we always stay at marriott marquis, great sunday brunch in revolving retaurant on top of building with great view. make reservations. allow plenty of time to ride elevators (before show times they get very busy) also an interesting experience, the kids will love it. it's like a disney ride.

I agree with Bette about The Belvedere on West 48th Street being a great choice for families and they have many rooms with 2 beds. We're from SF and have stayed there twice. The location is very close to the theaters and several subway lines so you can easily get anywhere. There are many interesting, non-touristy restaurants just a couple of blocks away and a convenience store on the corner. With a small refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot you can really save some $$$. Some times of year they have specials where the breakfast is included. I found it on www.tripadvisor.com
and the vast majority of reviews are positive. The frequent complaint of slow elevators can be avoided by using the suggestion mentioned by some guests - go to the end of the hallway and there is not a delay for that elevator.

My tastes are very different than the most people who post here and on the European board. The last place I want to stay in any city is tourist central. Usually the prices are higher and the service and food is not necesarily better.

Last week I was in Paris and stayed near the Marais. It was a short metro ride from just about anything bit still it was more a residential area.

I am now in Spain with family members who want to come to NYC. And we will certainly visit Times Square but they will see the whole city also to get a better overview of what NYC is about.

Aduchamp,
Sounds like you're in great shape being in Spain. Have plenty of paella for me. Both your Mets and my Yankees are red hot now.

Sorry leaving tomorrow. I am in Galicia where they do not eat paella as much as in the south.

Off and on I have reading about the Mets. It seems my leaving the country helped.

If you are interested in my wife's account of Spain please see Accounts of the Camino Parts I and II on the Spain board. If you are intersted in my visit to Paris please see NY to Paris by Train, I will complete my Spain report sometimes.

Thanks again.

I'll look at them both Aduchamp.

Hope you enjoy them

Just seconding the recommendation for the Edison Hotel. We got a reasonable rate there in August recently. The room was fine (not small), and the attached cafe was a good, inexpensive breakfast choice. Noise was not an issue, and we (my 78-year-old father and I) walked to the theatre (and passed many others on the way).

Enjoy your time in the city!

If you know what show you want to see...I've had good luck booking a hotel/show package through Broadway.com. You're never going to find a "cheap" hotel in NYC, but by doing it as a package rather than separate items, you can definitely save some $$. I also like the package that broadway.com sends everything in...they include a nice map of the city and all of your ticket/confirmation number info in a nice travel pouch. I just booked my 3rd trip to the city through them (for my 40th, ouch!)...

I'm curious about the Edison Hotel. I remember it from years and years ago, and of course know where it is, although the building was broken up into a couple of different things ages ago -- I thought most of it as apartments. I had not heard of the Edison Hotel in many years, but recently have been hearing about it. Those of you mentioning it, do you know if this is a recent thing? Was part of it refurbished and reopened as The Edison Hotel fairly recently? Or was it just below my radar for all these years?

You all have been so helpful- thanks!

I just booked at the Marriott Marquis. It's a big splurge ($379/nt w/view of TS) but the kids are I are so looking forward to it. None of us have seen a Broadway play before!

We'll be there 2 nights. I got Broadway tickets on playbill.com for Phantom of the Opera (looks like 1 block away) and Chicago (about 3 blocks away). The discount is good on that site for older shows.

Fortunately, we have free airline tickets from a Jan 2008 trip we had to cancel. USAir was wonderful and waived their penalty fees since I'd just had surgery (pancreatic cancer).

I can't wait to see Broadway. Thanks again! - Jill

Jill2, we've been doing apartments in NYC recently, but I always loved the Marquis. I'm not sure what kind of room you'll have, but our king room always had a full sofa. The first thing we'd do is turn the sofa around so it faced out instead of in, opened the draperies -- pretty much wall to wall, floor to ceiling view up Broadway -- and that's how we'd leave the room for our stay. It was like watching a show!

Don't feel that's such a great splurge. The last time we stayed in a hotel in NYC, several years ago -- the cheapest we could get at the Marquis was around $500, so we stayed elsewhere. Surprisingly that $379 doesn't sound that bad.

Jill2

I just wanted to wish you a great trip, and good health. Have a fabulous time.

I have stayed at the MM and it was actually a lot of fun. Yes, there was a lot of hustle and bustle, but that was what made it fun.

I just returned from a fantastic trip to NYC and stayed at the Millenium on W. 44th St. - it is an excellent location - walking distance to many things besides theaters. Don't forget to check out the TKTS booth - we got good tickets every day we were there. Although some people don't like the crowds of Times Square I would have to recommend it if this is your first visit to NYC.

With just 2 nights in NYC and going to plays you've made a good choice to stay near Times Square - you'll need to take the best advantage of your limited time.
Enjoy your trip in good health!