New York/Manhattan hotels
 

I am considering hotels for late October/early November and would welcome comments on these two:

Elysée (60 East 54th Street)

Courtyard by Marriott/Central Park (1717 Broadway)

Thanks for any information. On this trip we will return to the art museums but also have time for sightseeing; so location is something of a factor. In December 2014 we stayed at the Lucerne and liked the upper west side a lot, but perhaps it's time for a different area.

That Courtyard is not very far from The Lucerne, so probably not what you're looking for?

I do not have personal experience with either hotel, but can tell you that each location will provide you with a different experience.

The Elysee is located in a business area. The area is more high-end, but will be very quiet in the evenings and on weekends. Many stores and restaurants close earlier. There are few evening dining options. Also, many sightseeing attractions are on Westside, but you can walk to Bloomingdales and other stores for shopping.

The Courtyard is in a slightly quieter area than a typical Times Square area hotel and in some ways similar to the Lucerne. The location is easily accessible to theater, other entertainment and many sightseeing options. Central Park is just few blocks away.

When you say art museums, both hotels are easily walkable to the Modern Museum of Art and some art galleries, but the Elysee would be an easy bus or cab ride to The Met and other Museum Mile locations, as you are on already on East Side of Manhattan.

The Elysee might provide a more pleasant and relaxed environment, but the Courtyard might be more convenient on a day to day basis, if you are more active.

How about the Iroquois?

These hotels are so different and aren't really all that close (they are on opposite sites of Central Park). The Elysees is a small luxury hotel while the Courtyard is a big, huge business hotel. Couldn't be more different to me.

However, the Courtyard is brand-new and if you get a room with a view they are unbeatable. The location is, arguably, much more convenient since you're within easy walking distance of a couple of blocks from almost every major subway line and can get to both the east and west sides with relative ease, as well as uptown and downtown. The Courtyard is also close to more affordable restaurants on 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen.

But both are pretty convenient and provide walkable locations to a lot of important sights and stores.

The Elysees is a charming european style hotel. Yes, it is primarily a business area - but so is Times Square. It is convenient for a lot of shopping on Fifth Ave and there are a number of restaurants nearby (theater district as well as 9th Ave).

Have never been in the Marriott - but the Courtyards are basic hotels - nothing liike the Elysees.

Iroquois similar to the Elysees.

I would much prefer either one to the Marriott.

Thanks--I've cancelled the Courtyard.

The manager at the Iroquois has given up a room upgrade to provide space for my DH's C-Pap machine. Nice! My only concern is that the bathrooms don't appear to have much space for our toiletries, a common problem with older hotels. I need an inflatable counter, I guess.

I have a female friend who says in those little hotels, she sets up the ironing board in the main room as a vanity. I thought that was quite creative.

nytraveler, you need to get out more. Many newer Courtyards are hardly what you'd call "basic" -- some are really VERY nice -- not the Four Seasons, but often surprisingly well appointed and well designed.

The Iroquois does have small bathrooms.

The Courtyard is not at all basic. It's a really great hotel. But I think you'll like the location of the Iroquois. It's steps from Times Square but on a much quieter street, mid-block. Close to the subway and has a nice (albeit expensive) restaurant. It's a well run hotel, so I think you'll be happy there if you don't mind the small rooms.

I haven't been in that particular Courtyard, but the newer Courtyards are VERY nice (Pasadena is a great example, and I'm willing to bet Manhattan is even nicer).

Well I admit that I never do Marriott - and the only ones I have voluntarily done for conventions are the JWs - which aren;t bad but aren't great. Have been to the lesser Marriotts only a couple of times when stuck on business and found them to be very basic - no real restaurant, no room service and useless :business service" - usually just a couple of computers and one printer stuck in a closest somewhere.. If these are better - fine - but not my choice.

I always prefer a more european type place - and older versus brand new - unless it's a 5* brand new with every bell and whistle.

NeoPatrick, Kudos to your friend! That's a great idea.

Hmmm...small rooms. Not a fan.

Getting closer to choosing the Elysée, as this trip is a substitute for one to Nice.

We stayed at the Marriott/Central Park last October for the weekend, where we had one of those rooms with a view! Another fine thing about the hotel was the location--which was perfect for us as we were there for opera and theatre. Can't think of any negatives.

Check out the most recent review of Elysee on Trip Advisor. It might make you choose it! :)

I shared info on the Elysée with a well traveled friend (mostly Europe) who has the same mind set on hotels as I do--and she said the Elysée was a no-brainer. So that's it.

My DH is happy to have it settled, as he's had many experiences of my walking into a hotel room and walking right back out again to get something somewhere else.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

Neither will my husband, since I learned that his adored Maria Callas used to stay there.

The Elysee really looks lovely. Making a note of it for our next trip to NYC!

Serendipity strikes again! The Elysée turned up in last night's episode of "Blue Bloods."

I noticed that too!