We are invited to a birthday bash at The Rainbow Room and are looking for suggestions of nice hotels in the area, preferably within easy walking distance. Although price will be a consideration in making a decision, for the meantime I would appreciate ust leads. Will be traveling mid June. Thanks

>>Although price will be a consideration in making a decision, for the meantime I would appreciate ust leads.

Thanks janisj - I usually would so let us just say somewhere between a *** and ***** and I will chase down the prices and decide what I would like to pay after looking at places online. There seems to be plenty of mid town hotels in the 2-250 range that rate well but I could spend more for a special place - closeness to the restaurant is important and the opinion of fodorites who have stayed in that area is very important to me as well. You guys have never steered me wrong and I try to reciprocate.

More than $250, possibly much more depending on your exact dates, but I've stayed twice at the New York Palace and like it. I have a friend who works at Rockefeller Center and it was very convenient to meet him after work for drinks, etc. I also once stayed there with my mother for Christmas. Worth it to pay more for a room with a view of Saint Patrick's.

Specific dates may make a difference. And at this time of year $250 is a budget property - definitely not near a 4*.

And how far is too distant for you? 5 blocks? A half mile? Assume you want to avoid the madness of Times Square?

The Elysees is a charming european style boutique hotel not far away - but I doubt will fit your budget.

Friends and relatives have stayed at The Benjamin and liked it.

http://www.thebenjamin.com/?cid=G-15...Brand_Sitelink

Showing mid-to-high $200s for the mid-June weekend I plugged in. You're about three and a half blocks from the Rainbow Room.

I am torn between the Warwick and the Michaelangelo. Both have an excellent deal for my dates that are pretty much equal. DW has stayed at the Michaelangelo and very much liked it. The Warwick though is a place that has always attracted me, perhaps because I would pass it often during my NY days and it seemed like out of reach fruit.

Any opinion?

The Warwick is very traditional - is that what you are looking for? Have you checked out photos of the rooms on the hotel's site and tripadvisor?

Have you considered The Muse?

We loved the Michelangelo, but that was about 15 years ago so is of no use to you as I have no idea how it has been managed and maintained.

Did you know that William Randolph Hearst commisioned the Warwick to house his Zeigfeld girl mistress Marion Davies? It's no Hearst Castle however.

I like the Michelangelo a lot. Have stayed there several times.

Just a single night and not a lot of time in the room? I'd look at Club Quarters right on the north side of Rockefeller Center. Go for the slightly upgraded room from the very small basic one. But the property is really very nice.

For all those awaiting my decision with baited breath, we chose the Warwick. The rate was too good to pass up.

<exhale>

Enjoy the birthday bash! What a great setting!

Thank you starrs. We have been friends since first grade and he deserves it.

You've made your choice, have a great time in NYC!

In case anyone else is looking for a hotel in that area, I stayed at The Jewel which is across the street from the Rockefeller Center. It's a sister hotel to the one NeoPatrick mentioned and a couple doors down from it. The Jewel is smaller and has no restaurant, you go to the other hotel for dining if you want. But super clean, nice room and comfortable and excellent location.

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True NYT, but sometimes one gets lucky on a particular date. Would you believe a total cost including tax of well under $200 for the Warwick? It was a no brainer. The lesson is 1. to keep on checking back at properties you like. The price was at the hotel website and was better than that of those of Expedia, et. al.. and 2. A hotel's website is often the best price. I have found that often.

Thanks for all of the helpful responses.

Finecheapboxofwine, thanks for adding the comments about The Jewel. I was going to mention that with my comments about Club Quarters next door but was suddenly drawing a blank with the name of The Jewel. I've stayed in both and they are really nice properties in a great location. Their very smallest rooms are indeed tiny, one grade up -- not so bad. We often use it for a single night in the city when all we really want is clean, quiet, upscale in appearance, a bed, and a nice shower. Spending no time in the room, the size of the room is not an issue at all to us. Both hotels often have big discounts -- particularly in the week or two before a stay, when their "members" have already mainly reserved their rooms and it affects availability. Look way in advance, and it's usually much more expensive.