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-   -   New York accommodation - apartment for family needed (winter) (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/new-york-accommodation-apartment-for-family-needed-winter-1028327/)

lanejohann Oct 19th, 2014 08:21 PM

New York accommodation - apartment for family needed (winter)
 
Hi folks
We have been recommended the beacon hotel out near 72 nd st subway which is about thirty mins walk to times sq
It has family suites apparently with a kitchenette

It's about 300 a night ( aud) and that's ok ..that's a January rate

Our kids are in their twenties so need their own room so we'd be prepared to have two hotel rooms close to the thick of it
We generally stay centrally and pay a bit more...just more fun for the kids if we can step out at night and not worry too much about subways all of the time
We would like a kitchenette if possible but if there's a good hotel without such a facility we could manage
It'd be nice to be able to at least make breakfast and have a coffee before we started out

Only staying five nights or so so I think it's better to be near Times Square rather than Brooklyn or similar

Any opinions?
Thanks so much

IMDonehere Oct 19th, 2014 08:38 PM

For a long term stay try

Radio City Apartments

Affinia group

http://www.affinia.com/

Why do you want to stay near Times Square? A thirty minute walk in January in NYC can be brutal. Are you working in the theater?

starrs Oct 19th, 2014 08:55 PM

Near Times Square and very convenient is the Staybridge Suites. The rooms include a kitchen. Two rooms there would work well for your family -
http://www.staytimessquare.com/accommodations.html

lanejohann Oct 19th, 2014 09:35 PM

Thanks Imdone ...I'll look into radio city

No reason to stay near times sq except that's where people stay and say " I stayed right near times sq" and so the legend is born : newbies wanna stay right near time sq! I have arrived lol

From experience we do prefer to stay close to things ... It's ok if ur staying for a month. You have the time to go slower but most of us just grab what we can... I'm thinking that times sq would be a good place for the kids to experience.. I have never been nor been attracted to New York but I could well be the newest convert after this!
If there are equally vibrant places then we will consider them
I've looked at the Kimberley hotel and Avalon ..price is about right


I'll check out the stay bridge suites too..thanks Starrs!

IMDonehere Oct 20th, 2014 12:40 AM

The sights of NY are spread out and the subway and bus system in Manhattan is excellent obviating the need to stay in one area. And for an extended stay, a more residential area would be more better in terms of choice of restaurants and stores and better bargains.

Times Square is fun for a visit at night, but as far as arriving, it looks better leaving.

nytraveler Oct 20th, 2014 05:17 AM

I fear you have some major misconceptions about Manhattan.

The sights are spread out over the city - from island in the harbor to The Cloisters in upper Manhattan - more than 10 miles.

The are you are talking about is only 5 minutes from Times Square by subway - and you will be using subway a lot to get places. It is also only a couple of blocks from Central Park and within a couple of minutes walk of several of the major museums, The area is mid/upscale residential with the avenues line with shops (from designer to boutique, including several major gourmet shops) and dozens upon dozens of restaurants of every possible ethnicity, many with sidewalk cafes (often better than those near Times Square - many of which are either very upscale or very over-priced chain places serving micronuked blah).

As for Times Square - it;s very convenient to theaters - but in terms of other sights it;s not really any more convenient than many other areas of Manhattan - you will still have to take the subway to sights that are either uptown or downtown (Times Square is midtown). And it's VERY loud and mobbed - with a significant number of irritating characters asking to be paid to take your picture with them - and mobbed with tour buses (this is pick up and drop off central and there are often 10/12 or more buses clogging the street) and gridlocked traffic.

So - if you really want Times Square - fine - but I wouldn;t touch it with a barge pole, Suggest you get a map of the city and plot out the locations of the places you want to see - to understand what Times Square is or is not near

We live on the upper west side and often stroll home after the theater - yes, it takes about a half hour - but what better after being stuck in a theater seat for the past 3 hours?

NeoPatrick Oct 20th, 2014 05:37 AM

If I lived in NYC, I'd avoid Times Square like the plague. But I don't. What does New York have that nowhere else in the US has -- Times Square. For some of us the hustle and bustle and the crowds and bright lights of the "center of the city" is half the reason for going there -- if we wanted some quiet neighborhood to stay in, we could just stay home and save ourselves a ton of money.

Oddly, though, Times Square is a hotel location is a bit misnamed. There are dozens and dozens of hotels within say 10 blocks of the actual center of Times Square -- and that's what most people are talking about when they say "stay in Times Square".
For Radio City, as well as Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks, MOMA, The Library, Grand Central Station, shopping on Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Empire State Building and tons of other things, all that is within a short walk of those "Times Square area" hotels -- so I'd ignore those who try to pretend it is no more central to MUCH of what you'll want to do as tourists as staying somewhere else and taking subways all the time.

