Hello,
There will be three of us traveling to NYC in mid March. We've narrowed our hotel choices between the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge and the Residence Inn Times Square (1033 Ave of Americas). We're more concerned about affordable restaurant choices, subway access and nightlife (bar lounges vs. nightclubs) that's located near each hotel. Also, we're going to a show at the Broadhurst Theater and will shop and visit the Museum of Natural History. We've found decent rates for both ($210 for RI and $197 for Marriott). We haven't finalized air travel but one of us will arrive on Amtrak. Based on this criteria, which hotel would you choose?

Thank you,
Grouptravel

You will find much more to do /see right nearby in Manhattan. Don't know the Residence Inn - have you checked reviews on tripadvisor.com?

But - most nightlife isn't in the Times Square area - but further downtown. Times Square is basically a business district full of massive highrises plus many theaters. Not great for dining or clubs.

I have stayed at both of these properties for business many times.

In Brooklyn, the Marriott is a very nice property with good sized rooms, excellent service, and within walking distance of lots of restaurant choices. You can get the subway nearby to commute into the city. This place is more upscale than the Residence Inn.

The Residence Inn is a fairly new property that's been open maybe 2 years. It quickly became one of my favorites. It is located diagonally across the street from Bryant Park,and a very short walk to Times Square, the theater district,Rockefeller Center, etc. The rooms here are larger and include the little kitchenette area with a stovetop,,pots and pans dishwasher and full sized fridge, as well as a little kitchen table. The Residence Inn rates always include a free breakfast and a free "manager special" dinner on business nites - Monday thru Thursday. This is typically a small meal like soup and salad one nite, hamburgers another nite - nothing fancy but enough to fill you up. There is also a nice bar which attracts a younger crowd in the evenings. Given your choices, I would pick the Residence Inn as a better value that is closer to the action.
Taxi from Penn Station would be about $10...depending on the time of day.

I have stayed recently at the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge, and it's a very nice place, with good access to Manhattan via the subway. But if a key factor is to be near things to do at night, the Times Square area would be a much better choice. I'm guessing that nytraveler is talking more about nightclubs with the reference to more activity being farther downtown? I'm not a New Yorker, but I've been there many times, and there is no lack of evening activities in Mid-Town - the theater district and Times Square are probably the biggest attractions in the area.

I don't know if I missed your age; if you are in your 20s, early 30s, the best bar/lounge/restaurant scene these days seems to me to be in the East Village. Could not believe the number of familiar store fronts that have become bar/lounge places.

I would stay at the Residence Inn just for convenience.

grouptravel:

I would choose the Residence Inn over the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge.

It would be very helpful if you'd be kind enough to report back how it all worked out, what you liked, didn't like about the hotel you choose.

Enjoy NYC - can't wait to go back.

Sandy

IMHO, if you're going to Manhattan, stay in Manhattan. However, remember that if you choose the Residence Inn (one room I assume?), one of you will be sleeping on a sofabed that is not very comfortable (the regular bed is super-comfortable).

Thank you for the current responses. I think we will choose the Residence Inn and yes, I will post a trip report upon my return.

Grouptravel