We would like to spend the full month of May in NYC next summer. We have pretty high standards and taste and prefer nice hotels. But we would love to have enough space for two of us to be comfortable for a month. Our location preference, especially because we do a ton of theatre is within walking distance of the theatres, say anywhere from about 39th to 64th and anywhere east to First Avenue. We would sort of like an apartment, but really don't care much about the kitchen; probably the most we would use it for would be to chill wine, keep orange juice and milk, and maybe do some microwave popcorn. We've checked with the suite hotels we've heard of, but they still average about $300 a day and up, most not really offering much if any break for a month stay. We'd be happy with just a large hotel room, but again want a nice one. I am amazed that normally we stay at Marriot Marquis at an average price ranging from $175 to $275 a night, but they quoted us a total of $10,640 for the entire month of May, an average of about $345 a night --plus of course the 13.25% tax. Most of the apartment rental firms I've checked on the net show really tacky places and they are just as expensive as the hotels, without the benefits of maid service, etc. We were hoping to keep our average closer to $200 per night for the month, but hotels in that range seem to be really too small for comfort. Anyone have any brilliant suggestions?

I've heard from several people that the Hotel Wolcott is great for long-term stays. It's not real fancy but a place to park yourself. It's up in the 70ish streets (forgot the exact address). Hope you find a good place.

Holly, found a Hotel Wolcott on the internet, a sort of college dorm look, but it is on West 31st street, not in the 70's. Is this the one you mean? If so, no offense, but would rather stay at a YMCA.

San Carlos Hotel on 50th and 3rd Ave caters to long term visitors (rates are per week). Smallish hotel, only serves breakfast. Check it out, a friend has stayed there several times but not at peak times.

Patrick, check into the Sherbourn (I think that is the right spelling but will check it tomorrow when I walk by) it is a suite hotel that caters to weekly and monthly guests. I will find out what the monthly charges might be.

Also there are companies in Manhattan that rent out apartments on a monthly basis, will see if I can find a name and phone number for you.

tweedy

Tweedy, is that the Shelburne Murray Hill on Lexington? Part of the Manhattan East Suites? Had a folder and price list for their 9 or so hotels, but all have increased by about 75% in the last 2 years. Getting a bit rich for my blood, but may have to bite the bullet.

Stayed at the Murray Hill East Suites on East 39th Street for three weeks in 1986 and thought it was very comfortable and reasonable. Couldn't find a web site but located a hotel reservations service
that had them listed. Neighborhood was convenient and safe. http://www.hotelbook.com/static/welcome_29124.html

I hate to sound like the proverbial broken record, since I post the same comments every time, but check out Hotel Beacon at 75th & Broadway www.beaconhotel.com). Although it's a bit of a hike from the theatre district, it's only 2 blocks from the subway, not far from Central Park, with lots of interesting restaurants, shops & groceries within a block or two. Rooms are not huge but do include a nice bath, good closet space and a kitchenette -- and with the AARP discount our room was $185 a night including taxes. Of course, I have no idea if you could get that rate for a whole month, but maybe . . . There is no real lobby or lounge area so if you want a place to relax out of your room this might not be a good choice . . . but it seems to meet your other criteria and gets good reviews here. Let us know if you find someplace else!

Are you the same Patrick that just came back from a five month trip to Europe? If so, would you like to adopt me?

So, how did you become independently wealthy?

Check out these two, which cater to long-term stays and are both "luxury." I know the phillips club is online and runs about $6,500 a month.

The Phillips club...really nice, next door to lincoln center on broadway. Includes membership at the Reebok gym.

The Bristol. In the east 60s. Don't know much about it, but they always have ads in New York Magazine and the New Yorker.

Have fun!

To "a question", yes, I am that same Patrick and you will have to line up for the adoption process. I do not consider myself independently wealthy, but pretty comfortable and spend an incredibly disproportioned share of my income on travel -- call it my addiction. I am one of the few Floridian I know my age who doesn't have a summer home somewhere up north. Instead, I choose to leave this hot weather and travel for 5 months each summer rather than invest my money and energies into a summer home. But back to the current question. Thanks to all for some good suggestions. Ironically I came across the Phillips Club last night on line and sent off a request to them. They called me today offering a large studio suite (600 sq. ft.) with kitchen, etc. for the month of May for $6200. Sounds very good, especially when I found out that the huge new Balducci's is located right downstairs. Am also pursuing some of the others and the San Carlos Hotel really looks nice, and is my preferred location. I'm waiting for a price from them. Meanwhile came across this super web special --round trip from Naples, Fl. to New York on AA for $191 so grabbed at it and will check these out between Dec. 7 and 12. Now if I could just get a deal on a good hotel room for that time. (See my post under The Muse Hotel thread.)

Patrick:
I just posted some ideas for you on the Muse thread, Have fun!

An updated progress report: Received an email today from The San Carlos Hotel with a rate for a "large junior suite with separate seating area, fully equipped kitchen, walk-in closets, and continental breakfast included" for $4500 for the full month. Love the location at 3rd and 50th. I have reserved and will check it out along with the Phillips Club in early December. Thanks again everyone for a lot of helpful suggestions.

I always go thru the Corporate Agencies when I want to stay a month in US cities...so far I have been happy with that arrangement.

Why not rent an apartment for the month?
There are serveral places that rent apartments.Urban Adventures 212-594-5650 or TBJ Inc 800-987-1235 I believe this is cheaper than a hotel and probably a lot nicer.

To Janet: That's where we started last spring. We were in NYC and checked with several of those apt. rental agencies. No one would guarantee an apt for a one month rental until about 2 months before, in case they can get a longer lease. Also, other than those really nice ones in the $12,000 a month up range set up for rentals, most of them were pretty awful. I guess I'm too spoiled by nice hotels with superb baths and nice quality furnishings to take the rooms-to-go type furnishings, typical tiny New York apt. bathroom, and to live around other peoples' clutter while they are away. In addition, I'm not really into doing my own cleaning, laundry and towels while there -- daily maid service is hard to give up. If anyone knows of a truly great situation in a good midtown location that is different from that I would like to know about it. We always rent a flat in London, but have locked into a really great situation there. But thanks for the info, will check both of these agencies.