NYC hotel help
 

Hello All!!

A little advice needed!! I have booked plane tickets for a 4 day trip to NYC just for me and my 9 year old son at the end of July. At the end we go to Boston and meet up with my husband and older son who will be flying from Chicago..

Looked at all the hotels and zero-ed in on Casablanca times square and Hilton times square. Any suggestions as to which one over the other?

Thanks so much!

If it were me and a child I would NOT stay in Times Square - but the upper west side. Times Square is incredibly frantic and isn't that great for sightseeing.

UWS is a mid/upscale residential area that has immediate access to Central Park (with all kid activities), is right near the best museum in NYC for kids (Natural Hist), with a ton of family friendly restaurants that are inexpensive/moderate and 2 subway. lines for easy access to the rest of the city. The area is very busy without being frantic. You might want to consider the Beacon, On the Ave or the Lucerne. I think this would be a much more pleasant experience for a child - with less heat, fewer mobs and more to see/do.

I do like staying in the Times Square area but do not like the location of that Hilton. It is right in the middle of the craziness of Times Square. I much prefer two options nearby that are just as convenient to Times Square but not in the middle of the crowds and the lights -

http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/e...WGI/index.html

http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hot...THX/index.html

I agree that the UWS is very nice and I'd probably choose it for a location if I were moving to NYC. I will be staying there this summer at a friend's apartment. But for sightseeing and being a tourist in NYC I MUCH prefer the Times Square area. In fact, the two hotels I mentioned are within the block of my friend's first apartment when she moved to the city. Travel from the UWS is easy but it also takes time and I prefer to be more centrally located when I'm playing tourist.

I agree with starrs. Her advice on this is spot on.

What I don't understand is why people want to be IN TS - unless they are doing a lot of theater. It isn't any closer - to a lot of major sights than other parts of the city. Most museums and CP are uptown and there are lot of other major sights downtown and in the harbor.

Perhaps the OP should list the places they want to see - and determine if they are actually near Times Square.

nytraveler, they call it MIDtown for a reason. It's halfway between attractions to the north and to the south. My friend - who grew up on the UWS RARELY goes to the bottom of the island. She is shocked how often I do. I do (as a visitor to the city) more than she has in her lifetime. When I stay in her apartment, I have to allow the travel time to get to anything in Midtown. If I want to visit a friend in the Flatiron or in the Village, I have to factor in a LOT of travel time. When you are in Midtown, you are halfway there - if "there" is north or south. And plenty of people live in Midtown. A friend - who could live anywhere (in the country actually) lives in the W 50s - and he doesn't go to the theater. He's a docent at the MOMA, has friends all over the city but he choses to live IN the Times Square area. His new partner lives about 30 blocks south - so they stay "in the city" during the week and "in the country" (their names for their apartments) on weekends.

Expecting a tourist to commute 30-40 blocks south just to get to Midtown JUST because you as a local doesn't like the Times Square area is as mind-boggling to me as it is to you that people familiar and comfortable in the city would CHOOSE to stay in the Times Square area. I started staying there in the early 90s when there were more peep shows that tourist attractions IN Times Square. Sometimes I wonder if those who hate it still see that version of Times Square in their mind's eye. That theory makes as much sense as others that have been discussed on this board.

I've been traveling to NYC a couple of times a year since forever, and I almost never stay in Times Sq. I much prefer staying downtown (Chinatown area), Chelsea, UWS -- pretty much anywhere that isn't TS -- because it's a more welcoming environment, the restaurants and shops are better, and the feeling that I'm mingling with New Yorkers more than Kansans. Only exception is if I'm headed down for just 1 night to see a show.

Mid town is good however NOT Times Square.

Midtown West IS considered to be the Times Square area.

Maybe HappyTrvlr has found the solution - for this board = use MTW instead of TS area. Maybe that would stop the anti-TS outcries.

I remain frustrated when locals on this board can't imagine that the Muse hotel and/or the Hampton Inn Times Square North could be preferred locations for many of us. They hear "Times Square" and recoil in horror.

Times Square is NOT midtown. Times Square is not Midtown West. Times Square is in a small section of midtown. Thus you will see brands defined by their location, as the Hilton Midtown, and the Hilton Time Square.

Some people like to stay in Times Square, others prefer different neighborhoods in Midtown when they want to be more centrally located.

As someone suggested, it really comes down to what you would like to do with your son. I have a friend who stays at Hilton TS for business a couple of times a month. She enjoys working in the casual lounge area, rather then staying at a trendier hotel. But it is definately a chain hotel with sterile but comfortable character. I've never visited the Casablanca so don't know how it would compare other then having a warmer atmosphere. The one thing is finding a place that will offer 2 beds as an option.

