We are celebrating our 10th anniversary in NYC in December. We have it narrowed down to the Inn at Irving Place ($385) or a Park View room at Le Parker Meridien ($285). I am really torn between the two! The Parker Meridien has a better location for the Christmas sites and activities (we have never been during the holiday season), but it looks kind of unromantic to me, although the park view room is a big plus, and we got that great rate. On the other hand the Inn at Irving is definitely romantic, and while I love this part of town, it is much less convenient. Since we have a child, it is much less likely that we will make it back to the Inn at Irving any time soon!

Also, some of you have mentioned that you have been upgraded when you mentioned that you were celebrating a special occasion. Does this usually occur when you book the hotel room or when you check in?

Thanks for any and all input!

Kim

It really depends what you want to do. I would choose the Inn at Irving Place because I much prefer walking around downtown and avoid midtown at all costs during Christmas season (which, for some godawful reason, seems to run for months and months and months!). But if seeing store windowns, Rock Center, etc. is important to you, the Parker Meridien might be better. Think about what you want to do, and keep in mind how ridiculous the crowds get in midtown. I would vote for the relative peace and quiet of a neighborhood hotel and a quick subway ride to midtown for the lights. Have fun!

If you're an O'Henry fan then staying at the Inn across the street from where he wrote Gift of the Magi might be the way to go. There is a much better selection of restaurants around the Inn than uptown. I think I would go with the Inn.

You will definitely have more shopping/touristy crowds uptown but a park view is not too shabby either. You'll also probably be dealing with the business crowd at the Parker Meridien during the week.

You'll probably be pampered more on Irving Place and they serve a romantic tea in the afternoon. Verbena restaurant is right next door and that's also romantic and very good. You can walk to the Village or the East Village from downtown and hop a bus or subway to get uptown. Ask the Inn if they have a key to the private Gramercy Park. That's beautiful during the holidays with a Christmas tree lit up in the park.
It really does depend on what you want to do during the holidays - crowds uptown vs. a more relaxing neighborhood.

I wondered about the key to Gramercy Park. None of the write ups for Inn @ Irving mention it, so I had assumed they did not have one. Does anyone know for sure? I guess I should call and ask them that!

I also prefer downtown for my base, but for a weekend trip with two Broadway shows (Hairspray and La Boheme!) and Rock Center, store windows, FAO Schwartz, & Central Park on my list, it seems more practical to stay near midtown. And my husband is bribing me with the $$ savings going to my anniversary gift...

kim: Stay in midtown, it can't be beat for convenience to Broadway and sightseeing. Keep in mind that the weather can be miserable in December and the trek back and forth to Irving Place will not be pleasant. Lastly, contrary to what Steve said above, the selection of restaurants in midtown can't be beat as long as you are not fixated on price.

Frank, I hate to burst your bubble, but four of the six most popular restaurants in the city (according to Zagats) are less than a ten minute walk from the Inn. Add to that another half dozen outstanding restaurants less than four blocks from the Inn (ie, Patria, Yama, Angelo & Maxies, Union Pacific, and Mesa Grill) and you can see why midtown restaurants dwarf in comparison.

Kim, sounds like you're leaning toward the uptown location. Go with that feeling and you will save $ with the lower hotel rate. Also, since you're going to two shows and the other activities you mentioned, the uptown spot seems more convenient.

I would book a reservation for tea and check out the Inn for a future trip when you want to have more of a NY 'neighborhood' vibe.

To answer your original question, I would ask to speak to the concierge at Parker Meridien and mention to him/her that you chose their hotel to celebrate your anniversary and ask for suggestions. I bet they would do something special for you. They're a French chain, aren't they??