jamierin

We are thinking about taking the kids to NYC when the school year ends for a long weekend. I have researched a little bit, and wondering if anyone has comments about the following hotels, good or bad of course:

Parker Meridien;
Doubletree Suites in TSq;
Kimberly;
Benjamin;
Affinia 50;
Affinia Manhattan;
Excelsior.

Optimally we would like to spend around $250/night and stay somewhere within walking distance to Central Park.

Any other suggestions are welcome as well!

Thanks.

marymarra

I'm a broken record on this subject but feel you can't go wrong with the Affinias--they are real suites which can be tough to find and they have great deals on their website. I think $250 within walking distance of Central Park may be a reach (others may be more helpful on that), but I just stayed at the Affinia Manhattan in a 1-BR suite between Christmas and New Year's for $199; last year same time period we stayed at the Affinia Dumont for under $200. Dumont was a little nicer, but Manhattan was fine (our room was older, but clean, had a full kitchen, etc.). Nice thing about the Dumont is that there is a very kid-friendly restaurant attached to the hotel.

Hope this helps,

Mary

girlonthego

Have stayed at the Meridian with kids. It has the pool on the top floor which was a very nice amenity when you travel with kids.

girlonthego

Posted too soon. I have also stayed at the Kimberly with kids. It is like an apartment. We had a one bedroom with an open up couch in the living room. It also had a small kitchen. This was handy with kids. We didn't cook,but kept snacks.

jamierin

girlonthego: was the Kimberly nice, or really old and tired. I have read both about this place, although it looks pretty decent and the price is right.

dsquared

The Beacon on Broadway and I think 75th, might be another possibility. They have 1 bedroom suites that are around $250.

Nikki

I haven't stayed at the others but I really like the Parker Meridien. Lovely rooftop pool, and cartoons in the elevators (at least there were when I last stayed there a couple years ago).

nytraveler

I think $250 for a quad may not be enough for the Parker Meridien. Agreee with the suggestion for checking the Affinia group - and also the Lucerne. Right near the park and the museum of natural history - as well as a lot of great inexpensive restaurants.

offlady

We didn't stay at the Parker Meridien, but a friend in New York suggested I treat my kids (8 & 10 at the time) to brunch at Norma's at the Meridien. It was wonderful. Service was great and kids were treated well.

SandyBrit

jamierin

The Milburn Hotel has suites and you can walk to Central Park. This hotel is in the same area as The Beacon suggested by another poster but costs a few less $'s. See their website at www.milburnhotel.com We stayed at this hotel several years ago and found it met our needs. The rooms are big by New York standards, the bathroom was fine but not in the luxury category. There is a small kitchen area with frig that is very handy for snacks and drinks. Plenty of very affordable places to eat close by. Hotel is close to the subway.

Sandy

jamierin

Husband and I ate at Norma's last May when we were there and it was wonderful. I would definitely take the kids back there. Does anyone know anything about the Kimberly or the Benjamin?

I am trying to keep to a place that has a pull-out for the kids in a separate area, and something with a kitchenette (or at least a decent sized fridge and sink area). Thanks.

mclaurie

The Benjamin is owned by Affinia and is/was their top of the line. The Kimberly also gets very good reviews and is right near the Affinia 50.

Of your original hotel list, Parker Meridien and Excelsior do NOT have all rooms that are suites with kitchenette. I think the Excelsior has some suites like that available but it's not their normal room set up. On the upper westside where the Excelsior is, the Beacon and the Milburn are "all suite" hotels but not as upmarket as the ones on your list. People love the Beacon and the area but it's a bit of faded glory I think. The Salisbury is anothe one like that in midtown on west 57th . Gets raves and often good price and very large suites, but a bit faded.

I think at the time of year you want to go, you may have a hard time finding a 1 bedroom suite for 4 for $250. I'd suggest signing up for email specials from Affinia.com (they have 7 all suite hotels, all get good reviews) and any others that interest you. The 'Affinia 50 would be my first choice for location, service, size of room, fairly recent renovation and great reviews on service.

Agree that having a pool is a nice amenity, but I don't think you'll get a suite at the Parker Meridien at that price.

mclaurie

Forgot to mention the Best Western Hospitality is another all suite in midtown nearish the Kimberly. It gets pretty good reviews on tripadvisor. They even has 2 bedroom suites. That might be one place where your budget will work.

jamierin

Thanks mclaurie. I am going to sign up with the Affinia for their specials. We may end up going in May instead of July, so that may make a difference in the cost.

padams421

We stayed at the Doubletree Suites at Times Square with our kids for a long weekend, and enjoyed it very much. Good location.

jamierin

Has anyone stayed at Affinia 50 recently? Just wondering if that or the Benjamin would be a nicer stay (similar location). Thanks.

wliwl

The Doubletree is great, if you want to stay in Times Square.

Ruth

We stayed at the Excelsior (2 adults, 1 child) and couldn't fault it (being upgraded to a suite helped!). The location was great, right next to the Museum of Natural History and Central Park. The suite didn't have a kitchen, but it was really close to great places to eat. It was also an easy subway ride into Times Square.

If you do stay near there, have a look at the New York Historical Society Museum (just south of the Natural History Museum) - a hidden gem!

marymarra

Jamierin--if you can get the Benjamin for $250--take it! As I said, the other Affinias are great and I have gotten them in your price range, but the Benjamin is definitely their more upscale property.

Mary

mclaurie

jamierin, the Benjamin is a posher hotel (4* vs. 3*)but the building is older than Affinia 50 and I think the Affinia 50 has been more recently renovated.

For your needs, with kids, I wouldn't pay dramatically more for the Benjamin. Also, some of the suites at Affinia 50 have terraces. Would be a nice amenity in May.

Another place worth checking in the same neighborhood is the little known Lombardy. It's suites are also supposed to be quite large. Not sure how their prices would compare.