I've looked through many threads and at tripadvisor and want some valued opinions for hotel options. Going to NYC in December with 16yr daughter. Chose of hotels are Mariott Marquis, Essex House, Renaissance NY and Algonquin Hotel.

Here's the deal, cost doesn't really matter, location is most important. Want to be near shopping and theater. From IOWA and want to experience the NYC feeling of Christmas. HELP!

You need to decide if you want to be in Times Square or not. I know a lot of tourists do - but to me its simply ghastly and to be avoided at all costs. I think I would do the Algonquin of those you list - a quick walk to TS - but far enough away not to be subject to the complete tackiness of it. Also- only a block to Fifth Avenue - to me much more representative of the real NY - especially around Christmas.

Have never stayed at any of them - although have done some conventions centered at the Mariott - and it - and its lack of elevators is notorious. (It took some people at the meeting almost 30 minutes to get upstairs to their rooms when it was busy - which Christmas surely will be.)

Have you checked out tripadvisor to get more opinions?

Being from Iowa, and wanting to experience the excitement of New York?, then I HIGHLY recommend Times Square-it's fun, very safe, the lights, the action, the jumbotron, the animatronic advertising displays (steaming Hershey's cocoa cup for example)- it's as bright as daylight there at night! Close to sightseeing venues, restaurants-I recommend the Renaissance NY Times Square-I nearly always stay there-but on a high floor-wonderful rooms-great marble baths, and great views of Broadway and/or river views. Foley's seafood restaurant is known for having the best views of Times Square in the city-we often comment that the tables on New Year's Eve here must go for thousands. Excelllent breakfast buffet, with fresh-squeezed juices, also their seafood restaurant is very good-great martinis in the bar-It is very relaxing to go back here to your comfortable quiet room after a hectic day in the city-yet you step out the door, and it's all right there within walking distance. I like the Marquis, but it's just too big-I prefer the smaller Renaissance-although both hotels are within a block or so of each other.

I agree with NYTraveler. Times Sq. is worth a stroll at best but it caters to tourists, which means tacky shops, lousy, huge restaurants and nothing really remarkable save the enormous neon signs. Stay at the Algonquin. Shop on 5th Avenue. And be sure to visit Bloomie's, Macy's, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf-Goodman and Saks. NY was/is all about department stores.

I agree with all above; I can never get away from Times Square fast enough...........
A young person might enjoy the environment more than an adult, imo. since there are a lot of music stores and noise.

Plan your outings to plays ahead of time; almost impossible to cab it, there's so much traffic; we leave early and walk. Planning to eat early in the area of the theatre makes it more pleasant.

You should price the Sofitel, its next door to the Algonquin, we use it every visit to NYC. Rates highly on Tripadvisor reviews. Go to the RedFlame diner a couple of doors down for Breakfast. (Much cheaper and part of the NY experience)
Either the Alogonquin or the Sofitel are walking distance to everywhere. Especially shows and Central Park and also 5th Ave.

I think all the responses you've gotten so far are valid. I personally would vote for the Essex House on Central Park South with a park view. I think it's the most upscale of the group (haven't been inside the Renaissance though). It is a bit of a walk from the theater district but only about 10-15 short blocks. It sits in front of Central Park where the carriages line up for rides around the park. It's down the street from the Plaza hotel and Fifth Ave with Tiffany's, Bergdorf Goodman, Trump Tower (actually it's very close to the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Time Warner building).

Teens do seem to love staying in Times Square with all the lights. But I agree with others that it's better, especially at that time when you want to look at the Christmas windows, to be a bit closer to the shops. I also think the Algonquin or the Sofitel would be good compromise places, within close walking of the theater district but not right in it. Another hotel you might consider is the Blakely on west 55th st. It's just off Fifth Ave., a bit closer to walk to the theater than the Essex House and was recently totally renovated (it used to be called the Gorham if you're looking for reviews). The rooms are evidently large. Hope you have a great time.

thanks so much for the advice! I've found a good deal with expedia, to stay at the Ramada Plaza New Yorker. Has anyone stayed there? I really wanted the Blakely from reading great reviews on it, however it's sold out for our dates!

I'd check out the reviews on tripadvisor carefully, as they are mixed. If you get a great rate, then that means you'll likely not get one of their better rooms, and the location by Penn Station is not where I'd want to be if I wanted the NYC experience as a first-time tourist.

Don't DO that to yourselves. You said cost doesn't really matter. That's a terrible location. FORGET IT!!

The Ramada Plaza New Yorker is not anywhere near the same class of hotel of the others you have mentioned. Also, the Penn Station area is not very desirable, more seedy, less attractive, farther from shopping, etc.

I'll scrap the idea of Ramada Plaza. Thanks for the hit on the head, sometimes my cheapness overtakes my logic.

I like the Essex House also and stay there often on business. But there are also hotels between Central Park and Times Square where I have stayed on separate trips in the last two months w/my 11 yr old daughter and 13 yr old son. I stayed at the Michelangelo in May w/the daughter and liked it very much, and I just got back last night from a stay at the Sheraton NY w/my son. Also have stayed at the Sheraton Manhattan w/daughter, son and husband. These are closer to Times Square on 7th Ave, but a few short blocks away so you are out of the real craziness instead of right n the thick of the crowds wehn you walk out the door. Michelangelo is a little haven. I only stay on the club floors at the Sheratons (nice free breakfast and evening appetizers, w/computer hooked up to the internet to use) but the club level at Sheraton Manhattan is closed. Neither Sheraton matches up to the Essex HOuse, but Essex House is a bit of a hike form Times Square compared to the others I mentioned. Mariott and Renaissance are right in the middle of hte craziness- you can't escape from it, it is right there outside the door.