You are visiting NYC at the most popular time of year--therefore our usually high price are even higher. Be prepared to pay or wait until prices go down in January.

The Comfort Inn is not a bad location--very convenient to a good subway hub at the end of the block. As someone else said, the block is a bit dreary, but not horrible. A friend of mine has happily stayed there a few times. It's a business street, not residential, so the block is somewhat deserted at night. It is safe.

Regarding distances, have you looked at any of these locations on a map? People often find it easy to navigate by cross streets, the numbered Streets as opposed to the Avenues. Every 20 streets equals one mile, so from your hotel on 35th St to 55th St equals one mile.

Places mentioned so far:
Statue of Liberty: Battery Park (the equivalent of minus 40th St)
Empire State Building: 34th St
Macy's: 34th-35th St
Lord & Taylor: 38th St
Times Square: 42nd-47th St
Rockefeller Center: 48th-50th St
Saks Fifth Avenue: 49th St
Radio City Music Hall: 50th St
Central Park South: 59th St
Museum of Natural History: 77th-81st St

So for your comments
"about a 10 minute walk from Rockefeller Center" More like 15-20 minutes
"half mile to Times Square?" True
"the museum is two miles away" True

If you're uncomfortable with the subway or bus, rather than booking limos, it will be easy for the three of you to grab a taxi.

There's a Hampton Inn here:

851 Eighth Avenue @ 51st Street New York City, NY 10019

That you might consider. A few friends have stayed there and said it is decent, and includes a nice bkfst. It's a block or so I think (if memory services) off Times Square.

Gard's trip report is great (I remember reading it last year) and has a lot of helpful hints. I have eaten at Morell's wine bar which he mentions, and it was good, but a few years ago.

After many visits to NY over the years, I finally managed to visit at Christmas time. It really was beautiful, but although I thought I was prepared for the crowds, I wasn't. There were SO many people at the tree, and the windows. I finally gave up on the windows. My friends said that they do what others here have said. They wait until night after the stores are closed and go down.

One thing I wanted to do (and did) was go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see their Christmas tree in the Medieval Art Gallery. I had received a puzzle at Christmas many years ago of this tree, and I wanted to see it live! Hey, it was inside and it was warm And beautiful:

Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche

The Museum continues a long-standing holiday tradition with the annual presentation of its Christmas tree, a favorite of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. A vivid 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene—embellished with a profuse array of diminutive, lifelike attendant figures and hovering, silk-robed angels—adorns the candlelit spruce. Recorded music adds to the enjoyment of the holiday display. Lighting ceremony Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00.

Have a wonderful time with your final plans!

I agree, the Met is lovely and the tree is beautiful. ONe of my favorite things to do is go see the tree at the museum, wander around a bit inside and then go outside and stroll down Madison Ave. looking in all the shops etc, then cut over to Fifth and go to Rockefeller Center. Just a thought. If I remember correctly, there is a Fauchon on Madison Ave. where you can duck in and get some hot chocolate.

You have to realize that major sights are spread out all over NYC and you will have to ride the subway a lot to get places.

From South Ferry - where you get the boat to Lady Liberty to the uptown museums (Natu'l History and the Met) is more than 8 miles. Not really walking distance - esp in December - when it's going to be chilly at lest and possibly windy and damp with sleet or snow.
Taxis will be very expensive and time-consuming due to the incredible traffic those days - subway is MUCH faster.

Agree to look at some of the other hotel options listed to get an area not so dreary at night.

Also suggest you get a map of Manhattan as well as the subway - so you get an idea where things are in relation to each other.

Also - Dyker Heights isn;t in Manhattan at all - but Brooklyn - and to see the lights you need to go at night and drive around slowly. I fyou really want to do this I would call a couple of car services (try Carmel or Dial 7) and ask what they would charge for a couple of hours (that would include picking you up and returing you to Manhattan). Frankly, not worth the time - never mind the money, IMHO.

O.K., we booked a room at the Hampton Inn Manhatten-Chelsea. We still have our other rooms at the Comfort Inn Manhatten and do not have to pay for either until arrival. The Chelsea's most expensive nights are almost $50 less than the Comfort Inn's least expensive nights. However, after looking at the distances Chelsea has listed to area attractions, it looks like we moved further away from everything. Is the other more convenient for sightseeing? Or does it matter, i.e. if using the subway another mile or two won't take long....

