| Author | Message | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 175 Registered: 4-2002 |
Has anyone stayed at the Rihga Royal? I am still looking at places to stay... I like the idea that the rooms are all suites. Patrick  | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 226 Registered: 10-2001 |
Patrick, For some of the best burgers around, try Corner Bistro. Also, McSorley's, which proclaims to be the oldest bar in town. Burgers are great, and beer is served two at a time - light or dark. Tribeca Grill is good, but for something cheaper and down the street, go to Walker's for lunch. It was near my office and always good if you're in the area. Pete's Tavern also claims to be the oldest bar in NYC, good place for eating/drinking. Lombardi's in Little Italy for some of the best pizza. One of my favorites is Brasserie, not a dive place at all, but some great food. Interesting interior as well, especially with the digi-cam taking your picture as you enter and then flashing it on one of the monitors over the bar area. Great steaks at Spark's or Peter Lugar's. Great sushi at Nobu or Sushi Samba. Great vegetarian at Zen Palate. If your near Union Square, there's a bar I used to frequent called Beauty Bar. A bit eclectic, but a nice hangout. It's been a while since my last extended visit to NYC, but I'll be up there this weekend to visit some old haunts and scope out new places... hope this helps. -sean | ||
| Matthew Cooper (Dopplemax)
New member Username: Dopplemax Post Number: 38 Registered: 6-2003 |
Ritz-Carlton Central Park South. RC is one of our major clients and this property is spectacular. Even when we aren't in the city on business, this is the place to stay. I can put you in contact with the concierge if you'd like. | ||
| John Ashburne (Jashburne)
Junior Member Username: Jashburne Post Number: 68 Registered: 9-2002 |
Sardi's still is the locale of the monthly lunch meetings of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society. Almost always an interesting speaker (e.g. Head of Ferrari North America, Head of Bentley North America, Danny Sullivan, Publisher and Editor of Hemmings,David Donohue (Mark's son), that sort of thing.) Second Tuesday of the month. | ||
| ShanB (Shanb)
New member Username: Shanb Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2003 |
Slightly OT, but: Anybody been to Sardi's on W44th lately? I really miss it. Shan in Texas | ||
| djmonk (Davem)
Member Username: Davem Post Number: 411 Registered: 1-2002 |
I usually Priceline it stayed last at The Stanhope Park Hyatt For $110. Great deals to be had. | ||
| Dr. Erik Nielsen (Judge4re)
Junior Member Username: Judge4re Post Number: 191 Registered: 4-2003 |
I'm a cheap bastard. Last couple of times in the city I've stayed at the Westpark Hotel off of Columbus Circle. Small rooms, no glitz, no glamour, but $100 a night. | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 173 Registered: 4-2002 |
Oh yeah. I'm sure there are NYC classic landmark eateries. From hot dogs to hot sandwiches, if it is a classic dive, I'm up for it! Patrick | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 172 Registered: 4-2002 |
The self-proclaimed boutique hotels I have been looking at seem a little too trendy to me. I am going to stay away from those. For right now, I have reserved a suite at the Waldorf. They had a great rate on one of their smaller suites that I couldn't pass up; I wanted to lock something in. I am still looking into a few others, all recommendations from you guys! I think we will definitely check out Il Mulino. How is the TriBeca Grill? What other places are your favorites? I don't care if it is expensive or not, I love great food. I hear of all the trendy places but rarely know if their food is good. I appreciate the help folks. You guys are really helping me out with planning. Now if I could only decide on what show to see... Patrick | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1636 Registered: 12-2001 |
The W at times square is next door to my office. It proves the rule that there is an inverse relationship between trendy and good service. | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 683 Registered: 11-2002 |
THE W at Time Square. They have a desert on the menu, Forgot what it is called. They bring a plastic cover for the bed, bring a Bucket of ice cream, chocolate syrup, nuts. Basically you make body sundays. It is amazing. The hotel is very trendy and chic. Last time I was there rooms on Expedia travel were 320 a night. I ahve no idea of the price during December The W on Time square is the only W that does it. Please let me know if you have any questions. | ||
| Dave White (Dwhite)
Junior Member Username: Dwhite Post Number: 74 Registered: 5-2003 |
You better start to move fast, the week before Christmas . . .it is probably impossible to find a decent room. This is a huge tourist time. | ||
| Andrew H (Stokpro)
Junior Member Username: Stokpro Post Number: 144 Registered: 6-2003 |
