We usually go somewhere warm and sunny during February break but since we are doing that in April, looking at spending a few days in NYC - feb 17-20. I can use points plus a little money for a three day stay at the Hotel Indigo in Chelsea. On the other hand, a couple of hotels on the Upper West Side (Murray Hill area?) seem to be reasonably priced and get good reviews. I know these are probably very different areas - but what I am looking for is a neighborhood-type feel, good choice of affordable restaurants close by (thinking around the $100-$150 range for two w/tax and tip) and some shopping (but not necessarily high end - more unique, specialty types of shops).

Does this sound like Chelsea or UWS would be a better fit? Thanks!

(btw - I know it can be quite cold in NYC in February - we are from buffalo so we can take it)

Chelsea and Murray Hill are in very different locations.

Oops, I meant the UWS and Murray Hill are in very different locations.

Indeed, Murray Hill is on the east side, more near midtown... I'm partial to the UWS (having lived there for several years!) but I think you'll enjoy the neighborhood feel there. Plus, there's great proximity to both Central Park and Riverside Park, and Columbus Circle.

>

Ah yes, I see that now. I think I was looking at one hotel on on the UWS and one in Murray Hill. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

Chelsea and Murray HIll are both partially residential (depends where) and conveniently close to midtown without being as hectic as Times Square or Grand Central.

The Upper West Side is almost entirely residential. Very few office buildings. There are plenty of chain stores (but mid range, not very high priced unless you go to the Time Warner Building on the southern edge of the neighborhood) and small stores too.

There are multiple restaurants on almost every block and it would actually be tough to spend "$100-$150 range for two w/tax and tip" unless you're buying high priced wine or multiple mixed drinks per person. Most food places are much lower priced. They are not necessarily destination restaurants though

Access to the parks is also convenient even in winter and you'd have easy access by walking through the park or a short bus ride to get to the museums on the Upper East Side. There are also 2 sets of subway lines on the west side (some on Broadway, some on Central Park West) so you'd have pretty easy access to almost anywhere in the city.

What visitors like about the neighborhood is that there are people on the street at all hours so it never feels deserted, but it's not bustling like midtown, Chelsea has streets like that too, but where the Indigo is, it's semi industrial looking in the immediate area--flower wholesalers, suppliers of all sorts of accessories and novelties etc

They are both in non-tourist areas, residential areas. I guess it comes down to the choice of hotel.

While both areas meet your criteria, I think the UWS is a bit more interesting than Murray Hill. JMHO

You are close to the Natural History Museum on the UWS - if that interested you - and across the park from the Met, Gugenheim and Frick museums.

We stayed at The Roger Williams in Murray Hill. Got a great price on perfectescapes.com. Great location and a very nice hotel, highly recommend it. I like Murray Hill because it is more centrally located.

IMHO upper west side is more interesting - with good subway access (2 lines) to the rest of the city. Plus the Museum of Nat'l ist, Planeatarium and NY Hisotrial Society (brilliant!) are on the west side o f the Park - and the east side of the park - about a 15 minute walk (or 5 minute bus) across are the Met and a plethora of other museums.

There are some destination restaurants near Lincoln Center - but the area is packed with mid priced and budget neighborhood places of every ethnicity - many of them with excellent food. Also a couple of famous gourmet places - Zabar's and Fairway.

I find it more intresesting than Murray Hill - which is largely a dormitorium - of troops of kids in the couple of years out of school - packed 4 to a 2 BR apartment,

Don't know about Murray Hill but I stayed in Chelsea and UWS. If you are just asking about the areas, I much preferred the UWS. Residential but plenty for the tourist too. The atmosphere was more to my liking and it felt more "real New York" than some other areas ( not meaning Chelsea in that comment ).

Yes the UWS, is significantly more interesting than Murray Hill and has the highest concentration of psychiatrists in the world.

The atmosphere was more to my liking and it felt more "real New York" than some other areas.

Oh my god, I am not a real person.

So far seems like UWS is beating Chelsea and Murray Hill. Thanks for the input.

Adu - I believe you are real.

Thank you Tom, I needed that.

I stay in the UWS a lot (in a friend's apartment) and I like the area, but....

I LOVE the Hotel Indigos. So, I'd like to know what the UWS hotel might be.

starrs - on the UWS, I was considering the Hotel Belleclaire and the Exelsior. Murray Hill was the Affinia Shelbourne. In any event, we decided to wait until we have enough priority points to get three free nights - which will only take one more work trip for me to get. So we probably won't go until sometime in May. At that time, we will go with the Hotel Indigo.

Sounds like a great plan!

I've stayed at the LaQuinta on W 32nd that's not too far away (.4 mi) and I liked the location fine. The LQ has a small rooftop bar that is pretty cool if you want a place for drinks with a view. Again, I LOVE the Indigos. The one in San Francisco is my favorite hotel ever and I like the one in Atlanta too. Enjoy your trip!

Where is the Hotel Indigos in San Francisco?