my husband and i and another couple are planning a trip over valentine's day,2002 and have narrowed our hotel choices down to the plaza,st.regis,waldorf astoria.has anyone stayed at any of these to offer some advice?any help will be greatly appreciated.thank you.....

Just a personal opinion: I don't see why the Waldorf is so great. It is on Park Avenue surrounded by office buildings. If you can afford it, I would choose the Plaza or St. Regis just because they are in a nicer location.

thanks phillip for your input.....

I'd do a search on this forum for the Plaza and read some past reviews. My impression is that unless you spring for a suite, the rooms can be tired, tiny, cramped, and nothing special for the cost. Of those you mention, the St Regis gets the best word-of-mouth, but I don't know specifics.

My husband and I stayed in the Waldorf Towers 2 weeks ago. It really was nothing special. The service from the staff was spotty. The room was fine, but again, nothing special (aside from the 20-year-old TV!). Wouldn't stay there again.

The standard rooms at the Plaza are extremely small and in need of an update. I don't have any info on the other two hotels - I personally recommend the Righa Royal Hotel on W.54th Street. Also, don't forget to make dinner reservations well in advance! Hope I've helped.

Just a heads up: the Rhiga Royal is now a JW Mariott and the jury's still out re whether the old standards are being maintained there.

thanks everyone for your help.....

You didn't mention The Palace, is that not on your list? You really might condsider that hotel too, it is on Madison Ave, just behind St. Patricks, and is I think the nicest hotel in town. The lobby area and most of the rooms are newly done. The lobby area was redone a couple of years ago, and they update the rooms on a regular basis. Cirque2000 is also in on the first floor in the Gold Room of the hotel and one of the best restaurants in town.

High Tea there is very nicely done as is the restaurant.

Enjoy your trip to NYC (but stay at The Palce).