New York Hotel Suggestions

My favorite is the Shoreham Hotel on 55th between 5th and 6th avenue. Its a good location for the park, 5th Av shopping and walking to Times Square etc. Most importantly that street is quiet and i am rarely disturbed by the street noise that keeps you awake on anything below the 40th floor of most NY hotels!

Rates do vary depending on time of year but the average is $280 a night.

Its not as pretentious as the website looks either!

Hi,

We stayed at the Shelburne Murray Hill, it is a nice clean 3* Hotel the rooms are HUGE for NY, the thing I liked about it, is that it is more a serviced apartment, so it has a fridge for drinks etc and it is very close to Empire State and Macey's! [}:)][}:)] Also it has a GREAT roof top bar, with views of the Empire State. Like others have said, we were hardly in the room, the bed was very comfortable, had heaps of space for all of our shopping bags! [:w] and close to most things!

Probably a little over your budget but the Doubletree is right on Time Square and it is a All suite hotel. Suites have wet bar with Micro wave and fridge. Great if you like breakfast in bed without Room service prices. Supplies from Food emporium on 8th a block or two away

For all you March people, worth having a look here too: http://www.seasonofsavings.com/

Thanks everyone for the input.

I've booked direct with the Affinia 50 hotel which gets rave reviews on tripadvisor.com/

BTW anyone looking for Boston Hotels check out the double miles offer from VS on hotel bookings. I ended up back at the Royal Sonesta with a great deal I couldn't get anywhere else.

[ChuckC]

Andrew,
More free advice can be found here.

Have a wonderful trip. New York can be a bit blustery in March so be certain to take a warm coat.

Chuck-

Originally posted by ChuckC
Andrew,
More free advice can be found here.

Have a wonderful trip. New York can be a bit blustery in March so be certain to take a warm coat.

Chuck-

Point taken Chuck, just brought a brand new ski jacket, and thermal underwear in the January sales on Saturday

Ain't getting caught out like I did this time last year in Boston [:0]

Does this also get you breakfast?

Could not make out from teh site!

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Stupid me, I'd forgot all about this offer.

You need an AmEx card, any of them.

Buy 2 nights, get 1 free at any W. Just checked the W in Times Sq, and it is $309/night, so you get 3 nights for $618+tax which is not too shabby.

http://www.welcometowhotels.com/nighton ... OP_AMEXDRE

valid until 15th April.

Hope this helps, I know where we are staying when we go in March!

Thanks,
Richard

If anyone is after a hotel in NYC at cheaper than Manhattan rates then there is a La Quinta Inn (http://www.lq.com) in Long Island City that is worthy of consideration. Rates are about the $120 mark per night including continental breakfast and wired internet access. The neighbourhood seems safe enough with enough places to eat and the hotel is 100m from the 7 subway line (40th St) which will take you to Times Square in about 20 mins. If you can forego a fitness suite, bellhop and the convenience of stepping straight out onto a manhattan sidewalk then this may suit

I'm now looking to change from my B&B on West 14th for May. I really don't want to stay too much north than that or by times square as the location of my usual place is great, but the only other nice places round there seem like the Gansevoort, Maritime or Soho House. All of which are so expensive.

Dean

Originally posted by Wolves27
I'm now looking to change from my B&B on West 14th for May. I really don't want to stay too much north than that or by times square as the location of my usual place is great, but the only other nice places round there seem like the Gansevoort, Maritime or Soho House. All of which are so expensive.

Dean

Hi Dean,

Did you try Tablethotels? ( http://www.tablethotels.com ) for prices for the Gansevoort and others? It's a good website for getting prices for the 'cool' hotels.

Thanks,

David.

Just thought I'd round this off by thanking everyone for their help

I ended up at the Affinia 50 which is just a great hotel. It was also within easy walking distance of everything except Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and The World Trade Centre. They were easily reached on the Subway though

When I arrived from JFK they up - graded me to the Penthouse on the 22nd Floor which was a complete suprise ... I only asked for a room with a view in my booking notes

Visit http://www.affinia.com for details, and to see their other hotels in New York

If anyone wants more details please PM me

Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
Hi,

We stayed at the Shelburne Murray Hill, it is a nice clean 3* Hotel the rooms are HUGE for NY, the thing I liked about it, is that it is more a serviced apartment, so it has a fridge for drinks etc and it is very close to Empire State and Macey's! [}:)][}:)] Also it has a GREAT roof top bar, with views of the Empire State. Like others have said, we were hardly in the room, the bed was very comfortable, had heaps of space for all of our shopping bags! [:w] and close to most things!