There are subways right at the corner, so transportation is OK. The major benefit I see--it's more of a residential/business mix with plenty of local dining options and more street life at all hours. Please keep in mind that no matter where you stay you will not be able to walk to everything.

Well you are probably getting a better hotel for less money but yes you are further from everything. I love that part of town and it will be less crowded but for a first time visitor to NYC, I am not sure that's where I would want to stay.

Yes for many of the sights you want to see it doesn't matter where you stay but for getting out and walking on 5th Ave or going to Rockefeller Center, it would be more convenient to stay closer to midtown. You can stay in the midtown area without being in Times Square. I would go for the Courtyard Marriott South near Bryant Park-great location and as McLaurie says, the rates goes down after the first two days. Good reviews on tripadvisor and says it's only one block from the subway which is important.

O.K., sounds good. We'll keep the Chelsea. Sounds like it's in a better location, a subway on the corner will make going anywhere convenient for us, the prices are better and the online photos of the rooms look clean, comfortable, and roomy. Thanks for all the great advice everyone. You have been a HUGE help in planning our trip! Can't wait to see NYC!

Bunny-I guess you didn't read my post. I love the Chelsea area but as I stated before I don't think it's the best place to stay on your first trip to NYC. I sure you will get other opinions but if it was me and I wasn't familiar with the city and the subways and worried about getting a taxi, I would stay closer to midtown. That's why I mentioned the Courtyward Marriott South that McLaurie talked about.

The Hampton Inn is close to Sixth Ave and is just north of some major shopping streets--no problem whatsoever for getting taxis. The subway at the corner is one that goes closest to the Empire State BUilding as well as Rockefeller Center.

ellen-I am familiar with the subway but my point is that BunnyDo is not and has never been to NYC. And while getting a taxi in Chelsea may not be as difficult as getting one in midtown, the traffic trying to get to the sights will be bad.

As a tourist who has been to NYC many, many times I just think that a central location is a little better for someone who doesn't know the city. If taxi's are hard to come by, the streets are crowded and you are a little intimidated by the subway, it is much easier to walk to some of the sights. Just my opinion. Now that I know NYC well, I prefer to stay in different neighborhoods but don't know that would have been right for me on my first few visits.

I think it's time to start looking at a map. Maps.google.com is a good place. They even give walking directions. The 2 hotels in question are only .7 mile from each other and maybe a 10-15 minute walk. But what you're getting at the Hampton Inn besides saving money is 2 queen beds vs. 2 doubles, a nicer more up to date hotel and more of a residential neighborhood with good restaurant options.

Le Zie is a popular Italian rest. in Chelsea with gentle prices that's a few blocks from the Hampton Inn. The Comfort Diner just down the street is a good place for breakfast or a casual dinner. Menupages.com is a good place to look for restaurants. I'd just urge you to avoid the pull of chain US restaurants with names you know (ie Olive Garden, Outback Steak) because you will be sorely disappointed and there are much better options in NYC.

paula, I'm not saying that the Hampton Inn is the best location either. But neither that location nor the location of the Comfort Inn are as bad as some people make them sound. I wanted to provide a realistic idea of what to expect.

The OP has indicated that they usually travel via custom private tours. I suspect they will be in taxis more often than not.

I wasn't comparing The Hampton Inn to The Comfort Inn. I agree The Hampton Inn is in a much better location than The Comfort Inn and a better value. I was comparing it to the Courtyard Marriott South that McLaurie mentioned.

Yes it does seem like they will use taxis but at that time of year that could be a nightmare. Since Bunny was worried about tiring out her mother, I just felt someplace a little closer for walking would suit them better.

But The Hampton Inn is a much better choice than The Comfort Inn.

Each hotel mentioned has it's positives and negatives. Yes, I did want convenient walking distances BUT the Hampton does sound like a much better hotel for a better price. We have up to 72 hours before check in to decide before our Credit Card is charged so we have time to think on it. Everyone's advice and suggestions were extremely helpful and appreciated. It sure helps to have all the facts before leaving. Love this site!