NYC--Hotel Beacon or Doubletree for family
 

Our family is coming to NY the last week of March. We need a suite and I've narrowed it to the Beacon for $215 or the Doubletree for $279. I'm leaning toward the Beacon for the neighborhood and proximity to the park and museums. Any opinions?

I haven't stayed at the Beacon, but have stayed at the Doubletree. It's right in the middle of the Times Square theatre district so if you're seeing many Broadway shows it's a great location. The suites are quite comfortable and the views of the Times Square lights are good.

We will be seeing two or three shows while we are there. I am wondering whether we will be comfortable walking or taking the subway at night if we are at the Beacon. It is about 3 blocks from the subway. There are 6 of us so we couldn't all get into one cab.

My family and I have stayed at the Beacon on numerous occasions. The big plus for us is that you are staying in a basically residential area and are amongst New Yorkers. In the morning you can pop across the road to Fairway for Bagels at a bargain price and in the evening get a Rotisserie chicken from Fairway or Citarella. Good Wine shop down below and as far as I've seen as safe as safe can be.We're goibg there again next week. Have a good time

Since you're seeing several shows, I'd definitely stay at the Doubletree. Why have to worry about transportation down to the theatre district and back again late at night? Traveling up to the museums during the day is easier, and you can easily walk to the park from Times Square.

We have stayed in 4 different hotels in NY, the Beacon being the furthest north. It is very comfortable and ideal for central park but, if you're a shopaholic like my lot,you may prefer something more central. We found every morning we were on the subway or in a taxi & certainly you will be when returning at night. <BR>Have a great time!

Now I am getting confused! We will be in town 4 nights. 2 or 3 nights we will be seeing shows(Lion King and Phantom for sure). We will most likely be coming straight back to the hotel after shows, not coming back really late. I'm assuming that we would take the subway back. I don't know what the concerns are about--hassle, safety, or what? Also, I have a fanatic runner who wants to run in the park. Beacon is closer, and seems like there would be less traffic between hotel and park, but that is my uneducated opinion/guess. <BR>Help!

Twice, three of us have stayed at the Doubletree and found it very satisfactory and a good location. We are all in our 60s and walked everywhere with no problem, but if we were in a hurry, took a cab. The restaurant is nothing to write home about, but we enjoyed eating breakfast in other hotels and there were loads of restaurants everywhere. We were gone from morning to night sightseeing and went to musicals/plays every night.

Stay at The Beacon. I live here, so I can't say anything about rooms, but Times Square gets way too crazy with tourists. Central Park is great and you'll love just strolling through it and not dealing with the hectic rush of Time Square. Subways are safe. I take them up until 2 in the morning. There are always people on them. I hope you already have Lion King tickets because that show has a 9 month waiting list. Have a great time!