Hotel Beacon vs Roosevelt Hotel?
 

Hi,<BR><BR>We have reservations for the Roosevelt Hotel in August - 2 adults, 2 kids. We found a good rate at the Roosevelt and reserved a room because we liked the location so much (want to be near Times Square but not too near). I keep thinking about the Hotel Beacon though because I can get a 1BR suite with kitchenette for $195. We probably won't spend much time in the room though still worried we'll be too far from everything. <BR><BR>Our plans include, day 1: downtown/Ellis Island, Brooklyn; day 2: near East side/Times Square, museum of Natural History and theater at night; day 3: open (will probably tour Chinatown, Soho, etc.) till Yankee game at 4:00; final day, Central Park area. <BR><BR>How quick is it to get to the Times Square area via subway? I know I'd love the Beacon but am worried we'll be too far from things near Times Square. Also, we plan to make use of the subway OFTEN. Thanks!

From what I can tell of your itinerary, the location of the Beacon is ideal. From the Hotel Beacon to Times Square/theater district is a 5-10 minute subway ride on a single line (no switching trains necessary). It is about a 5 minute walk to the Museum of Natural History and Central Park. It is in an upscale but very family oriented neighborhood rather than the hustle and bustle of Times Square and might be a nice place "to come home to" after a hectic day touring.

From Beacon to Times Square once on a train is about 4 minutes on the express (1 stop) and about 6 minutes on the local (3 stops). You can walk to Natural History from the Beacon in about 10 minutes.

In March, we spent a long weekend at the Roosevelt. The location was great, close to both the subway and cabs, and felt safe coming back at night. <BR><BR>Our room was incredibly LARGE by NYC standards, only a few doors off the elevator. The desk clerk said the hotel was recently renovated and on some floors, two tiny rooms were joined together. This was the sixth foor ~ our teens MIGHT be able to remember the exact room number if you're interested.

Beacon to the following places<BR>From the Beacon to <BR>Times Square - about 4 minutes on the express, 7 minutes on the local <BR>Yankee Stadium - once on a train about 25 minutes<BR>Natural History - a 10 minute walk<BR>Central Park - 10 minute walk<BR>There is a major market across the street to stock your refrigerator<BR>Ellis Island Ferry - less than 30. minutes by subway.<BR>Nothing happening in area of Roosevelt in the evening. Beacon is in a reidential area and there are always plenty of people about day and night.<BR>

Not commenting on the quality of the hotels, but the midtown location offers great proximity to all of the typical tourist "stuff". You're directly on Madison Avenue and across from Grand Central, a short walk to 5th Avenue, Rockerfeller Center, Empire State Building, theater district, Times Square, U.N., etc., etc. Nice to be able to drop by the hotel during the day and leave souvenirs or just freshen up. Unless you intend to spend the entire day out, from morning till late night, getting back and forth to the Beacon will be a hassle particularly during the August heat, those subway platforms are murder. You can get all of the prepared gourmet foods right at the food mart in Grand Central, and there is even a Ferrara's pastry shop in the Roosevelt Hotel. <BR><BR>The Upper Westside is a great residential neighborhood, but as a tourist who is planning on doing all of the touristy stuff, midtown is the place to be. Enjoy.

Times Square - a wash from either hotel. Advantage of Roosevelt - you can walk unless the kids are young and balk at walking too much<BR>5th AVE - Roosevelt hands down<BR>Natural History - Beacon wins<BR>Ellis Island - maybe 5 minutres less from Roosevelt by subway<BR>Yankee Stadium five or so minutes less from Roosevelt<BR>Shopping for snacks - Beacon. Snacks at Gr. Central are for the most part are overpriced. Ex: A large LInzer tart at Fairway (across from Beacon) -$1.19&gt; same size tart at Zaros in GR. Central - $2.75. JUst an example of their overpricing