We're taking our Mom to NYC to celebrate her 65th birthday. We want a nice hotel, perhaps with a view of Times Square. We don't want to spend more than $300 a night, if possible. There are 4 of us. Also, we want to treat her to a nice dinner, preferable Italian. Any recommendations?

Do a search of this forum. New York hotels & restaurants are discussed at length just about every day (and several time on many days).

I'd only encourage you to avoid Times Square and instead select a hotel with a view of Central Park.

Is that $300 total for two rooms or $300 per room? Naturally, it'll make a big difference in the advice you get!
Also, how much do you want to spend on dinner per person? There are a lot (probably hundreds) of good Italian restaurants in New York.

Personally if I were from "small town America" and every day I looked out to a rural setting or trees or a stream, I'm be much more impressed with a view of the lights of Times Square than Central Park. On the other hand if I lived in New York and faced buildings every time I looked out a window, I'd love to have a view of Central Park if I were in a hotel. Don't most of us want to see something on vacation totally different from what we see at home?

I'm also a little confused on the numbers and the number of people -- 4 people in one room?

Meanwhile, the Marriott Marquis has fantastic wall to wall, floor to ceiling views of Times Square. Depending on specials, it may or may not be in your price range -- more doubtful all the time. Look for a senior rate or other special rate with the Marriott website.

There are 4 of us going...3 sisters plus mom...so one room is fine for us, hopefully we could get a room with two queens. Or get a rollaway at least. We're looking to spend $300 or less on the one room. We all want a view of the city...seeing Times Square would be awesome. We all live in homes either in the country, suburbs or mountains so the city lights are what we want to see for a change.

We want good Italian food with a nice atmosphere...no more than $25/entree, if possible. But we do want it to be special.

Not knowing your dates, I played around a bit on the Marriott Marquis site and found rates in the next month for rooms for four people with two doubles (two queens is going to be tough anywhere), ranging on AAA or senior rates from $249 to $369 a night. Some specify Times Square views, others do not.
I'd suggest you call the hotel direct, tell them it is an important 65th birthday and you really want two beds for four people WITH a great view and see what they offer you. I've had great luck that way, and have ALWAYS had a great Times Square view, even when given special prices.
1-800-843-4898
or 1-212-398-1900

I would suggest the Marriott Renaissance. It is a "boutique" hotel, much smaller than the Marquis. I stayed there in September. Very good sized rooms that look directly on to Times Square. Very clean and quiet. We had a great Italian pre-theater meal at Tony Di Napoli's- a short walk from the hotel. Got the recommendation from the doorman.

Hotels in Times Square that should have views are the Hilton TS, the Westin TS, the W Times square, the Doubletree TS (all suite hotel and maybe the best option for space), the Renaissance...

There are soooo many Italian restaurants, northern, southern etc. In the Times Square area, Lattanzi, Orso, Becco and Trattoria Trecolori are the ones that are mentioned most often. But I would take her out of the area. Il Buco downtown will be a great experience.

Jusst to clarify, the Doubletree is all suites and the one I'd try to get OR the Renaissance.

Try Hilton New York, you may not have a direct view, but it's right there. Rates aren't bad either.

For Italian, I'd recommend Carmine's in Times Square. The service isn't always great, they don't take reservations, but the food was good. At least it was the last time I was there.
There's another good place across the street from Lincoln Center, but I can't remember the name.
Also, if you're looking for something informal, John's Pizza has a branch in Times Square (the original is in the Village). They're known, obviously, for their pizza, but they have other stuff. The pizza is excellent, by the way.

You might want to look at the Casablanca. They have comfortable rooms which I recall as being in your price range. They also have a guest lounge with breakfast, wine and cheese in the evenings, and coffee/tea all day. It is a nice place for two or three of your group to sit while the others dress....it can get pretty crowded in one room.

The Casablanca is a nice idea but I don't think you'll find any views there.

I've been looking at the Westin - Times Square. I'm confused by the Frommer's website. They rated it the "Best Times Square Hotel" saying that "Rooms here are airy and, thankfully, soundproofed." Then, in their indivdual room write-ups, they said "rooms facing 42nd Street and Eighth can be loud". Which is it? I guess that we do need to know which hotel rooms are loud and which are not. Also, to get a Times Square view, which streets would we be looking out over?

Oh, we looked into Doubletree suites in Times Square and they're booked.

I can't believe that any rooms at the Westin Times Square have Times Square views.
I'll repeat. It may be a huge hotel, but if it's the view you want, you won't beat the Marquis! We always open the draperies wall to wall, and move the sofa to face out. It's like facing a giant screen.

Times Square is a very loud place. I think you'll find that any hotel room that has a reasonably close view will not be quiet - its like syaing you wnt to overlook the waterfall but not hear any water.

The Marriott will be less noisy on a high floor - but Times Square and quiet do not really go together - people go there to get the noise, bright lights and busyness - not silence.

For dinner you might try Trattoria del Arte - moderate prices and fun - with great antipasto and good food overall. Less of a zoo than Carmine's.

We stayed at the Marquis- it is a HUGE hotel. We preferred the Novotel a little north of TS about 3 blocks, it's across from the side entrance of the Ed Sullivan theater. It's smaller and quiter. Request a TS view room - we had a great view down Broadway.