NYC Hotels - any comments re these?
 

I'll be in NY the week after Christmas and we're looking for a new 'favourite' hotel. For the past few times we've stayed at the Parker Meridien but it's just gotten too far out of our price range. Also, while we want something nice, it doesn't have to be that upscale. Has anyone stayed at any of the HK Group of hotels? These are:

The Casablanca
The Library
Hotel Giraffe
Hotel Elysee

Also, has anyone stayed at 1871 House on the upper east side (in the 60s, I think). It gets generally good reviews on Trip Advisor but I'm pretty used to the amenities of a hotel.

I've looked at a few places and think I can get something for under $300 during that week since it's generally not a big business travel week.

I'd appreciate your comments on quality, location and price, if you know these places. Other suggestions would be welcome, too.

I'd go with the Giraffe first then the Library and a tie between The Casablanca and Elysee.

I've seen photos of the 1871 House and it looks kinda neat but I had a bad B&B experience in the past and generally avoid them.

Thanks, GoTravel. It's funny about B&Bs -- I've stayed in tons of them (some good, some not so good) in small towns in Canada, the US and Europe, but somehow it doesn't seem right for a city. I like the anonimity of a big hotel when I'm in a city.

1871 House has a great location though right near Bloomingdales in a townhouse. The other draw is they have some rooms with a working fireplace, a nice amenity in Dec. Not sure I'd pick it but something to consider and their rooms are more like apts than a hotel room.

I think all the HK hotels get good to excellent reviews. It comes down to what location you prefer and how much you like freebies like wine and cheese in the afternoon. (Casablanca & Giraffe I think). I'd prefer the location of the Elysee to be nearer the park and shopping. It's a charming hotel with lots of history.

The only one I'm familiar with is the Elysee. Great location, european style (which means small rooms) and I've never heard complaints about it.

But then I'm predjudiced - since I used to work in the area and a bunch of us were lunch habitues at the Monkey Bar.

I agree with mclaurie, they are all so similar, you really can't go wrong with any.

My experience was in a B&B in Columbia, SC. I was working and Mr.GoTravel decided to drive up and surprise me. Since I didn't find out until about 11PM (my colleague and I were out partying) I didn't want to wake up the B&B owner to tell her my then fiance was meeting me.

Next morning she assumed I picked him up and was calling me a whore. Yikes!

Yikes is right! Now in a hotel...

I haven't been to the others, but I love Casablanca. If you prefer a smaller, less hectic hotel, you'll like it too.

I have stayed at the Casablanca several times and enjoyed it. The guest lounge where coffee/breakfast and wine/cheese are served has free internet access and very comfortable seating. Can't speak to the others, but the Casablanca is nice. Location is great.

ttt

also stayed at the Casablanca in 2004 December. NIce small european style hotel. Small rooms, large bathrooms and very nicely decorated with a great breakfast lounge with a very good expanded continental breakfast included in the price. I think I paid around 280.00 - not bad for NYC and the location is great with two restaurants right next store.

Thanks everyone. I'm now also considering the Avalon (32nd between Park and 5th), the Bryant Park (41st between 5th & 6th), and the Kitano (Park & 38th). Any comments?

I've stayed at both Avalon and Giraffe.

Avalon has a good location and rooms are large/clean, but nothing special. It didn't appear that there are non-smoking floors...which means your non-smoking room may be accessed by a smoking hallway. This hotel seems to cater to tour groups. We enjoyed the location (1.5 blocks away from Artisinal Cheese - awesome) and the room was adequate but nothing special. I would stay there again if budget were an issue.

Hotel Giraffe also had a good location but a completely different feel. Seems more like a true boutique hotel and is much newer inside. We also had a large room here with many great amenities -- including free bottled water (any time of day), bathrobes, free DVD/CD library for our room, free internet access on computer in lobby, and a nice continental breakfast (fruits, pastries, cereals, and hard boiled eggs). There is also a cheese/wine recpetion (free) in the evening.

If you can get Giraffe under $300, I would definitely choose it over Avalon.

