Hi everyone,
My girlfriends and I just got back from a weekend in NYC, and had a great time. My almost-husband (getting married in 2 1/2 weeks!) has never been to NYC and I would love to take him for a few days, maybe in Dec. as a surprise.

The hotel we stayed at this past weekend was the Courtyard Marriott Times Square South on West 40th, and we really liked it. Great location, nice and clean rooms, very friendly staff ($179/night).

I would like to stay in the same location as it's very convenient to the things I would like to show my fiance. Wondering if I should just stay at the same place that I know I liked or try something new (Marriott Marquis, Renaissance, Sheraton Manhattan). All of them are around $220-$250/night...Can anyone compare the Courtyard I stayed at to these other hotels?

Thanks!

I have stayed at that Courtyard, when I had tickets to a play at that end of Times Square. It was absoltely fine, but I much prefer the Renaissance. To me, the Marriott there is too big and chaotic, but the Renaissance is perfect. The staff was friendly and accomodating, the rooms are pretty [there is a difference in size in some of them], with nice ammenities, pretty marble baths, etc. The restaurant in the hotel, Foley's Fish House, has spectacular, almost floor to ceiling views on three sides, of Times Square. That would be my choice.

I have stayed at the Courtyard many times and it's my favorite hotel in NYC for business. I have also stayed at the Marriott Marquis quite a few times and it's my favorite hotel when I'm being a tourist. Courtyard is a modest property compared to the Marriott Marquis. The Marquis is a flagship property and it is big, bold, and has everything and more, even it's own theater.I think it's fun to stay there if you can swing the price.

LoisL: Thanks for your reply!

What about the Renaissance specifically did you prefer to the Courtyard T.S. South? Would you say for the same price that the Renaissance is much better? I had read a lot of horrible reviews about all kinds of NYC hotels that we were very pleasantly surprised with the Courtyard. Also, what is next to the Renaissance? I am trying to remember where it was exactly in T.S.

EmilyC: Thanks! I have always thought the Marquis looked fun, it's about $40 per night than the Courtyard for December. Is the Marquis much better than the Courtyard? How are the rooms at the Marquis compared to the Courtyard? We really liked the Courtyard's location, close enough to the action, yet not too loud or chaotic.

The Renaissance is at 47th between Broadway and 7th. It is at the north end of TImes Square. It is across the street from the TKTS Discount booth.

I think with Priceline you can get those or equivalent hotels for considerabley less - even in December. Check out a bunch of threads here on NY hotels and Priceline.

The rooms at the Renaissance have a warmer feel to them, and I think are a bit more upscale, than the Courtyard. The Renaissance is right in the middle of Times Square, as is the Marriott Marquis. The atmosphere is more toned down in the Renaissance than the Marriott, with it's many floors, hoards of people, scrambling to get to elevators, etc. If you like to people watch, the Marriott is the place for you. If you're looking for a quieter, more relaxing stay, then the Renaissance is better. I have found the staff to be very accomodating, and actually knew us, by the second day. And, when we mentioned to the consierge, on one visit, that it was our anniversary, he had wine and a cheese platter sent up to us, complementary!

Do consider Priceline - if or when your travel plans are firm. Check out biddingfortravel or betterbidding to scope things out and then bid. I've always gotten a 4 star MTW hotel for under $100 (usually the Hilton)

We stayed at the Doubletree across the street and about a block up from the Marquis and half a block down from the Renaissance. Although both are in the middle of the Times Square area there appeared to be a huge difference in crowding. The area in front of the Marquis was literally swarming with people everytime I looked. The sidewalk in front of the Renaissance was much quieter, even being just across from the TKTS booth and its lines. It's amazing what a difference that short a distance can make.

I don't think anyone has answered your question about the rooms themselves. The Marquis is known for its Large rooms. Not only are they some of the largest standard rooms in NYC, but they are very well equipped and laid out. Ask for a room facing north with a view, which in my opinion is the best as you face right up Broadway. The rooms are wall to wall, floor to ceiling glass. Rooms have a sofa and a nice, large comfortable chair with ottoman in addition to the desk and chair. We always turn the sofa to face out the windows. It's like having a show right there!
Yes, the elevators are a bit of a hectic problem at the Marquis, but to me it is a small price to pay for very nice rooms. In terms of the area in front of The Marquis swarming with people, that really means nothing. Other that the theatre, you don't enter anything from the "front" of the building. You will be entering and exiting from the center of the building almost half a block down on either 45th or 46th Street, not out onto Times Square.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I was considering trying Priceline, but I wondered if it would be difficult to get a good rate at a good hotel seeing as the time I am thinking of going is the week between Christmas and New Year's. Any thoughts?

Patrick: Thanks for that description about the MM's rooms...I wondered about where people entered/exited when I saw it this weekend! I couldn't imagine it being right into Times Square!

We stayed 4 nights at the Renaissance Times Square. The rooms, staff, and location were all magnificent. It seemed to be more of a boutique style hotel versus the dramatic lobbies, etc.. The rooms weren't huge, but were well furnished, the staff reduced one of the nightly rates because I brought in a brochure that quoted a particular rate (picked up at LaGuradia baggage claim) and lastly, the location speaks for itself but can be noisy if you aren't used to sirens at all hours of the night. Overall, wouldn't hesitate to stay again.

PAtrick, you're back! Have you been back and I just mised it?
beachgirl: I have posted on Sheraton Manhattan before. They do have a great indoor pool, unusual for NY. But IMO it is better to stay at the Sheraton NY Hotel and Towers across the street, and you can then stil use the pool at Sheraton Manhattan. I do this because the Sheraton Manhattan's Club level is closed, and the one at Sheraton NY is good. Free breakfast on the club level is very good, and they also have drinks and appetizers in the evening. I don't stay there often, but when I want the indoor pool for exercise or a nice break for an hour a day, it's a good choice. Sheraton NY has been recently renovated. Rooms are smallish in both hotels. Elevators are maddeningly slow at Sher. Man. Have you tried Michelangelo- I got a room there over Memorial Day for 199. Huge rooms, across the street from Sheraton NY. I guess they'd be high in Dec. though.

OK,
I booked the Renaissance for 3 nights @ $259/night. I may cancel it though, if I can get a deal on Priceline before that. (I tried bidding today at $125 and $140 and was rejected.)

Do most of you prefer the Renaissance or the Marriott Marquis? The Marquis was $279/night.

It's a matter of preference. If you want a more social stay out of it, the Marriott has a huge lounge, a theatre [of course, you'd have to have tickets to the show for that to make a difference], several shops, etc., and many, many people milling about. If you're looking for a more relaxing stay, I'd agree with a previous post that the Renaissance has a more 'boutique' feel.
It's strictly a matter of preference. Whichever one you stay in, you should check out the other, by stopping in for a drink or meal, or hey, just using the ladies room! [the Renaissance has it over the Marriott in that dept., in my opinion!]

Thanks, Lois...I think we will be happy with the Renaissance. I know it is smaller and not as "social" as the Marquis. My main concern would be standard hotel amenities, room quality, and service -- would you say the say the 2 hotels are equal in those regards.

If the Marquis was A LOT nicer in many ways, I may consider switching as it is only $20 more per night. If they are equal, I think I will be just fine at the Renaissance. I read some great reviews on Trip Advisor.

The Sheraton Manhattan is an acceptable hotel in a great location, but the rooms are tight. Clean and comfortable, but small.

Have you considered the Sofitel? I know it's not right on Times Square, but it's only a couple of blocks away and is frequently less expensive than the others you mentioned, but just as nice if not nicer.