New York Hotel Help Please
 

I am planning a trip to NYC in late Oct / Nov 2011 with my mum for her birthday. It will be the first visit for both of us. I had always wanted to rent an apartment when I visited however I have discovered that Vacation Rentals in NY are illegal (very disappointed) so I am now searching for a hotel for our stay.
I have spent many, many hours on the internet trying to find the right hotel at the right price. My budget just keeps on going up as I don't want to end up in some lousy hotel. Also I am finding alot of hotels are already booked for the dates I want.
So at the moment I am considering the 'New York Palace' but I am open to other suggestions.
To give you an idea of what I am looking for:
- No more than $500 USD a night (including all taxes etc)
- 4 stars +
- Good location but not so noisy at night that we cannot sleep (we are both light sleepers)
- Good service

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I want this trip to be great!!!!

Thanks

Virtually any hotel in Manhattan will meet your requirements in terms of price, location, and service (particularly at that level). However, it would help to know more precisely what you mean by "4 stars +". I can't imagine you'll have a problem finding something for this price. What I'd suggest is that you tell us the kinds of things you plan on doing, then we can recommend a hotel in most convenient area. There will be many, many choices.

A nice new hotel is the Intercontinental in Times Square, and it's a pretty good, convenient location, far enough away from the crush of the crowds that you don't feel too hemmed in. But I prefer staying elsewhere, and there are alot of new, shiny hotels in NYC to choose from. Some hotels even have full kitchens (1 1-bedroom suite at one of the Affinia properties usually has a kitchen); these are good, full-service hotels but aren't really that fancy.

Always get best deals on www.betterbidding.com

Priceline for 4* midtowns like Hyatt Hilton Millineum

from $110-120/nt check calender of winning bids.

Always get a great deal for up to 70% off...

Forgot also you can win the Sheratons like

4* NYC (MTW) Sheraton New York Hotel And Towers - $125

3.5* NYC (Times Square-Theatre District) Sheraton Manhattan - $115

recently join www.spg.com get a suite upgrade at no cost.

works great for me...

I did Priceline Times Square and got the Royalton Hotel 4* for 135$ a night for next week.

"I did Priceline Times Square and got the Royalton Hotel 4* for 135$ a night for next week."

Mid-January will look very different than Mid-October for rate.

As stated, there are plenty of options at the higher end level.

If by chance the price runs up on you, I think both the Dylan Hotel and the FitzPatrick Grand Central are nice options for a smaller hotel in Mid-town.

Both are within a block of Grand Central on reasonably quiet streets.

I've stayed at both and think they are really good value, but not lacking in terms of service.

Just in terms of scale, Manhattan isn't that big. So while it might seem to be "outside" of Midtown to stay at say the Gramercy Park Hotel on 23rd, the reality is that it's about two miles to Times Square and there are numerous places to dine in all parts of town.

Th OP is going in high season next year - so prices now are meaningless. Also the chance of getting Priceline at that time of year are not great and even at 4* there aer risks.

For 4* plus - as in 5* - $500 is simply not enough - the top hotels then will be %800 or so per night - so you need to stick with 4* and hope for the best. The Palace has a good location - but I cant speak to decor, amenities etc.

Have you looked at reviews on tripadvisor.com?

Also the chance of getting Priceline at that time of year are not great

Definitely difficult. We did Priceline in October 2008 and paid over $300 a night for the W New York -- we loved it, both the hotel and the location, but I acknowledge the room was very small. Over Thanksgiving 2007, we paid over $400 a night for the Residence Inn - the <i>Residence Inn</i>!!! Point is, October/November is very high season.

Sorry but I completely disagree. Except for the really expensive luxury hotels like the Mandarin Oriental, hotels under $400 per night are easy to find. The highest prices typically do not kick in until mid to late November, after the OPs visit. Yes, more expensive than January but nothing like Thanksgiving. Four star does not designate a luxury hotel but rather something like the Intercontinental.

Well, since the OP mentioned the Palace I just checked, and wanted to point out to her one very important point -- weekends are less expensive (by $100 a night) than weekdays, so Oct. 13-16 is $529/nt, but Oct. 15-18 is $429 a night (plus tax of course).

