Everything about New York Hotels

Exceptional Values on New York Hotels!

2009-01-27T09:03:37-05:00

Right now you'll find extraordinary deals on hotel rooms, even better than you could imagine. I was flipping through New York magazine and found even they have no idea what great bargains are out there. The fact is, when you reserve online through NYC.com, our tremendous buying power gives you the lowest possible rates—all backed by our Best Rate Guarantee. Unlike other so called guarantees, the NYC.com Best Rate Guarantee doesn't expire after 24 hours. Just look for the green e-$aver icon when you are searching for your New York hotel.

New York writes that The Gem Hotel Chelsea "starts at $159 night". Well, I just found it for $135.20 a night in mid-February through NYC.com. We've got a limited number of rooms at the stylish Paramount Hotel for a jaw-dropping $89 per night. And this isn't five months away—you can check in today or tomorrow if you act fast for just $95.20 per night (plus applicable taxes)! How about a room at the Waldorf-Astoria for under $200 per night? Or what about one of their ultra-deluxe Waldorf Towers suites? Even those are on sale!

Speaking of brand-new hotels, book now and check in tomorrow at The Standard for under $200 per room and enjoy the stunning views of the city and Hudson River. Can't get away to Miami this winter? What about a Bohemian staycation in the East Village at the new Cooper Square hotel, located right near Astor Place? I also found lots of availability in the coming weeks at the Thompson LES, mentioned in New York "from $375" for nearly 33% less at NYC.com for just $259/night! At NYC.com, you can find your hotel by landmark or by neighborhood or even by category such as budget hotels or luxury hotels. Or just click on the big green button to search hotels and examine the Quick List of All Hotels with availability for this search of prices on the left side of your screen. The prices are astounding!

Tags: bargains, best rate guarantee, cooper square hotel, discounts, new york hotels, the gem hotel, the standard, thompson les, waldorf astoria

Park It! NYC Complete Guide to Parking Garages

2009-01-15T13:01:26-05:00

One of the most bewildering things for tourists and locals alike in this vast city has to be our many parking garages, the varying rates they charge based on vehicle size and time of day, and simply where to park. Fortunately Margot Tohn has all the answers with her 2009 NYC Complete Guide to Parking Garages, a terrific, comprehensive and easy-to-read volume that costs less than one hour of parking your car in a Midtown garage! With a color-coded neighborhood map that allows you to quickly find parking garages by area, Tohn has rate information and insider tips to 1,100 garages and parking lots—so you'll become an expert on how to choose a garage, how to understand rates, and how to tip—as well as how to make a complaint! Most importantly, there is a parking tax calculator, and as anyone who has ever parked a car in New York knows well, this can be truly bedeviling to calculate. You'll also find major landmarks and hospitals, tips for parking in the Theater District as well as gas stations and car washes in this guide, so it's also handy for folks who are perennial alternate-side parkers and don't use garages. The slender book fits nicely in your glove compartment, and its handy companion Parking Garge Map is a brilliant laminated fold-out map showing all garages and outdoor lots, again color-coded by neighborhood. We at NYC.com keep the fold-out map in the office and the book in the car, so we know at all times how to quickly find garages when tourists ask us. Some interesting facts we've learned from Tohn's third annual Manhattan parking garage survey: • Manhattan has 100,000 spaces for monthly and transient parking • Average posted price for monthly parking increased from $315 to $431 • Lower rates for transient parking can be found closest to the Hudson and East Rivers • 88% of all garages charge an average surcharge of $10 for SUVs and oversize cars; your best bet to park that hulking vehicle for less would be above 110th Street • 66% of garages are open 24 hours • The smallest garage is 324 East 11th Street, with 7 spaces 13 hotels have their own garage—and you can book rooms there right here and right now at NYC.com: Crowne Plaza, Hampton Inn, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Marriott, Millenium Hilton, New York Palace, Park Lane, Parker-Meridien, Skyline Hotel, Trump Parc, and the Waldorf-Astoria. You can find the NYC Complete Guide to Parking Garages at reputable bookstores all over the tri-state area as well as at Amazon.com. You can also buy the book directly from www.parkitguides.com.

