New York City Hotel Tips by brewjohnson

m127 Residences: Incredible Vacation Rentals

OMG. The m127 Residences are incredible. These are huge, beautifully decorated, super-stylish condos that were originally developed to be sold as condos, but since the real estate market deteriorated, the owners decided to turn them into luxury vacation rentals. I can't tell you how nice these places are. Some highlights:

1. Each unit has dedicated access via elevator (you get in the elevator at the bottom, you wave your key, and when the elevator opens, you're at your unit).
2. My unit was 2 bedrooms, with a huge modern kitchen, a huge sitting area and windows looking out onto Madison Ave., and 2 huge, beautiful bathrooms.
3. The decor is seriously stylish and modern (very high end).
4. Unlike most vacation rentals, the m127 residences are loccated next door to the Hotel Roger Williams (a very nice, boutique hotel) and staying at m127 permits you to use the hotel's facilities (gym, concierge, breakfast, check-in, etc.).

That last point is a big plus. Unlike other vacation rentals, if you need something, if something goes wrong, etc., you can call down or walk over to the front desk of the hotel. That's huge.

This is one of the coolest places I've stayed in New York.

Unique Qualities: Everything. Huge space. Super stylish. Amazing place.

Address: 127 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Basically on the corner of 31st and Madison Avenue.

Other Contact: reservations@cardinalresidences.

Phone: (877) 873-6127

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.cardinalresidences.com/m127/index.html

Shoreham Hotel: Good price for a great location Shoreham Hotel Review

I have stayed at the Shoreham twice. Both were last minute bookings and the prices were very reasonable compared to other hotels of similar class. This is an older hotel that was renovated in the past several years. The result is tiny rooms and bathrooms (common of older hotels) that have been hip-i-fied, so to speak, with hip/modern amenities. I'd describe the Shoreham as a poor man's W, complete with a stylish bar/restaurant on the ground floor or, perhaps because of the size of the rooms, it might be better to describe it as a W in miniature. I should note that I may have gotten tiny rooms as the result of my very good rates. I should also add that, even though the rooms were tiny, they suited my needs perfectly.

The Shoreham's location is the real winner - a few blocks from Central Park on 55th St., between 5th and 6th Avenues. It's a couple doors down from two of the city's finest hotels: The Peninsula and St. Regis, so you you can pay 1/10th the price of these grand dame's, and walk over for a drink when you want to experience the posh life.

Unique Qualities: Very good location.

Address: 33 West 55th Street, New York City, New York, 10019, United States

Comparison: about average

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

The Peninsula New York: One of the world's finest The Peninsula New York Review

One of the finest hotels in the world. Everything about this hotel screams class and money. The rooms are incredible, the lobby is beautiful, and the rooftop bar is one of my favorite places in the city to grab a drink (it's a martini kind of spot). I pretty much love everything about this hotel, from the amazing pillows (I love them so much, I ordered some for myself), super high-threadcount sheets, amazing service, and even the Lindt truffles at the reception desk.

The only drawback to The Peninsula: you may have to mortgage your house to pay for a night here. But if you can splurge, this is a place to do it.

and even if you can't afford to spend an night here, pop in, head up to the rooftop bar and rub elbows with the elite. There's nothing like having a drink in the open air, with skyscrapers all around. The views up and down 5th Avenue, with all the traffic lights leading to central park is fantastic.

Unique Qualities: One of the classiest hotels in New York (and the world).

Address: 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street, New York City, New York, 10019, United States

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: 55th St. and 5th Avenue (4 blocks south of Central Park)

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Hotel Roger Williams: An Unexpected Find Hotel Roger Williams Review

I consider myself a well-informed traveler, especially when it comes to good places to stay in places like New York, yet I had never heard of the Hotel Roger Williams. I'm very surprised I hadn't. This is a very, very nice boutique hotel. Very well appointed and stylish, with a nice free breakfast, incredibly helpful and thoughtful staff, and an interesting location (31st street and Madison Avenue) in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan. It's close to Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building, SoHo, the Fashion District, Union Square, Park Avenue, and the West Village. During my last stay, I only had a few hours to be a tourist after some meetings. I walked out of the hotel about 5 blocks south to Madison Square Park where I got a great view of the famous flatiron buidling, walked 1 block west and turned north (right) up 5th Avenue, where I walked all the way to Central Park. During my few hour jaunt, I walked by the aforementioned Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building, the New York City Public Library, Rockefeller Center, numerous famous stores (Cartier, Tiffany's, Saks 5th Avenue, etc.), and ended at Central Park. Along the way, I popped into The Peninsula for a couple of drinks on their rooftop bar (a great place to grab a drink amidst the skyscrapers), and could have easily hit the MOMA. All in all, one of the better bangs for your tourist bangs for your buck you could get in NYC.

The Hotel Roger Williams has a lot to offer and seems to be a great choice of tourists and business people, alike.

Unique Qualities: Very helpful and courteous staff. Very interesting location.

Address: 131 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Murray Hill. On the corner of Madison Avenue and 31st Street.

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Hotel Gansevoort: Quite a scene in the Meatpacking District Hotel Gansevoort Review

The Gansevoort is one of the hipper hotels in New York and a phenomenal place to stay if you want easy access (as in, a 2 minute walk) to fantastic restaurants, bars and clubs. the rooms here are not worth what you pay for them, in my opinion, but that's not the point. You stay at the Gansevoort for the rooftop pool and bars, the people and celebrity watching potential, and the fact that you can stumble to any number of New York hotspots right out the front door... great restaurants like Pastis, Budakan, STK, Fig & Olive, as well as many great bars.

While I prefer other hotels in the City, the Gansevoort's location makes it a very good bet for anyone who wants to pretend their a celebrity and indulge in a full hipster New York experience.

Unique Qualities: Rooftop pool and bar. Great locaton.

Address: 18 9th Avenue, At 13th Street, New York City, New York, 10014, United States

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Meatpacking District

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

The Standard New York: Great location The Standard New York Review

While I've been disappointed with my stays at the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles, one thing they always seem to do right is have good locations with great bars to grab a drink. While I did not stay at the Standard in New York and only had drinks and appetizers in the Standard Grill's bar, like other Standard's, the location is superb (within walking distance of great restaurants and bars in the Meatpacking District) and the bar at the Standard Grill is a phenomenal place for a drink (a very atmospheric place for a drink on a cold winter night).

Unique Qualities: Great location and restaurant/bar that is quite a scene for an after-work cocktail.

Address: 848 Washington Street, at West 13th Street, New York City, New York, 10014, United States

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Meatpacking District

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel