New York City Hotels-any ideas?

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D

Dthane

Senior Member

169 posts
Feb 14, 2010 9:19 PM
Mrs. D and I are planning a trip within the next year. Most likely a 3-4 days trip with a few shows. We have been to NYC before and know it is expensive. I would like help on places where people have stayed in the last 5 years or so and would stay again, or definitely would not stay again. Also, we need to keep under $300 per night (what can I say, I'm cheap, plus we may only be in the room a few hours a day).

Thanks in advance for any help. We will most likely stay between Central Park and the Empire State Building, generally the Mid-Town area.
Feb 14, 2010 9:19pm
Sage's avatar

Sage

Senior Member

2,070 posts
Feb 14, 2010 9:24 PM
www.google.com
Feb 14, 2010 9:24pm
wes_mantooth's avatar

wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

17,977 posts
Feb 14, 2010 9:32 PM
Honestly, I would check out hotels.com. There will probably be a lot of reviews for the hotels.
Feb 14, 2010 9:32pm
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Feb 14, 2010 9:45 PM
Check all travel websites, but in my experience the Millennium in midtown (45th street) is a great bargain. It is New York, so don't expect large rooms, but I've never heard anything bad about the Millennium
Feb 14, 2010 9:45pm
D

Dthane

Senior Member

169 posts
Feb 14, 2010 10:25 PM
Manhattan and others, thanks. Will check the Millennium. Have checked travelocity, expedia and others sites. Not that I don't trust them, but they can all paint a pretty good picture. Some of the reviews are alot less friendly. But in a huddle review, I doubt that anyone has an axe to grind or a vested interest. Plus, there may be a few huddlers that have been there lots of times, compared to my twice.
Feb 14, 2010 10:25pm
S

slingshot4ever

Senior Member

4,085 posts
Feb 14, 2010 10:29 PM
Park Central at the corner of 56th and 7th is where I stayed when I took the fiancee last summer. Great location and was around 200-250 a night.

www.parkcentralny.com
Feb 14, 2010 10:29pm
J

June18

Senior Member

298 posts
Feb 14, 2010 10:44 PM
i've had good luck with Priceline...especially in the bigger citys.
Feb 14, 2010 10:44pm
Cat Food Flambe''s avatar

Cat Food Flambe'

Senior Member

1,230 posts
Feb 14, 2010 11:32 PM
I've had good experiences at the Iroquis on East 44th.

Word - there are places to cut expenses. Hotel rooms in NYC are not one of them. I'm not suggesting the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf, but unless you know something about the place you'll be staying, be VERY careful about anything in the bottom half of the price range.
Feb 14, 2010 11:32pm
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CinciX12

Senior Member

2,874 posts
Feb 14, 2010 11:37 PM
W.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1234

If you have the money, you'll never forget it. $69 more dollars you have to up the budget a night!

Just wanted to throw that in there for people who had never seen it, I know its not what you are willing to spend. And I had a friend paying for it. I wouldn't spend that much either haha.
Feb 14, 2010 11:37pm
E

eersandbeers

Senior Member

1,071 posts
Feb 15, 2010 12:49 AM
Every time I went to NYC I've stayed in Secaucus, New Jersey. Best place to stay IMO and it has easy access to downtown.

The places to stay...

1. Marriott Secaucus - extremely cheap and you can have a city view for about $133 a night. Rooms had a kitchen and a living room
2. Holiday Inn - I think the rooms were about $140 a night

You walk right out the front of your hotel and catch the 320 which will get you to the Port Authority in 30-40 minutes. Cheap, and extremely convenient because it runs pretty much all night.

Both hotels have free parking. So it's much better than parking downtown at a hotel which usually adds another $30-40 onto the room.

Secaucus is definitely the way to go when you factor in convenience and affordability.
Feb 15, 2010 12:49am
darbypitcher22's avatar

darbypitcher22

Senior Member

8,000 posts
Feb 15, 2010 8:46 AM
last time I was there I stayed in Queens and bused into the city for activities and stuff everyday.... I can't remember what we paid but we were like right next to LaGuardia....
Feb 15, 2010 8:46am
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Feb 15, 2010 10:04 AM
While I obviously don't stay in hotels here, I know the Radison Lexington is pretty nice and affordable. Its around 50th and Lexington, decent area and close to the major sites.

