<p>Looking for advice for a special, but reasonably priced hotel in NYC. This is for friends/acquaintances from Europe. They’ve asked if its preferable to be centrally located like Times Square or go for a view of the park. I know there are experienced CC’ers with good ideas, so ‘fire’ away!</p>
<p>Try the [Excelsior</a> Hotel](<a href=“http://www.excelsiorhotelny.com/index.asp]Excelsior”>http://www.excelsiorhotelny.com/index.asp) on 81st St., a block west of Central Park and across the street from the Museum of Natural History. It’s a European-style hotel, very comfortable, and not outrageously priced by NYC standards. Some rooms, on the higher floors, have views of the park. (Times Square is a tourist trap - your friends will be much happier staying elsewhere, and will see much more interesting parts of the city.)</p>
<p>Will they feel comfortable riding the subway? If so, I would not stay in Times Square. It is too crowded and not at all relaxing. A hotel close to a subway line but in a different area would be my choice. Price points will vary based on location and amenities.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Who goes to NYC for relaxation? I like the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.</p>
<p>Location, location, location.</p>
<p>Hopefully they will not be in the room enjoying the view!</p>
<p>We stayed in the Doubletree right in the heart of Times Square and it was terrific.
Next trip, though, I’d opt for the Central Park location since we’ve already been there, done that. Note: at the time, we were travelling with and 18 & a 19 year old :)</p>
<p>Times Square is really overrated, unless you like giant, glitzy versions of the same stores you have in your local big mall.
It IS fun to see at night though. And it’s fun to go to a Broadway show.
But I also don’t recommend staying at a hotel there. (Or eating there.)
Depending on your friends’ tastes, they might like one of the newer downtown boutique hotels. The neighborhoods down there are really hopping. I don’t think they’re bargains though.</p>
<p>Location all depends on what you want to do. If your trip is purely to see a Broadway show, then Times Square might make sense. However, if you’re interested in museums such as the Met or MOMA, a hotel that’s farther uptown is in order; the West Village/Soho/Tribeca? Farther downtown. And those areas are so much more pleasant to stroll through when you leave your hotel. NYC is ideal for walking, and you get a much better feel for the place if you don’t start out in Times Square.</p>
<p>Note to curiouser: our 17-year-old S thinks Times Square is “really cool”. We’ve tried to educate him, but to no avail… ;)</p>
<p>I don’t even like walking around Time Square area. It’s too crowded, everyone is walking around with a camera making sudden stops - Wow, just keep on moving. I would prefer a hotel by the park, maybe a quick visit to Time Square.</p>
<p>I work in Times Square, oldfort, and I agree with you. I’ve been known to tell tourists that it’s really ok to walk without holding hands.</p>
<p>The Bryant Park Hotel is nice and quite funky, but it is pricy.</p>
<p>I’m hearing that even the best NYC hotels are holding fire sales. I would try the hotels on Central Park South, lovely park views and nice neighborhood. You should get a good rate on one.</p>
<p>I second the Excelsior. </p>
<p>A good (not too pricey - not too dressy) restaurant at 77th and Columbus is Isabella’s - located on the other side of the Museum of Natural History from the Excelsior. In good weather you can eat outside.</p>
<p>AND if you want a delicious burger, the Shake Shack has opened up a branch nearby. (Hooray!) </p>
<p>[B.R</a>. Guest Restaurants](<a href=“http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/isabellas/index.php]B.R”>http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/isabellas/index.php)</p>
<p>[Shake</a> Shack](<a href=“http://www.shakeshack.com/]Shake”>http://www.shakeshack.com/)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s where we’re staying in July. It’s just my daughters and I, and we’re seeing a show every night. I’m willing to deal with the crowds and mayhem in order to have only a short stroll to our hotel every night after the show is over.</p>
<p>I think that for first-time or relatively inexperienced visitors from abroad Times Square (even in its relatively cleaned-up version) gives a negative and off-putting first impression of NYC–crowded and rushed, not glamorous, not very clean, and hard to get a sense of what a wonderful and varied city New York can be. (Different perhaps for domestic travelers specifically here for theater or really wanting a central location at a major subway stop, though even it would not be my choice.) I’'d say go for a park view, or a Lincoln Center location, or something on the Upper East side if finances permit. I would also suggest considering some of the Financial District hotels, maybe even new Ritz-Carlton in Lower Manhattan–if prices are indeed reflecting hard times and are now more affordable, that would be a very luxurious location with great views of the harbor.</p>
