Originally Posted by MDtR-Chicago

Part 1: Advice on stay - work @ Lincoln Center

Will be in town in May for a multi-day work event at Lincoln Center with my wife. Rates are even higher than the usual extortion so our choices within budget are limited.

She very much wants to stay somewhere "hip, trendy" - not a cookie-cutter property, which is making this even more difficult. And an upgrade of any sort would seem to be unlikely as I've dropped to Silver.

Based on that, the only Manhattan properties that are within budget are the FS Marriott Downtown or East Side. From this thread, it sounds like both are decent enough but neither is especially "hip". Both look like they aren't well located for either Lincoln Center or any sort of night life, though I don't really know NY very well. (Also looking at Hyatt but with them, only the Andaz Wall Street will work for $.)

Are any of those properties a good fit? Or should I just priceline something around the Times Square area and hope for the best? Thanks for any advice...

Part 2: Stay report at Fairfield Chelsea

Was there about a month ago. Overall a good stay. Location was good to walk to an event near Penn Station, was quiet enough, and everything in good condition. Ended up staying in an accessible room so I could check in (very) early and I'm not sure how someone in a wheelchair would actually be able to use the bathroom. But otherwise it was fine. Somehow, I stayed on a Monday night and the rate was only $116. It's well worth that rate, though I'm not so enthusiastic at the $459 (!!!) they're asking this time. (That has to be a record-setting rate for a FI.)