I wouldn't stay in the outerboroughs unless you can find a good place in Brooklyn Heights (St George Hotel?), Long Island City or maybe Astoria. Not worth the long trek for other places more far away, part of the fun is actually staying in Manhattan.

Avoid Times Square ... it blows. Sure, go see it once when you are here, then no need for a return trip. Super touristy and annoying, I would spend the majority of your trip in the Village and SoHo to get the "real" flavor of New York.

If you want to splurge and stay at a sweet place in a great area, check out the rates for the Gansevoort Hotel. Amazing vibe and next to some of the better bars on the west side (like Revel, Tenjune, etc) ...

http://www.hotelgansevoort.com/
Feb 15, 2010 10:04am
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voewoody

Senior Member

280 posts
Feb 15, 2010 10:07 AM
I stayed at Hotel 41 last summer. It was nice and I would definitely stay there again. The front door is probably 30 yards from the center of Times Square.
Feb 15, 2010 10:07am
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Feb 15, 2010 10:25 AM
"Avoid Times Square ... it blows. Sure, go see it once when you are here, then no need for a return trip. Super touristy and annoying, I would spend the majority of your trip in the Village and SoHo to get the "real" flavor of New York. "

I'm going to disagree slightly on this, there are definitely great places downtown (Blue Ribbon in SoHo is my co-favorite restaurant, along with Gramercy Tavern), but there are some good places within walking distance of Times Square. I'm biased, but Hell's Kitchen is my favorite neighborhood.
Feb 15, 2010 10:25am
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BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Feb 15, 2010 10:43 AM
Manhattan Buckeye wrote: "Avoid Times Square ... it blows. Sure, go see it once when you are here, then no need for a return trip. Super touristy and annoying, I would spend the majority of your trip in the Village and SoHo to get the "real" flavor of New York. "

I'm going to disagree slightly on this, there are definitely great places downtown (Blue Ribbon in SoHo is my co-favorite restaurant, along with Gramercy Tavern), but there are some good places within walking distance of Times Square. I'm biased, but Hell's Kitchen is my favorite neighborhood.
Fair enough MB, I guess I don't consider Hell's Kitchen the same as Times Square, and you are correct in that there are some interesting, eclectic places to check out in that neighborhood. I tend to avoid "Disneyland," a.k.a. Broadway from 42nd to 50th.

I am definitely more of a South-of-14th guy, although I am sure the reason that I typically avoid midtown is because I work there 5 days a week. When I bar hop, its usually in the west or east village, or around Houston Street. Then again, I live in BH, so its easier for me to go there (I actually watch most OSU football games way uptown on 92nd and 2nd).
Feb 15, 2010 10:43am
I

iref iump

Member

36 posts
Feb 15, 2010 9:00 PM
We recently stayed at the Comfort Inn 305 W. 39th near 8th ave. 1 block from the Port Authority bus terminal, subway 2 blocks away. only a year or 2 old, clean place. $270/night. Easy walk to the theatres, Times Square, MSG, etc. Free breakfast in the basement breakfast room. Get a room w/ 2 beds so you have another place to put your suitcases. They will check your bags for free for you at checkout so you can explore an additional day.
We were in the area for a wedding, parked at Croton for $6 a day and rode the Metro North train along the scenic Hudson river right into Grand Central. When we got there we walked to the hotel. For the trip back we took a taxi that we got at the bus terminal. $8 ride w/tip! We're going back!
Feb 15, 2010 9:00pm
B

butkus51

Junior Member

28 posts
Feb 15, 2010 9:51 PM
Hilton on 6th ave and 51st st. Almost across the street from Radio City Music Hall. Stayed there half a dozen times and its great. Also...a little history, its the hotel where Giamatti announced Pete Rose was banned for life.
Feb 15, 2010 9:51pm
D

Dthane

Senior Member

169 posts
Feb 16, 2010 12:11 AM
Lots of great ideas, I appreciate them, feel free to keep them coming. I wouldn't mind the staying in New Jersey, but we don't want to be trying to get back there at 12-1-2 o'clock in the morning, not knowing the subways like the back of my hand. So we will travel to shop and museums in the morning/afternoon, then eat, then hit a show and get a coffee or snack/drink/dessert before heading back to the hotel.

