we were wondering how times square is around new years time. does anyone have any advice about hotels to stay at and which ones not to stay at. we were looking at millenium hilton downtown manhattan. any suggestions?

We did New Year's in Time Square for the Millenium. We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard (on about 40th st. near Broadway). It was 2 blocks from the ball, but very quiet and fairly reasonable albeit plain.

It will be COLD!!! It will be cold and crowded. You have to get there during the day to get a decent spot. If you want to keep your spot, you won't be able to leave as the cops herd people into pened in areas for security. There are no bathrooms and it will be COLD!!!

Do like us NY'ers and stay away from Times Square. Find a bar or party and watch the ball on TV in a warm room.

Allan hit the nail on the head. Unless you are college age, watch the ball drop from a nice bar. It is a zoo.

Everything above is true... that's why we stayed at the courtyard. The police let us walk the 1/2 block down to the "pen" at 40th and broadway at 11:30 PM. We had a nice dinner in Gramercy Park area... came back to the hotel... watched some TV... walked down to the corner at 11:30... walked home at 12:15... and were asleep by 12:30. I am way too old to do the all day thing with no bathroom... But it was fun to see the ball drop.

This is one of those things you must do once before you die, and you won't regret it. No matter how long you wait, how cold (it's best, of course, to dress so as to be comfortable while out and about) it is...

As Julie mentioned, you really don't have to get there in the afternoon to stake out a spot. (Lots of folks will have given around 11 with another hour to go.)

I would recommend booking something you can cancel, then checking Hotwire and Priceline (learn to use it via biddingfortravel.com) closer to your dates.

From the Millenium Hilton, you'd have to take the subway.

Anything in Times Square or Midtown West/Central, would be more convenient.

A few years ago, we got unbelievably lucky. Got the Marriott Marquis (with Priceline or Hotwire, can't remember which), at some ridiculously low rate compared to all other booking resources, including through the Marriott directly. THEN, we happened into the Broadway Lounge within the hotel around 9:30 where a couple from Texas offered us the two empty seats at their table RIGHT by the windows looking in the right direction. (Our plan had been to fortify ourselves, with cappuccinos, before heading outdoors.) Those seats were well worth listening to some huge Texas stories!

I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to our message. We will consider everyones advice. If anyone else has a suggestion for us it would be greatly welcomed. Thanks again

I use to think like DJKbooks, "everyone should go to Times Square for New Years at east once in their life time." Well, that was until I actually went there. It was a couple years back and I was pretty excited about the whole trip. We stayed at the Mariott Marquis and headed outside around 9. THere was already a huge crowd of people, but we didn't really see any point in going down to the "zoo" any earlier. Let me tell you, I dressed in layers and was still freezing my a** off! I tried to get over that part though and enjoy myself. Well, around 10:30 I was standing and talking with my friends, taking in the excitement, when I turn around and see this guy behind me with a very odd look on his face. I thought he was going to ask me a question when all of a sudden he threw up all over me. Let me tell you, it was like projectile vomiting. At that point I had the choice of standing there for another couple hours in misery and stinking of puke or just going back tot he hotel and watching on telelvision. I ended up going with the latter of the two choices and ordered a bottle of champagne for myself and the one friend that went back with me. We had a better time in that room then I ever would have had on the street. My advice, skip the mayhem and go to a party somewhere.

I agree with above post. It will be COLD. I live in NY and never ventured to time square on New Years. It's too Cold, very rowdy, very crowded, no where to use the bathroom, and just too COLD. I'd stay away...

If you are not staying IN Times Square, it will be very difficult getting TO Times Square to see the ball drop. Why? Because in the early evening, the cops set up barricades on all avenues and streets blocking anyone from getting in. The only way to get in is if you can prove that you live or work just beyond the barricade. Or you can take the 20-block indeterminate maze that weaves you up and down various blocks until you find yourself in one of these "pens" somewhere way north of Times Square, without a view of the ball. And there's no place to pee. And then someone throws up on you. Nah, not worth it...unless you're 20, warmly dressed, drunk, and don't mind putting up with all this crap.

Over the many years that I've lived and partied in NYC, I've *never* heard a positive story about Times Square on New Year's Eve (except from people staying on the square or attending a party in a bldg on the square). If you must experience it, definitely find a hotel room or other indoor venue.
Good Luck!

I don't think you should avoid it - if it's something you're able to and up to it - stand the cold I say go for it! I agree with "djkbooks" one of those things you must do once before you die and you won't regret it.
It's true though, for whatever reason it never fails on New Years Eve the temperature drops down to about 20 and below. For as far back as I can remember it's always been very cold on New Years Eve.
Don't know about hotels since I live on the island and just go in by train.