My husband and I are planning a trip to NY in October. We would like hotel and restaurant suggestions. Thanks.

For a wealth of information on NYC, try www.metrobeat.com. Click on Tourist Town first for restaurants and hotels. Then, explore. Wonderful descriptions, photos, and fantastic maps!

Hi Krystyna! What kind of budget are you on? What type of hotel are you looking for? Also, do you have preferences for food? You can email me with specifics if you like and I can give you many suggestions. Good Luck, Allyson

Hello
I stayed at the Shelburne Murray Hill Hotel in NYC in July. I found the hotel to be well appointed and very comfortable. Every room has its own kitchen which is very handy. The location is excellent on Lexington, just around the corner from the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. Macy's and Bloomingdales are not far away either. The hotel is located in the Murray Hill district which is quite upmarket. I paid US$175 per night as it was high-season. There are many great restaurants around this area. There is a particularly nice Japanese restaurant two blocks down on Lexington, the name escapes me though, sorry! Hope this helps.

I'm in NY 2-3 times each year. Always looking for great places at great prices - a contradiction in terms by NY standards. My current favorite is The Barbizon on the Upper East Side - 63rd and Lexington. The rooms are small, (ask for a "larger king - superior", like room 1210 or a king deluxe with terrace, room 1506) but the whole hotel has just been rebuilt and everything is brand new and sparkling clean (difficult to find even in upscale NY hotels). I book through one of two reservation services - the only way to get a decent price in NY. Try Quikbook at 800-789-9887 or Express Reservations at 800-356-1123. The best thing about these two service is: the reservationists have actually been to the hotels so are very knowledgable about the neighborhoods, rooms, etc. (they are also very honest about shortcomings), they are not located in NY so the res. agents are really nice and friendly and helpful, they book a ton of rooms for their chosen few hotels so they get the very best rates. Express Resv. only books hotels in NY and LA. Talk to them. A room at the Barbizon is currently $140 - $185 which includes breakfast if you book thru the above.

Upper East Side is a great location. Very residental - safe - pretty - close to museums - great upscale shopping - wonderful big and small restaurants, easy to walk to Midtown (during the day) and only two direct subway stops to the Theater district. The subway entrance is right across the street from the Barbizon.

My favorite restaurant is right across the street from the Barbizon. Its called Circus. Small, fun, Brazilian food (excellent) reasonable prices. Try it. Also loved Zarela's Mexican in Midtown.

Hope this helps. If you have other questions I will be happy to share my experiences - I used to be a travel agent years ago and its still in my blood. I always look at hotels when I visit a city even if I never stay in them. Good luck.

Hi, We are looking for a decent,clean hotel near the big Italian festival Sept. 11-20. I saw that you recommended the Barbizon---would that be tooooo far away? Is there parking at the hotel? How much?
I know nothing about NY or subways.
Thanks for your help---
Cheryl

When eating out in NYC be sure to STAY AWAY from tourist trap restaurants. Most of them are around the theatre district and probably advertise with little flyers in your hotel lobby or in tourist guides. They are nothing special and the prices tend to run high.

We're amazed at the positive advice that people have provided, so here goes... We're planning a stop-over in New York and would like to hear of any suggestions of where to stay (within $75 -$150).

We hope to check out MOMA and the Guggenheim and of course New York's food!

I have eaten at Picholine two times and have loved both meals. The menu is French/Mediterranean. One of the chef's specialty's is a duck risotto that is fabulous. It is west of Central Park on 63rd (I think). A little French bistro, Tous Va Bien, is a real value. It is not in the greatest area, but it is always crowded. I'm not sure of the exact location but it is just west of 8th around 50 or 51st. I suggest you buy a Zagat guide--we've found them to be very accurate on restaurant recommendations.