Tags: garages, lots, new york hotel parking, parking, theater district

Airport Review: JetBlue Terminal 5 at JFK

2008-10-21T13:44:55-04:00

JFK's stunning new Terminal 5 is the first post-9/11 airplane terminal in the United States to incorporate passenger-friendly elements that recognize the vast changes in how we conceptualize airports, flying and security. With free Wi-Fi, customer service zones in every concourse, food ordering capability at the gates, and a visual paging system for a quieter terminal, the bold colors, abundant natural light, and both lounge-like and traditional seating at gates make for a great traveling experience. Note that NYC.com has a full photo essay with a sneak preview of Terminal 5 restaurants. Terminal 5 or T5 will see roughly 20 million passengers a year and 10 flights per gate every day. Situated behind the landmark Eero Saarinen TWA terminal, the new 635,000-square-foot, 26-gate T5 accounts for more than 30 percent of JFK’s traffic, making it the airport’s busiest. Built in collaboration with Arup, Turner Construction, DMJM Harris/AECOM and Rockwell Group, Gensler's design for T5 offers self-service options for customers and easily navigated security areas. 40 ticket counters and 65 e-ticket kiosks line both sides of the ticket hall. Right in the center of the departure hall, a massive 20-lane security checkpoint—in fact, the largest single checkpoint in the country—eliminates bottlenecks and features efficient, customer-friendly details such as self-select lanes for families, casual travelers and expert travelers. Soft rubber flooring and a 225-foot-long bench to put on those shoes after passing through security actually make the quick trip through security relatively pleasant. The 55,000-square-foot Marketplace is located at the juncture of the three concourses and throughways to and from security and baggage claim. The Marketplace features a four-foot-tall grandstand and a 2-foot tall platform for seating or performances and exhibitions, and a dramatic 44-foot-wide ring of LCD monitors suspended by stainless steel cables and visible from all concourses. The Marketplace is home to a majority of the terminal’s nine full service restaurants, bars, and cafes; eight quick-serve eateries; three coffee bars; six bars/lounges and 25 retail stores. You can read more about those venues here. The in-line baggage system efficiently delivers luggage from check-in, screening and sorting to planes, and can process up to 4,000 bags per hour; this also contributes to the terminal’s industry-leading 30-minute plane turnaround time. A new parking garage and the AirTrain are connected to the terminal by a skywalk. Following the renovation of the historic Saarinen terminal, travelers will also have the option of entering through the historic terminal and reaching T5 via two renovated ‘flight tubes.’ photo: Re:Vive food counter terminals at Gate 20

Tags: gensler, jetblue, jfk, terminal 5

Rooftop elegance at mad46: A way to stay outside, despite the cold

2008-10-08T08:23:10-04:00

Word comes from mad46, the sleek new rooftop lounge at The Roosevelt Hotel that “Fall Friendly Nights” at mad46 feature a selection of blankets and pashminas for guests as they take in views of Midtown Manhattan. Guests have a terrific selection of warm cocktails that include an Irish Coffee topped with fresh whipped cream, Hot Chocolate made with Godiva Dark Chocolate and mixed with Bailey’s Irish Cream and a mad46-Toddy hot tea—just to name a few. During this transition from autumn to winter, mad46 also features a Grey Goose Le Citron Indian Summer with a fresh orange wedge, as well as a selection of autumn inspired wines, including samples of Coppola Diamond Claret Pinot Nior and Jacob’s Creek Shiraz — so you'll stay warm even on the chilliest of autumn nights. Mad46 offers some great dishes during happy hour, ranging from Poached Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail served with Absolut infused cocktail sauce to Sing Buri Cashews dusted with flavors reminiscent of a great Thai dish. Mad46 opens its skies Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is available Sunday by request for private parties or receptions. It is accessible to visitors through an exclusive elevator located on the 46th Street entrance at the back of the hotel. Deemed Grand Dame of Madison Avenue since 1924, The Roosevelt Hotel New York City is located right in the thick of things -- steps from Fifth-Avenue shopping. Offering 1,015 guestrooms, its historic heritage is reflected in the meticulously restored interiors, designed to capture the original architecture and offer modern-day amenities.

