My husband and I are going to NYC in May for the first time. We have narrowed our choices to these hotel but don't which is the best area.
Waldorf Astoria $199
Westin Times Square$199
Sofitel $199
The W $189 but which one
Do you have any better suggestions or can you help us with these choices?
We don't really have any plans other than to just sightsee and see a play. Maybe a museum or shopping...
Thanks

Of those you've listed, my choice would be the Sofitel. It's midway between Times Square (and the street is quiet, so it seems a world away) and Fifth Avenue.

Also, we love Gaby's (the restaurant/cocktail lounge within) for breakfast, late night dinner, cocktails...anytime.

The Waldorf has a few really terrible rooms that probably go to whoever's paying the least.

My choices would be
#1 Sofitel
#2 Westin Times Square
#3 W near Times Square or W at Union Square if you don't need to be midtown.
#4 Waldorf

Like anonymous, I know there are some pretty small and dismal rooms at the Waldorf -- and I actually think it's out of the way to most things anyway. At least with the W Union Square, there's a lot right around you and a happening area.

Just came back last night and stayed at The Westin Times Square. We like the location, a block away from Times Square. We had a corner room on the 41st flr, view of the Empire State Bldg and the Hudson River on the other side.

Aside from locations, which others have addressed, there is also some variability in the moods and ambience of those hotels. The Waldorf is a classic old-style hotel, but as ananymous said, some rooms are dismal, and it's just, well-- old. On the W's, how old are you and do you want that chic young vibe? I don't like any of the W hotels in NY (I've stayed at them), but I am a "more mature" older traveler (but I'm not that old!)and just don't like the attitude and vibes- I don't care if I have a zen rock garden on my desk, I want a quiet room to sleep and good service. I have not stayed at Sofitel, but djk and Patrick's comments make me wonder why that is so, and I think I should try it. The Westin Times Square is nice; I've stayed there once and would stay there again.

emd, probably the reason you haven't stayed at the Sofitel is that it is quite new -- maybe two years? I looked at it when new, but couldn't get a rate under about $400 a night. Glad to know they've loosened up with the specials.

I agree with what others have said. I'd be afraid of staying at the Waldorf (the Waldorf Towers are supposed to be better). I would add DON'T stay at the W midtown. The rooms are tiny. The only other hotel I might suggest checking is the Michelangelo but it might be more $$$

If you tell us your age & taste, we might be able to judge better which you'd like.

We are 45 and I like historic hotels, but I am open to other. My friend styaed at the Algonquin and said that was a good location and price. ($199). What do you think?

Here's a recent thread regarding the Algonquin

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

Jeepers, I just noticed that you started that thread!?!

I guess you realize none of the 4 you list here is old/historic except the Waldorf. The Algonquin is a good location. If you can be assured of getting one of their larger rooms or a suite, I'd say go for it. Peter Greenberg (Today show travel editor) has been promoting his new book about hotels & talks about CALLING & connecting with a real person at the hotel when making a reservation. Try it.

Other older historic hotels you might want to check-The Roosevelt, the Drake Swissotel and the Warwick come up on Priceline but they're all good older hotels. The Helmsley Palace might eb the best of both worlds. The public spaces there are mostly from the old Vuillard apartments but the rooms are in a newer tower. They sometimes have specials on their website. The location is on Madison Ave & 50th, right behind St Patrick's Cathedral & Saks.

I stayed at the Westin Times Square a few weeks ago and LOVED it. I got it on Hotwire for $115. I used www.betterbidding.com to figure out that the hotel I was being offered was indeed the Westin before booking. Have a great time!

The W Unisn Sq has good sized rooms by NYC standards. I think it's roomier (and in many cases nicer) than the midtown Ws. It's also in a great neighborhood (near many great restaurants, clubs, stores, etc.), without the crowds and congestion of tiems square.

You know, mclaurie... when you call many larger hotels and ask for reservation, you are sent to a regional or national call center.
No matter where you call or access reservation data (be it travelocity.com or Marriott.com) all Marriott brands quote inventory information and book into "Marsha". If you call and ask for reservations, you are talking to someone in Omaha (I think it's Omaha anyway)...
So, for all Marriott brands you can have the piece of mind that you won't get something different elsewhere be it online agency, brick and mortar agency, Marriott.com or calling "direct".

When calling a hotel, any hotel direct, I always ask for "in house"reservations.If they say they dont have anybody on property, then ask for someone at the front desk.I was speaking with Westin reservations last week.It sounded like a long way away and the guy had a very distinct brogue.Before the end of the conversation I asked where he was--Ireland! Cork to be exact!But he got the job done....

PS... "Marsha" is the Marriott Central Reservation System.

recommend the Sofitel highly, next door to the Algonquin if you like that location. We have stayed there a few times , and you can walk to SoHo, Upper East and West Sides. Usually have good deals on the suites also. Recommend the Red Flame diner for breakfast, it's a couple of doors down towards 6th ave.
Try www.sofitel.com and www.quikbook.com for some good rates.