Although they don't overlook Central Park, take a look at Tribeca Grand, SOHO Grand, or The Mercer. Stay clear of either W Hotels in NYC. | ||
| Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Advanced Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 2846 Registered: 4-2002 |
LOVE YOU TO WILLY | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1633 Registered: 12-2001 |
Just busting your chops, padrone. | ||
| John Ashburne (Jashburne)
Junior Member Username: Jashburne Post Number: 66 Registered: 9-2002 |
Agree with others on Carmine's, its a good place if you're out with the boys before a hockey game. A couple of good Italian restaurants in midtown/upper East Side area: Felidia 243 E 58th St. (bet 2nd & 3rd Ave)Pricey but excellent, wonderful food. Becco 355 W46th (owned by son of Felidia's Lidia Bastianich) great for pre theater or even if not doing theater. There are thousands of good restaurants in NYC, its one of NYC's best features. Spring for a copy of the Zagat's restaurant guide to NYC. You're probably familiar with it, but its reviews by patrons is the most accurate guide that I have seen. I'm not even that much of a gourmet but I really enjoy reading it. New visitors always flock to the "name brands" that their friends at home will recognize. That's okay, try some of the classics, but also try something new, trendy or adventurous. | ||
| Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Advanced Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 2845 Registered: 4-2002 |
WM BORN IN BKLYN, WORKED ON CANAL ST FOR 20 YRS,LIVED IN LONG GILAND THEN MOVED TO NJ SO WHAT AM I ?? BRUCE | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1631 Registered: 12-2001 |
Bruce: You are not from NYC. You're from JOISEY! | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 171 Registered: 4-2002 |
I so appreciate this information, especially the dining ideas. I am cross-eyed from looking at hotels all day on the internet. I definitely want something around Central Park, second highest priority is a very comfortable bed. I will look into all of these. I am excited about these Italian restaraunts! Patrick | ||
| Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Advanced Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 2842 Registered: 4-2002 |
IM FROM NYC..... PROB THE BEST HOTEL FOR YOUR MONEY AND BEAUTY IS THE SOFITEL HOTEL........ FERARAS IN LITTLE ITALY IS A TOURIST TRAP. FOR DINNER ON MULBERRY ST FOR ATMOSPHERE AND GREAT FOOD IS IL CORTILE...CORNER OF CANAL AND MULBERRY FOR GREAT FOOD WITH A CRAZY ATMOSPHERE IS LUNA RESTAURANT. WITH POISATANOS (SP) RUNNING A CLOSE 2ND.(SECOND.)..... | ||
| Lester (Lesterm)
New member Username: Lesterm Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2003 |
*BRR* Very cold time to visit the city. I barely go outside during the 'cold' months ;) Anyway, as for hotels: My favorite hotel used to be the St. Regis on 55th and 5th. I've stayed there many times, and it has always been wonderful. The suites are great (but $1,000+ a night), but the normal rooms are good as well. Lately, I've found my favorite hotel to be the New York Palace (formerly the Hemseley Palace). The rooms and service are excellent. While you're there, you can also eat at Le Cirque (although quality has went down over the past few years IMO). As for food: My favorite restaurant is Daniel (probably b/c I like french food and I live two blocks away); but if french is not your thing, then I would suggest Umberto's or Angelo's in Little Italy. While you're down in Little Italy, stop by Ferrara and get dessert. As others have suggested, go see a Broadway show; they are really excellent. I would advise *against* the subways, but then again, I have my own weird reasons for not taking subways ;) I guess I am not the typical New Yorker. Oh, btw... if you want a hotel with park views, then I would say try the Park Lane or the Essex house. I've stayed at the Park Lane once back in the day, so I will not speak of their quality at this point; however, I've never stayed or been in the Essex house. But I think both have good park exposures. Good luck with your visit | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 372 Registered: 2-2003 |
My brother-in-law has been several times and he has stayed in several hotels (I can't name them all) and he said the same thing about each one, the ones that are priced for $200/night and less - all look "used". My wife and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt for 3-days last March and the lobby was spectacular, but the room, again looked used. It wasn't what I'd call bad, just in need of a face lift. Of course, we didn't spend much time in our room. 5-days in NYC is a LONG time. Get a visitors guide from the NYC travel site (do a Yahoo search). Yes, you'll look like a tourist if you walk around with it but, guess what, no one cares. Pick what you want to do and try to make some kind of plan for each day. Seriously, that seems anal, but their is so much to