I need some help choosing between hotel deals! They are all in different areas (mostly Times Square or Soho) but my plans include seeing only one broadway show and then either De La Guarda (Union Square) or Blue Man Group(near Wash. Sq. Park). I usually cheap out on hotel accommodations, but there are some really good deals out there and I thought it would be fun to try something a little cooler than the Hotel Edison!

Marriott Marquis $189/night (I know it isn't "cool" but it has always been the "ooh, I wish I could stay there" hotel)
60 Thompson $225/night (new fancy hotel in Soho)
W New york $209/night
W Court $229/night

And in the "too expensive unless you tell me they are really, really worth it" category:

Michelangelo $240/night
SOho Grand $259/night

What do you all think? I would love any input anyone has!

Thanks!
Kim

I have a friend who insists that the W hotels are overrated but she works for their major competitor (Ian Schrager hotels - Paramount, Hudson etc.) and her opinion is unfairly biased. Of those you mention the Marriot is obviously the mainstrema plain vanilla choice but it is in a fun location. If you do choose it for whatever reason make sure you get a room on one of the most upper floors - noise can be problem in any hotel facing that part of Braodway. Also keep in mind when budgeting that taxes will add greatly to the total bill (I think it's 13.25%). I haven't seen Blue Man Group but will offer my totally biased vote in favor of De La Guarda. A tip - when you go (if you do), keep moving towards the center of the room as they fill up the room and shoo the crowd towards the sides and end. Eventually the room is close to full and those in the center will have the best view of some of the cast's antics. We were standing at the outer edge and had a great time but there was activity we couldn't see due to our vantage point. It's a wild show and really worth seeing.

If you intend spending most of your time in lower Manhattan (SOHO, Tribeca) one of the Soho hotels would be a good choice. If you want a more central location with better transportation choices a midtown hotel gives you access to lower Manhattan and the upper west and east sides. If price is an important consideration you can't go wrong with the Marriott. Are the more expensive hotels worth it? Ask yourself what you are getting for the extra dollars besides "cool". The extra dollars saved can buy you a real good meal. If you want to read reviews on the W hotels and some of the other "hip" hotels check out the February 5 issue of New York Magazine. The article rates the hotels for "Service", "Decor" and the "Hipness Factor" - whatever that means.

To me the room itself is the main point of a hotel. By what you have said, I think the Marriott Marquis is by far the best deal. They have huge rooms by New York standards with floor to ceiling, wall to wall glass with spectacular views, large well equipped bathrooms, and nice decor and amenities. Forget the fact that the hotel is huge and you may have to wait a while for the elevators -- the hotel itself is great. I personally do not like the stark, tiny rooms at W or some of the other supposedly "trendy" hotels. Who decided that being squeezed into a tiny room with minimal decor was supposed to be "trendy" anyhow. I have also stayed at the Michelangelo, which was nice, but about half of what the Marriott Marquis is roomwise, so if it costs even more than the Marquis I say forget it! Unless you think it is important to have a TV in your bathroom, the Marquis is far superior to the Michelangelo.

Kim you might think about the Hotel Giraffe, which is on Park at 27th St. fairly new and easy access to everything in the city. Also there is a NEW hotel opening right on Union Square, I think it is a W Hotel, and I have stayed at several and have been very impressed with the staff, service and food.

The Marriott at Times Square, has a fun revolving bar on the 7th floor with a some music and great views of Broadway.

Don't think you can go wrong staying at any of the hotels on your list either.

Have a great time.

AnnK,

I will check out the Giraffe - saw it listed a couple of places, but didn't think twice about it. The W Union Square is where I would really like to stay, but the lowest price I could find was $295/night, too expensive for me!

This trip started out with me booking rooms at the Marquis when I saw the deals they had running. But the more I look at our plans, the more I realize we are not going to be doing that much in Times Square, just one broadway show (as opposed to other trips where we have seen 3 or 4). So i don't know if we should stay there just for the experience of the hotel.

Hotel giraffe - $295/$395 per night during my stay. Ouch!

I don't know that you should stay at the Marriott for the "experience". The price is a valid reason and location is just as valid. Located at 45th and Broadway the Times Square subway station is less than five minutes away. You can get wherever you want to go uptown, downtown and the east side with a minimum of difficulty using the subway.

For my vote you can not beat the Marriott Marquis @ the price you have it. Even though as you say you will not spend much time near Broadway, there is a certain allure to hangin round Time Square, if only for a while. The subway is only a few short blocks from the Marriott so getting around will be no problem. The revolving bar on the the 8th or 9th floor is great. and the newly remodeled sushi restaurant ain't bad either. Have been to the W @ 49th and Lexington, but frankly preferred the Marriott Eastside which located across the street.
Went to see De La Guarda a few months ago....Good choice ...you are gonna see a great performance.. but as the person earlier said...get there early and move to the center..

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