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NYC Hotel Near Broadway ????
Have reservations at both Milford Plaza and Hotel Edison for the 2nd weekend of January 2006.
Is there a better choice for about $200 per night ? Which hotel is better ???? Pro's and Con's appreciated !! Also planning to see Phantom of the Opera while in NYC. Is that a good choice for two 50 something parents and their 23 year old daughter ?? |
Although I have never stayed at either place, I have never heard a good thing about either hotel. I just received and e-mail from the Belvedere Hotel which is on 48th and 8th (not far from B'way) and they are running a special. When I put in your dates, they came up at $189 per night. It's called the NY1 special and includes breakfast. The hotel is nice and conveniently located. Not 5 * but a couple of steps up from the Milford Plaza.
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The Edison is fine; it is well located and very clean. It is not a luxury property but perfectly acceptable. I'm not sure how you made your reservation but I suggest calling the hotel directly and asking for a AAA discount (if you have a AAA membership) you will find that a double room is less than $200. The theater is very convenient for seeing a show or two as it is in the heart of the theater district. I have stayed there on and off for the past 15 years.
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Haven't stayed at the Edison before but did stay at the Milford a couple years ago. While not the worst place I've ever stayed, it was far from the best and for $200/night you should be able to do a lot better.
Milford's rooms are very small--I remember that I could not open the bathroom door completely because it hit the edge of the bed. The only plus I can think of at the Mildford is its convenience within the theater district but there are dozens of other hotels in the same price range that are much nicer. |
sorry - I should have said the HOTEL is convenient to the theaters, not the "theater is convenient . . ."
Anyway, no reason to sweat over the Edison, you'll be fine. |
I stayed at the Edison earlier this year and it was absolutely fine, and so convenient for theatres and shows.
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In early January you should be able to get great deals. First of all, neither of the 2 hotels you have booked should cost $200 at that time. Look on quikbook.com The Milford shows up for $149/159.
In the budget category, the Belvedere is far superior to the ones you've picked and is listed at $174/184 on quikbook & $170/179 on hotels.com. The Best Western President is $153-$207 (different prices different nights) for a junior suite. But for the family you describe, I would consider an apartment type setup for more space. The Best Western Hospitality which is an all suite hotel but not near Broadway gets better reviews than the BW President. The Salisbury appears to be available on hotels.com for $175/$245 averaging to $205 night for a 1 bedroom apartment. This is an apartment/hotel. I'm not a fan of Phantom but many are. It's been playing for a very long time so if you're familiar with the music and like it, you'll like the show. Don't pay full price for it. There will be discounts available on broadwaybox.com so you can buy ahead online at a discount or wait until you arrive. |
I would check biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com to see how much others are getting rooms for through Priceline.com and Hotwire.com. Those sites recently helped me successfully bid for a 4-star hotel for $80 less that the 3-stars.
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does anyone recommend getting a hotel through pricelines"s bidding policy? thanks for all the good traveling info.........
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spark2: Depends how flexible you are, and how many people are travelling together. In NYC you will get a double room, but it may only have one bed. Sometimes the hotel will accommodate a request for twin beds, or two doubles, sometimes not (I've had experience of both). And look carefully at the areas you are bidding for, and remember that the hotel may be anywhere in the area.
Having said that, it is a good way of obtaining a room at a bargain price. I had no feeling of being treated as a second-class customer by the hotel staff - they want you to come again! Read biddingfortravel.com for great tips on bidding, and don't bid as much as Priceline suggests. But if it is important to you to be able to specify where you are staying and the exact type of room, give it a miss. |
Tou also might want to try www.hotels.com. I have found it to be one of the best sites out there.
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Thanks for the great responses.
However, I am going to look to have accomodations for THREE adults and want a room with two twin beds. My understanding is MOST of these so called BIDDING web sites give you a price for only TWO people in a room. So using these sites is risky as the price quoted doesn't include a 3rd person. Am I incorrect ??? |
IT's hard to do better in terms of price at this time of year, for $200 per night, unless you luck into priceline, though January prices ease off a bit.
