I'm taking my elderly parents to New York City to "relive" their past. They both worked in Manhattan much of their working lives (we lived on Long Island most of that time) but they've been living in New England since they retired. They used to go back all the time, but their health is failing and haven't been in a few years. So now they've asked me to take them "one more time". When I go to the city myself I stay with friends or in a hotel in the village or on the upper west side but they think they want midtown and I've never paid any attention to hotels around there. I need suggestions for something "nice" (for my father) but not "too expensive" (for my mother) that will be in midtown (for my father) but not in too hectic a location (because I don't think they acurately remember quite how loud and busy New York can be). We'll prpobably go in a couple of weeks and will only be in the city for one night. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks

Twice in the past 6 months I have stayed at the Intercontinental-Barclay Hotel on 48th between Park and Lexington. It is right across the street from the Waldorf-Astoria and very close to Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks, etc.

I got the hotel through Priceline but I have noticed they are often running specials at around $169 which is still a good rate for this hotel.
Good Luck!

The Roosevelt is a reasonably priced hotel with a good location. Your parents may remember it from the "old days". The rooms are not opulent but pleasant and the lobby is very beautiful.

Stay at The Gorham. We paid $139 there recently and it was wonderful. You'll need 2 rooms, right? Great location - central but on a "quiet" (relatively speaking...) street.

It would help, Isabel, if we knew what you were planning on doing while in NYC as it doesn't sound like your folks will be doing a lot of walking. The suggestions you've gotten so far are all good. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend bidding on Priceline for midtown east right now (which is how Eva got the Barclay) because you're more likely to get the Grand Hyatt these days & it's in bad need of renovation (which is scheduled for early 2004). I think the Gorham would be a good choice because the rooms have kitchettes so you could have breakfast in. Also, I think the rooms are large there so you could share one room if you wanted to.

The Roosevelt Hotel is conveniently located,close to grand central and the rooms are nice. I stayed there last June and was very pleased. Check their website for specials or priceline.com

LOVE the Roosevelt! Stayed there two times; once by 'accident', second by choice. Would definitely stay there again. Great location, clean, VERY large room (for NYC) the second time.

Isabel, the Gorham is a good choice for location.
I do have a suggestion I use this web site often to book for N.Y. as a go several times a year: www.expressreservations.com
They are running some good summer specails, just look on the left hand colum where it says N.Y. specials and click view more then click the month you are traveling.
I got a great deal at the Omani Berkshire Palace, usually in the $250-$300 range for $159-
There are other properties that are even lower-the address are listed as well.
You can also search particular neighborhoods, if that's helpful to you.
Much luck
Fluffy
p.s. If you don't want to book on line there is a toll free # for booking.

I put in my vote for the Roosevelt also. I've stayed there many times for business (thought not in the last 4 years) and find that it has alot of charm and is very convenient.

I have stayed at the Salisbury several times. Converted apartments, with very large rooms, lots of 2-room suites with kitchenettes. Near Central Park. Good prices on their website.

Isabel, it's Fluffy again- Express reservation is currently running a special on the Roosevelt, if you're interested.
Fluffy

Thanks for all the replys. I'm impressed (over on the europe forum people are always saying the US board doesn't see much action, guess they're wrong). Anyway, I'll check out the Roosevelt and the Gorham.

Anyone know anything first hand about any of the Choice Hotels - I've stayed at the Quality Inn on 94th and thought it was fine but don't know anything about the ones in midtown - a Quality Inn on 47th and a Comfort Inn on 46th, there's also a Holiday Inn on 57th.

Despite the fact that they are somewhat feeble and slow, what they want to do is walk around. I think they are kidding themselves as to how far they can go (they're talking 60th to 34th and back) but you never know. They walk around up here all the time, quite good distances, but it's rural so there aren't the tons of people to contend with. That's why I wanted to stay away from Times Square, I think they'd get knocked over.

Oh and by the way, we (make that me) are going to DRIVE in, so I'll need a garage near the hotel. Thanks again for your help.

My husband and I also stayed at the Gorham when we went into NYC to see a show. This was a couple of years ago, actually, but I remember the Gorham being reasonably priced, in a good location and a very decent place to stay. Give it a try, it seems to have gotten its share of positive comments on this site. Good luck!

I was very pleased with the Comfort Inn Midtown, at 129 W 46 (between 6th and 7th). It's just a block from Times Square, but somehow isn't noisy or busy, and there's a vast variety of restaurants right on that block. Rooms on lower floors might face an alleyway -- I recommend room 703! Decent continental breakfast (bagels, fruit, etc.), very clean, and a very pleasant and capable staff. This is one of the "Apple Core" group of recently-remodeled budget hotels. I chose it because it's the only all-nonsmoking hotel in Manhattan.

IMHO, though Times Square is crowded with tourists, the fact that it's SO crowded and that SO many of the pedestrians are tourists, means that your folks are LESS likely to get knocked over than they would be on a more typical midtown street filled with rushing locals! In Times Square, slow or distracted pedestrians are more common than elsewhere.

The Gorham has a lot for $33 per night. Please let us know how the trip went. I have reservatons at the Gorham for August and would love to hear how it went!