Hi, For the past 10 years my family has stayed in room 601 at the Mayflower Hotel on CPW with its views of the park from the Living Room and Columbus Circle from the Bedroom for $225.00 per night. Last year The Mayflower was bought and we are looking for a new summer home. Once again I came to this forum for help and after looking at various posts I investigated suggested suite hotels. I now have reservations at the Kimberly, Beacon and Radio City Apartments. I have two questions. Though I think I know the answer to the first I must ask if anyone thinks I will ever find a deal like I had at the Mayflower? And second, of the three I listed, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Thanks

appelrew, The Mayflower was one of the last privately owned hotels in the city.

You'll probably never see a park view one bedroom for under $750 per night.

The Salisbury is another privately owned hotel. No park views but large rooms.

The Affina group also has large suites and one bedrooms at reasonable rates.

I don't know what your definition of the "deal" is. I agree with GoTravel there just aren't any park view options at that price, but you can certainly find some one bedroom suites with other views at around that price, depending on timing. The Beekman Towers all suite (Affinia) hotel would have some rooms with views of the East River.

It would help to know the makeup of your family (how many kids and ages), the length of your stay and the kinds of things you like to do in order to provide better advice. If you're really staying for "the summer" (ie a month or more) you should consider an apt rental where you wouldn't pay room tax. There are also some places that only rent for a month or more. If that's the length of your stay, you'd do much better than a nightly rate. Frequent poster Patrick found some nice places he posted about recently including something in the west 50s called, I think the Executive Tower which was too high up for his liking.

For a month or more, you might consider posting an ad on Craigslist.com/newyork

Of the 3 places you mention, I think the Beacon is the best location for a family visit in summer. It's nearest to the park and in a more residential area where you're likely to find moderate priced restaurants etc.

The Kimberly gives you access to a pool. The Affinia 50 is right near (maybe next to) the Kimberly and I think was more recently renovated. The Radio City Apts I think are the least desirable for an extended family stay. While very centrally located for sightseeing, it's a touristy area. I think some of their apts are renovated and some are not and may be a bit grotty.

Easyclicktravel.com seems to get some very good rates for the Affinia hotels. They appear to have the Shelburne Murray Hill for example at $209/night in July.

BTW, the Milburn is near the Beacon and some like it better. Another thought to consider is to stay somwhere very different from the Mayflower so you're not constantly comparing and to get the flavor of another area of the city. Many people say the Embassy Suites downtown near the South Street Seaport is great, especially during the summer (some suites have outdoor terraces with river views).

Thanks Once again great feedback. My family is 5 (14,17,19) plus friends.

I will try the Afina (or is it Afinia?)hotels again but couldn't get onto their web site for some reason..maybe spelling?.

The Radio City Apartments do worry me... though at $155 a night I don't mind worring a bit..even the Mayflower was a bit grotty. They did say however that the 1 bedroom suites have no view and since it is only a 12 story building I wonder about light??? Has anyone stayed there? The people I spoke with were very accomodating and I will mention, able to get me accomodations that their on line site said were unavailable.

I will look for Patricks picks since we do stay for a month or more.

I looked at craigslist but it is so intimidating to me...the idea of making such a committment sight unseen with no recommendations is daunting though I know people who do it successfully.

I looked at the Embassy Suites and some private stuff in the East Village on Craigslist but can't get warmed up to being that far downtown though we do spend a fair bit of time there. With 3 teenagers, midtown is easiest I think and I like the hustle of the tourist areas.

Thanks again

First, Affinia.com is the spelling and website, but as I said, I think easyclicktravel.com may have better rates for the Affinia hotels than the Affinia website. They are not identified though. If you copy words from the description and do a websearch you'll be able to tell which one it is. The Bedford is another very affordable all suite hotel in midtown nearish to Grand Central Station.

But if you are staying for more than a month, I do urge you to consider an apartment. At $225/night for a month, that's almost $7,000. You can easily get a one bedroom apt. for $3-4,000 and avoid the hefty tax as well. I will add I don't think "5 plus friends" will fit or be allowed in a one bedroom, whether apt or hotel suite. Your "kids" are getting older and I think you need more space and perhaps another bathroom.

If you would rather have hotel type services and are prepared to pay that much though, you might consider the Phillips Club. Location is not that far from the Mayflower (it's near Lincoln Center) and you have the added benefit of membership to one of the best health clubs in the city.

http://www.phillipsclub.com/nyc/es_welcome.html

Here are 3 links on apt. info with a number of websites etc. detailing Patrick's search.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34547444

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34545381

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34546894

Many thanks. I will definitely look into all of these options.

I stayed at the Salisbury in November with my mother and son and we all found it very accomodating. Like another poster mentioned, there aren't any park views but it is a short walk away. It is also close to many of the tourist attractions you said you like. We liked the fact that it was an older building with much history. The rooms are huge for the price you pay.

Whatever you decide, make sure they know how many will be staying. Some hotels have issues with more than 4 to a room for insurance and fire safety reasons. I think your very best bet for a month or more is a 2 bedroom/2 bath apt.