Has anyone stayed at any of the Kimpton boutique hotels in New York? Ink, Muse, Eventi, or 70 Park ave? I am planning a trip to NYC in late June and their rates are in the high 200s and I would love to hear of your experiences and impressions if you have stayed at any of these hotels. Thanks.

i have personally never stayed at these properties but many buyers from macys and mervyns used to stay at the muse and loved it.


i wish i hate details of what they loved.

*had* details

We stayed at the Muse.

First of all, I love Kimpton hotels and absolutely love the Monaco in SF. It feels like "home" and I just love the vibe. Couldn't wait to try the Muse.

What I liked about it - the location
If you are doing Broadway shows, it can't be beat. It is a 1/2 block off Broadway but what an amazing difference that 1/2 block makes. We were there over Thanksgiving holidays, so NYC was a madhouse. Not the Kimpton. We were able to catch glimpses of the parade from the window, be AT the corner in a couple of minutes and then dart back upstairs to watch the parade on TV. The hotel was exactly 1/2way between our two theatres (Radio City Music hall and Phantom). THAT was great in the cold weather of winter (or the heat of June in NYC). Location, location, location.

NYers often caution against staying in Times Square but for a show weekend, the location was perfect.

I just checked their website and their downstairs space and restaurant have changed. IMO that's good. I wasn't thrilled with the vibe. I definitely think the new decor is a plus.

A big plus was the restaurant (then called the District). It was NEVER crowded so we could easily get in and have a late breakfast, a preshow meal or an after meal dessert and drink. THAT was a big plus in the midst of the Times Square area.

A small plus would be the elevators. After waiting forever for the elevators in conference hotels like the Hilton, it was nice to push the button and not have to wait forever for an elevator. A small plus, but a nice feature of a small boutique hotel with enough elevators.

So, in short the Muse was a bit of haven from the craziness that can be Times Square.

Nothing bad to say about it. Loved the decor of the rooms (check the pics). The restaurant looks much nicer. Here's some pics of the previous version / the District.

http://www.sheckys.com/newyorkcity/s...otel_1_812.asp

I haven't stayed at the other locations but I'd love to

BTW, they are offering a BAD ASS promo for certain days for a $50 food credit. The room rate is higher than you quoted, but do look at promos - and join the Kimpton guest program if you aren't already a member.

Geez. I checked the locations of the other ones.
Ink48 is at 11th and W 48th. I would love it if it were around 8th or 9th, but that's going to be a lot of walking to get to a subway. The pics are nice - especially the river views. But, I dunno. That's further over than I usually walk/stay so I'll be interested to see what the locals say. So much has changed on that side of town since I first started visiting. The pics of the hotel look great.

Parc is at Park and 38th. I guess it depends on what you want to do and how you plan to get there. More to see closer by as well as subway. On my first visit to NYC I stayed at the Grand Hyatt (right after Trump finished renovating it) and we walked to shows from there. Ever since then I prefer to be further west - but that's just a personal preference.

LCI recently stayed near there so her thoughts may help you decide -
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

thanks! The Muse sounds fantastic! I'd love to be in the midst of the theater district. I love the Kimpton hotels as well and am a member. I usually frequent the San Francisco ones; we stay at the Sir Francis Drake.

I am researching taking my 13 yo son for his first trip to New York. I am thinking of just doing 3 days in the city (he wants to see Les Miz) and maybe combining it with a cruise to Bermuda.

My grandmother and brother did that when he was about that age.
A former boss wouldn't take any other vacation.
Sounds like a great plan!

ncounty:

Hello - I stayed at the 70 Park Avenue hotel with my daughter. We wanted and got double beds, lovely room with a spacious bathroom. Coffee was available downstairs. Wine reception in the evening.

I have also stayed at the Shelbourne referred to in the thread linked by starrs. This time with DH so only needed one bed. Enjoyed this hotel and would stay again.

Enjoy your time in NYC.

Sandy

Thanks so much for the information, Sandy!

The Muse is our absolute favorite NY hotel. We stay there every year when we go for our theater week. Agree completely with Starrs on every point. And would add that the free wine every evening in the lobby is a great plus in NY. Many times we start off with the wine (your grandson could have a non-alcoholic cocktail), add some substantial little plates from the menu and we're off to the theater without the hurry, hurry of a pre-theater dinner. Then we hit someplace nice post-theater for a light dinner (Joe Allen's is a fav for burgers and fries). Simply would not consider staying anywhere else.

Thanks as well, TC. I once had reservations at the Muse for only $179/night and I had to cancel, grrrrr. It looks like I will have to put off this trip as well till late summer..... I ended up finding an irresistible deal to Rome with a one week cruise instead. I definitely plan to do this New York trip at the next opportunity though.