Tags: mad46, roosevelt hotel

A free hotel room and taxi ride in New York City?

2008-08-28T13:21:02-04:00

Brand Week reports a new promotion by Cole Haan during upcoming Fashion Week in New York. Excerpt:

The New York-based clothing, shoes and accessories company, which is a division of Nike, is using a lucky penny as the centerpiece of its fall 2008 collection and as a symbol to raise consumer awareness of the "Lucky You" effort. Support includes bellybands around covers of September issues in the Condé Nast portfolio of magazines and regional outdoor ads. In New York, some people hailing cabs between Sept. 5-10, when Fashion Week hits the city, will receive similar free fares.

Also in New York, some guests will get free upgrades at participating hotels, including The Alex Hotel, Bryant Park Hotel, Dream Hotel, Time Hotel, Night Hotel, The Chambers Hotel and Hotel Mela. Free meals, drinks and amenities also will happen at participating hotels.

photograph: The Dream Hotel

Tags: bryant park hotel, chambers hotel, dream hotel, free hotel room, hotel mela, night hotel, the alex, time hotel

Hotel Review: The Alex

2008-08-05T14:51:08-04:00

One of the most impressive New York hotels, this 33-story hotel opened in 2004 and is in a great location in the Midtown East area. Within easy walking distance you will find Park Avenue, the United Nations, the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station. The bamboo floors, clean lines, soft velour curtains, and fresh orchids give a serene ambience to the 203 spacious guestrooms. In keeping with the hotel's modern feeling, all rooms include 30-inch flat-screen TVs and DVD players. The Alex consistently gets rave reviews for the generous size of its rooms and suites; the comfortable beds, the tasteful furnishings, the hi-tech amenities, and the bathrooms. It represents a great value in this price category. Also the hotel's restaurant Riingo gets rave reviews for its cuisine by star chef Marcus Samuelsson, who also runs top restaurant Aquavit. To book this hotel, click here! Additional information about the Alex Hotel: Nearby Attractions • Chrysler Building (0.17 miles) • Grand Central Terminal and Station (0.25 miles) • Whitney Museum of American Art at Altria (0.29 miles) • United Nations (0.36 miles) • Municipal Art Society (0.39 miles) • St. Patrick's Cathedral (0.4 miles) • Mexican Cultural Institute of New York (0.42 miles) • Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America (0.42 miles) • New York Public Library (0.44 miles) • Diamond District (0.44 miles) • Nintendo World (0.5 miles) • Christie's Inc. Auction House (0.51 miles) • Top of the Rock (0.51 miles) • Rockefeller Center (0.53 miles) • Morgan Library and Museum (0.53 miles) • Museum of Television and Radio (0.56 miles) • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (0.57 miles) • Sony Wonder Technology Lab (0.57 miles) • International Center of Photography (0.59 miles) • Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) (0.61 miles)