Thanks for all the replies!!!
We just will do the typical touristy things - Empire state building, Rockefeller center, Central park, Shopping on fifth avenue of course.then there is the statue of liberty visit too and My 9 year old also wants to go the intrepid air and space museum,..In reading the reviews on tripadvisor etc I was impressed with the boutique style of the casablanca!!

Well the Hilton is certainly more sterile and functional. The Casablanca certainly has more character. Either are a quick walk to Hell's Kitchen for local eats.

Ahwini, here's a map of Times Square area hotels -
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/hotels/index.aspx

I think you will enjoy that general area.

I'm not familiar with the Casablanca, but their website says it's "an oasis of serenity, just steps away from Times Square". That reflects what I was saying in my first post on this thread. I've said the similar (steps away) re the HGI, the HI and the Muse. If you are choosing from your original two hotels, I'd pick the Casablanca - by far!

I would stay in the Doubletree Times Square over the Hilton. The DT is quiet inside, by the way, but yes, it is a hectic area. All the rooms are suites, with microwaves and refrigerators.

I also like the Hilton Garden Inn on eighth, which as someone already said, is a bit out of the worst of the fray. The Hampton Inn down the road is also nice, with large rooms and friendly staff, but I found the decor a little gloomier when compared to the HGI.

I looked at the DT TS and they are too expensive compared to the fact that its just me and my 9 year old so dont need all the space!! Like the fact that breakfast is included at Casablanca and I spoke to them and they said they will provide gluten free breakfast options for me(I have celiac)..I am leaning towards that one and also due to the fact that its walking distance to almost everything..Dont mind the hustle and bustle(I am from India and we are used to it :) ).

It sounds like an excellent choice for you! Enjoy!

shwini, LOL, , love your comment about being from India and not minding the hustle and bustle. you will have no troubles in Times Square area.

I like the Edison Hotel for price and location, it has numerous Broadway theaters right outside its front and back doors. But based on your posting, I will check out the Casablanca. I go to NYC often and am always open to different hotels.

PLEASE com3 back and tell us how the hotel was and how your and your so's trip goes!

Sorry, that should read Ashwini!

No problem at all emd3!!!! I have booked the Casablanca!!! Super excited!

I think you'll like the Casablanca. It's very close to Times Square but surprisingly quiet. You should also book your tickets to the Intrepid in advance. The lines are amazingly long, and there's very little shade where you have to wait. I'm not fully convinced the space shuttle is worth the extra cost, but if you don't pay you can't see it at all (even from the outside) since it's in an enclosure.

FYI: Go to Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State Building. It's a much better experience and doesn't require you to stand in line for hours.

I'm sorry to disappoint you - but Times Square is NOT close to almost everything. It's not near a lot of things you would want to do with a kid.

Do not miss:

Central Park and small zoo
Museum Nat'l Hist
Staten Island ferry (view of harbor and SoL etc)
The Met (most kids love the Egyptian dep't, the Temple of Dendur and Arms & Armor)

Thanks Doug and nytraveler..Will buy the tickets in advance!!! Also we love to walk..Actually am getting the New Nike sneakers for the purpose :) we plan to do the Central park trip a few times during the visit..Me jogging and my son on a rented bike! Also thanks for the advice about the Rock!!

The bicyclists in Central Park are a breed unto themselves. Some of their bikes have had their brakes removed. Be careful biking in CP.

Just be sure to stay on the roads - there really isn;t room for bikes on the (mostly) pedestrian paths (except for little kids on trikes).

Thankyou everyone for your input on our NYC trip..Had a blast...Hotel Casablanca was the best ever..Ricks cafe was such a great respite when we came back everyday after a ton of walking..Biked in Central park..Did the Sun and Stars visit to Rockefeller..The Statue of liberty visit was kind of a let down..Has to stand in the line for 2 hrs to get back on the boat from the island! My son loved the Intrepid museum and the Concorde tour!!

Nytrveler, please name a single area inNYC that is closer to Central Park AND the Staten Island Ferry!

It IS central. I think you suggest people stay in a quieter more residential neighborhood than Times Square. What you fail to understand is that most tourists live in nice, quiet residential neighborhoods. What they don't have at home is a Times Square, Can't you understand most people travel to experience things totally different from what they have at home?

You are smart NOT living in Times Square. But tourists aren't looking for a place to live.

Good to hear that the Hotel Casablanca was a good choice for you! Glad the trip was great!

Neo, they will never "get it". I'll be in NYC again soon, happy to stay in a friend's apartment on the UWS. But if I were going and paying for a hotel room, it would be in the Times Square AREA - because it is the most central area for the things most tourists like to do. They (the locals who post here) will NEVER get that. Ever.

I like the Hilton garden inn myself... Larger rooms - two queens - not as crazy as the Marroitt marquis ...