Zwick, you are hilarious, I had not seen that before, but may use it for others. I have been on 10+ sites and checked out what they say, this was so I could integrate some personal info into our decision. We don't plan on driving once we get there.

Big Apple and Manhattan, thanks for your "local" insight. We have been through Times Square, and I have to agree that alot of the time you feel like cattle there (which is why I usually opt for wide open places like baseball fields and golf courses). We probably won't spend much, if any time around Times Square. Also, thanks for throwing in the restaurants tips. Is NYC as non-smoking as Ohio is?
Feb 16, 2010 12:11am
R

rydawg5

Senior Member

2,639 posts
Feb 16, 2010 8:49 AM
I just stayed in the Sheraton by Giants Stadium. They had free shuddles to the NJ Transit (10 min ride into downtown)

I paid $62/night for a 3 1/2 star hotel using "Name your price" on priceline.

Huge room, great view of Manhattan, -- If you want to save some cash, I definitely recomend.
Feb 16, 2010 8:49am
darbypitcher22's avatar

darbypitcher22

Senior Member

8,000 posts
Feb 16, 2010 8:59 AM
Giants stadium is still way out of the city isn't it? At least if I remember right, the last time I was there we drove by it and it took us at least another 45 minutes to get into the city on a Saturday...
Feb 16, 2010 8:59am
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Feb 16, 2010 9:44 AM
My pleasure to help ... New York is indeed a "non-smoker" city, so there is no smoking in bars or restaurants.

Giants Stadium is about 10 miles from Manhattan, but I wouldn't stay in East Rutherford, or Jersey to be honest, unless its the W Hotel in Hoboken. If you are treating yourself to a nice vacation, stay in Manhattan, you deserve it.

My favorite restaurants, and their price level:

*Italian - Del Posto (very expensive), Babbo (very expensive), Felidia (expensive), Lupa (moderate), Noodle Pudding (in Brooklyn, awesome and affordable)

*Steak - Peter Luger and Wolfgangs (both pricey, but worth it ... note that PL is in Brooklyn)

*Other - Gotham (expensive but awesome New American), Grimaldis (my favorite pizza place, in Brooklyn), Kingswood (Australian place, great vibe, amazing burgers and not terribly pricey), Tao (a bit touristy, but fun nonetheless, great Asian fusion and hot vibe), JG Melons (cheap, best burgers in Manhattan in my opinion, Upper East Side location)

*If you are looking for cheap eats and a fun time, you can do a Village food tour ... if my memory serves me correctly, its like $30 per person, and you can taste some food from the landmark places in Village.
Feb 16, 2010 9:44am
R

rydawg5

Senior Member

2,639 posts
Feb 16, 2010 10:00 AM
darbypitcher22 wrote: Giants stadium is still way out of the city isn't it? At least if I remember right, the last time I was there we drove by it and it took us at least another 45 minutes to get into the city on a Saturday...
I duno, it took me 20 minutes to get into the city driving. 10 minutes by train.

I loved it.
Feb 16, 2010 10:00am
C

Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Feb 16, 2010 10:59 AM
When I go I stay at The Hudson Hotel. We love it there.

GREAT Cocktail hour and the location allows to get most anywhere in the city fairly easily.

http://www.hudsonhotel.com/#/home/
Feb 16, 2010 10:59am
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Websurfinbird

Chosen Person

656 posts
Feb 16, 2010 11:09 AM
If you are traveling with the wife, I'd say avoid Hell's Kitchen. While it does have a pretty cool flea market, and is safer than it was back in the day. It is still not that great (IMO) and as a female I feel uncomfortable when I'm in the area (even when traveling with a male).

I'm not sure how much it costs to stay there. But a good area to consider is Chelsea. From there you can easily get to Broadway and Times Square and some of the more hipper spots downtown.

Obviously the best place to be for a tourist is Midtown around Fifth Ave (close to Central Park and Museums) but I doubt you'd find anything for under $400 a night.

I'd say check out TripAdvisor too. I use it every time a plan a trip now and it really helps give you a good idea of what places are like from a traveler's perspective.
Feb 16, 2010 11:09am