My sister, who travels somewhat higher on the hog than I do, is treating her husband to 4 days in NY as a 30th anniversary gift, before they fly off to Morocco.

She's asked me for hotel recommendations and I said I'd ask you. They'll be there from Friday to Monday in late August. She's looking for something about $400-ish a night and she likes very nice hotels. They'll want to be central. She was looking at the new Park Plaza but the rates there are about $600 a night and she'd prefer not to go that high.

Got any ideas for me?

Try the W Times Square or W Union Square.

$400 a night is NOT POSH for Manhattan.

Thin,
a former resident of Manhattan

We stayed at the Benjamin (50th & Lexington) last fall and really liked it: http://www.thebenjamin.com/
You can check the price range for your dates. I liked the location, as being in mid-town east was a little quieter than mid-town west.
Thin- I was thinking the same thing about the posh/ $400.- request.

New York Palace Hotel has a deal via Travelzoo, valid until August 31st.

<< if you can get away for a long weekend, we found that stays of 3 nights or more were discounted a further 20% OFF, bringing the average nightly rate under $300 per night! >>

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/new-york-hotels/425792

I agree that $400 doesn't buy 'posh' in NY. It's just more than I've ever had to spend. Actually, I was very surprised that the Plaza was only asking $600 a night. I thought it would be much more than that.

She's stayed at the W (I don't know which one) a couple of times. I'm not sure why she's looking elsewhere this time -- maybe just for a change.

I don't know the Benjamin but I'll suggest it to her. Thanks.

I second the recommendation for The Palace. It is definitely the biggest, nicest room I've stayed in up there.

I second Thin's advice regarding the W Union Square. We stayed there last week and really enjoyed it. The rooms are smallish, but very well appointed. It had one of the most comfortable beds I've experienced in a hotel and I think the shower exfoliates your body...great water pressure. They have Bliss products in the room. The staff is very accomodating and friendly. The restaurant is run by Todd English and everything we had was very good, although I thought $6.00 for a bagel was a bit steep.
The bar is quite the place to be...it was packed every evening during happy hour, very hip, so if your sister wants a quieter place to have a drink they might need to venture somewhere else or go early.

I just spoke to her. She's definitely considering the New York Palace and a couple of the W's.

The Mandarin Oriental looks quite beautiful but that's up in the $700s. Nice to look at though.

Thanks, all.

I got an email from quikbook the other day about a 72 hour NYC sale for stays in July and August - some nice hotels in her pricerange and less.
check it out:
http://www.quikbook.com/
Off is good until Friday at 5PM

Thanks, mp. I'll forward that to her tonight!

Try The Muse (king room for around $400) or a one bedroom suite at The Blakely for $400. I agree, $400 won't get her "posh" in NY. However, the Blakely is a great boutique hotel in an excellent location and the suites are massive.

http://www.blakelynewyork.com/

http://www.themusehotel.com/

Rates in NYC vary a lot by time of year - but the only time you will get post for $400 per night is Jan/Feb. For most of the year posh is $600 up to $800 and above.

Assuming you're talking about this summer - our company just issued a new list of approved hotel rates. They give you the budget to stay in a standard business type hotel - Hilton, Hyatt or similar. And for the summer in NYC they allow $429 per night. For high season they allow $589.

So - for your budget you can look for deals at the better hotel web sites - and check out travelzoo.com and kayak,com for prices for 5* for your dates - but I will be VERY surprised if you get anything that qualifies as posh for $400.

I thought so too, nyc (about the rates in August, I mean). That's why I was surprised when she told me the Plaza was $600 and now when I look at it on expedia, I see it's even under that. It's still more than she wants to spend but I think she'll end up at one of the W's.

My aunt from London swears by the Roger Williams Hotel in Murray Hill. She always stays there when she is in Manhattan on business.

It is not posh, but she thinks it is very comfortable and convenient (for brunch at Penelope's).

Check it out.

Thin

What about the Sofitel NY on 44th Street? Or the Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South?

The Sofitel looked nice. I don't know anything about Jumeirah Essex House. Is it modern? Attractive? I know I've probably walked by it a milion times but I don't remember ever noticing it.

I think the good rooms at the Essex House might be too much. I have a friend who was staying there while she redecorated. Check it out though because she liked it and she's a picky woman.

The Palace is fun if you get a Tower Room. Really! It has that big generic hotel vibe but it's also grand and beautiful if you can get in the spirit.

I've stayed there and the W and enjoyed the Palace more.

For me and my niece a room at the Essex House with a perfect view of Central Park was the quintessential New York experience. Those type of rooms will go for around $429 at the end of August. My niece couldn't get over that the room had a doorbell and a phone next to the commode.

The Essex House is in a beautiful Art Deco building and was recently renovated. Having not stayed there before (only partied and dined there), I cannot speak for the rooms, and hope someone can give you good insight.

As Leely2 and Maggi have done while I was typing away!