Hotel Beacon New York
Jun 10th, 2001 | 04:36 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
We actually just got back from there! Loved it.
First, the hotel. The lobby is nothing to write home about, but don't let that put you off. Our room was above average (quality wise) for NY, and the size was excellent (we had a 2 BR/2 BA suite). The carpet wasn't really bad, but could have used an upgrade. The bathrooms were refurbished in marble, and were very nice, if a little small. The kitchenette and fridge were a great asset. We only ate breakfast out one day out of four, and could have had more meals in the room, but hey, it's NY and we cook at home every day!! One thing to take into account if you drive, as we did this time, is the parking fee. The Hotel does not have a garage, and the going rate appeared to be about $30 a day. I did not use the garage the front desk recommended, as they only took cash. I paid a couple bucks more a day but could put it on plastic. (The garage was on 76th just off B'way...very nice facility, and nice people!)
The 2 greatest assets to the Beacon in our minds, were the proximity to the subway, and the neighborhood. The subway is 2 blocks away (72nd St station), and is both a local and an express stop. The nice thing about that is that you can go slow and hit all the stops when going to, say 50th street in Midtown, or you can go fast and ZIP right to Times Square, which is the first express stop, or straight downtown. Once you know the local and express stations, you can be anywhere in town in minutes. We bought an unlimited Metro card and did not take a cab anywhere for the 4 1/2 days we were in Manhattan.
We have always stayed in Midtown before. After staying in the upper West Side this time, we will never do that again. The neighborhood around the Beacon is great. There are more restaurants than you could ever visit. Our favorites were the Manhattan Diner (2 blocks up B'way...HUGE portions, reasonable prices), and Gabreilla's (around the corner on Amsterdam). Also nice was Sara Beth's (a little pricey), and Ruby Foos. But as I said, there are more restaurants within walking distance than you could visit in a month. Another GREAT asset is the Fairway Market right across the street.
Also, check into shows at the Beacon Theater right next door. They have great music shows there all the time. (Kenny Wayne Shepherd (sp?) and Double Trouble were there last Tues. night, for example)
To summarize, when (not if) we go back to NY, we will almost assuredly, stay at the Beacon. The access to transportation and the surrounding neighborhood make this a great alternative to the normal/overpriced/tacky "tourist" haunts in midtown.
First, the hotel. The lobby is nothing to write home about, but don't let that put you off. Our room was above average (quality wise) for NY, and the size was excellent (we had a 2 BR/2 BA suite). The carpet wasn't really bad, but could have used an upgrade. The bathrooms were refurbished in marble, and were very nice, if a little small. The kitchenette and fridge were a great asset. We only ate breakfast out one day out of four, and could have had more meals in the room, but hey, it's NY and we cook at home every day!! One thing to take into account if you drive, as we did this time, is the parking fee. The Hotel does not have a garage, and the going rate appeared to be about $30 a day. I did not use the garage the front desk recommended, as they only took cash. I paid a couple bucks more a day but could put it on plastic. (The garage was on 76th just off B'way...very nice facility, and nice people!)
The 2 greatest assets to the Beacon in our minds, were the proximity to the subway, and the neighborhood. The subway is 2 blocks away (72nd St station), and is both a local and an express stop. The nice thing about that is that you can go slow and hit all the stops when going to, say 50th street in Midtown, or you can go fast and ZIP right to Times Square, which is the first express stop, or straight downtown. Once you know the local and express stations, you can be anywhere in town in minutes. We bought an unlimited Metro card and did not take a cab anywhere for the 4 1/2 days we were in Manhattan.
We have always stayed in Midtown before. After staying in the upper West Side this time, we will never do that again. The neighborhood around the Beacon is great. There are more restaurants than you could ever visit. Our favorites were the Manhattan Diner (2 blocks up B'way...HUGE portions, reasonable prices), and Gabreilla's (around the corner on Amsterdam). Also nice was Sara Beth's (a little pricey), and Ruby Foos. But as I said, there are more restaurants within walking distance than you could visit in a month. Another GREAT asset is the Fairway Market right across the street.
Also, check into shows at the Beacon Theater right next door. They have great music shows there all the time. (Kenny Wayne Shepherd (sp?) and Double Trouble were there last Tues. night, for example)
To summarize, when (not if) we go back to NY, we will almost assuredly, stay at the Beacon. The access to transportation and the surrounding neighborhood make this a great alternative to the normal/overpriced/tacky "tourist" haunts in midtown.
Aug 10th, 2001 | 08:48 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
I live in the area and it (the upper west side) is FILLED with restaurants and stores. You will be right next door to The Beacon Theater (mostly rock concerts) and there is/was(? sorry, I'm not the clubbing sort) a club called
China Club in the building.
Every kind and price range of restaurant and bar (espcially 'college' and yuppie-type bar) is only a couple of blocka away on the next two parallel avenues, Amsterdam and Columbus, mostly in the high 70's and 80s streets.
If you're more spcific as to what kind of restaurants, you'll get more suggestions.
As for breafast, there are a couple of coffee shops (what New Yorkers call diners, not Starbuck's ) withing a couple of blocks, but if you can do with great muffins, sandwiches, fresh squeezed o.j. etc you should definitely buy stuff at the huge bargain gourmet Fairway Market across the street (that others have mentioned
China Club in the building.
Every kind and price range of restaurant and bar (espcially 'college' and yuppie-type bar) is only a couple of blocka away on the next two parallel avenues, Amsterdam and Columbus, mostly in the high 70's and 80s streets.
If you're more spcific as to what kind of restaurants, you'll get more suggestions.
As for breafast, there are a couple of coffee shops (what New Yorkers call diners, not Starbuck's ) withing a couple of blocks, but if you can do with great muffins, sandwiches, fresh squeezed o.j. etc you should definitely buy stuff at the huge bargain gourmet Fairway Market across the street (that others have mentioned
