Luxury Hotels In New York
I usually plan a trip for our anniversary and my birthday first half of September. This year - I don't have any "must go" place in mind - so I'm simply exploring big cities with lots of attractions - excellent dining - etc. Am running into booking problems with some (like Toronto has its International Film Festival that week). And - in New York - although the UN General Assembly doesn't start until 9/15 - and I can leave on 9/14 - some hotels (like the MO) are blocking out rooms for UN people a day or two in advance (although perhaps my travel agent can do something about that).
Before I decide to return to the Four Seasons - I wonder what people think of some other hotels in New York? Note that I need a smoking room - and some of the hotels that came up on my list of "smoking allowed" hotels were the St. Regis (have stayed there before - didn't like it) - The Carlyle - The Mark - The Mercer - The Peninsula - The Pierre (haven't stayed there since it was renovated) - and the Lowell. Would prefer to be in mid-town - but am somewhat flexible. And - if anyone knows - how much of a zoo is it in New York a day or two before the UN circus comes to town? Robyn P.S. I want to make this a pretty easy trip - so - right now - I am only looking into north America. |
We were in NYC during the UN circus in 2011. It wasn't a big deal. Our drive from the airport took a bit longer, and we noticed security vans an personnel around some of the luxury hotels as we walked.
Anita |
Originally Posted by robyng
(Post 17839013)
I usually plan a trip for our anniversary and my birthday first half of September. This year - I don't have any "must go" place in mind - so I'm simply exploring big cities with lots of attractions - excellent dining - etc. Am running into booking problems with some (like Toronto has its International Film Festival that week). And - in New York - although the UN General Assembly doesn't start until 9/15 - and I can leave on 9/14 - some hotels (like the MO) are blocking out rooms for UN people a day or two in advance (although perhaps my travel agent can do something about that).
Before I decide to return to the Four Seasons - I wonder what people think of some other hotels in New York? Note that I need a smoking room - and some of the hotels that came up on my list of "smoking allowed" hotels were the St. Regis (have stayed there before - didn't like it) - The Carlyle - The Mark - The Mercer - The Peninsula - The Pierre (haven't stayed there since it was renovated) - and the Lowell. Would prefer to be in mid-town - but am somewhat flexible. And - if anyone knows - how much of a zoo is it in New York a day or two before the UN circus comes to town? Robyn P.S. I want to make this a pretty easy trip - so - right now - I am only looking into north America. Having said that, the newly renovated Pierre has gotten good reviews and the location is about as central as possible. I've stayed at the Plaza Athenee on 64th before and thought it was lovely. I believe they have smoking rooms as well, and many of the suites have balconies. I also love the Trump, though it might not be to your taste. |
The Mercer in Soho is in a considerably different location than the others you are considering on the upper east side or Midtown. That block of Soho is a shopping mecca for tourists especially on the weekend. I have stayed at the Mercer, and though it has a groovy restaurant downstairs and very friendly staff, the noise insulation between the streetfront shops and the hotel rooms above them was a problem for me. If you want to be in that area of NYC, you should consider the Crosby St instead. The rooms are small but very well designed with huge windows.
Of the uptown ones you mention, I prefer the Mark even though the lobby gives me vertigo. I also have friends that rave about the Surrey which is nearby but I have not stayed there. |
I love The Carlyle and have stayed there frequently. But next time I am in NYC I plan to try the Lowell or the Surrey. Perhaps the Carlyle and the Surrey are too far uptown for you, though?
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Originally Posted by akp
(Post 17839151)
We were in NYC during the UN circus in 2011. It wasn't a big deal. Our drive from the airport took a bit longer, and we noticed security vans an personnel around some of the luxury hotels as we walked.
Anita FWIW - we happened to be in Manhattan on 9/11 (day after our 30th anniversary) - and I reckon I will never see the kind of security in a luxury hotel that I saw then. Robyn |
Originally Posted by nba1017
(Post 17839159)
Since you're really just looking for an easy trip to a good city, i'll throw out Chicago as an alternative. Much cheaper, often better, hotels with most of the comparable culture, food, and activity of New York.
