The Blakely/Ritz Battery Park/Sofitel?
 

I remember reading some were going to stay at these hotels over Thanksgiving and I have checked Tripadvisor.com for reviews. None yet for our top choices. Any trip reports from those who stayed at these hotels recently?

Also, looking for info on what to do with our 22 month old son during the day. Thanks!

Don't know much about the Blakely or the Sofitel. The Ritz BP is nice, but seems quiet. Also, there isn't much around there, so you'll find yourself travelling a lot to see the sites. Also, the neighborhood is *very quiet* on weekends -- as in, you may have trouble finding a deli that's open!

For what to do with a 22 month old, I'd go to the Central Park Zoo (small and doable in a few hours), the carousel at Central Park, the Children's Museum, Two Boots Pizza and just walk around.

What info are you looking for on these hotels that's not there? I agree with lisettemac, the RC BP is not really convenient if you're planning to do typcial midtown things. I've probably already mentioned that with a baby you might want a room that's a suite with a kitchen and that would mean the Blakely out of those choices.

I was just looking for recent reviews of the hotels from some of the fodorites who said they were staying at these hotels. I just want to be confident in our choice and have as little fear as possible. We will probably stay at the Blakely for the location, but my husband just can't stop thinking of waking up and going to sleep with Lady Liberty ;-) He has never been to NYC and I just want to make sure I get the hotel right.

Any baby-friendly nice restaurants to recommend.

We are very excited...we are seeing Wicked and Spamalot while we are in town. Thanks for all of your help and recommendations.

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/urban/gu...manhattan1.htm

A long list and also links to "tips on dining out with kids"

Have stayed in the Sofitel a couple of times and recommend it highly, but I'm not sure how baby friendly it is, the suites we have stayed in have not had any kitchen facilities.
Location is great though.
Hope this helps you.

Can't give you hotel reviews, but I can help you a little with your 22 month old.

The restaurant America is pretty fun for kids if you go for Sunday brunch. They have a balloon artist and a magician who travel from table to table to entertain the kids. Even my 10 month old son loved this. My only advice is that you ask your waiter as SOON as you sit down to send the balloon artist over--she gets very busy, very quickly, and takes her time at each table. As for you, you'll enjoy the food there just fine and the service (and price) is at least average.

Do NOT go to Serendipity, as they are kid-UNfriendly (though Dylan's candy bar is at the end of the block and is a lot of fun for kids).

The Central Park sites that someone already mentioned are great. The Carosel goes FAST and you can ride it with your son. My baby enjoyed watching the ice skaters at Wolman Rink and the horse carriages in Central Park also.

I would stay in Midtown. The Statue of Liberty is nice but she is rather small and that whole area of town is quiet--as lisettemac said, you'll be leaving the area to do the things you'll enjoy most, and finding a cab can be tricky down there at times.

If you do stay in Midtown, however, you could go downtown for an afternoon and ride the Staten Island Ferry, which rides directly by Lady in all her splendor! :)

ToysRUs Times Square is a blast for kids. So is FAO Schwarz, and I think they are finally re-opened.

If you take a stroller, be sure to hang a backpack on it with your important items (as opposed to relying on the stroller basket or whatever). Many restaurants require that you check the stroller before you are seated, which can be a pain if there are important belongings stashed in the stroller.

Have fun! Kids love NYC just because of all the action. You will have a nice time.