Frankly, I wouldn't want to be staying anywhere near Broadway in mid-town, it's incredibly crowded, not pretty, and pickpockets abound. There are lots of lists of hotels, not on Broadway, but in quieter neighborhoods that are also fairly convenient and much more attractive areas. Try some of these 'medium' hotels' websites--I work for an organization that has vetted these Affinia Hotels Apple Core Hotels The Carlton Central Park Hostel and Inn Chelsea Star Hotel The Chelsmore Apts Clarion Hotel Park Avenue Fitzpatrick New York Gershwin Hotel Hotel Deauville Hotel Roger Williams Hotel Thirty Thirty NYC Hotel 17 Hotel 31 Manhattan Broadway Hotel, 800-784-1180 Manhattan Lodgings The Marcel Murray Hill Inn Ramada Inn - Eastside Union Square Inn - (No Elevator) The Vanderbilt YMCA www.quikbook.com |
The pickpocket problem is no greater in NYC than any other metropolitan area. It can happen anywhere. Use common sense. To avoid the entire theater district over this is absurd.
There are many acceptable places in NYC to stay. Some people PREFER to be in the thick of action of the theater district, other people PREFER to be in a more quiet residential area. It all depends on the individual and no one person is right or wrong about what is "better". Don, you are correct - if you need to accommodate 3 in your room don't use Priceline as they only guarantee a room with 1 bed. |
Three adults in a NYC hotel room will be uncomfortable, to say the least. I would think about spending a bit more money and either:
-- Using Priceline to bid on two hotel rooms; or -- Grabbing two reasonably-priced rooms at one of the better Apple Core properties-- say, the Red Roof Inn Manhattan (in Little Korea on 32nd St., a quick cab ride from Times Square). <b>Phantom</b>? Eeewwwww. Erzatz Puccini with a tinny rock beat? The big star is the chandelier?! I'd rather try to get into <b>Wicked</b> or <b>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels</b>.... |
I've stayed at the Belvedere and it's now my favorite, affordable New York hotel. Broadway is only a block away, but you'd never know it at the Belvedere. The street is quiet and safe. There's a GREAT breakfast place up the corner and other places to eat within walking distance, too. A short walk to all the theaters. I would never have thought of staying in this location but the hotel is great, quiet, and so convenient.
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DonPats-
Priceline is NOT for you with 3 in a room. All the prices I quoted you were for 3 adults in a room. YOu can't sleep 3 people in 2 TWIN beds. You need at least 2 doubles/queens. My recos were: >the Belvedere-2 doubles on hotels.com or quikbook.com >the Salisbury for a 1 bedroom suite on hotels.com for an avg/night of $205 >Best Western Hospitality on the east side, an all suite hotel. Look at reviews of these on tripadvisor.com |
Agree with rjw on Wicked and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
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Wicked and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels are great, but if you are intersted in seeing Phantom, go for it; you should be able to get discount tickets and that might even free up some extra money for an additional show! RJW was a bit rude, the show is very enjoyable entertainment especially if you have not see it before.
FWIW, the Edison is nicer than the Applecore properties (nothing wrong with them, but they are more "budget" level than the Edison. Also, you'll find larger rooms at the Edison) |
Now grantop, I don't think I was being rude to the OP. Maybe to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber (who is, let's be frank, a hack tunesmith with a genius for self-promotion-- and maybe two great songs in his portfolio)-- but not to the OP. I'm merely saying the money would be better spent on a better show. If there are fresh leads in <b>Chicago</b> (it goes stale really fast with the usual cast), even that would be a good choice. And I think one should try to see the shows that haven't been toured to death (oops, there goes <b>Chicago</b>!!).
But then again, it could be worse. What if Frank Wildhorn had a show on Broadway right now *shudder*...?! :( |
Oh, and as far as the Edison having larger rooms and being a step up from the Apple Core hotels-- you are indeed right. I only offer them as a budget alternative (and my suggestion takes them out of the Times Square area and closer to Murray Hill-- which is as close to "real" middle-class New York City as you'll get that close to Midtown).
And pickpocket problems in Times Square...?! Not in my experience. Not even at 4 AM. In fact, the typical big-city precautions are all that are necessary to enjoy a crime-free Manhattan vacation. |
DonPats -
I'm confused. You want a room for 3 people but are looking for two twin beds? Where will the thrid person sleep - in the tub? A twin bed is a bed suitable only for one person - like you have for children. There's no way you can get 2 people in a twin bed. You need a hotel with a minimum of 2 double beds - not easy to find in NYC. I still think you're better off bidding for 2 rooms - you can probably get something decent (much better than those listed) for under $200 for both rooms - and your daughter will have a little privacy - and her own bath. |
Misha-I agree with you about the Belvedere. I started staying at this hotel right after it was redone in 2000 and before it became so popular. The location is perfect for those coming to NYC to see shows and you would never know you are close to Times Square as the street is very quiet. The first time I stayed at the Belvedere we had three in the room, my daughter and I plus my friend. We had no problem with three of us in the room.
