We stayed at the Excelsior last year because our son lives a few blocks away near Central Park West. We would like to look at another hotel in that same location. The Belleclaire didn't get good reviews on trip advisor but we are open to suggestions. Otherwise it's back to the Excelsior. Thanks.

You can't go wrong with either the Lucerne or On the Avenue. The former is more traditional, the latter is modern. Of the two, I would choose the Lucerne.

Thank you..

We found a good online rate for the LUcerne and will call tomorrow. The street seems interesting...just hope it's not too noisy!!. Thanks again and if you have any restaurants to recommend I would appreciate it..

Attached to the Lucerne is Nice Matin. Also right in the area Isabella's for Italian, Ocean for seafood and Kefi for Greek.

You are so helpful...now the last question, some people said it's noisy and it you want quiet you will face a brick wall?...is this true?...I think i would go for the noise but need some guidance.

It is not a particularly noisy street. Certainly no more than the street the Excelsior is on. The higher the floor, the quieter it should be. Lots of restaurants up on Columbus. The Cafe des Artistes is on 67th street just off the park. I happen to like it a lot, particularly for brunch - others may feel differently. I particularly like the ambiance, but it not inexpensive.

I just booked a room...many thanks for your help.

There's no place in Manhattan that's really quiet - except perhaps the center of Central Park in the middle of the night. The Lucerne is on the corner of two main streets so probably will have more ambient noise than a hotel on a side street. But it all depends on which direction you face and what floor you're on.

We live on a side street, but on the 4th floor and get what some people would think is substantial noise (esp the commercial carter grinding away at 3 am) but I sleep right through it. But this morning I was driven mad here at my parents house by the birds outside in the early am. And not just the regular tweeting you get from sparrows - there are doves cooing, something that seems to go "per-wheet" and something else that almost trills. I finally turned on the AC to drown them out and get some sleep. They should wait until 9 am to wake up!

Your bird calls are great!....Re the noise, II can bring ear plugs, and I am excited that we will be staying in a "lively" area. Last Fall at the Excelsior we ate at restaurants near the Lucerne I think so I will feel at home.

Now I have to plan our itinerary....I will probably do a posting on that too.
BTW, we are from San Diego...

Two other restaurants I like in the area are Bistro Citron and Hi LIfe Cafe. Both on Amsterdam between 82nd & 83rd.

I think you will be happy with your choice. We stayed at the Lucerne and loved the proximity to the Natural History Museum, Central Park and Zabars. Ok, our room was small, but it is New York and the price was right. We especially liked their restaurant, Nice Matin. No problem at all with noise. Have fun!

Thank you..I will check back here from time to time with more questions...now I am trying to see what we will do during the day I have given up the idea of a show as the ones I want are just too much.

loisco were u happy with the Excelsior on your last visit?
we booked it for 4 nights during our 2wk stay...we hope to find something else as we'd like to experience 2 different areas of NYC

We have reservations at the Lucerne on the last leg of our East Coast trip!

as291 - I last stayed at the Excelsior this past June. This time I was alone but had a twin room because of a very early check-in since I had a noon meeting near Lincoln Center. The rooms probably would not be be called luxurious but are very pleasant, very clean, far from basic and a decent size for NYC. The bathrooms at the Excelsior are always (as has been my experience) particularly nice with very attractive tile work and upscale toiletries. I love the classic decor of the lobby. The only negative on this past stay was a TV that did not work well on check-in, but they fixed it the same day. I have stayed at the Lucerne as well and also like it very much but I most often choose the Excelsior simply because it usually has better rates on sources such as hotels.com (I paid $168+tax/night for a Mid June weekend)-a bargain for a well located hotel of this quality in NYC. It is in a great area with plenty of nearby public transportation and restaurants. There can be some street noise, but it is NYC afterall. A room on a higher floor would mitigate the noise. I would not be concerned with your choice.

oh great - thanks for posting basingstoke2