where shall we stay in New York?

[mckenzie]

Finally, after just 10 years of dropping hints, DH is taking me to New York for some pre-christmas shopping etc. Without the children!

Can anyone recommend a great hotel? I dont envisage that we'll spend much time in it but it would ruin the trip if it was not very nice.
DH has got reservations on hold at the Hudson, The Marriot Marquis and the Sofitel as these were all recommended to him but he'd like me to have the final choice as as the 2 guidebooks that i have only mention the Hudson it's difficult (about to see if I can check them out on line).

Any other hotels that you guys have used and liked?

TIA

ps. I have been to NY a couple of times but the last time was about 1988 so an update on any must see/must do will be welcome.

Well the Hudson is fab and if you want a swanky, fashionable hotel that's the one I'd go for.

What's that Home House one? It's overtaken the Hudson in the fashion stakes.

There's also the Soho Grand.

Eeeek, sorry - meant to say , wow and how lovely and have a fab, fab time you lucky, lucky firl

Oh jesus - yes- this is the one, Soho House not Home House
Look here
Oh, MY, GOD!!!!!!
and WOW

Would also suugest you read www.tripadvisor.com for up to date comments on any hotel you wish to stay in before booking!.

it does look swanky doesn't it? I've e mailed them for some rates as their rate card only goes to december 1 and we're going on the 10th.
Persoanlly, I'd rather go for a less swanky and therefore cheaper hotel and spend more while I'm there. My DH though likes the finer things in life though and he was rather taken with the Marquis I think which is more old fashioned and traditional and didn't like the Hudson.

Any more suggestions please?

I stay in mad little traveller style hotels or other peoples appartments when I go so can't help with anymore suggestions sorry mate. Your DH deffor wouln't want to stay where we've stayed

Stayed at The Court in Feb.
Good without being overly glamourous and ostentatious, and location was close enough to walk most places, and short cab ride for others.

DH and I like the finer things in life too, but agree with you re spending more whilst you're there (DH stayed here with work for a week before I joined him, so not sure how he came by the hotel originally, but he's stayed in at least one other 'W' hotel in NY too).

Have a wonderful time - I love NY! And make sure you book tickets for Broadway before you go - their shows always seem so much better than the ones over here!

Marriot Marquis is FAB. Haven't stayed there but had one of the best anniversary dinners ever there in the revolving restaurant. Just going up to the restaurant in the glass lift makes the trip worthwhile. Sad Brits with noses glued to window ignored by cool New Yorkers. We stayed in Hotel Edison which was near to there and cheap. Fantastic art deco public rooms and superb cafe but rooms not up to much. Have Sunday brunch in the Waldorf Astoria - what an experience. Have also stayed in Algonquin which was very trad. Went for work and was given suite but it stank of cigarette smoke! Remember having martinis in the lobby as that is supposed to be where they were invented. Want to go again!! New York that is not the Algonquin.

Tabs, The Court looks good. Did you book direct or through one of the internet agencies?

Sorry to interupt. Tabs, what was the weather like in February, I know its freezing, but how bad? We are probably going end of January, for 10th Wedding anniversary.

Agree with motheroftwoboys about the Marquis - great right on Times Square.

However, it can be really, really cold in February. Went for Valentine's weekend once and it was snowing most of the weekend - outdoor sightseeing was kept to a minimum. Empire State at 10.30pm with snow blowing back up into your face is not the greatest experience!

I'm finding this so hard. There are so mny hotels to choose from and I just cant make up my mind the best place to stay etc and then when i do think I've finally chosen I check availabilty and there isn't any!!

The Soho Grand is lovely, my brother had his wedding reception there, it was lush!

I wouldn't stay anywhere else but the alex . Absolutely fantastic hotel, rooms to die for with mini kitchens and fridges to keep your Dean and Delucca nibbles in

I would spoil yourself and book a one bed suite.

Wonderful resting actors dressed head to toe in black complete the designer theme of the hotel - easy on the eye

And the restaurant is good too if you fancy an evening in (as if)!!!!

BTW - I have recommended this hotel to a couple of MNers and have had good comments about it!

Citysearch is another good website for hotel and restuarant reviews.

You must go to the Rainbow Room for Cocktails and pretend your stinking rich-they do a good Pimms!
Sorry you could already be stinking rich!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone stayed at The New yorker?. Looks a bit middle of the range but is right next to Bloomingdales

mckenzie - think DH booked it through Amex platinum service, as they do most of his travel arrangements.

cori - it will be v cold in Jan! We've been twice in Feb (2001 & 2005) and there's been snow both times, so make sure you take warm jumper, coat, scarf and gloves (or buy new ones when you get there of course ).

It will be cold, cold, cold with bitter winds. My secret, when I lived there, was to wear a long sleeved vest and then layer a lightweight jumper and then a heavy jumper over it all, and also found that heavy winter tights under trousers/jeans made a huge difference. Hat, gloves, scarf are absolute necessities.

cori - haven't been in NYC for about 3 years, but the area around Bloomingdales, while a decent enough location, used to be a bit characterless and blah. Could have changed now though.

I just emailed my NYC pal who's a senior executive for one of the media companies (so she knows what's trendy), and here's what she says:

For shopping, I would say it has to be midtown ? the W Times Square or Royalton. If you're more of a downtown person then the W Union Square or the Gansevoort (which is currently about $500 for a single room!).

Soho Grand Hotel or Mercer Hotel are also good options if you want to shop downtown.

So - there are the hot tips from my pal in NYC. The hotels she mentions must have websites, so would be worth a google.

Have fun, and let us know what you decide.

One other tip - ensure that hotel prices quoted are inclusive of all taxes - or if not, find out how much the room will be after all relevant taxes are added on.

have stayed at the Pierre and the four seasons. Thought the four seasons was amazing-ask for a corner room. baths fill in 60 secondsand the elevator is supersonic!!!

chipkid - with those sorts of 5* hotels, presume you were travelling on a business expense account? Or are you an heiress?

Mercer Hotel has had poor reviews (staff attitude is awful).

That's the hotel that Russell Crowe had all the trouble with.

Meerkats - do you think the Mercer staff might have had a bad attitude because Russell Crowe was so abusive that he was arrested? Or maybe Mr. Crowe was driven to fury because of the staff's bad attitude?