The rooms are large and there is a frig and microwave. My only real complaint about the hotel is the smaller bathroom that doesn't have a lot of counter space. There is, however, a huge dresser with a mirror over it so there is more than enough room for cosmetics, etc. The hotel doesn't have amemities such as room service but who uses room service in NYC. There is a subway stop at 8th and 50th although if I remember right it only has the C and E lines but you can transfer to other lines. As Misha pointed out there are so many restaurants in the area and 9th Ave has many moderate priced places to eat. Amy's Bread is great for morning pastries. We had good meals at Chelsea Grill (the 9th ave location) and Basilica. The Belvedere has become very popular for moderate price travelers. I made my reservation for March 2006 back in September |
Thank you all for your advice. The Belevedere appears to be sold out for the 2 nights in January that I am going. So I will probably stick with the Edision and cancel Milford Plaza. Edision hase quoted me $185.00 per night. And that rate includes a 3rd adult staying in our room ( two double beds ).
I never realized Phantom had so many people who either seem to love it or hate it. I have purchased as a Christmas present 3 seats 12 rows back in the orchestra section for Phantom at a "discounted price" of $60 each. We don't go the Theatre often. I have seen Miss Saigon, Chicago, Annie and one or two others. It appears Phantom will be quite different. I hope we won't be disapointed !! Thank you all again and I would appreciate any additional opinions you may have. |
Don, you'll have a great time! Be sure to report back and let us know about your trip.
RJW, yeah you were rude. Don had something in mind for a show and if you didn't care for it that's fine but what was with the "Eeewwwww" stuff? Reminds me of a response I would receive from a child. Nice use of the html for bolding by the way. Woohoo Applecore is a great budget chain, but not all are located in Murray Hill (was that a criteria?) and we didn't know if Don preferred hustle/bustle atmosphere or wanted something quiet. Anyway, important thing is that he got a room. My pickpocket comment was in response to someone who thought that the theater district was to be avoided because pickpockets abounded or something to that effect. Have fun Don |
grantop: Obviously the Murray Hill location wasn't part of the criteria for selecting a hotel. But I offer it as being removed from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, while still fairly central. There are Applecore hotels in Times Square and elsewhere in Midtown.
And I still don't think I was being rude-- blunt, a bit flip, but not rude. But hey-- if DonPats was offended, then indeed I apologize. Not my intention-- but if it cheeses off ALW, then it worked! |
well, it was probably a wasted effort -I doubt ALW is reading this! lol
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:))
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Above it seems that offering a different theatre opinion is rude, and my offering a different neighborhood opinion is absurd, yet you also assert that each person PREFERS different things. With that, I agree.
I did not say that the theatre district is to be avoided at all, or solely due to pickpockets. I go to the theatre quite a lot and hope that others do as well. This is what I said above "I wouldn't want to be staying anywhere near Broadway in mid-town, it's incredibly crowded, not pretty, and pickpockets abound." Note that says where <b>I</b> would want to stay, and three reasons cited. I happen to agree with rjw...'s suggestions as well. DonPats, glad you found a hotel deal you like. |
Yes, and suggestions can be made tactfully
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then again we agree
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Wait, I'm confused - Shallot said "This is what I said above
'I wouldn't want to be staying anywhere near Broadway in mid-town, it's incredibly crowded, not pretty, and pickpockets abound.' (end quote) but when I look back that quote actaully came from Elaine. Shallot are you posting with 2 IDs? |
sorry, misuse of pronoun
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d**n the not editing and posting too soon, I ought to take a break as I'm messing up.
Above when restating what someone earlier had said, I was referring to THEIR use of "I" but incorrectly stated I said, which is confusing even me. Botching this obviously weakens my part of the debate, so I'll get some coffee. |
For future reference when making making hotel reservations, there are three types of "basic" reservations you can make for a "regular" room:
*SINGLE--obviously for one person *DOUBLE--one bed for two people *DOUBLE/DOUBLE--two beds for two (or more) people In my experience, the charge for a double or a double/double for two is usually the same. |
HowardR,
Most of the so called "Bidding" sites I have tried recently appear to charge you extra if more than two people stay in a Double/Double. |
I was referring to reservations made directly with the hotel, not the bidding sites, when I remarked about the price being the same for a double or a double/double.
One thing I forgot to add is that the price is the same for TWO people in either situation. Obviously, the hotel will charge for for three in a room. |
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