I need NYC hotel help, pretty please!
 

I am taking my daughter (age 14) and my mom (age 65) to NYC next month for 4 nights. I really need to stay in the $350-$450/nt. range. I like nice hotels but cannot spend the $800+ per nt. that the Ritz Central Park is now going for. (this is where I've stayed my last 2 visits)
We are going to the Met Opera (ballet), 2 Broadway shows, Met Museum, the Frick and the LES Tenement Museum. I wanted the Algonquin but it's not available for all 4 nights.
I like the idea of old NY grandeur and/or charm. Have been researching for 48 hrs. and am stuck. Interested in Empire Hotel but afraid of "tiny" rooms and that it may be too hip for us. Also like the idea of Mansfield but can't find much about it... I would also like to be close to a Stbx or a small mkt if possible.
Would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you.

The Empire is definitely trendy and the rooms are small unless you get an upgraded one - can't see how they would work for 3.

Old NY grandeur doesn;t really come in your price range - which is distinctly upper moderate/pleasant - but not enough for grandeur - esp for 3.

The Waldorf has been having internet specials - but while the public areas are grand the rooms are mixed (some renovated and some not) so you may want to try that. You might also want to consider the Warwick - which is NOT grand, but is traditional and in a good location.

What about the Hotel Elysee? Very nice rooms, breakfast, and cocktails nightly, great location though it is on the west side.

The Elysee is actually on the east side - between Madison and Park. Not sure how big the rooms are unless you go for a suite - you would need to check. (I used to work around the corner and have lunch there at the Monkey Bar 2 or 3 times per week.)

What about the Blakely? They have 1 BRs that should be in your budget range and good central location on W 55th.

Thank you all :)

You've gotten 2 great recos (Elysee and Blakely). I'll add the Warwick, the Jumeriah Essex House and the Barclay Intercontinental. It's impossible to tell what the prices will be without exact dates (prices fluctuate and May is pricey).

The Mansfield is fine (do you know about reviews on tripadvisor.com? They also have photos taken by people who stayed there http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html) but rooms are small and often dark. On that same block as the Algoquin and the Mansfield is the Iroquois. One of their suites might work for you but it's also somewhat small and rooms can be dark.

Have just stayed at the Empire - yes it has a lot of charm and will satisfy all ages of travellers. It won't be to "hip" for you (we stayed there with our extended family aged from 20 to 84 and everybody enjoyed it). And it is right across the Met.

The standard rooms are tiny, but they have larger rooms, junior suites and suites. Just ask them.

The lobby bar is very nice - you get New York feeling.

I have stayed at the Elysee many times. It is my favorite hotel in NYC. The staff is wonderful. Great breakfast and wine and cheese reception during the week. You cannot beat this hotel for the price.

I recently stayed at the Lucerne and it was a lovely hotel with decent sized rooms. It had an elegant hotel feel. It's on the Upper West Side on 79th Street and Amsterdam.
http://www.thelucernehotel.com/

If you're going to consider the Lucerne, I'd also look at the beaconhotel.com which is more recently renovated and has 1 bedroom suites that would be great for the 3 of you. I didn't recommend it earlier b/c I didn't think it would be upscale enough for what you describe but it's imo nicer than the Lucerne. The location of the Empire is appealing for the Met and theaters if you can get a room big enough for the 3 of you.

Sorry that I spaced on which side of Midtown the Elysee is on. Anyway, I've stayed recently at both the Elysee and the Warwick (going to meetings at the St. Regis which is out of my budget) and I prefer the Elysee over the Warwick. I was really surprised by how big the Warwick is and how busy. Granted I think that was around christmas. I also thought the room was a little bit smaller and I don't think the bathroom was as nice. But I would stay at the Warwick again. It's a great location. My first choice would be the Elysee.

What about suites at the Kimberley? It has suites. I don't know if it has been remodeled, when I stayed there a few years ago, the rooms needed updating, but certainly nice and in a great location.

bookmarking

i stay at the Courtyard Marriott 53rd and 3rd.Great rooms,view of Chrylser Building, right at subway stops for East West and North/South---$300/nt or less.No lobby,but very clean,convenient place

Thank you all so much for replying. It's so helpful to have input from people who know what they're talking about! It's very hard to pick just one. This is the problem...
Anyway, I will try and book something this weekend. I'm driving myself crazy. I don't visit NYC enough and therefore I want this to be "perfect" but the truth is that where we stay isn't THAT important. I'm more interested in location and decor than any amenities, if you know what I mean.
Thanks again!