New York Hotel Query
 

HELP!! My husband and I (mid 50’s) are arriving on 20th of Sept 2 to 2nd of October (12 nights) for our first trip to the USA. For a few days now I have trawled hotel booking sights, guide books and consulted friends and after being convinced that midtown is the area for us I have tentatively booked The Pod 51st Street. I have paid about US$338 per night which is a lot for us – obviously would like to have paid less but realise it is the price of NY. The Pod is fine but just lacks a bit of character as it is very newish and vibrant.

Have I booked the right hotel for us? Any alternatives? Or are there other areas we should consider? We are wanting to visit all the usual tourist sights, go to a show, shop etc and want to be close to the action as my ability to walk all day is somewhat limited. Can you please advise?

The subway and bus system is excellent so you could stay a little further north up around the south end of Central Park but the prices may not be that much better. Hotels in NY are very expensive.

Yes I realize that they are expensive but was wondering if any other hotels in the midtown area for about the same price or a little more can be recommended as I am not sure whether The Pod is quite right for our age group and its lack of NY character?

fmpden - If not, what hotels in our price bracket or a little more in the area that you recommend?

The Pod is not worth over $300/night. They have everything fom hostel type rooms with shared bathrooms to regular rooms. You've not said what ou want, but I've got to believe tehre are better options. I would contact the London agency www.apartments2book.com and see what they can offer. They have contracts with many of the apt hotels and can often get better prices.

I don't pretend to be a New York expert, but we have stayed at the Washington Square Hotel at least 5 or 6 times over the last 25 years (most recently in October 2013), and we always love it. (We have at least twice stayed elsewhere, but always end up comparing unfavorably to the WSH!)

It's in Greenwich Village (which I prefer to Midtown); under $400/night; charming, clean, quiet, comfortable, and close to a subway stop.
http://www.washingtonsquarehotel.com/

Agree that you do not have to be in midtown. Major sights are spread out all over the city and the subway goes almost everywhere easily and quickly. I just looked at the Newton - a reliable, pleasant property on the upper west side and they have rooms available for about $270 per night including tax - but this may be advance purchase.

This hotel is MUCH more pleasant than the Pod, is in a wonderful mid/upscale residential area, is right next to several subway lines (2 stops to Times Square on the express) and the avenues are lined with a host of restaurants of every possible ethnicity. Or you can also take the 96th St crosstown bus to the east side of Central Park (3 blocks from hotel) to reach Museum Mile - the many museums lining the east side of the Park. And easily stroll or hop the Broadway downtown bus to the Museum of Nat'l Hist, Planetarium and NY Historical Society.

Lots of people on this forum suggest Long Island City, which is across the East River in Queens, as a very good money saving alternative to staying in Manhattan. I don't usually recommend it myself, since staying in Manhattan is usually a lot more pleasant and fun. But considering that you'll be there 12 nights, you might want to consider this hotel, which has an 8.1 rating on Priceline (pretty good).

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/new-yo...hotel-overview

I've never stayed there, but it's probably quite nice. Maybe others here could tell you a little more about the hotel in the surroundings.

If you chose their "Stay 3 nights & save 30%" promo, you would get a king room for $175 a night. For a night or two I wouldn't necessarily do it, but with 12 nights you'd save a bundle! It's easy to get to from Manhattan, and it's a decent, improving area which is also close to Astoria.

You can do better. For example, at the Affinia 50 you can get a deluxe room with a small sofa and fridge and microwave for $328 by taking the extended rate. All Affinia hotels offer this if you are staying more than a week. This isn't cheap, but it gives you a bit more breathing room than a tiny room at the Pod Hotel (which I agree is not worth that rate). The Affinia 50 has no more character than the Pod, but it's a better hotel in a good location with a much bigger and better room.

Even the Roosevelt Hotel (excellent location by the way), costs only $295 at this period through Expedia. Now that hotel has real character. The Belevedere, another interesting hotel in a great neighborhood, is $324. And the Edison (a real NYC landmark which has the most iconic diner in all of midtown) is $287. Search on Hotels.com or Expedia, and I suspect you'll see many different options that are at least the same price, if not cheaper, than the Pod Hotel. I'm seeing at least a dozen better choices for you with 2 minutes of looking.

However, about "character". In my opinion, that's overrated. For such a long stay, I'd be more interested in mitigating the financial damage by getting a decent, well located room that serves the purpose. I do think the Country Inn & Suites Long Island City would save you at least US$1000, and it's a block from the subway in Queens. It has no character, but it has free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a fridge and microwave in the room, and it costs $150. I'd give up character to save $2000.

Well, I may be in the minority and I may be vapid, but character is important to me, especially when I'm visiting a city that's all about character. I don't like "coming home" at night to a place that feels generic; it's just kind of a disappointment to me -- like having to wake up from a great dream or something!