Tags: aquavit, midtown east, new york hotels, riingo, the alex

Hotel Review: The Dream Hotel

2008-07-24T14:18:33-04:00

This 13-story hotel provides 208 guestrooms and 20 suites, all whimsically modern and luxurious. Tech-savvy amenities include Bose radios, 37-inch plasma televisions with digital cable, laptop-compatible in-room safes, high- speed Internet access and pre-loaded iPods. Other amenities include high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, ultra-plush feather duvets, Cashmere bathrobes and complimentary overnight shoeshine service. A glass elevator in the center of the lobby takes guests below ground to the Chopra Center New York, which provides Ayurvedic healing arts as taught by Deepak Chopra. Dream's rooftop lounge, Ava, named after movie star Ava Gardner, is an eclectic mix of 1950s retro and French Riviera styles. With sculpted walls, bench seats and black-and-white floors, the lounge includes a wood-planked seasonal terrace offering panoramic views. Dream is also home to Serafina, a Fellini-inspired restaurant designed by the Rockwell Group and featuring upscale Italian cuisine. Also available is Subconscious, a subterranean lounge with a labyrinth of alcoves, and Epernay and Lobby Bar, a vibrant lobby space designed by architect Mark Zeff. Room service is available 24 hours, and Dream provides express check-out, valet parking and a modern meeting/screening room for up 200 people. Other hotel amenities and services at Dream include a 24-hour fitness center, unparalleled concierge service, complimentary newspapers, turndown service, same-day laundry service, personal shopping services and pet-friendly rooms. To book this hotel, click here! Additional information about the Dream Hotel: Nearby Attractions • Ed Sullivan Theater (0.09 miles) • NYC's Visitor Information Center (0.14 miles) • Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall (0.15 miles) • Time Warner Center (0.27 miles) • American Folk Art Museum (0.33 miles) • Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) (0.34 miles) • Museum of Biblical Art (0.38 miles) • Museum of Television and Radio (0.39 miles) • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (0.4 miles) • World of Disney (0.4 miles) • Rockefeller Center (0.41 miles) • Top of the Rock (0.44 miles) • Christie's Inc. Auction House (0.45 miles) • Horse & Carriage Rides (0.45 miles) • Nintendo World (0.46 miles) • Sony Wonder Technology Lab (0.5 miles) • Dahesh Museum (0.5 miles) • Diamond District (0.53 miles) • St. Patrick's Cathedral (0.55 miles) • Municipal Art Society (0.55 miles)

Tags: dream hotel, serafina

Hotel Review: The Michelangelo Hotel

2007-06-11T13:05:38-04:00

Travel and Leisure named this hotel one of the greatest in the world, and the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List cited it as worldwide one of the best places to stay. The Michelangelo offers complimentary Italian Buon Di breakfasts of espresso, cappuccino, tea and Italian pastries. The recently-opened Insieme restaurant features authentic cuisine, and the intimate Lobby Lounge serves cocktails and liqueurs. The multilingual concierge staff is adept at landing tickets to Broadway shows and reservations at top restaurants. The Michelangelo shuttles guests to Wall Street each morning in the hotel's limo during select hours. The Michelangelo Hotel is one block from Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. Broadway's bright lights and Carnegie Hall are five blocks from the property. Central Park is eight blocks away. Decorated in neoclassical, Art Deco or country French styles, the Michelangelo's 178 guestrooms average 475 square feet and feature Bose stereo systems, CD players and high-speed Internet access. Bathrooms in camel-colored tiles feature Frette Italian bathrobes, Bulgari bath products, 55-gallon soaking tubs and televisions. Nightly turndown service includes Baci chocolates on each pillow. Bringing an "oasis of calm" to the edge of Times Square, the Michelangelo invites guests to the look and feel of an Italia villa. Graced in pink, Italian marble, the lobby features large palm ferns, Italian furnishings, and 18th-century paintings. To book this hotel, click here! Additional information about the Michelangelo Hotel: Nearby Attractions • Ed Sullivan Theater (0.15 miles) • American Folk Art Museum (0.26 miles) • Top of the Rock (0.26 miles) • Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) (0.27 miles) • Christie's Inc. Auction House (0.27 miles) • Nintendo World (0.27 miles) • Museum of Television and Radio (0.28 miles) • Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall (0.31 miles) • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (0.32 miles) • International Center of Photography (0.39 miles) • NASDAQ (0.39 miles) • Municipal Art Society (0.42 miles) • Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum (0.46 miles) • Sony Wonder Technology Lab (0.47 miles) • Times Square (0.47 miles) • Time Warner Center (0.49 miles) • Dahesh Museum (0.5 miles) • Horse & Carriage Rides (0.52 miles)

Tags: insieme restaurant, michelangelo hotel, radio city music hall, rockefeller center

