New York City Hotel Tips by pchamlis

The Muse Hotel was recommended to me by a business associate. A reserved and tasteful hotel in the heart of NYC's theater district, the Muse offers a personable, efficient and not-overly-visible staff and management, coupled with very large, comfortable and well-appointed rooms.

This stay was in conjunction with our 24th wedding anniversary. The staff knew this, and went to extra lengths to insure that we had an outstanding short holiday. In fact, they "accidently" overbooked the number of junior suites at the time we were scheduled to visit, and then mysteriously announced that they'd just "have to let us upgrade to the deluxe suite for no additional money". It pays to be on good terms with the concierge. (Thanks, Lauren!)

Unique Qualities: Classy and yet understated. The Muse is softly-lit and done in an elegant and muted scheme of color and polished hardwoods. In short, it's the very definition of refined.

Among the best points of the Muse, with respect to neighboring and competing properties would be the size of its rooms. NYC is not noted for being a town featuring large hotel rooms without an astronomical pricetag. The Muse advertises that its rooms are 100-250 square feet larger than comparable quarters in the district, and its true.

The Muse also has a PERFECT location, couldn't be better for seeing Broadway shows, and hanging around Times Square.

The staff is top-notch. They solve every problem immediately, and yet they seem to disappear when you DON'T need them. To me that is perfect service. They don't get in the way, but meet every need easily.

And last, the Muse isn't a large chain hotel. It's quieter and less-crowded. Civilized would be an excellent choice of adjective when describing the Muse.

Summing up, let's go with Classy and civilized. : )

Oh, and one more thing... if you'd like to have a few drinks or beers, but not stray far from the hotel, there's an Irish bar next door. Go to the upstairs area, get your drinks and then try to secure yourself a seat on the small balcony. It's a great place to watch the street fun unfold below you...which is always extra-entertaining after you've had a few drinks.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: 130 West 46th Street
Directions: Just a couple of blocks west of the Times Square intersection
Website: www.themusehotel.com

For more information on the Muse Hotel in general, please see my separate tip.

However, if you do stay at the Muse, I'd inquire as to the possibility of booking a suite. The Hotel has both junior and deluxe suites that are cavernous, especially compared to similar properties in NYC.

I will admit that they don't "give" these suites away, although they sometimes give nice upgrades to friendly 24th honeymooner couples. (see my other Muse tip for a hint as to what I might be talking about) But dollar for dollar, a suite at the Muse is as good as it gets without being a zillionaire.

Unique Qualities: The Muse suites feature large screen TVs, marble bathrooms, exercise equipment in-suite, huge double-sided armoires, plenty of closet space and CD sound systems for each room.

Like all of the Muse's rooms, they're quiet, tastefully decorated and well-maintained. Understated, classy and very very civilized. : )

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: 130 W. 46th Street, New York, NY

We didn't actually stay at this hotel. We stayed across the street at the Muse. (see other tips) But in the interest of service to VTers worldwide, I decided to check out this Comfort Inn to see if it were a lower-priced alternative for those seeking lodging in the theater district of NYC.

Unique Qualities: Again, we didn't stay here. But, I visited the hotel and asked to see a room. The staff was very friendly and accomodating, and seemed very happy to have me considering their property for any future trips to the city.

The rooms were of average NYC size, and were clean and comfortable. Staying at the Comfort Inn Midtown wouldn't be the sort of thing you told your grandchildren about someday, but if your goal is to "do Broadway" without dropping $400+ per night for a room, this is a darned good choice.

I would stay here, and I am actually kind of picky about hotels. I recommend the Comfort Inn Midtown without any hesitation.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212.221.2600
Address: 129 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Website: www.choicehotels.com/stay/northeast
Other Contact: 866.446.6900

Quite simply, THE best deal in midtown Manhattan....

You get a two bedroom apartment (OK, one bedroom is really the living room with a pullout sofa, a good one that doesn't hurt your back), a full kitchen, a nice bathroom with a big tub and strong shower. You also get a doorman, peace and quiet, and a chance to keep a few of your dollars when you leave NYC. : )

The kicker is that it needs to be an extended stay, seven days or more. At that point, it costs you about $200 per night. If you stay longer, it's even less.

