Patterico's Pontifications

6/12/2006

Seeking Recommendations on New York Accommodations

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:34 am



Where is a good place for a family of four to stay in Manhattan? We would prefer mid-town West.

I also welcome any ideas on offbeat things to do, or can’t-miss restaurants.

41 Responses to “Seeking Recommendations on New York Accommodations”

  1. I spent six weeks working in Manhattan on four separate occasions in the mid-90s. My company put us up at hotels that were then called the Dumont Plaza on 34th (between Lexington and Third, as I recall). Both were between Lexington and Third, as I recall. I don’t know who owns them now or whether they’re still part of the same chain. I loved both. All rooms had full kitchens, which enabled us to make a ton of tax-free money, since we were on per diem, but which would also let you save a boatload of money (and time) on breakfast. The walk from 50th and Third to Times Square or Central Park is nothing. The Dumont is a bit farther downtown, but it’s not too far away from those spots. Subway stations are near both hotels.

    I have no idea what either would charge now, but our rates were very reasonable. I’d happily stay in either again if the rates were competitive.

    Diffus (ead439)

  2. All hotels in NYC are extremely expensive compared to the normal U.S. That said, a few weeks ago the Washington Post Sunday Travel section had an article on “reasonable” hotels for tourists:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/features/2006/nyunder250/gallery.html

    And the next week, a follow-up story on 8 more:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052600587.html

    Restaurants are plentiful and usually very reasonably priced.

    Bill Schumm (33ab73)

  3. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza mid-town a few months ago and really liked the location. It’s on Broadway right at Times Square, about a block from the TKS discount ticket booth. For the kids, the Hershey Store in the building, and the big Toys R Us store about a block away. Dave Letterman and Rupert’s Deli are about three blocks away. Tons and tons of theaters all around. The room rate for the conference was $219, which was only ten bucks over my per-diem. I think it’s normally a bit higher.

    Restaurant row is 46th Street and is a couple blocks down the street. Lots of restaurants on 9th, too. We ate at two Brazilian places and loved them. One was a BBQ/buffet on 46th, and the other was a sitdown on 9th. For Asian, there’s a place near the hotel called Ruby Foo’s that’s a little spendy but fantastic. For breakfast we liked the Edison Cafe a block over in the Edison Hotel (which looked very cool).

    Les Jones (514bb2)

  4. I have an 8:30 res at Dorsia… excellent sea urchin ceviche.

    Angry Clam (fa7fff)

  5. NYC is a craphole to be avoided at all costs. Once the sun goes down the city is full of nothing but pimps and chuds.

    I doubt this helps though …

    Leopold Stotch (6b236c)

  6. My wife and I started dating when both of us lived in the West 70s, and even now, when we stay in NYC, we go with the Beacon Hotel at Broadway and 75th St. It’s comfortable but not fancy, and it’s reasonably priced for NYC. It also has kitchenettes in the rooms.

    You’re a short 10 block walk from Lincoln Center. You’ve got some wonderful markets where you can buy meals if you don’t want to do restaurants every meal. And you’re not far from midtown.

    Enjoy your visit.

    Attila (Pillage Idiot) (dfa1f1)

  7. The Belvedere

    best upscale budget hotel in New York

    http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d93569-Reviews-The_Belvedere-New_York_City_New_York.html

    Fred of Del Mar (6589ab)

  8. The best place to stay in New York is the Marriott in San Diego.

    Huey (81c03e)

  9. The conventional wisdom among the Beltway Banditos (when I lived in Washington) was that the place to stay for a visit to Manhattan was New Jersey, somewhere close to a bridge or tunnel, preferably one that carries mass transit – if you were spending your own money. If it was being picked up by a client, a government agency, or somebody similar, then whatever in Manhattan you thought you could get away with was the order of the day.

    C. S. P. Schofield (c1cf21)

  10. I stayed for work at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square. A wonderful hotel, though pricey – $260/night for a standard room.

