I'm planning a trip to NYC for March 2010 and am researching hotel options. I looked at the TripAdvisor, AAA, and other websites for guidance and found what seem to be a few good options. We plan to visit the Central Park Zoo, the Natural History Museum, FAO Schwarz, and the planetarium so we'd like to stay on the Upper West Side or possibly Midtown. We're familiar with the NY subway system and don't mind taking that but thought that for this trip it might be nice to be right near the places we wish to see.

In the under $200 or so price range I've found some highly reviewed hotel choices. The trip is for two adults and one 6 year old so someplace clean, safe, and nice would be great. Here are the hotels I'm considering so far - please let me know any thoughts you all might have on one over the other or if they're all pretty good for families. Also, if you know any tricks of getting a better rate than what's on their websites or Expedia-type sites I'd be happy to hear about them. I'm a bit nervous about doing Priceline or Hotwire bidding since you never know what hotel you get until you're locked in. That's fine for some cities but it makes me nervous for NYC! Thanks in advance for any help!

Hotel Newton

Excelsior Hotel

Hotel Beacon

On the Ave Hotel

Lucerne Hotel

Belvedere Hotel

We've been pleased with finding hotels in Manhattan using www.travelzoo.com. I just checked and they are showing some deals through March--the Morgans on Madison (with upgrade) for $189; Fitzpatrick Grand Central for $129. Yes, I know these are not on the UWS, but I'm suggesting you try the site--check it several days--to see what you can find.

Agree that travelzoo often has good deals and you get to pick the hotel you want. But, typically the deals are listed about 3 months in advance - so deals for March are there now.

If you don;t find them there I would book directly with the hotel. the Newton is farther uptown so if you can get the others at the same price the location is more convenient. IMHO the Lucerne is possibly the most pleasant - but I'm not sure there is a whole lot of difference between them - unless one offer you a larger room or junior suite for the price. (It might be worth calling the Beacon to ask about this.)

I have stayed at the Lucerne and enjoyed it and have also heard good things about On the Ave. I called the Lucerne when I made my reservation and received a AAA discount that was not available at the time on their website.

I hope this is helpful -- we really liked staying in the UWS.

Have a great trip!

We have stayed at the Beacon Hotel several times over the past years and we love it. However, it has become quite a bit more expensive these days than what we normally paid. But it is a very comfortable place to stay for families as well as their rooms are very spacious and are actually apartments with full kitchens, living room apart from bedroom, etc. Maybe they are having some special deals for the time you will be there. I would check.

Definitely check the Beacon's rates for your dates. I stayed in a one bedroom-suite at the Beacon with my son in late August of last year. Pluses: recently refurbished, clean and comfortable, loved having the little kitchen for breakfasts in the room, great location with the subway five minutes away, excellent markets just across the street, Zabar's and a wonderful little bakery, Levain, within a few blocks, also lots of restaurants nearby. Biggest negative was the small bathroom but it had been updated.

For 3 people in a room, bidding on Priceline is iffy for NYC where Priceline only guarantees one bed for 2 people. While people have managed to get a hotel to accomodate a third person/child, I wouldn't count on that esp. for the UWS hotels. You could try Hotwire for 3 people and betterbidding.com has a list of the hotels Hotwire uses so you can usually figure out what you're buying by matching area, star level and amenity icons. http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=88& I don't remember seeing many/any UWS hotels offered on Hotwire but if you're willing to consider midtown, that's an option.

While prices in March are not high, finding something comfortable for 3 people under $200/night could be a challenge unless you just get a room for 2 and add a rollaway--not something possible in all hotels. Also know hotel taxes add ~ 15% to prices you see so if you don't want to go over $200/night you're really talking about a room for ~ $170. I think of the hotels you list, the Newton is the most likely to be under $200 but it's also the furthest north on the list and therefore, imo, the least convenient. The Excelsior is literally across the street from the Mus. of Nat. History and I think their room rates include a free cont. b/f. The Beacon is the nicest in the area having been recently renovated.

A few other places on the UWS you might want to check:
milburnhotel.com
http://www.hotelbelleclaire.com/
park79.com
jacksbandb.com (like apts.-not sure if they have age restrictions)

I stayed at the Belvedere Hotel this past weekend and liked it a lot. It was available for an excellent rate of $130 per night, but January is the best month of the year for hotel rates in New York. It is not, however, on the upper west side. It is in the theater district.

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I think that to make myself happy with a hotel I'm going to have to spend $200-225/night. The Hotwire and Priceline research I've done doesn't seem beneficial this trip.

I'm leaning toward The Lucerne and I think they offer a AAA discount.

Thank you again, everyone, for the advice. We just returned from staying at the Lucerne for two nights and were extremely pleased with the hotel. The Deluxe Double Double room we had was very nice and allowed plenty of space for two adults and a child to move around. The location was great for walking to the Natural History museum, restaurants, and the subway. I highly recommend the hotel for a nice, clean place to stay on the UWS.