Having said that, the newly renovated Pierre has gotten good reviews and the location is about as central as possible. I've stayed at the Plaza Athenee on 64th before and thought it was lovely. I believe they have smoking rooms as well, and many of the suites have balconies. I also love the Trump, though it might not be to your taste. Will look into the Plaza Athenee and the "new" Pierre. Have stayed at the Trump before - and now it is 100% non-smoking (think all Trump properties - at least in North America - even the one in Las Vegas - are non-smoking now - including the one in Chicago). Our last trip to Chicago - we stayed at the Four Seasons Four Seasons (I'm pretty sure I did a review of that hotel here). Robyn |
For me, it's the timeless classic St. Regis. If you have Starwood status, it's even better, but even without status a suite at the St. Regis is the classy way to go.
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Originally Posted by gastropub76
(Post 17839355)
The Mercer in Soho is in a considerably different location than the others you are considering on the upper east side or Midtown. That block of Soho is a shopping mecca for tourists especially on the weekend. I have stayed at the Mercer, and though it has a groovy restaurant downstairs and very friendly staff, the noise insulation between the streetfront shops and the hotel rooms above them was a problem for me. If you want to be in that area of NYC, you should consider the Crosby St instead. The rooms are small but very well designed with huge windows.
Of the uptown ones you mention, I prefer the Mark even though the lobby gives me vertigo. I also have friends that rave about the Surrey which is nearby but I have not stayed there. |
Originally Posted by Baghoarder
(Post 17839537)
I love The Carlyle and have stayed there frequently. But next time I am in NYC I plan to try the Lowell or the Surrey. Perhaps the Carlyle and the Surrey are too far uptown for you, though?
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Originally Posted by stimpy
(Post 17840201)
For me, it's the timeless classic St. Regis. If you have Starwood status, it's even better, but even without status a suite at the St. Regis is the classy way to go.
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That week isn't too bad as long as you avoid the UN area and Park Avenue (especially around the Waldorf) and allow some extra time to get to the airport.
As far as hotels go, I stayed at the Pierre this past spring in a one-bedroom suite, with no view. The room was nice and very comfortable, and I got a pretty good deal through Amex FHR. I did not use the spa, but the gym was very nice. I would say the front desk was a little off, and since there are often events in the ballroom, the lobby can be busy in the evenings (pro or con, depending). I will say that the restaurant in the hotel was awful, but they are supposedly bringing in a new one, just not sure when. I have also stayed at the Surrey. It was fine, nothing to write home about. I really like the RC CP, especially the lounge, but have not stayed there since 2006. Also, that time of the year is I think fashion week, so you may want to avoid the MO and Trump, since that is near Lincoln Center where a lot of shows are. |
Originally Posted by robyng
(Post 17839013)
And - if anyone knows - how much of a zoo is it in New York a day or two before the UN circus comes to town?
NY during UN: A total disaster. I wouldn't consider it. And DON'T GO TO THE Plaza when the UN is in session. They can't handle 100% occupancy. |
There is only one St. Regis. Essex House is a Jumeirah property. The two are geographically close by, but that is the only aspect in which they are similar. The St Regis blows the EH out in every other respect, other than the views of Central Park in some of the EH rooms.
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Originally Posted by edrags
(Post 17841905)
There is only one St. Regis. Essex House is a Jumeirah property.
1932-1946 reconstruction finance corporation 1946-1969 sterling national bank and trust 1969-1985 Marriott Essex House 1985-1999 Essex House Hotel Nikko New York 1999-2006 Essex House, A Westin Hotel (501 rooms) 2000-2006 St Regis Essex House (104 rooms on 19th-39th floors :cool:) 2006-xxxx jumeirah essex house there are also 184 condos |
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