Why? Did you eliminate any from the first list? Your first list was overall much better. The Avalon doesn't match up to the others. The Kitano caters mostly to Japanese businessmen I think. The Bryant Park is uber trendy if you want that.

Would help to know where your head is at this point. Looking for cheaper? Or different location? Or...????

Hi - i noticed that the hotels on your first list are all part of the same group. I have stayed at the Library and enjoyed their public spaces - the 2nd floor lounge/library and the top floor outdoor terrace, but found it a bit out of the way for areas i was visiting. On one occasion, i also had a problem with outside noise (construction & trash pickup) during the night. I would try the Elysee for location from that group. I have also booked great rates on-line for the Regency & the NY Palace recently. Try Quikbook for some nifty rates in NYC; that site includes the hotels on your list.

Yes, I've eliminated everything except Giraffe from my first list for one reason or another (and yes, they're all part of the HK Group). I'm just generally still considering options. You know how it is -- you check the websites, you read a lot of good reviews, then you read that one iffy review. Not that one iffy review would turn me off a hotel I'm otherwise sure of but I've only started looking.
You're right that the Kitano does mostly cater to business travellers which is why I'd be able to get a pretty good rate the week after Christmas when business travel slows down.
I'll try Quikbook, thanks. I've never heard of it -- maybe I don't have access to it in Canada. I don't think we get that one where you bid on rooms either. Is that Priceline? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

hdm-
another option would be the Salisbury hotel--directly out the back door of the Parker Meridian on 57th...right across the street..

Location is OUTSTANDING--rooms are large with mini kitchen..Decorated just ho hum but clean and neat...also deli down the street..we have been staying at this hotel for over 30 years...

I'll definitely take a look at the Salisbury, too.

Drm1418, thanks for the tip about Quikbook. I've taken a quick look at their website and so far I can't find any reason why I might not be able to use it from Canada. For Priceline, my credit card would have to have a US mailing address.

hdm there's no reason you can't use Priceline as far as I know. Go to biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com and check for posts about Canadians bidding. I think all you have to do is format your address to fit their forms. That said, people are not having great luck with PL in NYC due to high occupancy rate.

I honestly think eliminating any of your first list for reasons other than price is a mistake. While the Salisbury is a great location and is an all suite hotel with large rooms, the hotel itself is not nearly as nice as the first group.

If you're looking for a 4* that's not too pricey, the Millenium UN Plaza is worth checking. Because it's so far east near the UN prices are often lower. Many of the rooms have nice views and it has a rooftop pool like Parker Meridien.

Just did a quick search HERE for info on Canadians using Priceline and found that American Express works but Visa and MC from Canada don't. Also, here a post on biddingfortravel


http://pub109.ezboard.com/fpriceline...opicID=6.topic

Hi mclaurie,
you're a great help -- thanks. I checked the Salisbury and it's more expensive than other prettier hotels. The Millenium UN Plaza looks nice but I know the area and it's farther east than I was hoping for (I didn't want to go much farther east than Park). While price was a consideration, that wasn't why I narrowed the HK Group down to the Giraffe. It just had the most positive things said about it on the whole.

A rooftop pool is not a big draw since we're going in December but we like to walk a lot so being central helps since the weather may be uncertain.

I'll look at that website. Unfortunately, I have Visa so Priceline is a no go. Still, I'm finding some reasonable prices as I do a search. I'm keeping the Hilton NY and Grand Hyatt NY as a fallbacks. I can get pretty good rates there($270 -$280 Cdn. including taxes) and I don't really mind a big hotel in a tourist area. I just thought I'd check out something more 'boutique-y' this time.

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your help with hotels and other general suggestions on this board. I ended up booking at the Grand Hyatt because I got a great rate there for an oversized room with a view. I called the hotel directly with the website in front of me and did better than I would have on expedia.ca or hotels.ca. Boutique hotels will have to wait till next time.
I'm not quite eligible for it but for anyone who is, they have great seniors' rates (not AARP -- you have to be 62 or over).
Thanks again!