Sofitel, Times Square NYC - any good?

Managed to get myself a place in the New York marathon this year so will be popping over to NYC on the 4th Nov or thereabouts. Been looking at hotels in the Times Square area and most are around 1600 for 5 nights. The Sofitel looks pretty nice and good reviews on Trip Advisor, but is it really that good or is there something better in either the same location or wherever?

Where's the best place to book anyway?
Around 1600 direct with the hotel, Virgin Holidays don't do this one but do similar hotels with an economy flight for the same or less, and seen a couple of other sites knocking up to 400 off the price.

Still not sure whether to fly VA UC or fly WT+ with BA and use miles to upgrade to CW (596 the other day + 12,500 miles each way)

[Neil]

My sister stayed at the Sofitel and said it was nice. We have stayed at the Renaissance Times Square, as have my parents, again very nice. You will usually end up paying more to stay at hotels in the Times Square area, just because it is a very popular tourist location. If you don't have to stay in the Times Square area, then you will probably be able to get a cheaper deal elsewhere.

Neil

Do you mean the Sofitel on 44th? It's not quite Times Square but is near and yes, it is a very nice hotel, very comfortable. I frequently stay over the road at the Royalton, although sometimes when that is full at the Sofitel. Lower floor rooms can be a bit dark, otherwise even the standard rooms are spacious and the walk in showers great! The hotel dining options are a bit dull but you're in the middle of things anyway.

Have a look at the expedia reviews too.

There are a couple of threads on here about hotels with various recommendations too so search for those.

You have plenty of time so spend a few hours looking on hotel websites etc to find something you like. Am reaserching hotels for my forthcoming trips and there are better deals by booking direct than via the travel sites. If not price wise then in terms of getting a better room for the same money or the ability to cancel the booking without penalty or reserving now but paying after your stay etc.

There is, however something to say for NOT staying in the Times Square area.

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
There is, however something to say for NOT staying in the Times Square area.


The Sofitel is sufficiently far from Times Sq. as to be completely unbothered by it ...

Sign up to receive the Sofitel's special offers - we've just booked 3 nights in March in a suite on their 3 for 2 offer at just over $1000 USD and it's a fully flexible booking.

Sign up to what - their points scheme or something else?

Made a booking through Quidco as they're offering 16% cashback and it's down as 267. Nice if it works for the booking.

Will keep checking the prices to see what happens if anything.

Is there any way of getting a higher floor or is it pot luck, status, early check-in etc? A few pics have nice views on the 27/28th floors and I would rather be fairly high up than say floor 3.

That 16% cashback offer is quite tempting. Just wish these hotels included internet access, just hate paying extra for it.

You can either sign up to A-Club (Sofitel's loyalty club) to get advance notice of their offers or just sign up to the email offers. The link is here: http://www.sofitel.com/gb/newsletter/ge ... TEACCOUNT& Sorry Mods - this may need cleaning up!

With Sofitel you can request a higher floor and other preferences etc at time of booking and you're more likely to get this if you're A-Club Gold/platinum etc.

The Sofitel web site lists prices in GBP, then at the end of booking it's in US$, and the rates don't match. I assume I'll get charged the US$ one though. [:(!]