Please help me out -
I'm spending a birthday weekend in the city and can't decide on a hotel!
The W Tuscany has a big suite, sounds really great. But, I get the feeling I'd rather be at the Union Square or Times Square properties if I'm going to be at a W, but not sure why - it's just a vibe I'm getting. Any comments?

Other choices are so far:
The Time - not sure if it's too kitschy. I don't mind eccentricity, but not if it's tacky.
60 Thompson - are there any large rooms here?
Shoreham - the have what sounds like a great suite. anyone ever stayed in it?
The Flatotel - sounds very cool, but no reviews to be found or anything.

Any ideas or comments would be so appreciated. I want the weekend to work out, especially for the money I'm going to spend on these places.

You really cant go wrong staying in the city. For central location try to get between 3rd and 8th ave between 34th and 59th streets. Union square isnt that great of a location. Have a blast!

The W Tuscany is a great suite and I'd recommend it. My question however is what are your plans? Most people say you dont stay in your room that often when you are in the city but my question is more towards where you want to go b/c location is a factor. I am probably staying at the time hotel next week which I've heard good things about but by the time I find out... it'll be a little late.

I'm not familiar with the Tuscany but I was not at all impressed with the Times Sq W. The lobby, which is a few floors up is small and dark with loud music. I didn't see the rooms. The restaurant connected to it (BLue Fin I think) is over-rated, over-priced and very loud and crowded. The Union Sq W is much nicer (although the restaurant there is also over-rated and priced). I don't know about suites but their regular rooms are decent. As far as neighborhoods go, I would prefer the Union Sq area. If you want to be in a tourist area, then times Sq is the place. If you want to be in a lively neighborhood with good restaurants (many reasonable), clubs, stores, etc., then Union Sq/Village/Soho is the place.

Awesome! Thanks for the info.

Actually, I know the city well and don't plan to be doing much touring. Really, I anticipate spending a good amount of time in my room, and possibly even doing some entertaining. I would actually like to mostly avoid the places where tourists are the standard, which is why I wasn't as interested in the W Times Square.

I like the W chain as a whole - I've been in a few in LA and Chicago and they're generally up my alley. I was getting the vibe that the Tuscany might be a bit too quiet/low-key for my tastes, I guess. It's great to hear that the suite is recommended, though, because it really did sound pretty ideal, especially as I might be doing a bit of entertaining while I'm there. I thought that Union Square property might be a livelier/cooler locale, is all.

Speaking of The Time, they have a 320 sq. ft. suite for a lot less than the W - $229 a night or something. Of course, it is 1/3 the size of the suite at the W. In case you're interested, the penthouse suite at The Time was quoted to me last night at $2,499.

I did get a comparable rate on the penthouse suite at the Shoreham, though - $395 for 800 sq. ft. Do you think that would be a better option to the W? I was thinking that for the same amount of money, the W probably offered better amenities, but I don't have anything to base that on.

Two more - The Library and Giraffe. Any ideas?

OK, a week later and my options are narrowed to two hotels:

Le Parker Meridien
Sofitel

The reviews for both are almost uniformly great, and I've found good deals on both. Can anyone recommend one above another?

ttt

Karenin,
Haven't been to either recently but here's some more info to help you decided (maybe). You said you didn't want to be in a touristy area and Sofitel on 45th betw 5th & 6th is just that. Having said that, be aware I got an email from playbill.com this morning that indicated big discounts from there so if you are interested in that property join (free) playbill.com & make sure there's not a better rate.

Parker Meridien has a restaurant called Norma's that's rated one of the top breakfasts in town by Zagats(not cheap but large portions & delicious). I prefer this location if you're not doing theater. Near Tiffany, Bergdorf, Bendels, the park etc.