Op - glad you had fun!!

I always just take the Staten Island ferry across for a view of the Statue of Liberty...

Works great!

I don't agree that's it's local versus tourist.

When I go to London I don;t want to stay in Picadilly Circus. We like to be fairly central - but in a more pleasant area - so do Knightsbridge or Mayfair.

And if I were going to NYC for the first time - most of the places I wanted to see would not be near Times Square - many more uptown or downtown.

Yes. We know.

It would be nice for locals to accept that others feel differently.

After years of reading this board, it's clear that will never happen. ;)

what ever happened to the promised over and over and over Cloister report?

"And if I were going to NYC for the first time - most of the places I wanted to see would not be near Times Square - many more uptown or downtown."

And there we have it! You are NOT like a usual first time visitor to NYC. What are the TOP places most people want to see on their first visit to NY? The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, BroadwayShows, Radio City, Times Square itself, and the Statue of Liberty. Ok Midtown west is not that close to SOL, but what neighborhood is? Meanwhile please name the 5 top attractions of any other neighborhood that are all more popular than the ones I mentioned for midtown west. And I haven't even brought up Fifth Ava shopping, St Patricks, MOMA or many others.

Yes, nytraveler you simply do not relate to the "normal" NYC first time visitor. And your London comparison is just lame. Piccadilly Circus is NOT Times Square. In fact Knightsbridge is where many more tourists stay than in Picadilly Circus, and Mayfair is probably second. So what you're really saying is you prefer the areas where the MOST tourist hotels are, which is the counterpart of Midtown West in NYC!

And yes, Starr's, I realize she still won't get it.

Hi LG. I didn't realize I hadn't returned to do it.

The pictures and specific directions to get here were posted on Facebook when PhillyFan was planning her trip.

Short answer = it was great.

I'm sorry if I'm not "normal".

But if I were a first-time visitor I would do 1 day in midtown: Rock Center, ToTR, Library, Grand Central, stroll up Fifth Ave for some of the uber shops and drop in at St Pat's.


Other than that:

Downtown
Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Staten Island ferry
911 memorial
explore the Village
Visit State Supreme Court (yes, I'm mad for Law & Order)
Check out galleries in SoHo (or even DUMBO)

Uptown
Central Park
The Met
Museum of Nat'l Hist
Cloisters

And, if time, NY Historical Society and some of the other museums

Caveat: I admit that I do not have a shopping gene - IMHO it is terminally boring unless looking for something specific you need

Of course I would go to a couple of shows and see TS briefly then - but that would be plenty.

Now, maybe we can't become someone we're not - but I don;t recall that my choices as a small child would have been very different

The biggest appeal of staying in Times Square for us, and I think for many tourists, is that at the end of a long day of walking and subways you can go to your hotel, freshen up and rest, walk to a Broadway play, and after the play have a drink and a short walk back to the hotel ,because by then you are tired and thinking about getting going the next day and the last thing you want to do is have to get on the subway or in a taxi.

That in itself is a great reason to stay in the TS area.

So nytraveler...Midtown and then Downtown and then Uptown?
That means that the Times Square AREA would be centrally located for your visit to NYC.

Centrally located is a good thing.

And as Neo has said here, the hustle and bustle is something that some tourists LIKE when they visit. It's a fun part of being in NYC. It's fun because it's so different from "home". Those tourists would probably choose somewhere else to LIVE if they moved there - just like you have.

We're in agreement then :-)

The Casablanca is a cute boutique hotel. Most rooms are on the small side.The Hilton Garden Inn has larger rooms. The 2 bedded rooms are 2 queens, so lots of space. Neither of these will have views. I might be nice to get a talker hotel with a view. Check the Distrikt.

PS oyster.com should have lots of photos of both.

I think they already went on their trip, mclaurie. But it was an interesting thread and I'm glad the OP had a great trip.

We went to New York last summer, and I based our accommodations on pricepoint and simply being in Manhattan (as opposed to New Jersey or Brooklyn). I didn't try to avoid Times Square, it all came down to price. And when we went to Times Square, none of us really cared for it as a destination. Still, if we had found the best deal for a hotel there, then we would have taken it and made the best of it. Maybe we would have come to enjoy Times Square more. But that's not the point. You're in New York, and how cool is that?

I never understand why some posters continue to pound on anyone who wants to stay in Times Square/Midtown West area. The argument makes no sense, as Starrs points out. It is very centrally located and its easy to get on any train from there. There is NO hotel that is located close to everything in NY, so what's the point of this "better location" argument? I don't think its so much about convenient location, TS/MW is a convenient location. Seems some just don't know anything about the upscale hotels there, so continue to degrade everything out of old habits.

I'm happy the OP enjoyed NY and the Casablanca. I like that hotel myself.