do and you don't want to spend 1 & 2 your day trying to figure out where to go next. Definitly go by Macy's and hit the Victoria Secrets store accross the street. They have way more stuff in the NYC store than you'll ever see in the stores in the suburban malls. Even better stuff than you see in the catalog. Right after you pop the question would be a good time... ;) We ate a several restruants and all of them were good. Go to little Italy for lunch one day and pick just about any one of them. They're all good. Use the Subway. It's easy once you figure it out (which should take about 1-minute). Go see a broadway show for sure. Do not bother with the TKS ticket booth for 1/2 price tickets unless you want to stand in line for a LONG time for 1/2 price tickets. After the show, every show/musical/ballet/whatever you've seen before, and after, will look like a HS production. I was stunned how good it was. Unless the show is very popular, you can get tickets at the box office. Get orchestra seating. It will cost ~$100/ticket, but trust me, it's worth it. Don't screw with the nose bleeds. They suck and you can't see or hear anything. We saw 42nd Street, center orchestra, row 6, seat 1/2 and it was FANTASTIC. The only problem with Christmas is that it's cold and that will limit you some. Snow/ice will cut down on your daily activities. Yes, I know you'll be in a hotel with your gf/fiance, but NYC is a fantastic city to visit and play in. We're definitely going back. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1630 Registered: 12-2001 |
Catherine: Any hotel where the staff qualifies first on beauty goes to the very bottom of my list as a place to stay. The Royalton was one of the first of the "new" botique hotels, has a great men's room in the lobby (the urinal is a wall of water, like a waterfall, and the sink is a circular stainless steel contraption that looks like it was made for horses to drink from). That place has now been around for a while, so it may suffer from a double drawback: formerly trendy. Maybe i'm getting old, but i like serious, quiet, discreet, they don't let the riffraff hang out kind of hotels. These are frequented by old rich people, and others who are not interested in making friends or a scene, just looking for quiet and comfort. My first choice would be the 4 Seasons, particularly if you don't have to reach into your pocket, or business is subsidizing part of the lodging. The Carlyle is another "old person" hotel of euro-style, but its not really in proximity to anything other than the upper east side. (yawn). Can't remember where the Ritz relocated to in NY, but that might be worth checking out, as would the hotel in the old paramount building at Columbus Circle, can't remember what it is now, but a client/friend prefers it to alot of the others. | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 225 Registered: 10-2001 |
What kind of price range and "mood" are you looking at? I stayed in various hotels throughout NYC for about two years, so I'll try to offer some suggestions. One of my favorites was the Waldorf, with the old-school feel, very romantic, great service, and sometimes you can get decent rates of around $200 a night. The Plaza has the same feel, and the Swissotel/Drake is quite nice as well. If you prefer a more modern feel, but don't mind the smaller rooms, the Schrager hotels are fun. The Royalton was my favorite compared to the Hudson and the Paramount. Any of the W hotels would be really nice as well, but my favorite was the one behind the Waldorf with the Whiskey Blue, although the one at Union Square was a little more low-key. Also, the Muse near Times Square was a smaller, modern-ish boutique hotel. If you can catch a deal, the Benjamin is very nice and it is suites only. If you want to stay in more trendy areas, try to the Soho Grand or Tribeca Grand. Again, smaller rooms, but very cool atmosphere and constant celeb sightings if you're into that. As far as normal "chain" hotels, the Marriott Marquis is actualy quite nice and in the heart of Times Square with a cool revolving restaurant on top. The Renaissance is right there and a little more classy, as well as the Doubletree being a little less expensive, but all suites. There are a million and a half choices, so I hope we can come up with something good for you. Personally, I prefer the Waldorf - there's something about the place that I really like (and the beds are very comfortable). | ||
| djmonk (Davem)
Member Username: Davem Post Number: 408 Registered: 1-2002 |
Stayed at Morgans on Madison last year an small was the word | ||
| Robert Callahan (Rcallahan)
Member Username: Rcallahan Post Number: 360 Registered: 7-2002 |
I've stayed many times at the Hudson. I like its coolness (no sign, address, etc)but the rooms are small even the socalled suites. service is bad but the hotel has a certain twisted cool that keeps me comming back. Bob | ||
| Catherine Roberts (Catherine)