The Palace is a great hotel. If you plan on actually Leaving the hotel and spending most of your day walking about, I'd suggest you might not need all that hotel. Have you considered staying in a hotel that provides a sitting room and a small kitchenette? Take a look at The Hotel Beacon on the Upper West Side. It's perfectly situated close to subway stations, restaurants, Central Park, etc. and you'll be able to pick up goodies at the Fairway Market right across the street to enjoy late night and in the morning. This is a quiet hotel in a quiet residential neighborhood. You'll feel like a local.

http://www.beaconhotel.com/

Have a look at <u>The Manhattan Club</u>. This is a timeshare condo, but it is rented out like a hotel. We've seen the units and they are beautiful. You'll really have that "apartment" feel for your stay. The one-bedrooms have a separate sleeping and living room with a nice table and 4 chairs in a cute little kitchenette. I think they have two baths and the sofa is also a sleeper. The building is in a great location right across the street from Carnegie Hall. Easy access to everywhere via subway or walking. Expedia has the property listed for $409 per night for a one-bedroom in November. Smaller units are less expensive.


http://www.expedia.com/New-York-Hote...oomsAndRates&#

Here are a few more "suite style" hotels in NY that might be to your liking. I've stayed at The Benjamin, The Doubletree and The Kimberly -- all nice.

http://www.hotelrooms.com/Suite_Hote...k_New_York.htm

If you decide against a suite style hotel, I would recommend as "something special" The Muse. It is located on 46th Street in another good location for theater, subway, dining, etc. While not a suite, the rooms are spacious and the baths are big. (Ask for an "03" room with two beds and a huge bath and vanity. Or an "04" on the 18th floor with a stunning view of Times Square all lit at night -- those are king rooms though). They have complimentary coffee each morning, in the winter its complimentary cocoa and cider all afternoon -- summer's its lemonade or ice tea in the afternoons. Each evening from 5-6 there is free wine in the lobby. The staff is just marvelous. They will make your stay very special. The hotel restaurant is good. There is a very good deli on the corner for breakfast and a subway stop only one block away. Phone the hotel direct to see if they are offering any "deals" during your dates. The staff is quite good at working with guests.

The Muse fits your rates if you book in advance- even for a double double (2 double beds) room. However, if you wait the standard rates listed are above your budget - some quite a bit above - for late October.

As for not noisy - your best bet is a high floor of a high rise hotel - since most of the city can be noisy at night - between ambulances, police cars, fire engines and trash collection (commercial carters are requied to pick up at night to avoid blocking traffic during the day).

Hi All,

Thanks for all the suggestions.
When planning the trip I actually thought I was choosing a good time in NYC as Peak Summer Season would be over and Thanksgiving still a few weeks away. We are also going to Europe and prices actually decrease significantly once you hit November.
Everything else is booked so we our dates in the US are set - 29th Oct to 2nd Nov.
NYTraveler is quite correct that $500 a night is not enough for a luxury hotel at this time of the year which is why I am looking at the 4* level. I have found that many of the more average hotels seem to be at a similar price to the NY Palace.
I want a room with 2 beds and have found that alot of hotels do not offer this option or they are already booked.
I must say I am hesitant to stay in Times Square even though it is a great location for sightseeing as noise seems to be a big factor in many of the reviews I have read of hotels in this area.
I did look at the Muse previously so will take another look. I will also review the other suggestions made above and see what I think.

Thanks,

Just to put a bit of an exclamation point on it: The Hotel Beacon is newly remodeled (2008 or 09) and has rooms with 2 double beds. Their rates don't change with the season: $205 for a room with a King bed or 2 Double beds and $255.00 for a one bedroom suite with a King bed or 2 Doubles. Every room and suite has a kitchenette and the Upper West Side is the antithesis of the Times Square area. I'm not so sure your Mom would appreciate the Muse but of course I have no way of knowing her preferences. Good luck in your search.

If the lively bold colors and design are appealing to you, the Hotel Roger Williams gets excellent reviews and is at a great price on booking.com
The fine print seems to note that cancellation is allowed with no penalty etc. You might consider booking while you continue to look around.

