My family and I will be visiting NYC from 5/27-5/30. We have always stayed in mid-town, generally at the Marriott East Side. This time around, I may stay at a Starwood hotel and use points. What is the area like around the Sheraton Russell, at Park and 37th? Does anyone have a suggestion for another hotel, (a non-chain because I have checked Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt etc. already) that has rooms with 2 queen beds and enough space for 3 people? We're looking to keep the rate below $250/nt.

For restaurant choices, I was thinking about Craft. I've been to the Union Sq Cafe, Gramercy Tavern and 11 Madison Park so I was hoping this would be on par. Other suggestions with a Danny Meyer type menu would be appreciated. We were also given the suggestion of Balthazar (french bistro fare?) which I have never heard of.

Finally, is there an art festival of some kind going on in Washington Square over Memorial weekend? Two years ago we were in town and happened upon all sorts of vendors. I was hoping it was an annual event.

Thanks much!

Yes the Washington Square Art Show is an anuual event, and there will be LOTS AND I MEAN LOTS of street fairs all over the city that weekend. (Hopefully the weather will C0-OPERATE this year, last year it was awful).

For hotels that weekend, you really need to book quickly, that is the start really of tourist season and alot of the hotles in town as you probably already know are already booked.

I would sugggest www.hotels.com as a good site for info/rates/discount coupons and comparison "shopping" for hotels.

Also you might want to check out the Hotel Grand Union just off Madison Ave. There are 2 queen beds in the rooms, and for what you are looking to pay, you might get a suite there. The hotel has a great location to buses and subway and is very close to 34th St (Macy's, Herald Square, etc).

Have a great time while you are here.

You might want to try the Affinia hotels - they have - I believe - all suites - and the rates are usually moderate.

Not sure how to answer the "what's the area like" question. It's right near Grand Central Station but also a bit residential (on Park Ave.) There are a few other hotels in the area including 2 "W"s and the new 70 Park (that was the Doral Park) and the Kitano, both across the street. I think the Sheraton Russell is a hidden gem but haven't seen the rooms. It's considered part of Murray Hill.

I'm confused about the non-chain hotel request if you're trying to use Starwood points??? There are something like 13 Starwood hotels in NYC. The W Court and W Tuscany are both near the Sheraton Russell and might also be good options. They were smallish European type hotels that W took over.

I agree that the Affinia group all suite hotels are also a good idea. Their one bedroom rooms often have 2 queens plus a queen sleeper sofa in the sitting room. The Shelburne Murray Hill would be in the same neighborhood as the Sheraton Russell but I'd like the location of their Affinia 50 even better.

The Doubletree Suites in Times Square would be another possibility for decent space. The Salisbury is another apt style hotel. They even have 2 bed/2 bath suites. There's also the Blakely which is all suites.

When you say you've already checked all the chains, curious about results. Booked? Too pricey? Marriott owns the all suites Rihga Royal.

Balthazar is a good, popular bistro that's been around for a while. They also have their own bakery and serve a nice breakfast and brunch.

Well, I was thinking of using Starwood points for just one night of our stay. I don't have many to burn so I'm trying to use them sparingly. That means the remaining two nights would be at whatever rate the Sheraton/Westin is selling. The Sheraton Russell currently has the lowest rate for these dates but it turns out that it is for a standard room, not a suite. I checked Affinia hotels and all are sold out. So, I guess we'll have to bite the bullet and pay more than we were planning. I did check the Righa (have stayed there in the past) and the rate is $295. For that rate, I'd rather stay at a Starwood and hope for an upgrade (husband will be a platinum member). I'll also check out the other hotel suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

I just can't believe that ALL the Affinia hotels are already booked for your dates. If you're checking a 3rd party website, it may be Affinia hasn't released rooms to them. Have you checked easyclicktravel.com? That's a website that seems to have good prices for the Affinia group.

"The Sheraton Russell currently has the lowest rate for these dates but it turns out that it is for a standard room, not a suite."

