I am spending a weekend in March in NYC with my wife,mother and 8 year old daughter.The Plaza Fifty is offering a weekend rate of$214 per day plus tax for a 1 bedroom superior suite .The price is right but is the hotel OK?I would rather spend more on a fancier hotel but my wife and mother think space is more important than style.
I do not really want to pay more than $300 a night plus tax.
The Millenium Hilton is offering 2 rooms at $135 plus tax per night but is in an area which is likely to be dead at the weekend.
Can anybody tell me what the Plaza Fifty is like?The hotel website doesn't even say if it has a bar or restaurant.
Can you suggest any alternatives?We are arriving March 9 for 3 nights and then moving on to Boston for 7 nights.
Thanks in advance

Four of us (2 couples) stayed in a 2-bedroom at the Plaza -50 a while back. Very spacious and clean. The location was excellent. I do not recall a bar or restaurant in the hotel. Nothing fancy, but I would not hesitate to stay there again. Definitely check the rates at the Kimberly Suites Hotel which is right next door. We have friends who have stayed at both and prefer the Kimberly. Their one bedroom at the Kimberly had a bedroom, living area with kitchenette and sofa-bed.

Plaza 50 did not impress us when we visited recently thinking about renting an apartment for a full month. They are also currently redoing the place (it needs it) and it looks like there will be a whole lot of construction for quite a while The Kimberly is wonderful, but be ready for a much higher rate. The Benjamin within a block of the other two is really very nice (same group as Plaza 50) and has the wonderful An American Place restaurant off its lobby.

Thanks for your helpful messages-the renovation work is putting me off the Plaza Fifty.
Where would you stay on a budget of $250/350 per night?

Try Doubletree,Times Square

There is a very nice suite hotel on 34th St. between Lex and 3rd that is very good, well priced and in a good area to see everything. There are also ALOT of restaurants in the immediate area, of all kinds, so you will have lots of choices.

The hotel is the Dupont although I heard it was purchased recently, but not sure by whom, and will check.

The Millenium is a good choice and is easy to get to and during the day there are lots of people in the area. It is a short walk from there to the Southstreet Seaport and across the St. to the World Trade Center and LOTS of shopping. Also if you want to do some theatre while you are here, the TKTS booth is there, so you could be first in line in the morning for tickets.

There are a few restaurants in the area that are open on the weekends, and the village is not far to walk or take the bus or subway. Also a real plus is Century 21, which is a shopping mecca in the city, good bargins there.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Ann-I will definitely look at your suggestions.I have just been quoted a weekend rate of $269 for an Imperial suite at the RHIGA(this includes a $25 food credit).If it can accommodate the 4 of us,this seems to meet the bill.it seems to be a 1 bedroom suite although I thought the Royal suites were the only 1 bedroom suites at this hotel.
They are also offering a Pinnacle suite at $349 including the food credit and return chauffeur car srvice to Newark airport (which I reckon is worth approx $80).
Does anyone know the difference between the various types of suite?

The hotel mentioned above on 34th between 3d and Lexington is the Dumont Plaza, not Dupont. It should be in your range, and its suites have kitchenettes, as well. There was a trip report not long ago from someone who stayed at a Rhiga suite, so you might want to do a search for Rhiga Royal on this site.

Thanks everyone.
I now have 3 choices for 1 bedroom suites-
Plaza Fifty-$214
Kimberley-$219
RIGHA Royal-£269(Imperial)or $349(Pinnacle)
Which would you go for?
Is the Righa worth the extra bucks?If so,is it worth going the full monty for a Pinnacle suite?

Go with the Pinnacle-its only money and your mother could check out any time!

I promise I will stop bugging you all if you can give me any guidance on which of the 3 hotels listed above I should book.
Thanks in advance

The first one I'd eliminate is the Plaza Fifty. I'm amazed at the price at the Kimberly if it is really for a full one bedroom suite. I believe they have some very small "studio" or "jr.suites", but if you can get the square footage and if it compares to a royal suite at the Rhiga, maybe I'd go for that. On the other hand, I've seen the regular (Royal) suites at the Rhiga and I'd go for those any time. In fact that would be my first choice anyway, even if the Kimberly is less.

Thanks Patrick,
You have made up my mind-I have booked a Righa Imperial suite for $269 per night (including $25 food/beverage credit per night).I even got a larger series room and a high floor.
The Kimberly rate of $219 is for a one bedroom suite and is available on their website -rate is valid to March 31.A deluxe guest room is $189 The website is www.kimberlyhotel.com/offers.html