Also consider the Affinia Dumont over by the Chrysler Building, about a 10 min walk to Times Square. Nice 400sq ft studio suites have 2 beds and a kitchenette area/ apartment-like feel. www.affinia.com $319 plus taxes on your dates.

Affinia Dumont is almost half a mile from the Chrysler Building, but the Dumont is on the east side of Manhattan in a more residential area.

Actually Times Square is NOT great to sightseeing. There are a lot of theaters nearby, a lot of high rise office buildings and lot of shops selling stuff nobody wants (M&Ms?) and bad chain restaurants at very high prices. Much better to stay near Central park South or est midtown. If in west midtown definitely keep off of broadway.

I found on the website that Kitano NY, Michelangelo, St.Giles, W NY (Midtown East & Union sq), The James, are all listed under $500 per avg. night with your scheduled dates. The Place is slightly high at $516 but I don't think this is the tower room. Of course, you have to add tax too.

I personally found two hotels in Chelsea charming. One is Eventi, another is Indigo (this is chain, and I like Indigo hotels). Although location is a little off (28th-30th on 6th Ave, not lively area), but subways near-by. Eventi have two queen size beds in 300sq ft room for under $500. Indigo is cheaper.

I have spent alot of time looking at all the hotels suggested above. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to post.

The hotels I am now considering are:
1) Westin Times Square - unfortunately the rates being offered for a 2 bed room at the moment are non-refundable so cannot reserve a room.
2) The Kimberly - Hotel will not guarantee the bed configuration which is of some concern. Also unsure of the location.
3) The Muse Hotel - the rate for a 2 bed Executive room is good
4) Beacon Hotel seems good value for money - a little lower in standard to some of the above.
5) New York Palace

The Beacon is in a completely different class from the others - and a completely different area. the upper west side is a mid/upscale residential area very close to Central Park and many of the major museums. The Avenues are lined with tons of good inexpensive/moderate neighborhood restaurants of every possible ethnicity and there are 2 subway lines to take you to other parts of Manhattan easily and quickly. (note: residential doesn;t mean quiet, the streets are still busy and many of the restaurants have sidewalk cafes - but will probably be too chilly for that when you're here.) The hotel was redone recently and has large rooms - but is more a 3* place (US 3*, not a european 3*) than a luxury place.

Many people have been very happy staying there - but if you are trying to come close to luxury - the Beacon won;t have the details you're looking for.

I'd also put the Kimberly in the 3-star range as it doesn't have a restaurant and isn't that fancy. But it has a good location in east Midtown, and the rooms tend to be large.

The Palace is a luxury hotel (5 stars), so that's why it's more expensive ... despite the sometimes mixed reception it receives from travelers.

I'd certainly choose the Intercontinental over the Westin. I find the Westin's location to be too crowded and annoying, and it's just not as good a hotel as the Intercontinental (The Barclay in east Midtown is also an Intercontinental hotel, but it's older and not as modern, but still nice). But the Eventi is a brand-new, really nice hotel and ought to be on your list.

I looked at the Eventi but for a 2 bed room it is outside my budget so it had to be taken off my list. I also really liked The Benjamin however no 2 bed rooms to be had.

I have google mapped the Hotel Beacon and the area it is in does look nice. Don't laugh but I have always wanted to visit an American Supermarket (I have seen photos of your candy isles!!!) so I like the fact there is one across the road.

Fairway is not just any supermarket - it's an attraction itself. I could spend hours there, and I hate grocery shopping!

If you want to see a super gourmet store head to Zabar's - Broadway and 80th. It's incredible. they have one guy whose sole job is to slice the lox. Also - upstairs they have a fantastic kitchenwares dept.

Note; neither of these is a supermarket in the american sense - we don;t have really big ones in Manhattan - since rela estate is just too expensive. The ones in the suburbs are twice the size of those in Manhattan. Probably the closest you can come to a real american supermarket in Manhattan is the Food Emporium - and there are a couple on the upper west side.

Zabar's and Fairway are virtually next door to each other. Hotel Beacon has the quietest rooms I've ever slept in. It definitely isn't a budget choice but it's definitely not luxury either. I guess it's similar to most people's homes! ;).
It is good value for the money. I've stayed all over the city and this is one of my favorite places for all the right reasons:
1. Price/Value/Comfort of Rooms
2. Location
3. Convenience to transport

May I ask what is 'slicing the lox'?
Zabar's sounds like my kind of place so it is going on the list of things to do.