By the way, I've stayed Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Financial area, Union Square, Soho, and the Village. But for a short "tourist" trip, nothing does it for me like staying "near" Times Square. Again, we're not talking about moving and living there, we're talking about visitors wanting something different from what they have at home.

nytraveler Oct 20th, 2014 08:29 AM

One of my concerns with Times Square is that many people think this is "downtown" as some cities have a downtown and that all major sights are nearby. In fact Times Square is great for theater - but IMHO uptown is much better for museums (Museum Mile is the East side of Central Park from 103rd down to 79th). And there are many hugely popular sights downtown.

All of this requires riding the subway - esp in Jan - which can be bitterly cold (and damp and windy) never mind if it snows or sleets - and walking long distances won't be that pleasant. I would pick a hotel with close proximity to the subway AFTER plotting the location of the major sights that the OP wants to see.

And yes, while Brooklyn, or LIC or Jersey are sort of out of the way for many things - there are many convenient/central areas in Manhattan besides Times Square.

clarkgriswold Oct 20th, 2014 08:35 AM

I'd rather "step out at night" around the Beacon Hotel than in Times Square. And it's an express subway down to Times Square, very short hop, or a long nice walk (25 mins)...or the Hop On Bus stops at the Natural History Museum nearby. Have you read all the glowing reviews for the Beacon? If you were only staying 2 or 3 nights, maybe Times Square, but for 5 nights you'll be happy to be in a spacious room on the Upper West Side where you can get some sleep without earplugs.

NewbE Oct 20th, 2014 08:41 AM

FWIW, I agree with Neo 100%. I would underline the fact that "near" Times Square does not mean you are "in" TS and fighting crowds and noise all day, every day. "Near TS" is, IMO, a very convenient location indeed, close enough to walk quickly to a lot of major tourists destinations, and ideal for a fist time visitor.

IMDonehere Oct 20th, 2014 08:43 AM

If someone was staying a week, then in, near, around, above, or under TS might be good. But during a month stay, it would probably lose it charm.

There are many new hotels scattered around downtown and the 20's.

clarkgriswold Oct 20th, 2014 08:45 AM

...and if you are considering the Beacon, you'll want to book it now. It is cancellable without penalty. The Beacon does sell out and probably most January nights will not be available in a week or two.

NewbE Oct 20th, 2014 08:45 AM

IMD, the OP is staying 5 nights.

NeoPatrick Oct 20th, 2014 11:20 AM

nytraveler, on the off chance you weren't able to read my comment above (or did read it, but just chose to ignore it), I'll repeat it. Once you can name this many MAJOR tourist destinations within close walking distance of any other area in the city, then maybe we'll listen. Otherwise you can pretend all you want that there aren't MORE destinations that the casual tourist wants to do in close proximity to the area we're talking about that any other area of the city. Go ahead, list 9 or 10 tourist attractions AS POPULAR as the ones I've listed below that are all within easy walking distance of any other area. (and my the way, I wasn't even including theatres -- which many visitors do several times in a NY stay). But I'd love to see YOUR list!


"There are dozens and dozens of hotels within say 10 blocks of the actual center of Times Square -- and that's what most people are talking about when they say "stay in Times Square".
For Radio City, as well as Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks, MOMA, The Library, Grand Central Station, shopping on Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Empire State Building and tons of other things, all that is within a short walk of those "Times Square area" hotels -- so I'd ignore those who try to pretend it is no more central to MUCH of what you'll want to do as tourists as staying somewhere else and taking subways all the time."

IMDonehere Oct 20th, 2014 11:23 AM

Sorry, I thought the OP was staying longer.

IMDonehere Oct 20th, 2014 11:30 AM

Based on how we travel and if I was visiting NY for the first time, AMONG our top choices would be:

MoMA
Met Museum
Central Park
Ethnic restaurants
Places like DiPola, Sullivan Street Bakery, and Murrays
Dramas and comedies
Classical music and jazz
Walking the city and looking for outstanding residential and commercial architecture.
Frick or Cloisters
A trip to Brooklyn Heights for the view from the Promenade and an old and historic neighborhood.

NeoPatrick Oct 20th, 2014 11:42 AM

Was that list in reference to request to name 9 or 10 destinations more popular than the ones I listed that would all be a short walking distance from one area in the city?

IMDonehere Oct 20th, 2014 12:06 PM

It is just a general list of things I would want to see, if it was my first trip to NYC. It has nothing to do with walking or transportation in general or staying near TS.

clarkgriswold Oct 20th, 2014 12:36 PM

Please, could we all just post our opinions without having it progress to another my-ideas-are-better-than-yours thread? We have enough of those already, the OP is perfectly capable of reading opinions and then making a decision.

If you want to argue go back to the Lounge

IMDonehere Oct 20th, 2014 01:20 PM

You know I offered a list of possible things without emotion or judgement. Just a list. This place is really ?x$%^* UP.


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