BuffaloGirl, if you consider staying closer to the Met, there is a Courtyard hotel at 410 E 92nd St. (92nd and 1st), and they have rates at $239 that weekend before Christmas. You can get bedding types guaranteed there (I don't think the Kimberly guarantees bedding types for regular rooms). Rooms are big there and very clean. I almost stayed there recently but instead stayed at the Courtyard Midtown East (866 3rd Ave., at 3rd and 53rd) and my room there was big enough to waltz in, w/a sofa and chair and lots of floor space.

The Kimberly is a better location for the Met and getting out to JFK since it's on the east side; it's also closer to Rockefeller Center . It also makes the wine bar recos I made convenient. There's an Angelo's pizza on 2nd ave. & 55th that's good.

You can use the subway at 53 st. & Lexington (E train)to Jamaica station and there switch to the Airtrain to get to JFK. Grand Central terminal doesn't really figure into the equation to JFK. The E or the 4,6 are the subways you'd use to get around from the Kimberly and the stop at 51 st & 53 st. are closer than Grand Central. You can also use the Madison Ave. bus uptown to get to the Met although it will take longer than the subway.

Thanks, all. I'm thinking of saving the Met for another visit. I'd rather not feel rushed and really enjoy the museum. This will give us time to visit the Bryant Park Christmas market and then have a nice lunch before heading for the airport.

All above suggestions are greatly appreciated!