My husband and I will be in New York from Nov. 5-10, 2004 for the NY marathon. We were originally going to stay at the Meridien until I discovered I had some free nights at a starwood hotel. Therefore, I am trying to decide between the Westin Time Square and the Westin Essex house. Which is nicer? Which is a better location? We have never been to New York and will be doing lots of touristy stuff.

The Times Square hotel is newer and closer to the theaters. The Essex House is on Central Park South so it's across the street from the park and very close to the end point of the marathon. If you can get a room there (with a view of the park would be awesome) do it!! Either will be good.

I agree with McLaurie.
I think they are very different hotel types as the Essex has a higher percentage of corporate travelers. When I worked with Harcourt Brace (Neiman's and Bergdorf) we put thousands and thousands of our travelers there each year. It's a popular hotel for fashion buyers.
The Essex is a little snobbier than the Westin. The Westin is right in the middle of the tourist stuff. I prefer the Essex because it seems to have less tourists but that's just me...

Thank you so much for your responses! Do you know how the rooms of the two compare?

The Westin Times Sq has very modern rooms while Essex is much more "classic" in design. Both have the same Heavenly Beds. I'm not sure of this, but I would assume Essex has smaller rooms because it's an older property. My room at the Times Sq property was quite large.

Forgot to mention there's the St Regis Club at the Essex House which I guess is like a club floor. People have raved about this. For the marathon I don't think there's any question the Essex House is a better bet.

Have not stayed at Westin Time Square but just returned Thursday night from NYC for a business trip and stayed at the Westin Essex House. Very close if flying into LGA. Rooms are very small. Bed was not at all heavenly to me. Have stayed in nicer rooms. Definitely a 4-star hotel. Bathroom pretty roomy size with small basin area. Classic hotel. You will want a room on a high floor facing the park. NICE VIEW!!! Beautiful lobby. Overall, hotel is OK.

Can actually catch the subway to the 57th street station, walk to 58th street, turn left and walk a half block to enter the hotel.

Bill Marriott lived at the Essex House when he visited NY (when it was a Marriott). If you want views of greenery in a nicer neighborhood, the Essex House is the place.