    D Huff (75f096)

  11. Crap. The dog ate my mouse, or somthing like that.

    Amend the first paragraph of #1 to read:

    “I spent six weeks working in Manhattan on four separate occasions in the mid-90s. My company put us up at hotels that were then called the Dumont Plaza on 34th (between Lexington and Third, as I recall) and the Plaza 50 at Lexington and Third. …”

    Diffus (ead439)

  12. While in NYC make sure you get on the waiting list for a rent-controlled public housing unit in midtown – refuse to accept anything other than mid-Manhattan units. In 21 years you can move up the waiting list, sign a lease, pay $90 bucks a month rent and sublet it for $2500. If you feel a little bit more unethical declare yourself and your family homeless and you go to the front of the list, and the city will pay for your current hotel bill too.

    wks (1b751d)

  13. I’ve stayed at the youth hostel on Amsterdam Avenue. Very clean and well-run. If they have a family room available, it’s probably the best deal in town. http://www.hiayh.org They give reduced rates to members, but the deals for non-members should be great too.

    Incidentally, I stayed last night at the Marriott in West Orange, New Jersey which isn’t very far from NYC. It was very nice. I got a room with king-sized bed for $169.99. Paid in full, by the way, by Budget Rent-a-Truck which rented me a truck for a one-way trip from DC to Hartford. I broke down in Newark due to a defective alternator!

    Andrew (08ba2c)

  14. EWith kids, this is the best choice: Embassy Suites way downtown – 102 North End Avenue in World Financial Center area right along the Hudson.

    Most spacious rooms (actually suites) in NYC, especially at these very moderate prices. Includes cooked to order breakfast and complimentary drinks in the evening. Fairly new building and rooms too.

    Terrific views of the Hudson. Kids will love watching all the water taxis and other boats. Some rooms can even see the Statue of Liberty. Parents will like the privacy of letting the kids play and sleep in the living room area.

    Not the most convenient place to hop on subway (about a 1/4 mile walk – but not difficult), but lots of cabs nearby. Also just about across the street from the WTC site.

    CalDevil (93308e)

  15. I like the security and location of the Marriott Marquis @ 45 & broadway check out hotwire and all to see if ya can get a better rate, also check the Village Voice, they have alot of actors that have condo’s in area to rent when they go away, some are nice condo’s in area and are experienced in renting short time some a week at a time.

    Mike in NY. (496906)

  16. I’ll follow up tomorrow on cool places to see/eat etc. I’m not in the office today…we have some intresting stuff.

    Mike in NY. (496906)

  17. Eat at Zoccole. Northern Italian, 6th St and Avenue A, or thereabouts. You can find it on citysearch. Yummy, not pricey, rarely crowded. I take visitors there when I want to impress them with my knowledge of unknown but good restaurants.

    iocaste (a90377)

  18. Last time I was there I stayed at the Library on Madison Ave not far from the New York Public.

    A bit to the east of your desired area but central in any case.

    The place was organized by the Dewey Decimal System – I was in the literature section (820’s) if memory serves.

    Whitehall (efb88d)

  19. In 2000 I stayed in a very spacious 2 bedroom apartment on W.72nd Street, right next to the Dakota, just off Central Park West. It was $200 a night, cheaper than many good hotels at the time. The apartment also happened to be on the market for well over a million.

    I found the place on the internet and the arrangements were simple. Just do a search and I’m sure you’ll find lots of possibilities. We had many selections to chose from but I like the upper West side.

    We even had Thanksgiving dinner with family over. We had it catered by Zabars–but we picked up the meal.

    Absolutely a great way to visit New York.

    PaulC14 (98b75e)

  20. Patterico,

    You don’t say when you’re visiting (weekday vs. weekend, peak season vs. off-peak) or what your budget is. My dad lives in Battery Park City, behind the WFC. We stayed at the Millenium Hilton (the west side of Ground Zero) for under $200 a night (weekend rate) 3 years ago. Today, one typically can’t book a room there for less than $300, plus $40/day parking (we drive in from Pennsylvania).

    Last couple of trips in to NYC, we’ve opted for the Hilton Newark Airport…usually about $100 a night, give or take $10-$20, parking $12/day (are you renting a car?) vs. $40 or more in the city. About a 15-minute drive from the hotel into midtown via Holland Tunnel. We’ve booked ourselves there again for a December trip in to see Mary Poppins on Broadway.

