Live in New Orleans work in NYC. I fly out Monday mornings return home late on Thursday evening. I stay in hotels during the week. I work on actuals, not per diem, which would be next to impossible in NYC. Eating and sleeping is expensive here. Work for a major consulting firm and my client is a very large financial services firm. Between my client's negotiated hotel rates and my firm's negotiated hotels I have tried out (or will try out) most of the nice hotels in the city. I bore easily so I like to move around from week to week, even if it means longer commutes to the client site. Some hotels have better gyms and some have better restaurant selections. For example, the W Union Square has great restaurant choices around the hotel but it's gym is in the basement which I find claustrophobic. However the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park has a harbour view spa with really nice cardio and free weights but there is NOTHING around the hotel.

I have been on the road in different locations for the last 6 years and love it. You have to be independent. Not every location is a winner. I have been in Hartford, CT; Addison, TX; Parsippany, NJ to name a few of the less desirable locations.