I'm confused by a number of your statements and questions but this one really has me stumped. You thought maybe the lowest rate at a hotel would be for a suite?

I've been to the Rhiga, and I'm not sure what Sheraton I'd stay at for the same price, just hoping for an upgrade, which still probably wouldn't begin to compare to the room at the Rhiga -- just my opinion. I'd understand if you could save $100 a night for a Sheraton, but not at "for that price". Hoping for an upgrade to a suite at a Sheraton, even for a platinum member" is a hit and miss thing. The upgrade if available at all (obviously hotels are filled for your dates, so don't expect much leeway here) would be for a slightly larger or higher room.

One comment regarding Craft. I haven't been, but I know the "gimmick" is that they list ingredients and you put together your own meal. I guess that's OK, except I normally expect the chef to have figured out what his idea of the best presentation of a particular entree would be. Friends went and everything she tried to put together, however, the waiter, kept saying "I wouldn't do that -- the tuna would be much better with _____" etc. So what was the point of it all?

I love Balthazar, but it does not have the same feel as DM restaurants. The McNally calling cards (he also has Pastis, Schillers, Lucky Strike, Pravda) are stylish spaces, beatiful people, slightly disinterested service (not as bad as some other trendy places, but certainly not up to DM standards), and solid (but in no way challenging) bistro food.

Personally, I am pretty much over Craft. (Also I do love Tom Coliccio's - clearly spelled that wrong - sandwich place 'wichcraft. Perhaps a tad pricey, but oh so yummy.) Have you had a chance to try Tabla, DM's noveau Indian? (or, for a more casual - but still delicious - meal, the Bread Bar on the first floor takes walk-ins.) Or perhaps the Harrision downtown?

Meant "although" not "also." Sigh.

mclaurie - I went to affinia.com and checked again. I must not have changed the default room type (defaults to sudio) when I looked last night. I changed the type to suite and found that the Affinia 50 and Affinia Dumont have availability.

patrick - I thought that the Sheraton Russell was primarily an all suite hotel. Mainly suites come up when looking for availability. Anyways, I'm still considering it. Re: Righa, I wasn't overly impressed (other than by the heated toilet seats). Maybe because I worked for another JW Marriott the 2 times I stayed there. You may be right about hoping for an upgrade at a Starwood though. I was thinking that a sold out situation could work to our advantage (platinum members are usually upgraded to the suites first).

Oh, and I've read about Craft's gimmick. The reason I was intrigued is because I'm the person who always tries to change the menu around when I order, or ask the chef to omit the olives etc. Are there other restaurants that I should look into that are similar in menu/price to the Gramercy Tavern?

How do you define "similar"? If you mean great food and service and a classic American menu with some innovative touches, I would still go with the Harrison...

Thanks kikilee - your description of "similar" is perfect! I checked out the Harrison and the menu sounds great. And I couldn't resist the Johnny Cash song that plays on the Red Cat's website. I may have to try both. Also, thank you for mentioning Pastis. My cousin was given that recommendation by a friend but couldn't remember the name exactly. We kept looking up Pistoche, and other variations!

You are welcome! If you do end up at the Harrison, will you let is know how it is? I haven't been there since Danny Abrams and Jimmy Bradley transferred the head chef to their newest venture, Pace. (Don’t worry; I’ve still heard excellent things!) I love their places – I am actually heading to Pace next week for my birthday dinner. Just so you know, Red Cat has much more of a neighborhood feel, while the Harrison is more fine dining (but not at all stuffy).

Try the san Carlos.It is very nice hotel
and rates are 239 also the kimberly is very nice and their rates are 259.
Both of these hotels are right near the marriot eastside.For Dinner if youare in that area try Django,other areas try novita,Bolo,Landmark,Balthazar is a french bistro that is popular and fun,Savoy,Kittichai,Gotham bar& Grill-expensive but good,Have fun

We just stayed at the Park South on 28th Street. The rooms were small, but otherwise the hotel was fantastic:
http://www.parksouthhotel.com/
Right around the corner is a fabulous Pugliese retaurant, I Trulli.