Narrowed it down to 3 hotels

Ok, I%26#39;m probably over-analysing NY hotels to death!!! But I wonder could I get more opinions on my hotel options. 2 adults, an 11 year old, 8 year old and 15 month old for 3 nights in NY. Not a lot of hotels available for 5 in a room. Our plan is to see Times Square and have a walkabout there and visit FAO Schwartz, take in a nice meal of two in some family friendly restaurants, not necessarily in Times Square, definitely visit the Empire State Building and maybe, if times, allows, take the Staten Island ferry. I%26#39;ve narrowed it down to 3 places, all of which can accommodate the 5 of us......

Radio City Apartments - very reasonably priced but I%26#39;m not sure about them cause they get very mixed reviews though the location is good on West 49th St.

Salisbury Hotel sounds great to me, it%26#39;s on 57th St, a bit further from Radio City Apts but much nicer by the sound of it.

Then I love the sound of Southgate Tower, it gets great reviews, seems to be family friendly and would be very convenient for Empire State Building which is a %26#39;must-see%26#39; part of our trip. The %26#39;problem%26#39; is I hear the location is a business area and possibly not very nice? Anyone got opinions on this? Is this area ok or would 49th or 57th St be nicer. Thanks in advance. I am so bad at decisions.

Narrowed it down to 3 hotels

I dont know, but on here many dont like the Radio City Apts. They look bad and are just old. The others Id say go for the Salisbury Hotel

Narrowed it down to 3 hotels

I have stayed at the Southgate Tower and loved it....I was spoilt I suppose as we got a balcony overlooking the ESB.

Check out the TripAdvisor reviews.

Lots of tourist class hotels advertise that they%26#39;re close to the Empire State Building, Macy%26#39;s, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, Port Authority. Honestly, this is a commercial area that%26#39;s dirty, not very nice to explore, no wonderful restaurants, etc.

The Salisbury is an older hotel with good sized rooms (by NY standards). It%26#39;s a bit frayed, but very clean. And what a great location -- two blocks to Central Park, down the street from the subway, a short walk to 5th Ave., Rock Center, Times Square, Columbus Circle, etc. I just got to see the Salisbury%26#39;s rooms last week when a friend stayed there. They had a junior suite, which wouldn%26#39;t be enough for your big group, but they had a little kitchen area, which is a must if you%26#39;ve got kids.

Or just go to the area I recommend all the time here... the beautiful Upper West Side. One subway stop from Times Square, yet a beautiful upscale residential neighborhood with wonderful shops and restaurants... fun to explore at all hours. Budget hotels in the area are the Beacon, Belleclaire, Newton, Milburn.

Another option is to rent an apartment. Have a look at A Hospitality Company -- www.ahospitalitycompany.com -- they have 100+ furnished apartments all over Manhattan, many in doorman buildings. This would be the most ideal accommodation for your group.

Thanks so much for the responses :-)

Dear DebsTravels,

The area around the Southgate is not beautiful but, the hotel and service is nice. The advantage of staying there is that the suites are fairly spacious and many are equipped with a mini kitchen. Also, it is definitely located in an area that will afford you a genuine NYC experience (fast paced, crowded, noisy, etc). There is easy access to major subway lines and the commuter lines to LI and NJ.

Additionally, if you are leaning towards the Southgate, you should check out their other property the Affina Dumont. It is also a suite hotel and is located on E34th street which is a little less hectic area. It is in the vicinity of some of the sites that you are interested in seeing. Price on line but, definitely call the hotel reservations dept. (not central reservations) to negotiate the best rate.

Good Luck,

AThreeGrowsinBrooklyn

Hi,

Just got back, landed two hours ago. I understand your decision making problems, I am the world%26#39;s worst! I booked before I found this forum, so far from being analytical, just pot luck, but definitely recommend the Salisbury. Microwave and fridge in the kitchen area ideal with children. Breakfast at $3 can%26#39;t be beaten for value, much cheaper and more convenient with children than going out. Just round the corner (almost) from FAO Schwarz, within walking distance of Times square etc, and very convenient for subway for those areas that are too far to walk with a station at each end of the block.

Pat

PS

Room sizes are very good. We had the smallest room on the floor (according to the plan near the elevator) with two double beds. Bigger room than Marriott Marquis and with two walk in closets the suitcases were out of the way too.

Pat

I have booked into the Soutgate Tower for Sat!

Your reply %26#39;ATreeGrowsinBrooklyn%26#39; was really useful information.

I liked the look of Southgate Tower as you seem to get a bit more room, due to suites instead of rooms, and the location to get round easily.

The only downful I am forseeing is good restaurants/bars etc near by - but I guess NY is easy to get round so it shouldn%26#39;t be too much hassle in the evenings?

Why go to NY is you don%26#39;t like a bit of hustle and bustle after all!!

Keep the info about Southgate Tower coming and of course the other 2 hotels of choice for DebsTravel.

aATreeGrowsinBrooklyn,

Thanks so much for the info. It%26#39;s a great help! I%26#39;m gonna check out the Affina Dumont too, sounds good!

PatG,

So glad you had a good trip! And thank you!!! The Salisbury sounds great! Thanks again!

LouTravelBug,

Wishing you a wonderful NYC trip! Don%26#39;t forget to run back here and tell me all about the Southgate Ok, unpack first, if you insist!!! :-)

This board is great!

I would recommend the Eastgate tower suites in Murray Hill which is owned by Affinia, also.( Same as the Southgate) It is in a much nicer residential area... better than the Southgate with great prices and shops and restaurants nearby. Not too far from the major attractions that you would like to visit also. The tooms are spacious with kitchenettes and the suites have plenty of room for a family your size.