Hotel Review: The Rockefeller Center Hotel

2007-06-08T14:43:56-04:00

The new Rockefeller Center Hotel has an unusual combination of features including instant check in and check out, complimentary use of a computer/printer and high speed Internet access, fitness options, state-of-the-art guestrooms with flat panel HD LCD TVs with media panel, ergonomic work stations, custom designed furnishings, and latest bedding with down filled duvets and pillow-top mattresses. Located just steps away from Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Fifth Avenue shopping, hotel guests clearly profit from its unique location. Discounts are provided to many area attractions, including MoMA, Top of the Rock, NBC Studios and Experience Shop and the Rockefeller Center Tour. What's more, the guestrooms are New York's newest in design, comfort and technology. And ride 'em cowboy: the in-house restaurant Johnny Utah's, dubbed the urban cowboy experience, features cuisine of the Southwest and Manhattan's only mechanical bull ride. To book this hotel, click here! Additional information about the Rockefeller Center Hotel: Nearby Attractions • Museum of Television and Radio (0.05 miles) • American Folk Art Museum (0.08 miles) • Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) (0.08 miles) • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (0.1 miles) • Top of the Rock (0.12 miles) • Christie's Auction House (0.13 miles) • Nintendo World (0.15 miles) • Rockefeller Center (0.18 miles) • Municipal Art Society (0.19 miles) • Sony Wonder Technology Lab (0.26 miles) • Dahesh Museum (0.31 miles) • Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall (0.34 miles) • Ed Sullivan Theater (0.35 miles) • Horse & Carriage Rides (0.39 miles) • International Center of Photography (0.4 miles) • NASDAQ (0.49 miles) • Grand Central Terminal and Station (0.55 miles) • Times Square (0.56 miles) • New York Public Library (0.57 miles)

Tags: johnny utahs, nbc studios, radio city music hall, rockefeller center hotel, top of the rock

Hotel Review: The New York Palace

2007-05-22T17:51:13-04:00

The New York Palace is an independently-managed luxury hotel that provides an elegant oasis of privacy gracefully blending the landmark 1882 Villard Houses with a contemporary 55 story tower. Located at 50th Street and Madison Avenue, The New York Palace Hotel is in the heart of midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Central Park, the business districts and world class shopping on Fifth and Madison Avenues. The Palace is known for its luxurious accommodations, spectacular views, spacious rooms and unparalleled service. Do not be surprised to bump into heads of state or rock stars here. Every one of the 897 guest rooms feature high speed Internet access and the hotel also offers a versatile choice of meeting and conference spaces. A well-equipped business center and an extensive spa & fitness center round out the ammenities. The hotel offers contemporary dining in Istana and light snacks and drinks in the historic Villard Bar & Lounge. The oval shaped Villard Ballroom provides a stunning venue for business and social occasions and is complemented by a range of attractive and versatile meeting space on the second, fifth and 39th floors. The 7,000 square foot Spa & Fitness Center features the latest in cardiovascular equipment, as well as a range of relaxing massage and spa treatments, for both men and women. For luxurious accommodations, the New York Palace is one of the finest addresses. To book this hotel, click here! Additional information about the New York Palace: Nearby Attractions • Bloomingdale's (0.24 miles) • Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (0.28 miles) • Museum of American Illustration (0.44 miles) • Dahesh Museum (0.45 miles) • Sony Wonder Technology Lab (0.45 miles) • Municipal Art Society (0.54 miles) • Horse & Carriage Rides (0.56 miles) • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (0.59 miles) • Museum of Television and Radio (0.63 miles) • Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) (0.64 miles) • American Folk Art Museum (0.65 miles) • Rockefeller Center (0.67 miles) • Americas Society (0.7 miles) • Top of the Rock (0.72 miles) • United Nations (0.73 miles) • Christie's Inc. Auction House (0.73 miles) • Nintendo World (0.74 miles) • Chrysler Building (0.74 miles) • Asia Society (0.78 miles) • Grand Central Terminal and Station (0.79 miles)

Tags: Madison Avenue, New York Palace, Villard Bar