    For food…an old-time favorite, across the street from my parents’ old apartment, is John’s italian restaurant, East 12th Street, between 2nd & 1st Avenues…but bring cash…no credit cards accepted.

    Feel free to e-mail me if you need add’l info/ideas.

    RHB (0b223e)

  21. OOPS! Where’s my GPS? Millenium Hilton is on EAST side of GZ…Church St.

    RHB (0b223e)

  22. Affinia Manhattan (Used to be Southgate Towers) Seventh street or so. depending on reservation about 250 a night.
    Lombardis pizzaria (Americas first) Spring Street (Real busy though since the renov)
    Peter Lugars Steakhouse…damn can’t remember address.
    Find ‘Seinfelds’ Diner around 2nd Ave and 22nd-24th st area.
    Get to Nathans in Coney Island and have a real frank or even a knish (yes you want mustard)
    If you can’t swing the trip to Coney, look for Papaya King.
    Wasn’t always ‘paul from fl’ grew up as ‘paul from LI.’
    hope you enjoy one of the greatest cities in the world.
    And whatever you do don’t listen to leopold or huey!

    paul from fl (464e99)

  23. Weekday and weekend.

    Under $200/night, preferably closer to $150.

    Near theater district and subway is best.

    Patterico (50c3cd)

  24. Midtown west – the Broadway Inn is neat as a pin and very reasonable (by comparison). Location can’t be beat if you plan on doing things around Times Square. It’s at West 46th and 8th. broadwayinn.com

    A good alternative is the Sheraton Weehawken right across the Hudson. Stayed there last week for $170 a night for a nice suite. The 158 bus stops half a block away and takes you into Manhattan for $1.25 – a ten-minute ride.

    Kirk Hays (9267be)

  25. Well, being that I live in NY I don’t know much about the hotels except that most of them are nice and all are expensive as heck.

    Definitely buy one of those “Streetwise Manhattan” maps, I’ve worked here 10 years and I still use mine. Make sure it’s up to date (hint: does it show the World Trade Center?)

    And if you have a few minutes for coffee or a beer, drop me a line. I work a few blocks from Times Square.

    Crank (dbd95b)

  26. The Omni Hotel is excellent and centrally located. They also have an “Entertainment Card” rate. Check out “Patsy’s” restaurant in the theater district. It was Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurant and has the best Italian food I have ever tasted.

    Lou P. (0294dc)

  27. Try the Empire Hotel at about 62d & Broadway, just across the street from Lincoln Center. Funky and reasonable. Last stayed there about 3 years ago. Get a Frommer’s Guide. There’s a great Turkish restaurant not too far away from Lincoln Center, somewhere up in the upper 70s around Bdwy/7th Avenue, and great Mex. Also, a must is breakfast at the Cosmic Coffee Shop around 58th or so and 7th Ave. Good working class grub, with real NY atmosphere. (sorry about vagueness in locations; I know how to get there by walking…)

    While there: Absolute musts: Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island. Teddy Roosevelt Museum at about 19th and Broadway. Natural History Museum. Cloisters. MOMA. Metropolitan Museum. Folklore Museum. NY Historical Society. Grand Central Station. Take the Subway to Brooklyn. Walk back to Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge. Take the Staten Island Ferry. Time it so that you take the ferry back to Manhattan at sundown, and check the alpenglow against the skyline.

    Do NOT stay anywhere near Times Square. Too damn noisy.

    Also, first thing you do is get a transit pass for the length of your stay. You can take the bus or subway just about anywhere you want to go. Cheap.

    Have fun.

    Mike Fox (4de99a)

  28. #5 Leopold: Been to El Lay recently?

    Deacon Bleau (dedd98)

  29. check my comment # 7 above….The Belvedere. Meets your requirements for location although the price will be around $200+ and you will pay substantial tax that you would pay at any N.Y. hotel. This is a very good family hotel: good size rooms, microwave, refrigerator, coffee, location near restaurants, Theaters etc. Which ever hotel you choose, check reviews at tripadvisor.

    Fred of Del Mar (6589ab)

  30. Maybe you can stay at my sister’s at 90th and Broadway. I’m sure they won’t mind. I’ll give her a call.

    CraigC (9cd021)

  31. Did I mention we have two kids, 3 and 6?

    If your sister is going to be there, I advise against it.

