Midrange hotel in Upper West Side?
 

I'm going to be in New York for five days in late September. Am not able to book into my preferred hotel the Hotel Beacon, am considering Milburn, but would welcome other suggestions. Need to be in Upper West Side, long for 4* elegance but can't permit myself more than $250 per night....

Help welcome and much appreciated.

The Lucerne or On the Ave Hotel both are 1/2 block or so from the 79th street subway station.

Beacon is 3*. Also similar in the area i Lucerne, On the Ave, Excelsior and I think the Belleclaire is ok - but check trip advisor. If you want to head further uptown try the Newton on Broadway near 94th - simple but reliable.

But late Sept is heading into high season - and not sure what rates you will find. Look for advance purchase internet specials.

There is no 4* on the UWS. The Beacon is the nicest. The Milburne has seen better days. You've been given all the better options. You might want to consider one of the b & b's in the area like www.wymanhouse.com countryinnthecity.com and innnewyorkcity.com or the budget option Jacksbandb.com

I've also noticed that sometimes booking.com has availability at the Beacon when the hotel's own website doesn't.

My wife and I go to New York every few years and stay at the Hotel Newton. I agree with nytraveler - it's simple but reliable. There's an inexpensive restaurant next door for breakfast, a drugstore and convenience store close to the hotel on Broadway, and the hotel is close to a subway stop. If you decide to stay there, book now. It fills up fast.

Thanks everyone. I just tried booking.com and indeed they did have availability at the Beacon until one hour ago....At this point, I am deciding between the Milburn and the Excelsior--the Lucerne is above my price range.

Why not book directly with the hotel?

I was on hold there for more than 1/2 hour last night, never got through

B/w those 2 I'd go for the Excelsior but try to get a cancelable reservation and ask the Beacon to put you on a wait list for a room if you'd rather stay there.

Thanks for the suggestion--I have written the Beacon about cancellations. The more reviews I read from Trip Advisor the more hesitation I have about both the Excelsior and the Milburn. Nonetheless there are positive reviews for both and the locations are great.

I have stayed at the Excelsior several times and enjoy it there.

I've stayed at the Milburn many times. It's fine and the location is terrific. Some rooms are much smaller than others. If you get a room you don't like, ask for another one. The beds are comfortable, the free continental breakfast is good, and there's even computer access if you don't have your own laptop. They might even give you a slightly reduced rate for 5 nights.

I think the rooms at the Excelsior are a lot fresher than at the Milburne. Both offer a free cont. b/f and both have good locations. The Milburne does have suites with kitchens if that's important to you. While the Excelsior has what they call suites, the ones I've seen don't have kitchens (maybe a fridge) and the sitting area is just a small ante room before the bedroom.

Thanks everyone. I'm working on cancellations for the Beacon checking daily (this works well for Yosemite, otherwise leaning towards Excelsior, where unfortunately the continental breakfast is no longer free but $17.

<<<where unfortunately the continental breakfast is no longer free but $17.>>>

Even so, there are a number of places for breakfast within a 5 minute walk on Columbus Ave that are far more reasonable.

Thanks to whoever suggested I keep trying at the Hotel Beacon--now have all five nights confirmed!

Suggestions welcome on nearby places to eat...

Gray's Papaya is close by for a hot dog experience:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/grays-papaya-new-york

There are a few really good grocery stores in the neighborhood, Zabar's being one of them (you might recognize it from You've Got Mail fame). It's a unique place.

You might want to see who's performing at the nearby Beacon Theatre during your stay.

What rate did you get for the Beacon? It's a great hotel.

Thanks for the suggestions. It's a full season high rate of $275 per night, but only the Milburn was less expensive and not by much (The Excelsior was $269, but no kitchenette and no coffeemaker). My best friend's daughter will be staying with me part of the time--the Beacon has two double beds, the Excelsior had only a queen.

We stayed in the Beacon eleven years ago for a week for our ninth anniversary (where we paid under $150!) and had a wondeful stay.

Your rate of 275.00 is a bargain for this time of year. I love the Beacon; it's one of my favorite NYC hotels.

Great news about the Beacon! Make sure to have a cookie or two from Levain Bakery. You've got Zabar's and Fairway Market right there for take out and treats for the room. Pasha on 71 st. is a fun Turkish restaurant. Asiate in the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle has a great prix fixe lunch (and lovely views).