romantic" in the honeymoon suite at a hotel in the theatre district either?

You want romantic? How about the Rainbow Room or Rainbow Grill? Not cheap but it will match your name.

Personal choice, but I'm another one who doesn't think a rushed meal before a show is the most romantic -- how about a nice fairly late lunch and then a really nice relaxed romantic meal AFTER the theatre.

You don't mention budget for either the hotel or the meal. The Sofitel is a very nice hotel near but not in Times Square that gets great reviews on tripadvisor. Their restaurant Triomphe also gets nice reviews on menupages.com The Firebird is a lovely restaurant in a townhouse on restaurant row that would also be nice. I also agree the Michelangelo is a lovely hotel. Make sure to check prices on quikbook.com as well as the hotels' own websites. The Library would be another nice hotel not as close to the theaters, but not that far. Also agree the Rainbow Grill is lovely with views.

Sorry, you did mention hotel price. Don't know if these will work at that time but you can have a look. Travelzoo.com usually has some nice specials. The Shoreham is currently there and might be nice in one of their larger rooms.

Depending on what you consider "romantic" here is one idea.

The Marquis Marriott's upper floor revolving restaurant "The View" which has a fixed price menu of about $70 per person.

Last time I ate there the service was very good and the views are wonderful; food wasn't bad, either. However,the room itself, however, is not in any way "intimate" IMO.

For many this would not be ideal in any way shape or form.

I actually believe there are several romantic hotels near Times Square. The Casablanca is right off Broadway but it's a charming small hotel. And there are many hotels on 44th Street that would fit the bill: The Algonquin, the Iroquois, the Sofitel (though it's a bit corporate for my tastes).

As far as dining before a show, I actually agree that you'd be better off getting a late reservation (10:30 pm, say) and having a late dinner at Le Bernardin, one of New York's most wonderful restaurants. Or go to the more intimate Asiate at the top of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Columbus Circle. My idea of a romantic dinner isn't a meal in a very touristy, revolvoing restaurant on top of a Times Square Hotel.

I guess a meal on the Eiffel Tower at Jules Verne wouldn't seem very romantic to many also -- since it is obviously a very toursity spot -- the most touristy spot in Paris, in fact. But it might be romantic to others. In fact it's often mentioned as the most romantic restaurant in Paris -- so go figure.

So sitting in a restaurant above an expensive hotel could be romantic (Asiate), but sitting in a restaurant above another hotel would not? Aren't both hotels mainly tourists? Or is it the "quality" of the tourists there that make the difference? The view of Columbus Circle might be considered romantic, but a view of Times Square would not? Sitting and looking at one stationary view might be romantic, but revolving and seeing a 360 degree unobstructed view would not be romantic?

Just trying to see the difference (and no I'm not talking about the food quality here -- just the atmosphere).
I'm not defending the restaurant on the Marquis, but I sure understand how a couple sitting revolving by the spectacular lights of a city they don't live in while having cocktails or dinner would be deemed romantic.

I've never been there, but have heard that Firebird in the Theatre District is a beautiful, romantic restaurant. I agree with others that I would book for after the show.

Thanks to mclaurie (I have not forgotten how wonderful all of her advice was on our last two trips), I checked travelzoo before our last trip to NYC last summer and got a great deal ($189) at the Muse, a Klimpton hotel on 46th St. one block off of Times Square. Wonderful location; we met for drinks at the Mariott Marquis View bar and walked to all 3 of our shows. Liked the hotel very much, esp. for that price, and loved the location. I've also stayed at Michaelangelo and loved it (much more oppulent room and bathrooms than the Muse), but it is a further walk, and I liked being closer to the theater when the shows were out. We had a much shorter walk to Muse.

Thanks for all the responses. NYC is obviously a place that inspires passionate opinions from Fodorites.

Based on your recommendations, I am leaning toward the Michelangelo. The hotel looks fabulous and the rates are low for the caliber of property. The other hotel I am considering is the W. Does anyone have experience with the W?

I have ditched the idea of a pre-theater meal. I haven't narrowed down the restaurant yet. The Fire Bird got poor reviews from Zagat, so I have ruled them out. Keep the recommendations coming!

Thanks for all your help.

There are several W hotels in NYC. Assuming you mean the one in Times Square, it's a good hotel but rooms are small. It's more trendy than romantic though.

For your meal, are you now going after the show or on another night?

I am leaning towards a matinee on Sunday with dinner to follow.