    Do you live in NYC? I’d love to meet you. I’ll thumb through your CD collection!

    Patterico (50c3cd)

  32. There are two little-kid things that are just not to be missed: the first is the Museum of Natural History, which will be relatively easy to get to. The second will be harder to get to but is well, well worth the trip is the Bronx Zoo. If you can spend the time, make it a day trip: there’s more than enough to see and do. If you’re rushed, get ’em to the Children’s Zoo, the penguin’s, and the World of Darkness, or whatever they call it — it really is amazing, but it’s a building where the whole place is lit in red light and they have all the animals who normally sleep during the day up and active.

    dauber (993f90)

  33. What do *you* know? You’re in freaking North Carolina!

    Patterico (50c3cd)

  34. Here’s an article on apartment vacation rentals with a good list of rental agencies. I looked at some of the available apartments and one is $233 a night, 2 bedrooms with a roof terrace.

    Rental Article

    PaulC14 (98b75e)

  35. I’d definitely echo dauber on the Museum and the Zoo, esp. the Bronx vs. the Central Park Zoo. The Bronx Zoo has baby gorillas this year, which the kids will love, and the Tiger Mountain exhibit gets you right up close with the tigers (through glass).

    Crank (5f5694)

  36. Whatever you do, DO NOT STAY IN NEW JERSEY.

    I have nothing against the state (OK, except for things political), but if you’re going to New York, go to New York and stay in Manhattan. If you stay in New Jersey, you will waste hours getting back and forth — hours that could be better used in NYC.

    Isn’t that why you’re going there?

    Attila (Pillage Idiot) (dfa1f1)

  37. Excelsior Hotel on 81st between Columbus & Central Park West, right across the street from the Museum of Natural History. Very close to subway stops and Central Park. I stayed there when my apartment was being destroyed by contractors.

    Jackie (42bed3)

  38. For the Bronx Zoo, take the BXM11 bus–it stops on Madison Ave. at various points from 26th to 99th streets, you can find more info under Directions on the Bronx Zoo site. You can pay with a MetroCard ($5 each way for adults, less for kids) and that bus was much easier than the subway because the bus drops you near an entrance. Central Park Zoo is a lot smaller; we got through it two weeks ago in about 45 minutes. Most of the animals which appear in Madagascar are not in the Central Park zoo, so warn your kids in advance that they won’t see the lion if they’ve seen the movie. I’d skip most of the older exhibits in the Natural History Museum (taxidermists’ paradise) and spend more time in the planetarium instead. Be careful about the shark boat rides from South Street Seaport and the West Side; we took one and it was like taking a bath in the East River. We had to go buy new clothes and underwear, we were so wet. Definitely recommend the Cloisters, especially if either child likes castles.

    As for hotels, I’ve only stayed on the firm’s dime in the last few years but used to love the Regency on Park Ave at 61st. The Hilton New York on 6th Ave. is also fine, and my boss loves the Millenium Hilton downtown, but it’s not convenient to child-focused tourist attractions except the ferry to the Statue of LIberty.

    Best cupcakes in NYC: Penelope’s, 30th & Lex. (cash only).
    Where I wish my parents brought me as a child instead of something educational: Dylan’s Candy Bar

    pam (3f48e3)

  39. I don’t have any hotel recommendations as I stay with family when visiting there. But here is a tip on getting there. Fly Jet Blue out of Long Beach. LB is almost like a private airport. You are in and out of there in much less time than LAX. Jet Blue flies non-stop from LB to JFK for about $100 each way.

    Be sure to visit some of the museums when you are there.

    Stu707 (18fdc8)

  40. Did I mention we have two kids, 3 and 6?
    If your sister is going to be there, I advise against it.

    Heh. That was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. If you knew my sister, you’d know why.

    CraigC (9cd021)

  41. For a real New York experience go to Katz’s Deli, on Orchard St and Houston Street in the lower east side. They have the best Deli food and are very affordable. Also try the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station, sit at the diner seats to the right as you walk inside. Have a fun trip.

    Patrick Yella (50faae)


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