goddesstogo

Both are within our price range and get good reviews. Chandler has more of the amenities we want but I'm not that familiar with the neighbourhood. It's at Madison and 31st.

Cassa is in a more familiar neighbourhood -- 45th between 5th and 6th. A little too close to Times Square for my liking but I like the sound of the hotel.

We walk a lot, take few cabs. Is the Chandler in a decent neighbourhood?

Thanks

mclaurie

Go with the Cassa. Much nicer hotel. Look at the travelers photos of the Chandler on tripadvisor.

goddesstogo

Hi mclaurie.
I did look at the travelers photos earlier and just did it again. The Cassa doesn't fare that well -- pics of bugs and stains. I didn't notice those before. Both look similar in decor (mid-range, not glam). It's really just the area I'm talking about but I'm beginning to lean towards the Chandler now.

doug_stallings

The area around 31st and Madison is not much to look at but reasonably convenient, though very sleepy at night, but there are a lot of restaurant choices along Park Avenue between 14th to about 28th and a fair number around. You're reasonably convenient to transit, being within easy walking distance of subways along both Lexington and 6th/7th Aves since Penn Station is nearby.

The Cassa is more in the thick of the touristy area of the city and more convenient to transit (a block instead of several blocks). It doesn't feel even remotely like Times Square in that block, which is significantly quieter. The one thing you have to remember about New York is that a block is an eternity ... a completely different neighborhood in fact. The block between 6th and 7th is busy at night. But that block is also exceedingly quiet at night when the offices close up, and Times Square foot traffic is not a problem. And you're near Bryant Park, which is always nice. But there are fewer interesting restaurants nearby unless you like Havana Central, which is loud and crazy but can be fun (and has decent food).

Still I have to agree with mclaurie that the Cassa is a much nicer, more modern hotel. If given the choice, that would be my pick if it's just between these two. I'm not getting why people on Tripadvisor have so many problems with the Cassa, but if you look at aggregated ratings (which are all that really matter on Tripadvisor, it rates far higher than the Chandler.

goddesstogo

Thanks so much, Doug, and you too, mclaurie. If I remember correctly (and I'll take another look) the reviews for both on TA are good but there are some problematic travelers photos for the Cassa.

Still thinking on it but your two votes for the Cassa are valuable.

goddesstogo

Well, after all that, we've ended up at the Omni Berkshire Place on E. 52nd.

Thanks for all your help, though. I'll save the Cassa for another visit.

mclaurie

Omni is terrific.

goddesstogo

That's great to know. Thanks, mcl.

mclaurie

Btw, just for others reading, I went back to Tripadvisor and looked at something like 10 pages of reviews for the Cassa. There was one photo of a bug and one photo of a stain on a duvet. Otherwise most of the reviews were out and out raves with words like excellent, great and new favorite.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html
The only thing wrong with the Cassa imo is the standard sized rooms are small with only a double bed. But queen bed or aove are great.

The Omni si one of the last grand dames left in NYC and will make for a very nice stay.

goddesstogo

Just to clarify, the photos were not why we didn't choose the Cassa. I was logging in to book it but the price had gone up over the Omni's price. If I'd gotten around to booking a day earlier, it would have been the Cassa. Still, as it turns out, I'm pretty happy with the Omni.