Check out Gild Hall and the Wall St. Inn too. Oyster.com always has discounted rooms at the Wall St. Inn and quikbook.com often has discounts advertised for Gild Hall. Both hotels have good access to the subway.

Thanks, Bowsprit, will do.

Have you checked the Courtyard right off 5th Avenue near the library? I've stayed there, and it was a great location.

Thanks, ksbeem. Yes, it's a great location but unfortunately the price for November is way more than we were budgeting for. We didn't know it will peak season then!

I like MaiTai Toms suggestion of the Chelsea Pines, http://www.chelseapinesinn.com/

Any thoughts on this area which is 10 blocks below the Inn on 23rd? I am torn between Chelsea Pines and the Beacon, both seem to have good access with the subway.

"I really love the idea of the Beacon and keep coming back to it but one couple has been to New York before and doesn't want to stay in the UWS as he says it's too far away from the main sites we want to see. We would be using the subway all the time, I don't see this as a problem."

Based on that, my choice would be the Hampton Inn Times Square North.

I tend to agree with the one couple. I've stayed in many different sections of the city - and they all have their pluses - but for limited time in the city I prefer Midtown. It is so nice to be able to WALK to things rather than taking the subway everywhere. If you are in the UWS and want to go to some place on the south part of the island, it's going to take twice the amount of time than if you are in Midtown. If you are living there, no big deal. If you are trying to fit a lot in a short period of time, it makes a difference to SOME of us. I especially like to be able to WALK back after a Broadway show - rather than trying to find a cab (almost futile) or taking a bus or subway "home". Many people hate Times Square. The great thing about the location of many hotels in the Times Square AREA is that the theaters, etc. are just a block or so away BUT they aren't in the middle of the craziness that many people think of when they think of the lights and crowds of TS.

It truly is a personal preference. I have a friend who could live ANYWERE - in the city or anywhere else in the US - and chooses to live right in the middle of it all.. When people say there's nowhere good to eat in the area, we are talking about restaurants he considers his local restaurants. I've been to dinner at his house and then we walked 20 blocks to go to a movie. After the movie it was still 20 more blocks for me to get "home" to the apartment in the UWS. My friend who grew up in the UWS rarely goes to lower Manhattan. The reason? It's "too far"?

I'm rambling a bit - just to say that I understand what your friend is saying. I LOVE the neighborhood feel around my friend's apartment. It really IS a neighborhood and a great place to live. But to get anywhere I usually want to see as a tourist, it's twice as far to get anywhere than if I'd stayed in Midtown. It's just simple logistics.

I like staying at the LaQuinta on W 32nd and especially because a subway station is just on the corner. I agree with everyone who says you can get pretty much anywhere you want to go via the subway. But I also agree with your friend that you can be there in 1/2 the time if you are staying in Midtown - and you can WALK to so much of what you want to see as well.

The location of the Hampton Inn is great. Free breakfast is included. Rooms are big enough for 4 people to stay in a room if needed. I used to stay next to it at a friend's apartment in the World Wide Plaza for years - and NeoPatrick has stayed at WWP for month long vacations. A LOT of people DO choose to live in the area for a lot of reasons. It's all personal choice, of course. Staying there would be my personal choice for a short visit, especially in the winter, as well.

Hi starrs, thanks so much for your honest answer and no you weren't rambling!

I do "get" what you are saying, I think it was our friends choice of hotel that was putting me off the Midtown area and many people saying "don't stay in TS". But to be a few blocks away would be an ideal choice and breakfast included at the Hampton Inn is a bonus. I really like to be able to have breakfast then freshen up in our room then head off for the day rather than going out to eat and back to the hotel and out again.

I guess I was looking more for the neighborhood/village feel of New York. I really appreciate you taking to time to give me your thoughts. I think I will sleep on all of this tonight and talk again in the morning with our friends in Brisbane (we are from Perth, Australia) and see where we stand.

Thank you again starrs.

I'm looking forward to reading this blog!


Maudie: Midtown doesn't have to be IN Times Square, that's for sure. I like a midtown location too for limited stays depending upon my plans for that weekend.

The Algonquin is undergoing renovations and is closed now (I think) but check their site to make sure of the dates. There are often re-opening specials when a hotel first starts accepting reservations for their 'new' hotel. After that I would expect rates to jump.

And as you've already learned, November is expensive.

Hampton Inn breakfasts are good in terms of saving money, but they don't compare to a real breakfast place with a good cup of coffee.

"I guess I was looking more for the neighborhood/village feel of New York." You will get this with The Beacon.

Wow, thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm overwhelmed and getting more confused!

Love the look of the Gem but those rooms are so tiny, I know rooms in NY are but there isn't anywhere to put luggage!

Algonquin looks amazing but way out of our price bracket, unfortunately.

Yes, coffee is important, I would have to agree with that.

So why is November so expensive, I know its the lead up to Thanksgiving but I would have thought prices would go up from then onwards? Just curious.

I am having the same issues with December and Christmas! Thanks for all of the advice.

Actually the high (I.e. expensive) season starts in October!

However, the week before Christmas offers very good discounts. We stayed at the Omni for under $200.00 the week before Christmas. It was wonderful.

What exactly is the budget per couple?

Hi willowjane, good luck with your search, at least this thread is unearthing some interesting choices.

Budget is around $300 plus taxes per couple. I know I am being a pain, maybe I am just being too nit picky!

I think we have written the Beacon off for the reasons of transport etc, now have Hampton Inn Times Square North or the Chelsea Pines to weigh up. I have been re-reading MaiTai Tom's trip report, they stayed at the Pines and did so much from their base there. I like the idea of having somewhere to sit and have a drink with our friends, ie not in our rooms. But do understand the Midtown area will be easy to do most of our site seeing hit list from.

To confuse you further,I am with Mai Tai Tom on this one. I stayed at the Chelsea Pines and loved it.The guys who run it are super friendly and helpful and it is in an interesting area with good restaurants and transport nearby. However it may not be central enough for your friends . Looks to me the choice is whether you stay where you want or where your friends do. Your call Maudie.

greynomad, Hi! Well as you were writing your post we actually just booked the Pines!!!!

Two couples in the Pines and one couple at the Wellington, we are all happy with our choices. Wellington couple will only overlap us by 3 days and since they have been to NY before they will be seeing different things to us first timers. I just get a really good vibe about the Pines and the area in general.

Thank you to everyone for chiming in, I really appreciate your guidance and suggestions. I am sure I will be back with plenty more questions.

You made a great choice! Have a wonderful trip

Hi starrs, we think so too! It's a good feeling to finally have made a decision, it was weighing heavily on my shoulders as organiser.

Thank you, I am sure we will.