I have finally narrowed down our hotel choices for a four day trip to NYC this July with our family. We have two kids- 12 and 7-and this is our first trip. We are on a fairly tight budget and need to stay in a moderately priced hotel. I have read so many good things on here about the Beacon and the Lucerne gets great marks as well. I know the Beacon has the kitchenette area. Is that a big plus to have for that short of stay do do you think? Is the Lucerne's service that much better? What about the locations of each- is one better than the other? Sorry this is so long! I would really appreciate any help anyone could offer to help me choose. For what it is worth there is about 10 dollars difference in price- the Lucerne being a bit costlier. Thanks for such a great site!

I've been posting a lot about the Beacon ever since I came back from there a couple of weeks ago. My feeling is - the kitchenette is a great thing when there are 4 of you and you're going to want breakfast every morning (obviously!). Even at a reasonably-priced coffee shop, that's going to cost you more than if you went across the street to Fairway, the supermarket opposite the Beacon, and bought what you need for breakfast. I figure I probably saved myself about $100 in 4 days, preparing light meals for myself instead of going out. That way I could splurge a bit on dinners. Sorry, I can't tell you anything about the Lucerne, but the Beacon was recommended to me by people who stayed there as well as people who live in the neighbourhood. I found that the kitchenette was a huge plus. Have a great trip!

Beacon - 75th and Broadway. Lucerne - 79th and Amsterdam (Amsterdam one block east of Broadway). Area is residential and is called the upper west side.
You wouldn't go wrong with either but the kitchenette at the Beacon would be a big plus since children are involved. Shopping is convenient with a large market across the street. A friend stayed at the Beacon last weekend and was more than satisfied. Following is what she wrote in an email about the Beacon:

We were very pleased with the hotel. The bathroon was tiny, tiny, tiny. Two women will have a lot of 'stuff' in the bathroom, so more counter space would have been nice. But this slight negative was surely offset by the convenience of the refrigerator (actually, a whole kitchenette, but we just used the
fridge), The room was very clean, the beds very comfortable. And ---- this was the quietest room of any we have stayed in. We really appreciated that!

I booked a room through hotwire.com and received the Belvedere Hotel (1 room with 2 double beds) for $92. per night (3 star). Their website (www.belvedere.com) describes the rooms as having a kitchenette with fridge, coffee maker and microwave. Not sure but I would look at hotwire.com (western midtown location) and see if the same deal is there. The Belvedere is also part of the Empire Hotel Group like Lucerne is. Karen

The Lucerne is a nicer hotel than the Beacon. Locations of each are similar, though the Lucerne is only one block from the subway.

If a decision is going to be made based on which is the more attractive building the Lucerne wins hands down. If you are going to make a decision based on the hotel the Beacon constantly receives favorable comments on this forum. If looking for a more laid back atmosphere choose the Lucerne. I go by both every day and I rarely see anyone entering or leaving the hotel. In comparison the Beacon is like Grand Central Station.

Teri,
The $92 rate that Karen got for the Belvedere sounds like a great rate. We stayed there and loved it (larger rooms too) and we paid $140 per night as I recall. This would be ideal traveling with kids on a budget.

The Beacon is currently running a summer special on their home page of a one bedroom suite for 185.00 per night. This is cheaper than I have found through the hotel pages. I have only heard good things about this hotel for families.

Look on the Empire Hotel website and it has great photos of both the Lucerne and the Belvedere. I've stayed at both of these and wouldn't hesitate to recommend either. Personally, I would go with one of those over the Beacon. I stayed there once as well and it was pretty disorganized (nice people) but they seemed in a tizy. Flip a coin, go with Belvedere or Lucerne. Belvedere is near Times Square and Lucerne is near Central Park. Better restaurants near the Belvedere IMO....right near restaurant row. Both are nice!! Steve

Teri,
I forgot to give you the Empire Hotel group website with accurate photos....
http://www.newyorkhotel.com/flashintro.htm

Just stayed at the Belvedere, which is in the same group as the Lucerne. My son stays there but we like the location of the Belvedere much better for it is near all the restaurants on 8th. and 9th.; near subway line; and a very short walk to all the Broadway theaters. We really like the kitchenette and there are three great bakeries near the hotel and many stores to buy any type of food. We got a good price through Quickbook but I would try the website of the Empire group.. We like the 48th. street location much better than in the 70's.

Karen,
Is the $92. rate still available at the Belvedere? That sounds fantastic! Actually, I just re-read and saw that you obtained this on hotwire.com so I should check there. If you have any updated info, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Georgia