New member Username: Catherine Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2003 |
I'll be in NYC for the weekend soon. I'm planning to stay at the Royalton, but I keep hearing negative things about the Schrager hotels (in NYC especially). I love the Mondrian in LA. Any thoughts? | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1629 Registered: 12-2001 |
I find an inverse relationship between trendy and good service, etc. This applies to hotels as well as restaurants. Since i have lived in the city for a long, long time, i have little occasion to stay in the hotels, other than to visit and occasionally, to make arrangements for relatives staying here. The Plaza is quintessential, but unless you spring big $, you will not get a nice room. The Waldorf towers can be inexpensive for a large, old world style suite, but you are not on the Park. I would expect any of the Park-proximity hotels to be pricey for a room with a view. The "best" hotel is probably the 4 Seasons, but it takes regular 4 Seasons pricing to another level. The other "classic" hotels (Pierre, St. Regis, etc.) might be worth a look. Your best bet, for room and price, might be to work with a regular at another hotel you frequent in another town, and let them make the connection. (eg I used to stay at the 4 Seasons in LA constantly, so i let their conceirges hook me up at other hotels, even non-4 Seasons properties, when i stay in other places). Italian- the best italian restaurant i know of in NY is the Queen, in downtown Brooklyn. You can use my name. I highly recommend the white claim pizza at the Trattoria Del Arte across from Carnegie Hall; Lupa, in the Village, is superb, but go for lunch, not dinner-unless you like a scene. (Everybody has their favorite little spot and there are plenty of good ones in NYC). You should make a pilgrimage to Peter Luger's in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a steak, unless you don't eat meat. Its probably the best steak you will ever have. Sparks steakhouse in the city has the best, most reasonably priced winelist, but the steaks don't compare. I could keep going, but that's all for now... | ||
| Dave White (Dwhite)
Junior Member Username: Dwhite Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2003 |
Ricky is right Carmines is good for quantity not necessarily quality, but it's okay. The portions are family style - for 2 people. Il Mulino is the best for italian food, just make sure you call ahead as they are usully booked far in advance and they do close in the summer for a period, probably open again now - try it at lunch. Hotels are outrageous if you want something nice, otherwise try the Sheraton on 7th and 54? across from the Carnegie Deli, which if you have never been, you must go to, to have the best/largest sandwich ever. | ||
| Dave Goldman (Dave328)
Member Username: Dave328 Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2002 |
We stayed at the Helmsley Central Park South on our first NYC trip. It's 2-3 doors down from the Plaza and right across the street from Central Park. We got a pretty sweet Expedia deal that figured out to about $175-$200 a night. The Hotel itself was very nice and we'd stay there again. As for good Italian food,I'm no NYC expert but, we had awesome food at la Mela in Little Italy. Good Luck Dave | ||
| DL (Darth550)
Member Username: Darth550 Post Number: 256 Registered: 7-2003 |
I like the Mark. Great little bar. DL | ||
| mike550 (Mikeg)
Junior Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 69 Registered: 8-2003 |
The Rhiga Royal is nice (now a Marriott property) Every room is a suite and it is nicely placed near Central Park at 56th & 7th (if I recall right). the price is right - around $300 I think. Last time I was there Al Pacino was staying there too. | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 460 Registered: 8-2002 |
carmine's is ok, definitely not great... il mulino's is the best in NYC, Cipriani's is also good... | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 170 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hey folks. My girlfriend and I will be visiting NYC for about five days the week before Christmas. I am planning on taking the next step in our relationship and "popping" the question... still working out where I want to do it. Currently thinking about doing it on the Bow bridge in Central Park. She, of course, doesn't have a clue what I have up my sleeve! Anyways... Can anyone recommend a great hotel? Sure the Plaza is supposed to be nice as is the Waldorf but I heard you pay too much for too small a room. I was wanting to stay around Central Park, most likely to the south but I am open to suggestions. Of course I am not looking to spend $700 a night... no penthouses please! I would enjoy any recommendations you folks may have. I enjoy comfort, not your regular Hilton bed with "paper" sheets and uncomfortable beds. Also, any recommendations for great Italian food? As of right now I know I will visit Carmine's on 44th... thanks! Patrick |