I have forgotten all about paying to get into the stalls!
You have a great trip too!

I think you get a lot more posts on a topic like this because it is something we all know something about ;) On the otherhand, not everyone has experience with hotels in midtown or whatever the topic may be.

Just a heads up that some of the nicer Manhattan hotels do not allow people to come in off the street and use hotel restrooms.

The Plaza would keep their lobby (it was downstair) restroom locked until 5PM to keep out non patron guests.

I've never been turned away from a hotel bathroom in NYC--and used the Plaza one often!! Waldorf Astoria has a great ladies room with a staircase and fireplace (non-functioning, but a nice touch nonetheless)

Agree with LittleSalty. Never have had an issue using restrooms in hotels.

This is a time-honored tradition:
Grew up in NY and was taught by my parents (who also grew up there) to use hotels, department stores and libraries.

(There were restrooms in subways then, but we were told to avoid those.)

Still use hotel restrooms often, especially the fabulous one in the Pierre.

I realate to the middle aged "gotta go now" situation. I've got all my spots in downton San Jose (on my light rail line/ transfer point). My fave 2 minutes or less from my stop, is the Fairmont Hotel public restroom. Better than a Starbucks Patrick. ;-)