Unique Qualities: A very comfortable and spacious place to stay in midtown Manhattan for only $200 per night. Rare? The government out to put it on one of those endangered lists, right up there with all the really good deepwater fish. ; )

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 350 West 50th Street, NYC
Directions: Right at the edge of the theater district in midtown Manhattan. It's on 50th street, between 8th and 9th avenues.
Website: www.bigapplegetaway.com

We were in town for a long weekend, to see some Broadway shows. As the traveling party was me, my wife and my daughter, we were looking for some additional space without hopefully having to buy another room. The Doubletree Times Square was an adequate choice.

While not having quite the same space in their King suites as most other Doubletrees, we did pretty well right at Times Square for under $300 a night.

The entrance is small portal right at 47th street west and 7th avenue. NOTE, in spite of the hotel's listed Broadway address, it is on 7th avenue, NOT BROADWAY. :) Once you go into the small entryway, you'll proceed past security and the elevators to the desk on the 3rd floor. The hotel itself has about 40 floors, and is well sound-proofed to the streets below.

Unique Qualities: Typical Doubletree, although a little less room space.

A good choice for "two room" comfort in Manhattan, though.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: 1568 Broadway, 47th Street And 7th Avenue, New York

I stayed at the Paramount hotel recently (2007) during the Book Expo America convention in NYC. The Paramount was a place that we got a good deal via priceline.

The thing about the Paramount is that it's just a little "off center", a little bit "nutty". If you say zig, they want to zag, so to speak. The decor is very moody, lots of candles amid austere cement walls. The furnishings, both in the lobby and in the rooms, is just a bit strange. In my photos, please notice the lobby chair embroidered with a Rottweiler snarling. Hmmm, not sure about that. I guess it's one of those artistic things that I just don't quite get.

In the rooms, they have black and white carpet, patterned in large checks. The bathroom sink is a strange looking large metal cylinder item. On the plus side, the older fashion shower and tub must have been installed before the water police took over.... plenty of water pressure, and LOTS of nice, hot water. Yes.

The beds are set lower to the floor, and the headboards are done as sideways "gallery picture frames". Again, just a little bit nutty.

There are four elevators, all featuring a different lighting color scheme. It's tough to see the buttons in the blue elevator. Again, a little bit nutty.

Summing up, the Paramount is reasonably comfortable. The front desk is helpful and friendly. And the location in the 200 block of W 46th Street is great, just off Times Square. It's not my first choice of a hotel in Midtown West, but it'll do.

Unique Qualities: Crazy room decor, and even crazier lobby decor. (See photos below)

Comfortable rooms with GREAT soundproofing...you barely hear the street. And, you don't hear a thing from the thump-thump woofers in the bar at lobby level.

Speaking of bars, there are two. The lobby level bar is done in all black, with colored tissue and colored light accents. There is also a lot of chalk writing all over the walls with strange messages of some kind. The sound system kicks butt, sounds really good...they play a nice variety of good rock and 80s stuff. The Police, Simple Minds, Gwen Stefani, etc. And amazingly, you CAN'T hear the noise in your room.

There is also a more sedate bar on the mezzanine level, and you can also get food. Morning breakfast can happen at this location as well, although I never partook.

As with most Manhatten hotels, there isn't enough room in the rooms. But the Paramount gets a big plus for having strong water pressure and lots of hot water. :)

Bell hops are especially helpful and pleasant.

The Paramount does have WiFi, but as you'd expect in NYC, it's ridiculously priced at $15.95 per day. THE BIGGEST REASON to skip buying WiFi is that it is the "b" band version, not the higher speed and effectiveness "g" version. I found it only a little bit better than a good dialup for my purposes. Go around the corner and hit Starbucks with your lappie if you need to hit the 'net.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: (212) 764-5500
Address: 235 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Directions: West 46th street, north side of the street, between 7th and 8th avenues
Website: www.paramountnyc.com