g33kgrl

A female friend and I are going to NY (first time for me, second for her) from Oct. 7-12. I have found availability at these two places, for very different prices (most everything in Midtown seems to be booked except much cheaper and much lower places). I think I like the location of the Belvedere more and it seems nicer, but I haven't actually been there and I'm not sure whether it's worth the extra cost.

The Belvedere ($335/night inc. taxes) is at 48th St. and 8th Ave., and the Travel Inn ($220/night inc. taxes, very good reviews re: cleaniness and friendliness) is at 42 St. and Tenth Ave. I understand the Travel Inn is very near the main bus terminal, though, which is not a great location in a lot of cities.

So--what are the opinions about the Travel Inn's location? Is it good (access to tourist sites, subway, restaurants, shows) or would it be worth it to pay the extra $ for the Belvedere?

Thanks in advance--I've been helped the expertise at this site for my European trips, but this is my first time on the US forum.

wantsomesun

The TRavel Inn would be my recommendation. It is very clean, close to Times Square, transportation and restaurants, but out of the noise of TS.

Also for the extra $100 a night you could spend that on some really great restaurants or see a couple more shows, oh and there's always ......shopping.

Have a great time while you are here.

g33kgrl

Thanks, wantsomesun. Any other thoughts from anyone?

TobieT

We really liked the Belvedere....spacious rooms by NYC standards, and we previously had stayed at the Sheraton.

We had a double room for older teens across the hall from our king and they had tons of room. Everything was clean, service was very friendly and the beds comfortable. With a coffee maker, microwave and a bar fridge as well as a great hot/cold breakfast buffet that kept us going for hours, we felt it offered quite alot.

The location of the Belvedere is probably a little better in terms of walking everywhere (outside of Times Sq). We were able to access everything we wanted either on foot, or by using the hopon/hopoff bus. And we had no problem driving in from Toronto and locating the hotel...mapquest was great.

But in reading the reviews for the Travel Inn I would say it appears to offer much the same in terms of amenities, cleanliness....and free parking. Seems to me our fee at the Belvedere was about $25/day.

Did you check the Belvedere's own site as the prices there look cheaper for your dates?

http://www.belvederehotelnyc.com/spe...est-hotels.asp

GoTravel

Since the location of the Belvedere isn't that much better than the Travel Inn (in my opinion), I'd save the money and go with the Travel Inn.

Half dozen of one, six of another.

BudgetQueen

I think the Traveler's Inn is a so so location and kind of dumpy. It's more dicy at night than other locations. The Belvedere is a much better location. My family has stayed at both.

mclaurie

The Belvedere is a "real" hotel. The Travel Inn feels more like a motel (perhaps because it is, sorta). The Travel Inn is the only hotel in NYC that has free parking so many people who drive here will stay there. The 2 blocks west between 8th ave. & 10th ave. do feel different. Tenth ave. feels somewhat industrial, but 9th ave. (inbetween the 2) has become lined with small ethnic, reasonably priced restaurants. I'd certainly prefer staying at the Belvedere, but like wantsomesun, at a savings of over $100/night, I'd be mighty tempted to go with the Travel Inn.

I did some searching around for you. The Salisbury is available for the last 3 nights of your stay for $319 plus tax (a king bed). The location is terrific on west 57 st. Don't know if you'd want to be bothered with moving. You could stay at the TI for the weekend and then move.
nycsalisbury.com

g33kgrl

Thanks, everyone! I guess considering it's more than $50 less per person per day (= dinner, shopping, show), I think we're going to risk the Travel Inn.

And thanks for the other suggestions, Mclaurie (I always appreciate alternatives), but unfortunately the Belvedere doesn't have any rooms available at that special rate for our dates (of course), and the other one, at $319 + taxes, is even more than the Belvedere (which is 335 including taxes) and I don't want to switch hotels in the middle of a shortish trip (I did that in Paris recently and wished I had stayed put).

Thanks again all--it always helps to hear directly from people who have been there.