Radio City Suites -- Worth it?
 

My husband and 14-year old daughter and I will be visiting NY on a VERY spur-of-the-moment trip. Anyone familiar with the Radio City Suites? I did quite a bit of web searching and finding an affordable room for 3 is a challenge! Particularly liked this option because we can do most of our own cooking. (I know, I know, NY is known for its great restaurants!! Trying to save some $$ here!) Appreciate anyone who can give me some insight.

I have no personal knowledge but I have read mixed reviews on this and other message boards. The location is very good and the lobby was redone a year or so ago and it looks bright and clean. I don't know how much renovating, if any, was done to the rooms.

Thanks for responding. where have you seen these "mixed reviews"? I have been searching for any info and can't find any!

Worth what? If you have a very attractive rate, i.e. less than $125 per night then it may be worth it. Otherwise you can probably do better with a regular hotel particularly if you are comming in July or August and even better on a weekend. More info would help.

I did quite a bit of web searching and for 3 people in a somewhat decent place (3 stars or higher), I could find nothing less than $150 or so. The RCS rate if $175 per night, but with a kitchen, I didn't think this was too bad. Any thoughts?

Search this forum under Radio City Apartments and you'll find the info. I have stayed there and can verify this: it's a safe and incredibly convenient location, it was quiet at night, even on a third floor room facing the street, the rooms were clean and the bed was comfortable and it was fairly spacious (especially by NYC standards. The floors had a sort of commercial very short nap carpet (almost like indoor-outdoor) and the decor was best described as mid 70's generic hotel/motel. Not upscale, not elegant. Clean and comfortable? Absolutely. The bed in the bedroom was fine and my daughter was very comfortable on the living room futon couch (although she could sleep on the floor and pass out immediately so this may not be relevant!). We paid about $125 but booked in advance. Many in this forum have spoken highly of the Hotel Beacon as being as bit nicer - it also has kitchens. It's in a residential upper West side neighborhood - not as close to midtown but with quick and easy access by subway. If you do stay at Radio City I believe there's a Food Emporium grocery store near 8th Ave and 50th - it's the closest real grocery store.

Owen, Thank You! My husband and I travel quite a bit and I don't care if we end up in a place that's a bit less, well, "acceptable," but when we've got our daughter with us, we're a little more picky. Thanks for putting my worried mind at ease!

You're welcome, Carol. If it's the best price you can find, especially with a kitchen, don't hesistate to stay there. The LR/kitchen area was surprisingly large and had a nice large glass dining table with 4 chairs. We had fruit/bagels/creamcheese for breakfst and kept bottled water and snacks that we returned for once during the day. Didn't actually cook other than microwave popcorn but the kitchenette was adequate. Do try to find Food Emporium - I didn't know it was there at the time and ended up in some smaller neighborhood grocery on 8th or 9th near 49th - very pricey and poor selection. Keep in mind that for fresh fruit you can often get great prices and decent quality from the street cart vendors.

If you are set on having a kitchen than I guess RCS is your choice. Have you checked quikbook, at least 50 hotels are listed for less than $175, all much more substantial choices than RCS. Prices are for summer weekends but not sure when you are comming. <BR>

My husband and 17 year old son stayed at the Radio City Suite for 2 weeks in May/June 2001. Clean, good service, kitchen stocked nicely, quiet. GREAT location. Close to everything, including subway travel. Don't take a taxi everywhere you go, it really adds up. Have fun!