<p>Our trip to NYC that particular time did involve some shows so the location in TS was perfect. Interestingly, our 18 year old deemed Central Park very cool and wasn’t particularly impressed by Times Square. I actually agree that other parts of NYC are actually my favorite. But H&I had lived in the metro area many years ago and wanted the kids to see the center of things, moving out from there.</p>
<p>Fortunately, there are some real hotel gems in all different locations in the City (Times Square – I love the Michelangelo, which is quite quiet and lovely). I think that choosing where to stay should be dependent more on what type of neighborhood someone is looking to step out onto and where that visitor wants to be most of the time. The great news is that most parts of Manhattan will be easily accessible from any other part by taxi, subway or bus. </p>
<p>Certain areas, such as Midtown East, where many hotels are located, don’t have as many quick places to eat (delis and the like), so I tend not to recommend those areas to friends coming to NYC. Other areas, such as the far west and far east sides, are not as accessible to public transportation, so I tend to discount those areas as well. Central Park South might be a nice, centrally located area to stay in – fairly easy to get taxis and a walk of only a few blocks over to Columbus Circle to catch the Seventh Avenue subway line. I would be happy to provide some more specific recommendations if the OP would give some more detail on what his/her guests are looking for in NYC.</p>
<p>One last thing, a previous poster recommended Isabela’s (a restaurant) on the Upper West Side. I would strongly disagree with this recommendation. As a longtime UWS resident, I will tell you that all of the locals that I know do not eat there – way too many tales of hairs and various had-been-alive insects in food to count over the years (and I, unfortunately, have had two bad personal experiences there as well – thought the first was a fluke, went back and had it happen all over again).</p>
<p>^^Sorry, but I have to disagree with mattmom completely. I think that the Times Square area gives a great first look at the city. Nothing beats looking out at the lights of Times Square at night, in my opinion. The energy and massed humanity always appeal to me, particularly if I’m sitting in a restaurant overlooking Duffy Square. We’ve lived in Manhattan a couple of times and I still love that hustle and bustle of Times Square.</p>
<p>masslou, it’s very difficult to answer your question without knowing what these visitors are going to want to do while in the city, and also what their budget is. I can recommend the Crowne Plaza in Times Square as a great place to stay. Beautiful rooms, impeccable service, a great restaurant, and you can walk everywhere. While staying there, we walk as far south as Macy’s at Herald Square, as far north as the Met, all through Central Park, shopping on Fifth Ave., a quick trip to Bloomingdale’s, to Lincoln Center, and easy walking to dozens and dozens of theatres. You won’t need the subway at all unless you choose to go farther afield, maybe down to the Village, and then you can grab a cab easily, and for not too much $$.</p>
<p>The Renaissance Times Square, the Michelangelo, and the Marriott Marquis are also very nice in the Times Square area.</p>
<p>When I am visiting cities elsewhere in the US or abroad I prefer to stay in quieter, slightly less central areas, just as I would if I were visiting New York from far away. Certainly NY is a great walking city for those who are so inclined. If the OP has time I’d suggest asking the prospective visitors what their preference is in terms of ambience. One person’s nightmarish crowd is another’s exciting bustle, and vice versa. Chacun a son gout.</p>
<p>In December my D and I stayed at the Rommmate Grace and loved it! Small “European-style” boutique hotel right off of Times Square. Has a pool in the lobby area and complimentary continental breakfast. Great staff and very quiet. The Tablet Hotels website has lots of these boutique hotels listed. We also love the Doubletree Suites in Times Square. Rooms are huge and we found staff to be very friendly as well. Two very different types of hotels - both great places to stay!</p>
<p>We’ve been to NYC as hosts of European visitors…and Times Square is what they picture as being NY (and where most of their pics get snapped). Especially if they are planning to do Broadway shows, etc., I would also recommend one of the many city tours to give them an all-around view of the highlights early in their trip, so they can know where they want to go back to.</p>