Hi
I know everyone is a little weary from answering questioins about NYC hotels. I am going to NYC for my wedding anniversary from December 17 til December 22. I haven't been to NY in 10 years, since I was student (and stayed in Washington Square Hotel). I would like to book a nice hotel - preferably midtown/Soho, good service, nice rooms. I can get the following rates, but which would you recommend?
I once found the best hotel in Rome on this forum (Albergo del Senato), so I have great hopes for NYC recommendations!
Hudson $150
Plaza $229
Four Seasons $250
Astoria $224
Grand Hyatt $245
Parker Meridien $230
Ritz Carlton Central Park $255
W New York (Lex Ave) $219
Drake Swissotel $205

Is there anywhere else that would be better?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

You didn't find the best hotel in Rome.As for N.Y. I would say either the Plaza or R/C.

From the hotels on your list, I would cross off Hudson and the Hyatt. Don't misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with them, I've stayed at both and they are fine, it's just the other are much nicer for an anniversary stay. I really liked Hudson but I wouldn't place it (or the Hyatt) in the "special" category. I'm sure others with more experience in the luxury category can advise you better, but the rate you found for the Ritz-Carlton CP seems very good for this property!

If you can get that rate for the four seasons I would JUMP on it. A second would be the ritx carlton, but that isn't near midtown- that's on the park. No question- the others you listed can't hold a candle to the four seasons or the ritz.

Agreed on the FS and the RC. the Plaza canbe special is you get a suite - the regular rooms tend to be quite small - and mamy have no view.

For a real splurge try the new Mandarin Oriental - but I have no idea what the rates would be.

Perhaps the best hotel you list is The Plaza, but I agree with nytraveler. If you take the cheap room they've offered, I can almost guarantee it will be tiny, dark, on the back side, and a big disappointment. The Plaza is a place to go only if you're willing to pay for a suite or a special room.

A friend stayed at The Hudson, which has funky and charming public rooms. We measured his room. It was just under 8 feet both directions -- smaller than a little ship's cabin.

I also know some of the rooms at the Ritz-Carlton are incredibly tiny and dark.

But the Four Seasons? Sounds like the best of the lot to me.

Book the Four Seasons right now!

I've never seen the FS for $250.

Next on my list would be the RC.

My boyfriend and I stayed at Parker Meridian a few months back and had a wonderful time, the room was quite large and so was the bathroom. There is a restaurant in the hotel called Normas, and I'm telling you they have amazing food! Another thing we loved about the hotel was that it was SOOOOOOOO central. We walked everywhere!

Everyone seemed surprised by the Four Seasons so I double checked...

It's actually The Four Seasons Pierre...

Does this change the recommendations?

Holy Moses, Claire. The Pierre is the height of old world elegance. Haven't seen the rooms there though but it's across from the Plaza hotel, across from Central Park (btw the Ritz Carlton Central Park IS midtown and is also across from Central Park). There are some mixed reviews here though so read first.

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

If you like old world European elegance go with the Pierre. If you can manage a park view room at the Ritz Carlton, that's another good option (they do have a great spa if that interests you.)

I'd eliminate the Hudson (tiny rooms), Hyatt (too ordinary business hotel) and W NY (tiny rooms). As others say, the Plaza is iffy depending on what room you get. Never heard of the Astoria. Where is it? The Parker Meridien is a nice hotel and has an indoor pool and is well located but is not as good a bargain as some of the others you found. Where did you find these rates???? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

BTW, the Drake Swissotel is a small, charming gem too but it's sometimes available on Priceline. Doesn't make it bad, just, again, not the bargain of the Pierre at 250!!

Thanks for your response...

My husband works for a US bank, but we live in Dublin. So these are corporate rates. But it's hard to know what is a good deal.

I looked at priceline, but it seems far too scary. The fear of the unknown. I would be afraid they would put me in a Holiday Inn (not that there is anything wrong with this!).

I wasn't suggesting using Priceline for this trip Claire. But for future reference, go to biddingfortravel.com where they give a list of hotels used by Priceline in each city (you'll notice no Holiday Inns listed on the NYC hotel list) The website also lists what prices people pay to get which hotel. But hotel rates this fall have been high as demand is high. You may not be able to get all of these based on availability. Now that I know it's corporate rates, the Astoria could be the Waldorf Astoria--another classic but tired hotel.

The Plaza might be a good choice if this is a corporate rate. Why not see what the corporate rate for a suite there would be. My choices, in order would be

>Plaza (for a suite)
>The Pierre Four Seasons
>Ritz Carlton (with a view it would be #1 choice)
>Drake Swissotel
>Parker Meridien

B

McLaurie, just a guess here, but "Astoria" as in Waldorf-Astoria?

That's what I said in my last post Patrick

BOOK THE PIERRE! BOOK THE PIERRE!!!!

Aside from the St. Regis, The Pierre is my most favorite hotel in NYC. It is on the park and the epitome of old New York!

The Cafe Pierre is stunning. The rotunda has the most beautiful frescos. Have tea at the Cafe Pierre.

I'm so jealous! I would love to find that rate for the Pierre.

The Pierre is one of the top 10 hotels (arguably top five) in New York and for a location that has such a plethora of luxury hotels, that speaks volumes.

We stayed at the Sofitel on 44th between 5th and 6th Ave. The hotel was beautiful and convenient. But this is the best part--

I had seen a price of $179 online [travelocity or something like that] but waited a couple of weeks to book. When I went back to site, the price was uped to $199. I called the hotel directly, told them I had seen a lower price earlier and they gave me the lower price. We then signed up for a Sofitel Priviledge card (which was free) and got 2 free drinks in Gaby's, a welcome gift in the room ( 2 boxes of chocolates and Evian). I emailed the hotel and asked for a complimentary upgrade [saying it was our honeymoon -- a bit of a stretch there]. When we checked in, we were given a suite for the $179!! The rooms were large and beautiful and the bathroom was to die for! Great amenities, nice, helpful staff too! This place gets my vote. I am a former New Yorker [lived in the 'burbs and never stayed in the city overnight so finding a hotel was a new experience for me. It was a daunting task to say the least.

I agree with Mamby, if you can get the Four Seasons for that rate - take it! Our family stayed at the Four Seasons in July for four nights. Excellent location in the heart of shopping and near Central Park. The service is impeccable and the rooms huge (by NYC standards). We had to book two rooms because they cannot accomodate children in the same room and while we did not have "connecting" rooms we could keep our doors open as our hallway closed-off. There's plenty of storage for clothing and even cubby holes for all the shoes I brought! The bathrooms are beautiful marble and the whirlpool tub deep and fills in 60 seconds. They left the children some nice toys, candied apples and other treats. The radio was playing softly when we arrived in our room, which was nice since the ride in from Boston was a little crazy! Can't say enough about the service. Concierge are some of the best in NYC. An anniversary is a special occasion...stay at the Four Seasons if you can!

The 4 Seasons will have great service but the location is so-so and no park views.

Head over to the Luxury Hotel forum at http://www.flyertalk.com

You will find a wealth of information from people who treat luxury hotels like a religion.

The consensus best in NYC tend to be the Ritz Carlton Central Park, St Regis, The Pen, Four Seasons (on 57th, not Pierre), and Mandarin Oriental (on C Circle, not The Mark).

FWIW, my choice is the Ritz Central Park.

It merely takes a walk down one of the room hallways to see why The Plaza is now firmly in the 2nd or even 3rd tier of NY hotels. It's a shame it has regressed so badly.