I am coming over for four nights in December on a surprise christmas shopping trip for my wife from england and a break from our two young boys 14 months and 6 weeks old!

looking for suggestions on hotels really nice to stay, preferably something memorable with great city views.

seen hotel on rovington, robert di nero's place, mercer and a few other ideas but there must be some good advice by people who've stayed.

We will have 3 full days to enjoy ourselves and hit the shops and have a good idea on that what we will do. Other ideas on memorable nights out - all advice greatly appreciated to make it a really special trip for mom!

Sincere thanks in advance!

We just love the Carlisle Hotel on East 76th Street. Terrific hotel with great staff and some of the rooms have balconies with views of the city. It's only a block from Central Park and there are some very nice upscale fashion shops within walking distance.

There's also the Plaza Hotel - centrally located at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South - you are right in the heart of mid-town Manhattan, all the major shops on Fifth and Madison avenues, you'll have access to all the great restaurants (many within walking distance) and you can get rooms with fabulous views of Central Park and/or the NYC skyline.

Very few NYC hotels have views - since they are surrounded by other large buildings. Those mention to - but are quite upscale. There are others in the same category that also have views - but plan on $800 and up for a basic room and possibly quite a bit more for a room with a view. (You are coming to NYC at the busiest, most expensive time of year.)

The hotels we stay at repeatedly and are always please with are the Michelangelo Hotel, Hotel Giraffe and the W Union Square. Another was the Rhiga Royale which has been renovated and is now the London NYC - we have not stayed there since the renovation, but I can only imagine it became even better than it was.

Hi

My wife and I went to NYC in December last year. Maybe you can find some useful info in my trip report with pictures and links http://gardkarlsen.com/NYC_travelogue_2007.htm . Get in touch if you have any questions

Regards
gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Woolfie, before I help on hotels, I wonder if there are any other women out there reading this who are worried about this idea. I can't imagine many women willing to leave a 6 week old baby (and a 14 month old). Will she be nursing? I don't think doing this as a surprise is a good idea, but I could be wrong.

As to hotels, you've mentioned some of the trendier hotels (Hotel on Rivington is NOT De Niro's but it's very nice and has views). DeNiro's is Duane St. in Tribeca. If you want to be in a trendy, young area. Hotel on Riv. is a good idea as is the Bowery. For a more typical central location, the London is a very nice hotel in midtown and houses Gordon Ramsay's restaurant. It's a short walk to theaters and shopping. The Chambers is another midtown trendy hotel but I'm not sure about views. The Mercer is a very nice hotel but not sure it is any views. The Gansevoort and Soho House in the meatpacking district are also trendy and should have some views.

Maybe the 6 week thing is a mistake. If the baby will be only 6 weeks old, she/he hasn’t been born yet. How can somebody need a break from somebody not yet born?

I stayed at the London Hotel last weekend and it was wonderful.

Hubby and I have stayed at the Giraffe Hotel several times and we also love that hotel!

I think maybe the baby's ages are now, rather than their December ages?

Yes - that's what I assumed. Can't imagine any mom leaving a 6 week old behind for so long.

sorry to have concerned you all -jack is six weeks now so by december he will be old enough to be left on his own!

Thanks for your suggestions which are really helpful!

The Helmsley Hotel on Central Park South...the location is super-duper central.

3 days in NYC, I would definitely get tickets to a Broadway Show.

T.O.N.Y, check this out online (Time Out N.Y.) is very up to the minute of places to go,music/art venues and things to do.