LucieV - I doubt that you're vapid, but why can't you dream about $2,000? That's a pretty sweet dream!

Yes, but much of LIC has a very different vibe than the city. Much is mixed use areas (motels and some warehouses mixed in with auto body shops, etc and not a lot in the way of restaurants and services. I would try for a better/cheaper choice in the city without giving up the Manhattan benefits of atmosphere and services.

La Quinta Inn Manhattan. I think it was Starrs who said she liked it, well located by a subway station.

1 Queen bed starts @ $235 per night plus taxes. AARP on a king bed is $265 and you have time to join AARP before then.

This is a very interesting question, and it has no obvious solution. Long Island City is, arguably, more convenient to more tourist sights than some parts of Manhattan but it has not real character yet. So I can't disagree with that point.

However, if I could save $2000 and cut my lodging bill in half by staying there, I would happily live without having restaurants and bars within walking distance. But not everyone would. But I'd prefer to spend that money on Broadway shows, great restaurants, and having fun. But that's me.

I normally do the same thing when I go to Paris. I've never spent more than 100 euros for a hotel in Paris, and I stay at an Ibis. I'd rather spend my money on food and museums.

I think part of the equation is time versus money.

Our vacation time - esp getting it at the same time - is very difficult - so we sacrifice budget to central location (walk out the door and you are THERE) every time. For us it's not like saving money on a hotel will pay for a longer - or different - vacation.

So we go for the best price we can get at a hotel we like in a central location. (I know people will say the upper west side is no closer in time - but it is the city.)

We really liked the Chelsea Pines Inn (not in midtown obviously). Their rates are $268 a night (plus the billions of dollars NYC charges in taxes). It's an eclectic place...free continental breakfast..and the guys who run it are very helpful with dinner suggestions, etc. Subway station is less than a block away. Near The High Line, Chelsea Market. We were there in 2011, but it is still tripadvisors #1 place to stay in NYC, Have fun. I included link to my trip report with photos, too. Has a picture of one of the rooms.

http://www.chelseapinesinn.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...City_2011.html

((H))

I sleep at the Jane when I'm in New York, but it may be too down market for you. I've also considered the Chelsea Inn (different one to maitai's) but they've always been full.

http://thejanenyc.com/

http://www.chelseainn.com/index.php?id=6

<i>For us it's not like saving money on a hotel will pay for a longer - or different - vacation.</i>

Exactly. Additionally, after traveling throughout Europe and North Africa with my penny-pinching sister for 3 months in our early 20s, I decided I would not be one of those people who says, "Let's see...since we're staying in a cheaper place, we can afford to get better seats at the play tonight." Life's too short and traveling is too much fun to make it all about budgets and being "sensible". (I realize that's only one perspective...but I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.)

Thank you to all for your suggestions but I have not really resolved the hotel situation - the Affinia was unfortunately too expensive for my pocket despite being in a good location and having positive reviews, The Roosevelt which looks charming gets pounded in the tripadvisor reviews particularly for the condition of the rooms! The Newton is still a possibility but is further out of the action than I really wanted to be. Not sure that Greenwich Village is where I want to be located and still researching The Edison. Any other additional suggestions?

Well if all the sights you want to see are midtown or downtown then I can understand not wanting to stay on the upper west side. But is that where they are?

The UWS is exactly in the action IMO in that it is a real vibrant neighborhood, very NY.

Do you know what kind of room you reserved at the Pod? Will it have a private bathroom? The Marlton is a new hotel in Greenwich Village that's lovely but rooms are small. Wyndham Garden Chinatown is a great hotel. Make sure you're looking at prices on multiple websites like kayak.com and trivago.com. I still think it's worth contacting apts2 book. They often can get great rates.

Following your advice I have booked The Newton hotel (thank you!) in UWS for the majority of our trip but need another hotel located near the Gray Lines Visitor Terminal @ 777, 8th Avenue and near a subway stations (coming in from JFK) for four nights. Decided that we do want to spend some time amongst the New York buzz, so what hotel do you suggest? Approx $360 to $400 US per night in total.

Not sure what you mean by the subway. The Newton is right near the 96th St station for the 1,2 and 3 trains and only a couple blocks from the central park line - A,C etc.

And whyever would you want to be near a bus terminal - when you can get there by subway in 10 minutes?

So you have described the precise location of the Hotel Edison. If you want to pay more, look at the Westin or Hyatt Times Square, though both of those may be beyond your price range in October, which is high season.

But another viable option is to stay in the Herald Square Area, near Penn Station. The previously recommended La Quinta is in that precise location, and it is within easy walking distance of Penn Station (if you take the Long Island Railroad from the Airtrain station in Jamaica, this is where you end up ... if the subway, then you end up on the E train, which also stops near Penn Station but takes quite a bit longer). The E Train stop at 34th Street is across the street from The New Yorker hotel, another budget choice (and $350 during high season is, sadly, budget, just to be clear).

