Looking for 5 star hotel in Central Park area..any suggestions!!
First time in NYC and want to have a GREAt experience1
CF

The Four Seasons is the best in town, great location, great views, great service, great restaurant.

I heard great reviews of the Trump International Hotel (or something like that). It is at Colombus Circle, which is the Southwest corner of the park (although there is major construction next door - the AOL Center thing). The other corner of the park has the Plaza. If you're not coming for a while, you might want to check on the progress of the new Ritz being built (actually converted) on Central Park South. One more - the Parker Meridien -I've stayed there and was very impressed - it is a little trendier/ minimilist design compared to the other places, depends on your cup of tea.
Of course, I'm sure the Four Seasons would be great, but I've never stayed there and don't know anyone that has.

There's the Four Seasons, the Pierre, the Sherry-Netherland, the St. Regis (not on the Park, but a short walk south on 5th Ave), the Plaza.

The Trump Int'l rooms look particularly stark and not in an appealing sort of way IMO. It seems to attract comapratively little tourist/pleasure travel business. I rarely hear much about it from casual travellers.
Location is great, though.
Anyone else have impressions of Trump?

Yes. He's an idiot.

Bad hair. And his buildings are ostentatious testimonies to his lack of manhood, if you know what I mean.

dont stay at the plaza its not worth it

By all means, the Four Seasons. Also, the Penninsula and the St. Regis. The Plaza has seen better times... don't waste your money.

Caroline,
There are many great hotels in the Central Park area. The Four Seasons (57E. 57th Street) is definately one of the best. The Plaza (CPS and 5th Avenue) is also very nice but if you don't have a park view the rooms tend to be small. There is also the Ritz-Carlton (CPS and 6th) which just opened. The Essex House is also an excellent property but a little further down CPS. A less known, but still fantastic hotel is the Inter-Continental. The Trump on Central Park West is very nice but more business oriented. Further up the Park, on the Upper East Side, is the Carlyle which was President Kennedy's choice. This is also a great hotel. Near Midtown are The Pierre (run by the Four Seasons) and The Sherry-Netherland. However, my preferance, though not on the park, is The Waldorf=Towers (100E. 50th Street) The hotel has more histroy and grace than any other in New York. Also, the rooms are very large and luxurious and offer many amenities, including access to the concierge lounge. Any of these hotels will give you the 5 Star, unmatchable New York City experience you're looking for.