We are hoping to visit NYC this Aug. We are traveling with our 4 kids ages 16, 12, 11 & 6. Any suggestions on finding a decent hotel to accomadate us all? would prefer midtown and realize we willl probably need two rooms but seem to find much about adjoining rooms on any of the booking sites. Also, we will be driving a suburban and are questioning wether to park somewhere outside the city and if so where?

Try the Travel Inn on 42nd Street. We have always been very pleased there. I know they have suites, not sure about connecting rooms. And, parking is free! The garage entrance is fairly flat, and I would guess it would accomodate a Suburban. It's an easy hotel to get to driving. And, it's nicely enough located on 42nd Street a few blocks west of Times Square.

For a family, it would just be better to call that try to book anything on the web.

www.thetravelinnhotel.com

800.869.4630

I agree The Travel Inn is probably your best bet in town, and a a bonus during the summer there is a pool on the roof, which the kids will love.

The Sunken Forest is a National Park area, with a ranger station and a lovely walk through the woods, where you will see birds, deer, maybe a fox and have the seashore just steps away from the ferry. The kids will love the trip out and back. You can bring lunch or eat at the cafe at the ferry dock.

Have a great time while you are here.

Some of my earlier post didn't make it so let me fill in the space.

I suggested a trip to Fire Island for a day to see one of the most beautiful seashores in the US. Fire Island is very narrow, and the Sunken Forest is part of the National Park System with a ranger station and a Ranger.

You can walk the mile or so around the Sunken Forest (a forest between sand dunes) and see all kinds of wild life, have a snack at the cafe and relax at the beach.

Long Island Railroad out of Penn Station has a package which includes train/taxi/ferry over and back and I think it is $22pp.

HOpe this helps and have a great trip.

If you do the Travel Inn call in advance to see if they can take a suburban. Many garages have very low ceilings and simply can't take the huger SUVs.

Depending on your budget you could look at the affinia group of all suite hotels that get generally very good reviews. Might fit your group - but you wold have to check sleeping arrangements.

As for the Suburban - you'll need to figure at leasat $40 per day in a garage for oversize - if they can take it at all (I'm not familiar with the exact size). If you go to icon.com they list many garages and should have specifics on vehicles they can or can;t take as well as premium prices for oversize.

The Best Western Hospitality is another good hotel option for a family. They have both 1 and 2 bedroom apts. with kitchens. Look for reviews of all of these on tripadvisor.

If you want to park in Manhattan, check prices/locations on iconparking.com Just remember there'll be an upcharge for the Suburban. But unless it's prohibitive, still preferable to parking outside the city and shlepping kids and luggage on a train.

What about a true suite hotel? There are several -- the Rhiga, the Doubletree in TS, the Kimberly. I've heard good things about them.

The Affinias are "true suite hotels" as is the BW Hospitality and they have larger room options including 2 bedroom suites. The Rihga is wonderful but there are no kitchens in the rooms.