My husband and I will be in NYC for 2 days in Mid-October and this will be our first trip. I want a hotel with few kids, sumptuous bathroom, and am willing to spend up to $600/night. Not sure about location, maybe Upper Eastside. Thanks for your suggestions!

I'm envious! The Pierre (a Four Seasons Hotel) or a terrace suite at The Carlyle.

I don't know this first hand but I'm almost positive Trump's hotel has the sumptuous bathroom you are searching for with a park view.

Please post a review! Have tons of fun and don't forget the champagne & candles for the bubblebath!

have heard very good things about the new Mandarin Oriental - why not check out the web site to see if the baths are luxurious enough?

Funny but the reviews on tripadvisor for the Mandarin Oriental are less than glowing, nytraveler. Do you know people that have stayed and liked it??

Leekel, on the Upper Eastside GoTravel's suggestion of the Carlyle is probably the best. You might also check the little known Lowell in the 60's. I believe all their rooms are suites. Don't know what the bathrooms are like though. Nice location.

But for knock your socks off views etc. I'd look at the Ritz Carlton on Central Park South. It's midtown but I understand from others on this board (maybe GoTravel-can't remember) their St Regis Club floor is great.

mclaurie, one clarification- The St. Regis club (w/white glove butler service and room quality similar to the regular St Regis hotel- but do not confuse the two- both owned by Starwood but completely separate properties) is at the Westin Essex House. It is also on the park.

Well, I think I'm torn between the Four Seasons and The Carlyle. I'm familiar with the FS chain and have been nothing but pleased. However, the location of the Carlyle seems better for us. We want to stick with the UES and it's museums and shopping since we have such a short stay. Plus, the view seems like it would be better with CP just across the street. I think the two hotels are only 1 mile apart, so that may not be a problem at all. My concern about the Carlyle is the condition of the hotel. I understand it is under renovation and would be very unhappy with an unrenoed room and noise. Based on the pics from each hotel's website, the decor of the C is more pleasing to me. I checked the rates and the Carlyle is $57 cheaper - hardly worth noting compared to the total cost.

GoTravel: Thanks for the Pierre suggestion. I checked it out and don't think the bathroom is quite right (combo bath shower).

Does it sound like I'm leaning towards one or the other? I can't tell . . .

Thanks for the correction on the St Regis Club emd.

Leekel, the Carlyle is NOT across from Central Park. It is on Madison Ave., one block away. Rooms on higher floors may evidently have views of the park though. The Stanhope (now a Park Hyatt hotel) is the hotel on Fifth Ave across from the Metropolitan Museum. Reviews haven't been great lately. I don't think it will be a $600/night experience.

Have you considered the Plaza Athenee?

mclaurie - thanks for correction!

I'm going to look into the Plaza Athenee & St. Regis as well, but am concerned with location for both.

Thanks to all!

Leekel, I would not worry about the condition of the rooms at the Carlyle. I would bet my next 5 paychecks that they've never been run down or that the renovations bother the guests.

The upper floors of the hotel have terraces with views of Central Park if I remember correctly. My old boss kept an appartment at the Carlyle for 20 years (think Stork Club era) and now will stay no where else. I always had to book his room for him.

I had forgotten about the Ritz-Carlton probably because it is so new. Manhattan has a plethora of luxury hotels and it is easy to overlook them.

I'm not overly familiar with the St. Regis floor at The Essex House but I would bet it is very nice.

What a great conundrum for you to be in! I'm envious!