I'm off to NYC solo (first trip) in mid-September for three nights. Although I've searched this board for reviews on the following hotels, I'd appreciate any advice from others on my options:

The Belvedere (ave. $280/nt)
Shelburne Murray Hill ($260/nt single ste.)
Essex House ($370/interior view)

The Essex house is a 'splurge' option as this is a belated fortieth birthday gift to myself - I'm concerned that an interior view just isn't worth it but if it were a Central Park view - once in a lifetime!

The other hotels seem to get decent reviews and are what I'd 'really' like to pay ... how do the Belvedere and SMH really compare?
I do like the more central location of the Belvedere (and easy access to the subway) but is it worth more than the Shelburne?

I have stayed at the Belvedere several times and really like it particularly the location. The street is a nice quiet street (for Manhattan) but close to everything. Lots of less expensive restaurants on 9th right at the end of 48th. The rooms are good size with a frig and microwave. The bathrooms are small but for one person are fine. There is a subway stop at 50th & 8th so that is convenient although it's a small station.

There are many on this forum who like the Shelburne Murray Hill because you get the bigger room and the hotel is away from the Times Square area. The Shelburne is a 3 1/2 * hotel and the Belvedere is a 3*. I guess it mostly boils down to location.

Th e Essex House charges extra for guaranteed Central Park views - so you'll know if you're going to get one or not. If that's there basic rate you won;t get the Park View.

I wold do the Belvedere - Murray Hill is kind of quiet for a solo traveler.

The Belvedere is a decent place. Very basic, but as has been mentioned it is nicely located--near many good restaurants and just far enough away from the theate5r crowds.

i always have friends/family stay at hotel thirty thirty when they come into town - bargain but brand new.

My friends ( 4 women) just came back from NYC and stayed at the Belvedere and were very happy with it. They said it was basic, but clean and in a super location. They loved the location.

Also, on their website the cheapest rooms are $150 and that is with a shared bathroom. SO I'm wondering where the $99 room is.

That is not an area I would reco to someone coming to NYC alone for the first time - esp since they already have viable options in much more central areas.

ANyone have any comments/advice for an all suite hotel in midtown? I have to have a kitchenette for this stay. Any info on Affinia 50? or the Kimberly? anyone dealt with big apple getaways?
Thanks!

Thanks for the informative replies!

I've decided on sticking with the Belvedere - it's really hard to find a bad review on the place and I agree that, being my first trip to NYC, being so centrally located will give me a lot of options. I don't have a lot of time but I may head over to the Shelburne area to see if it will suit a possible second visit.

Thanks again!

You don't mention your dates so I can't check other options. I would not chose to stay at the Belvedere as a woman alone who's not used to NYC. The street it's on is perfectly safe but can be intimidating at night. I also wouldn't want to pay that price despite the fact that I know prices are sky high. The hotel is in the middle of renovation and I think that price is just too high unless you're guaranteed a renovated room. I think the Shelburne would be nicer unless you plan on doing theater every day.

I've stayed at the Belvedere and it's fine, but I tend to agree with McLaurie. The area may be a bit overwhelming for a first trip.

We just returned from 4 days in NYC and I contemplated returning there alone (If my DD gets into FIT, I'll do this often after next year!) and thought about where I'd stay. I personally would try to find a place in a neighborhood - Chelsea comes to mind. While I like the midtown areas, I'd stay in a neighborhood - particularly Chelsea or the upper west side. Check out the Hotel Beacon (beaconhotel.com) or in Chelsea, The Inn on 23rd (innon23rd.com)

I've never been to either, but have reead great reviews of each and plan to try them both out in the next year or so.

The Shelburne is in Murray Hill (as is the Affinia Dumont owned by the same co.) and while in midtown is definitely a neighborhood.

Although I did post that my friends stayed at the Belvedere and liked it, I truly respect Mclaurie's input and would be more inclined to follow his/her advice.
M
I think Mclauries advice is always dead on.

I am a frequent guest at the Essex House. You only turn 40 once. Request a park view and you'll be so happy after the money has come and gone! It is not worth it for an interior view.

Well I agree that McLaurie gives great advice, in fact some of the best for New York, but in this case I would have to disagree. The area to me is not the least bit overwhelming and what I liked about it is that there are always people out and about if you are walking by yourself.

On this last trip to NYC, I stayed at the New York Hilton on 6th Ave. I went to the theatre by myself a couple of times. As I was walking back to the hotel, several of the streets at 10:30 pm were kind of deserted. Don't remember which ones-maybe 51st or 52nd-between Broadway and 6th. Although I have been to NYC many times and am not the least bit nervous, I made sure the next evening that I found a better traveled street. I never felt that way walking to the Belvedere because many more people were walking.

The one thing I do agree with is McLaurie's comment on the price. It's a little high but in comparision to the other hotels in that area, it's probably competitive.

I'm arriving Sept. 12 for three nights.
All 'average' hotels in NYC are expensive it seems (I checked every source I know: Quickbook, Kayak, TravelZoo - I don't want to take a chance with Priceline as I'd hate to get stuck with something I can't get out of). I'd say prices have gone up around 20-30% from last September when I was originally planning to go.
I'd love a park view at the Essex House but not for $600!

Regarding renovations, the Shelburne MH is going through renos now and I wasn't aware of the Belvedere going through this. I do agree that the Belvedere seems expensive for what it is, but I can't get around the fact of overly expensive NYC hotels this September.

This is tougher than I thought - should i really be concerend about the area around the Belvedere? I won't be arriving at my hotel until after midnight and I'm coming from a time zone two hours behind NYC so will be willing to find a pub for a late night drink. I'm a bit concerned now.

I was a bit surprised by mclaurie's comment about the area around the Belvedere being "intimidating". Admittedly I'm not a single woman wondering around alone, but it's just a couple doors off busy and bright 8th Avenue. Unless walking by a few pubs with some guys who may whistle, or walking by a couple peep show places bothers you, I just don't see the problem. And that area is NOT quiet or deserted after midnight. We pass through there all the time after midnight and a late after theatre supper.

"Unless walking by a few pubs with some guys who may whistle"

Then I'd assume I'm in a gay area - I should have noted that I'm male LOL!

Duh, and I took "bluesDUDE" as a female? I think I got the cue from some of the other posts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Unless walking by a few pubs with some guys who may whistle"
Then I'd assume I'm in a gay area."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well, that's a possibility too, LOL.

Gee, don't give the area's "safety" a second thought!