I also stayed at Shelburne Murray Hill. The room was large, clean and quiet and the bed was massive and very comfortable [|)] - these were the main reason it came recommended to me. The hotel has a basic/no frills feel to it but I think it is good vfm if you are out and about in New York. The doormen were particularly helpful and there is always a big burger waiting for you downstairs if you get hungry [^]

Quick question about payment for NYC hotels.
Do they generally charge you the first night in advance or the whole price up front?
Looking at booking something well in advance for November and ideally wouldn't want £1500-2000 or whatever coming off my credit card straightaway.

Also, anyone with experience of the Millenium Hilton (the one overlooking the WTCarea)?

Originally posted by xenole


Also, anyone with experience of the Millenium Hilton (the one overlooking the WTCarea)?

Great hotel in a good down town location I just got back yesterday after spending 4 nights there over the Easter and as a HHonors, gold I got upgraded to a suite on the 48,floor with some amazing views this is my sixth time staying there and if you book direct with the Hilton, you can get some good advance rate where you pay when you check out, ISTBC, but if you do a search on the hotel name it will bring up some reviews from other VF. and don't forget to pop in to Century 21 & J&R electronic world close by to grab a few bargains.

Also, anyone with experience of the Millenium Hilton (the one overlooking the WTCarea)?

Stayed there over superbowl weekend at the begining of February this year.
Despite being a tall building it is also very narrow, with only about 10 rooms per floor which makes it very quite. I had a corner room on the 48th floor with views of the Brooklyn Bridge in one direction and the Statue of Liberty in the other.
The construction work from ground zero didn't seem to be a problem but it was the weekend.
Must admit I did not use the restaurant for dinner so cannot comment but breakfast was fine.
Could not fault the service with the concierge being very helpful. I also used the Gym and pool facilities which were also to a very high standard.
As far as getting around, the Subway station is a stones throw away whilst you can easily walk to the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, Wall Street and the Liberty Island Ferry. Just remember you are in Lower Manhattan so to get to the main night time activities you will have to take a taxi or a short subway ride to the north.
Oh and use the wi-fi in the Lobby as its free and don't forget to shop at Century21 which is virtually next door.

Hope this helps,
-Steve

[RichardMannion]

I've stayed at the Millenium Hilton too (yes they spell Millennium wrong!). I actually quite liked the hotel, yes it is down in the Financial district but there is a subway station next door and very easy to go up to the other areas. I got moved as a Diamond HHonors to a suite too. I think there are still some photos in the gallery of the corner suite I had. came with breakfast up on a high floor each morning too.

In regards to rate, I'd always check direct with hilton.com nowadays as you can see the best rates there and typically choose whether to pay upfront (slightly cheaper normally by about $5-10/night) or on departure.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by xenole
Quick question about payment for NYC hotels.
Do they generally charge you the first night in advance or the whole price up front?
Looking at booking something well in advance for November and ideally wouldn't want £1500-2000 or whatever coming off my credit card straightaway.

Also, anyone with experience of the Millenium Hilton (the one overlooking the WTCarea)?

I think it depends where you book. Sites like Quikbook show a lot of hotels where you can pay on departure. Also, most hotel web sites let you pay on check out. I prefer this as you can generally cancel up to the day before if you see a better offer. You can sometimes get better rates by paying in advance though.

That said, sites like Virgin Holidays do some good deals, but you have to pay in advance, with a £120 deposit and the rest is paid 8 weeks before you go.

Originally posted by xenole
Quick question about payment for NYC hotels.
Do they generally charge you the first night in advance or the whole price up front?
Looking at booking something well in advance for November and ideally wouldn't want £1500-2000 or whatever coming off my credit card straightaway.

Also, anyone with experience of the Millenium Hilton (the one overlooking the WTCarea)?

On that question you're in for a shock - seems hotels in New York are now very distrustful and just about all I've stayed in will make a 'call' (for want of a better word) on your card on check-in of the entire cost plus usually a good per cent to cover them for any of your incidentals [:0] - meaning that of course your credit available is minus the amount of the 'call'.

Then of course, having made it, they usually take a good working week to set it right with your actual bill. First time this hit me was a couple of years ago when I looked at an online statement and couldn't work out why my available credit was a good wadge less than the statement ... I've got used to this practice now even though I think it despicable that its another way for 'your' money to disappeat into the banking system.

Of course, it hasn't yet caught on in Europe (at least that I've noticed), where hotels actually believe you will pay when you leave!

Edit - actually read your post! The proper answer is that it depends on the rate. Often, for the cheapest you do pay up front, and for others the above applies on check in!