Thanks for your continued support - to explain my hotel request. I need another hotel from September 20 to 24th and thought it would be good to stay in another neighbourhood. We will be arriving late on the 20th coming from JFK. On the 24th we are heading off on a two day bus trip (need to be at the Grays bus terminal at 7am on the 24th) so will be moving to Hotel Newton (thanks nytraveller) after that for an additional 7days. We will also need to make our way to the Yankee stadium to watch a game on the 23rd of Sept.

The hotel I choose (1) needs to be able to provide easy walking or subway/bus to do the activities I mentioned during this time (2) as well as access to tourist sites that the Hotel Newton may not be easy to get to or are further afield. (3) Also thought it might be fun to be in the middle of everything for a couple of days such as easy walking to Times Square or Rockefeller Center. I had been looking at Doug's suggestions of the Roosevelt and Edison but they get bad reviews. I like the Affinia 50 but it seems further away. I will have a look at the rest of Doug's suggestions but do either of you have any further comments or suggestions to assist me. Thanks from down under ;)

I'm not sure where you are getting that the Roosevelt and Edison get "bad" reviews. On TripAdvisor, the aggregated rating (taking in consideration all the ratings a hotel has received) for both the Roosevelt and the Edison is 3-1/2, with a large majority of guests at both hotels rating the hotels Excellent or Very Good. But that's really your business not mine.

The Affinia 50 is not far from anything. It's on east 50th, within pretty easy walking distance of Rockefeller Center and fairly close to the subway. It's what I would consider an ideal location, but it is not in the "middle" of anything. For me, that's its biggest advantage (convenient without being in the crush of tourists). But I can see why it might not appeal. The Affinia Manhattan, however, is across the street from Penn Station and has been recently renovated, so if you want to be in the thick of things it would offer a better location.

The New Yorker ranks at a 4 aggregated rating, so it's preferred by more people over both the Edison and the Roosevelt, and it has a good location as well, albeit on the other side of Penn Station.

One thing you have to realize is that before 7am, you are less than 10 minutes by taxi from 8th/44th almost anywhere in Midtown, so the precise location of your hotel relative to the Grayline bus depot is almost irrelevant.

Hi andtrev, we just returned last evening from NYC; so do not have a T/R. If I understand you correctly, you're wanting to spend a few days closer to the heart of it all: Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc. Our favorite location for hotels in NYC is either 44th or 45th Streets between 7th and 6th Avenues. We like to be able to walk to the theaters at night, walk to Rockefeller, the shops on 5th Ave., etc. For small hotels with character, as you suggest, we've stayed in the "Iroquois" and the "Algonquin" on 44th St. IAD on your dates as to their prices. The "Millenium Broadway" and the "Royalton", though not small with character, are fine hotels and convenient to things, including restaurants. This trip we took advantage of two free nights at the "Hyatt Times Square". From none of these hotels can you hear the noise and hoopla of Times Square, yet they are convenient. For attractions farther away, we use the subway or taxis. I wouldn't be concerned about staying near the bus station. The price of a taxi ride is worth being in a good location! Hope these ideas help. We know from experience that it is time-consuming and sometimes perplexing to make hotel decisons, especially in big cities. Not sure where you're from, but we experienced the same thing when deciding where to stay in Sydney, and chose a location close to the harbor where we walk to the ferries, or visit the Rocks and museums, Opera House, etc. Good luck with your decisions.

Have you considered staying in Lower Manhattan? Hotels in this area are very close to most of the subway lines, so it's easy to get around. It's also close to a number of the sites on most tourists' to-do lists. If you stay at the weekend, the rates can be decent (business visitors during the week keep the rates up but the rates fall a bit on the weekend). My family recently stayed in the Stone Street, which opened fairly recently. There also is a Hampton Inn that will be opening soon and there are a few other moderately priced (by NYC standards) hotels in the area.

well, I've heard some pretty bad things about the Roosevelt, also. The Edison is a better location IMO, if you had to choose, I'd go for that one.


I think it's a good idea to stay in two different hotels, given your stay is so long. That way you get to experience different parts of the city, also. I do care about character for some hotels when I travel, but I admit, I don't care about it at all when going to NY, maybe because for me, I live in DC and just go for long weekends, mainly for the theater. I just want a convenient, decent place close to a subway station, forget character. Character often equates to dumpy, as real nice modern hotels that are comfortable probably wouldn't be described as having character.

How about the Mayfair Times Square? I haven't stayed in it, but it looks okay and is less than $250 a night on those dates according to their website .
http://mayfairnewyork.com/

Also, The HOtel at Times Square (Apple Core group) is a very convenient location on W 46th, not far from a subway stop. I've stayed there and thought it was quite nice. I don't know about character, but it's fine. It has rooms for $250-270 on those dates, also. http://applecorehotels.com/the-hotel-at-times-square/