I realise the Hotel Beacon is not a luxury hotel but people have alot of good things to say about it for the reasons as listed above by Bowspirit. Therefore I am seriously considering it.

I am heading for the "City" at the end of May. I have found a centrally located apartment hotel that is usually highly recommended here, The Radio City Apartments. I am paying about $200.00 per night. It's just me. I had thought of using VRBO and had to change my mind. Maybe another one for you to look into

http://www.radiocityapartments.com/

Lox: cured salmon (often smoked) that is sliced very, very thin.

I have also found that the prices rise exponentially if you want a 2 bed room. I would disagree about staying in the Times Square area. Granted it is not as pretty as other areas, but if you are interested in the theatre it is an excellent location. After a long day it is really nice to be a short walk away from the theatre

If The Muse is within your budget -- grab it. You will not be disappointed. For an amazing grocery shopping experience go to Whole Foods. Zabar is fun but it's not a supermarket--more deli combined with cooking supplies --kitchen tools, etc. Whole Foods is the best supermarket you will find anywhere.

And Whole Foods is a chain. meh. Zabar and Fairway are unique NYC institutions, you won't find anything like them anywhere else and they're where the neighborhood locals shop for their groceries. Anyway, I'm sure you aren't planning a trip to a NYC grocery store to buy paper towels and furniture polish. (buy you'd find both at Fairway and Zabar)

The Muse is fine, the rooms are small. You can check oyster.com for photos of many hotels in NYC. You might want to visit Trip Advisor for a look at the photos there too.

Radio City Apartments are quiet basic - not nearly as pleasant as the Beacon. I would not reco for someone who started out wanting a 4* plus hotel.

And anyone coming to NYC should have a new york breakfast at least once - a real (not Wonder bread like they have inmost of the country) bagel with cream cheese and lox (yes, it's smoked salmon).

<i>"The Muse is fine, the rooms are small.</i>

Bowsprit, I have to disagree with this statement. I stay at The Muse all the time and the rooms are huge. The baths in the Dbl/Dbl are enormous, with a double sink vanity that is at least 5 feet long and one whole wall is mirrored. Its the perfect bath for two women to share.

While there are Whole Foods around the country, it is still the most amazing grocery store imaginable. The OP said she wanted to visit an American "supermarket" and Whole Foods fits that bill in spades.

I looked at The Muse photos on Oyster. They are somewhat misleading. The Muse is like all NY buildings -- quirky as far as layout goes. Each room is different. The baths in the "03" Dbl/Dbl rooms are much different than the photos shown on Oyster. The staff is great about accommodating a request for a particular room, so just ask. Oyster also leaves the impression that The Muse is right in the middle of Times Square, which is also not true. Its a block away and out of the hustle bustle.

katec1...While I see you already have a lot of great places to consider, I would like to just add that although I used to always stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Times Square on my trips to NYC, I have recently begun renting furnished apartments.

I do not understand your comment about vacation rentals being illegal in NYC as we just did this as recently as December. I have rented as long as ten days and as short as two. I have primarily rented in the Upper East Side (62nd & 2nd) and Upper West Side (73rd & B'way). Prices were under $200 per night for the studios I have personally rented (but 1 and 2 bedrooms are available as well).

The place I used last is www.laragroup.net. Look under Vacation Rentals on their home page for this information if interested. Lara Group is also on Facebook. Good luck.

Another thumbs up for the Beacon. I stayed there in late August '09 with my son in a one-bedroom suite with two double beds. Loved the location, the nearby markets, restaurants, ease of access to the subway. As others have said, the hotel is comfortable but not luxurious. The bathroom was small but modern with an excellent shower. We found it very convenient to eat breakfast in the room on some mornings, having purchased lox from Zabars, bagels from H & H (the kitchenette thoughtfully had a toaster with bagel-width slots), and blood orange juice from the Fairway market across the street. Levain, a wonderful little bakery, is also close by. I'd stay at the Beacon again.