My husband and I have decided to ditch the families this year and take ourselves and our daughter {5yrs.} to NYC for the week of Christmas. It will be my 3rd trip, her first trip and my husband's first Christmas time trip. We usually stay at the more trendy, modern, design focused hotels, but this trip we're looking for a more traditional hotel. First off, we need more room and would really like a suite. We have to do a little Santa magic, so having a separate bedroom would be great. More importantly, we really want a hotel that is decorated for Christmas. Think wreathes, trees, balls, like the North Pole threw up! I want her eyes to light up when we walk in the front door. I've looked at The Plaza and the Ritz at Central Park. They look very nice, of course, but do they go all out at Christmas like I think they would? Is there anywhere that has suites, tons of Christmas AND would be a little cheaper? I really like that area, since I know my daughter will love Central Park...even if it's 10* degrees and snowing.

Thanks!

You're coming to NYC at the most expensive time of year and are looking for a suite in a hotel that is traditional and looks like the North Pole? Your requirements will automatically exclude many of the more moderately priced hotels, which typically don't have such extensive lobbies and public areas to turn into the "North Pole".

All of the major hotels decorate for Christmas, but I don;t know of any that look like the North Pole - although the most upscale traditional ones will come close. But for a suite I think you're looking at more than $1000 a night. (At the Plaza the real suites - with a separate living room, as opposed to just a sitting area in the bedroom - start at about $1200 per night plus tax. Many of the "suites" at lower prices just refer to a sofa at one end of the bedroom.)

To really get the North Pole effect you need to head to Rock Center to see the tree, angels, skating rink, St Pat's etc. And you should get tickets to the Christmas Spectacular at the Music Hall. Also - head to Macy's - either very early - like 8 am or late (probably not good for a 5 year old) to see Santa. You may want to reserve for a lunch in one of the restaurants overlooking the rink: Sea Grill or rock Center Cafe. (Reservations far in advance are a must.)

Unless you're willing to break the bank for a hotel I doubt you're going to find what you want. And if you're looking to have a tree (fake of course) in your suite I would contact the hotel in advance to determine arrangements and costs.

And of course you should also see the Neapolitan tree and creche at the Met and the origami tree at the Museum of Natural History. I would also organize an afternoon performance of the Nutcracker - which we do every year and is positively magical.

When I say "North Pole" I mean huge trees, lots of greenery, etc.Not really snow, ice, etc. Though we're going to try and go skating for sure. I figured as much about the prices. All the suites I've seen have been in the $1000-$1500. I know it's going to be an expensive trip, but it might be the only time we do it, so why not?

I found something that said that the Sea Grill or the Rock Center Cafe have Breakfast or Lunch with Santa. Does anybody know if this is something they do every year or was it just a one time thing. I looked on their sites, but it's still so early, nothing was listed.

We're planning on seeing the Nutcracker for sure, I hope to get tickets for C-mas Eve at 3pm {me and 1000 other people I'm sure} and we have talked about going to see the Radio City Show on Christmas Day, after a trip to Katz's. The only issue there is that we will have seen the traveling show at home in early December, so I'm not sure if it's worth it to see it twice. I would love to see RCMH though. They're the same show right? If we don't do that on Christmas Day, any suggestions for activities? Places to eat dinner?

I would love to take her to see Santa and we'll have to go to FAO. I'm assuming that these places are just slammed the whole week and there isn't a better time to go to either, we'll just have to be patient, right?

We're also planning on the Museum of Natural History and MoMA. I know MoMA is closed on Tuesdays and the 25th, does anybody know about the MoNH?

I would ADD the Big Apple Circus to your list and I believe the Plaza has some kind of Eloise package as long as you are going BIG time! And White Christmas seems to be showing up again as a show - I saw an ad for it somewhere.

MoNH?

I have never seen these initials, it sounds like an insult to someone in Dixville Notch.

Three hotels come to mind one VERY Expensive and one moderatly so.

The Palace = will be CHRISTMAS to the MAX, including the courtyard area with lots of lights, and they may be doing some carolying in the courtyard this year on the weekends.

The Roosevelt - they have several suites and the hotel does Christmas nicely, with trees and lights all over the lobby. Also the prices here are alot more reasonable.

The Ace will have it all, upscale, CHRISTMAS done up right, close to Macy's for last minute shopping and of course close to all the stores with Christmas windows. The suites there are VERY cute, I took a tour recently. You can also get an additional room add on if the suites are not quite big enough and the price is well within your budget.

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Just wondering who will sleep in the "additional room" -- the 5-year old or the husband?

The Christmas show might be worthwhile seeing at the Music Hall - depending on where else you see it. the music hall is an incredible sight just by itself - and I've heard that the road show versions are usually much smaller - just since most stages aren;t large enough for the full cast you get at the Music Hall. I would check on that.

Christmas Dinner - if you want a traditional one - should be reserved far in advance. Check opentable,com to see which places are serving - versus closed - and what time they have seatings.

Don;t know if the Rock Center restaurants have Santa every year - I would call now and ask - since you want to reserve far in advance. I beleive all of the museums are closed on Christmas - but you can check the web site. The traditional NYC thing to do is go to the movies - but if the wether is good you might want to consider skating at one of the several rinks.

Seconding nytravelers' rec for the Rockettes, which is Christmas to the tenth power. I've seen it at Radio City Music Hall and I've seen the traveling show (I have lots of nieces and nephews! ) and the traveling show doesn't come close to the Radio City show for over-the-top atmosphere and staging.

And don't miss all of the wonderfully decorated store windows. Every year I think they can't get better and
every year they are.

Agree with travelbuff that the Roosevelt decorates the lobby very nicely for Christmas.

I'm going to second going to Radio City for the Christmas show. I grew up seeing it and even as an adult it was spectacular. Have also seen the traveling show and they just aren't the same.

The Sea Grill is lovely and if you call now you may be able to get a table in the window and watch the skaters.

@SF~ The husband...he snores.

I'll look into the Roosevelt. We were due to stay at the Ace this month, but had to cancel our trip. The Ace in Palm Springs is great. Adult Sno-Cones=great long weekend!

Thanks so much for all the help so far!

"Aduchamp1 on Sep 13, 09 at 08:44 PM
MoNH?
I have never seen these initials, it sounds like an insult to someone in Dixville Notch."

Yes, and since the museum in NY is formally the "American Museum of Natural History", it's sometimes referred to as AMNH. (still an issue with New Hampshire if they have a local TV morning show there

The suite hotels are not as fancy as the ones you're talking about but the Benjamin might be an option to consider. I think the NY Palace is a wow any time and at Xmas, double wow. Not sure about suites.