Having booked flights into JFK from scotland for the New Year my wife and I are trying to find a decent hotel centrally located and with goods facilities such as a health spa. Any ideas out there?

I am absolutely no expert on NYC but did enjoy a long weekend there with my family in October. We stayed at the Parker Meridian which is centrally located and had been recommended by many friends here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Very friendly staff, especially the concierge who was wonderful with restaurant recommendations and reservations and even sent milk and cookies on a silver tray to our children at bedtime. We will definitely stay there again. Ask about discounts - we mentioned AAA membership and it saved $l00 per night on a one-bedroom suite. We did not have time to checkout the facilities but they were recommended in all guide books that we reviewed.

As mentioned in other posts, check out the New York magazine piece on boutique hotels. Good information. It's probably archived on the website: www.newyorkmag.com. Do a search.

Other websites for info:
newyork.citysearch.com
www.nytoday.com
www.timeoutny.com

As for a health spa, there's no need to have it in the hotel - NYC is full of wonderful day spas. Do a search on any of those sites and you'll find recommendations - just be sure to make a reservation.

we are in the same boat as you, scottish, going to new york for the new year (plus christmas) and looking for decent accommodation. Try the Stanford hotel, it appears to be decent, no health facilities however. If you find a gem of a deal, let me know

Have stayed at the Marriott Courtyard near Time Square...during Christmas / New Years before..and the rate was pretty good..Can not recall if there is a health spa...Also, the Marriott Eastside @ 49th and Lexington would be worth trying..and it does have a workout facility..but perhaps not a " health spa"...from my experience in traveling in and out of NYC during Christmas / New Years...you will find some great rates for the the day or two before Christmas..thru the day or two or three after Christmas...then of course the rates will spike up for the day or two before New Years...

You may want to check the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square. They have a number of specials starting the 16th of December, most nights at $189, well less than half the normal price. Christmas night is actually @139. Call their 800 number and ask for code LLOC. Or go to www.playbill.com, join the club (absolutely free and no obligation) and look up their specials for hotels. The Marquis is one of them.
On the other hand, don't expect a deal for New Year's Eve. That is always a very premium night. Last year we decided to leave that day as our hotel would jump from $179 to $495 per night.

Listen to Patrick...he speaks the truth...and if you can in fact get the Marriott Marquis for $189........do it !!

Check out Hotel Pennsylvania. It has been recently refurbished. Is located right opposite Maceys and next to Madison Square Garden and on top of all that it has a Health Club and is very competitively priced. We just booked for Dec 2001 at $139 per night. Total bargain when you compare it with other hotels of the same classification. Check out it's web site:
www.hotelpenn.com
Looks great!!
Good Luck