Where would you stay in New York? Near Grand Central Station (Hyatt) or near Times Square (Hilton?)

Former New Yorker here, frankly they are both sort of the same area. I personally would never stay near Times Square. So if choosing between the two, Grand Central. I tend to prefer areas that are less touristy, so I would stay on the Upper West or Upper East Side, near to a subway station. So much nicer, safer, more authentic, still easy access to public transport and all major attractions.

Ps the grand central Oyster bar restaurant is lovely! Not just oysters either ;)

I prefer the grand central area. We stayed at a residence inn East 48th St I think. It was surprisingly calm for NY, a free breakfast included for all and a relatively spacious studio suite for NYC with mini kitchen which was quite handy if coming back after a day out and for a family of 4. I did not like Times Square - it’s okay to see, but personally we need calm at the end of the day.

We went as a couple for a week at the end of November a few years ago and stayed in an apartment in Alphabet City. Loved the more 'local' vibe we got around there.

We wandered around Grand Central and Times Square at various points and the area around Grand Central was miles nicer and calmer - would stay there ahead of Times Square every time. Times Square is a spectacle to look at, but I wasn't in any rush to spend much time there!

One thing to bear in mind is that NYC is typically significantly colder than the U.K. at that time of year. Temps like -11 or -15 don’t sound like much, but actually they’re cold enough that it’s not great to spend a lot of time outside. Take properly insulated long puffer coats and proper winter gloves/hats, rather than the typical coat and thin gloves that suffices in the U.K. - esp for a 6 y o!

I stayed at the Hilton in Times Square. The hotel is fine but the minute you leave it you walk into the madness of Times Square which is very full on. I wouldn’t choose to stay there again.

I wouldn’t want to be 6 and walking around TS. It’s not hustle and bustle it can be rammed. Wall to wall people, and not safe feeling. Honestly you’ll see it and want to leave pretty quickly.

You can google which restaurants are open on Christmas Day in NYC. There are hotels with kitchen areas too. Hotel Beacon in the upper west, just a stroll from Central Park for example.

For Christmas vibes, you want to be around the Rockefeller centre area, the shops and department stores on 5th. TS not so much

My first trip to NYC we stayed at the Hyatt Grand Central. Central location mid town location , go for breakfast at Pershing Square. Times Square isn’t a great place tbh.

I agree that there are nicer places to stay than mid town but it’s also fine for a first trip as it’s easy to get around. It will be busy though. Ask for a room high up.

I would assume that ‘no in room dining’ means no room service. It’s America- there’s no way they will stop people taking food to their rooms.

There are nicer bits of Manhattan to stay in, but I understand on a first trip wanting to be central.

Grand Central - much nicer; TS is busy and awful. The NYPL and Bryant Park are nice to visit and that bit of midtown feels safer than TS imo. I’ve stayed in the Library Hotel very near there and would really recommend it - small rooms but cosy and a boutique feel, service is great. All their hotels normally get good reviews.

I've stayed at the the Hyatt at Grand Central and the Hilton Midtown (both times at Christmas) and I would recommend the Hyatt - lots of options in the station for breakfast too and Pershing Square is just across the road, which is definitely worth a visit.

We stayed here: https://www.sonesta.com/sonesta-hotels-resorts/ny/new-york/fifty-sonesta-hotel-new-york , it was a few blocks up from Grand Central and about 15 minutes walk to Times Square, the rooms were big and there was a little kitchenette with a proper fridge, hob and microwave. Location worked v well for us. Subway on the corner too.

I went last easter and stayed by Times Square and I absolutely loved it!

I wouldn't stay at either, I would look UWS, SoHo, almost anywhere other than Midtown. It will be horribly busy, Times Square isn't somewhere worth spending time in beyond seeing it once (barring going to shows). Public transport is excellent in NYC and you will likely have to travel anyway for some of the sights you want to see. There is no real 'central' in NYC. If you're limited to those hotel groups for loyalty reasons, try posting on the New York trip advisor forum for other options in the same group.

Sorry to sound shitty and bossy but so many people I know have booked Midtown hotels and then hated their trips to New York.

We stayed in Tryp by Wyndham Times Square with 2 kids, was a great location and not right in the square and the room was a decent size for New York

The pearl hotel, just off Times Square is brilliant with a simple buffet breakfast included. At 5pm every evening they ask you to join them in the lobby for a free glass of wine! The only problem is at new year they close down the streets around Times Square (you maybe gone by then) but even with a letter from the hotel the police wouldn’t let us through but when I rang reception asking if there was another way the manager came and collected us from the crowds and got us safely back.
I love NYC, have a great time!

We stayed at the Hyatt Grand Central and loved it. There were five of us so we were in a suite and it was lovely. The location was perfect, the hotel room was in good condition and we had lots of space. There's a great spot for breakfast just across from it. It's in walking distance of some fab places. This was last summer.

I personally wouldn't stay anywhere round there. Or Manhattan in general tbh. Last time I stayed was in Brooklyn in hipster central. I understand this is not everyones cup of tea thiugh

If you have to stay in Midtown and do a chain, I'd go for Moxy (there is one very near TS) or Westin. But personally I'd head to SoHo.