I'm taking my grown children and husband to NYC for Christmas. I booked the Marriott Marquis because of the price. I would prefer to stay at the Plaza or the Palace. The Plaza is 2X as much and the Palace is 50% more expensive. Is it worth it? I would like to be on 5th near the shopping etc. Any other suggestions. Since we need 2 rooms I would like to stay under $500 per room per night. Waldorf is full, Penesula had only $645 per night, same with Four Seasons. I would like a nice hotel since we won't do this every year.

The Marriott is pretty nice. Unless you plan to spend most of your time in the hotel, I'd spend the extra $$ on fabulous restaurants and entertainment. I've actually found the staff at the Marriott to be amazingly un-New Yorkerish: They were pleasant, efficient and helpful, making my stays much easier.

Just reread my post and realized I've opened up possibility of flaming responses from New Yorkers -- Honestly, their reputation of being brash and pushy is way out-of-date. Some of my best friends are New Yorkers! Because the economy is so strong, good service workers are few and far between. When I am pleasantly surprised, I like to make a point of acknowledging it!

Two points...

1. My opinion is to stay at the Marriott. The Marriott is a nice hotel now in the center of things. It is very different from the other two hotels you list. If you like more things going on and less laid back (but with all the service you expect) stay at the Marriott.

2. Diane is correct. UnNY-ish would normally lead to a series of comments. But things have changed in NY and in many cities. In fact, I was on the Long Island RR yesterday and a tourist tripped and spilled coffee all over him and a little on his fellow passengers. You should have seen these coffee drenched people helping this poor man who tripped to the floor. People took out their napkins assisting this guy and even put the newspapers that they were reading on the floor so people at the next stops wouldn't fall. The tourist said, NYers aren't what I expected.----Diane--attitudes about NY are changing---one story at a time.

You may want to try www.180096hotel.com, a consilidator.

Also, Travelscape.com claims that they gurarantee the lowest prices.

Then there's priceline.com but I don't think you can choose a specific hotel with them; you choose the area and the level of the hotel and have to take what they find for you.

I, too, would agree that the Marriott Marquis is an excellent choice with kids. They'll love the elevators. (You will, too.) I agree with saving the difference and spending it on other things during your visit.

Great advice from other posters. Stay with your original plans. It's only a two-long-blocks walk from there to Fifth Avenue!

If you really want to be near shopping, then I suggest you stay at the Palace. The Marriott is a long walk from 5th and Madison Avenues. It is also located in the most congested part of town - Times Square. Although it may be nice and less expensive, you will be better off to stay somewhere that might be a little less congested and a bit more convenient to where you will be spending most of your time. You will spend a lot of time travelling if you stay at the Marriott over your other choices. You might also consider two other options - The RIHGA Royal and the Helmsley Carlton House. The Carlton House is actually on 61st and Madison, smack in the middle of the best shopping NYC has to offer.

Have to disagree with the previous poster. The Marriott is not a long walk to Fifth Avenue (a mere two long blocks) and then a short walk up Fifth Avenue to Saks and other high-level shops. And, as far as Times Square being congested, hey, that's part of the excitement of being in New York! (And, if you're going to the theater, it'll be a heck of a lot more convenient going back to your room at 11-11:30 at night!)

Actually, the Marriott is 3 blocks cross-town and 3 more blocks south of Saks and Rockefeller Center. If you enjoy walking and hassling with crowds, then the Marriott is not a bad choice. BUt if you are doing shopping and will have a lot of bags, etc., those are blocks you don't want to walk. There are many more hotels that are comparable or better that are much closer to the real action, rather than the overly clogged area of Times Square.

No point in belaboring the point, John. I guess we have different opinions on what constitutes a hassling experience! (By the way, your mathematics are off: It is only two blocks from the Marriott to Fifth Avenue, since Broadway at Seventh Avenue are basically the same street at the Marriott juncture!)

I don't know your income, but if I had a choice, I'd stay at the Palace. The "nicest" of the three by far in so many ways (and I know them all well, and stayed at all). Also, close enough to Fifth Avenue shopping. But in any case, NYC at this time of year is the best place in the world--aside from the crowds.

Hey, Iola, it's the best place this time of the year because of the crowds!

Howard- Those of us who live in and around NYC are amazed at the increasing crush of people through the holidays. I like people but get a bit scared when I can't even move in the throngs around Fifth Avenue or Times Square. I prefer the decorated windows, the Rockefeller center skating rink and the tree, the roasting chestnuts in the carts, the pin-lighted trees, the sidewalk Santas ringing their bells...oh, you know...

I agree with Lola about the crush of all the visitors to NYC in the next month. I, too, have stayed at all three of the hotels that BKL mentions. If I were going to do it again, i would choose the Palace because its interior provides a quiet respite from the crowds outside, and is right behind Saks. Jostling the crowds all the time can take away from a vacation experience, and I'm sure that's not what somebody coming to NYC for the holidays wants to do. One note - I noticed that the Plaza is now closed to all except guests during the holidays, which makes that a bit quieter, but not as quiet as the Palace.

Hey, Iola, just for the record, I live in New York, too! I guess it's all relative as to what's a crowd!

I think location should not be a priority when coming to our fair city! We have an extensive and quick subway system that can get you anywhere in Manhattan in under 20 minutes. So stay where you can get the best rate and/or the most luxury you can afford! But, please, don't spend alot of time in your room! Explore! Enjoy!