Hotel thoughts?

Coming to NYC for our second trip. First time we stayed at the Muse. Enjoyed that but looking something different. Based on TA reviews I%26#39;d really like to stay at the Sofitel. Can%26#39;t find anything better than $350 on Expedia. Can I find a better deal for Sofitel somewhere else? Is it worth the money?

How about Affinia 50 or Affinia Manhattan? They seem to have decent ratings and a little more affordable.

Finally one last question...two years ago the Chelsea was ranked around #5 which is still is at crazy low prices. What%26#39;s the scoop on that place?

Any help you could provide would be appreciated. Dates of travel are Aug 8-12th. Thanks.

Hotel thoughts?

The Fitzpatrick Grand Central gets excellent reviews and is $259 on Quikbook. Hotel Mela, which gets pretty good reviews, is $229 on Quikbook or Orbitz. Orbitz also has the Millennium UN for $229. The Affinia 50%26#39;s $257 on sale on Hotels.com. Just trying to find a few nice places that don%26#39;t break the $300 mark.

If you do want the Sofitel, it is $329 on Hotels.com

Hotel thoughts?

The ';Chelsea'; what. The Chelsea Lodge gets consistant good reviews, the Chelsea Hotel not so good. There are 2 Chelsea Inn%26#39;s that are unrelated to each other, one on 11th ave and one on 17th street, There are a host of other places that have chelsea in their name, like the Hampton Inn - Chelsea and the Chelsea Pines Inn (where I work, so I won%26#39;t make any other comments about it) and the Chelsea Savoy. None of these propeties are related except that they are all in Chelsea, which is a section of the city and very popular to live in and visit. It has a large Gay population, and a large trendy nightlife, as well as many familys. Both Woppie Goldberg and Santa Claus are from Chelsea (Clement Clark Moore who wrote ';twas the night before Christmas'; here). Average hotel prices have jumped in the last few years due to a couple of things, mostly the popularity of the city as a vacation destination and also the weakness of the US$ which makes the city more attractive to foreign guests, driving up demand and prices. Last time I checked the average was getting up to $300/night. The dates you want in August are usually a bit slower, so you could chance priceline, try the hotel websites directyl, or check with all the third party sites (orbitz, travelocity, expedia, hotels.com).

The Sofitel is a lovely hotel in a great location. It%26#39;s considered a 4* hotel while the Affinia%26#39;s are only 3*. The Affinia Manhattan is near Penn STation (not my favorite area of town). The Affinia 50 is on the east side so not as close to the theaters.

Frankly, as I look at some of the crazy prices for August, $350 doesn%26#39;t sound terrible for the Sofitel, esp. if that%26#39;s for a higher floor with a nice view. Kayak.com is a website that scans other websites for best prices. You could have a look there for the Sofitel. Whatever website you use, just make sure you know what the cancelation fees etc. are and confirm your reservation with the hotel before you leave.

Looking on quikbook for your dates, some other things that would interest me

Shelburne Murray Hill (another Affinia on east side near Grand Central) for a studio suite for $241 (no prepayment) or a 1 bedroom for $284

the Blakely (just north of Times Square area) for $259

Millenium UN Plaza (east side great views and rooftop enclosed pool) $259

the Elysee for $295

THE Chelsea Hotel (and there are many with the name Chelsea) is an old historic place where many famous rock and rollers stayed. I doubt it%26#39;s the place you remember that was ranked #5 here. It has been allowed to ';go to pot'; pun intended. It%26#39;s currently in the midst of an awful real estate battle and you don%26#39;t want to go there.

http://www.hotelchelseablog.com/

Thanks for the great info. I%26#39;ll check out all your tips. The Chelsea I was speaking about is actually the Chelsea Lodge which is currently ranked #11 on TA. Not sure if that%26#39;s the same one you were talking about. Thanks, again.

No. Chelsea Lodge is a good budget b %26amp; b with shared bathrooms. They have 3 ';suites'; with private bath but you can%26#39;t really consider that in the same breath as the Sofitel imo. Here%26#39;s the link to the section with private bathrooms

chelsealodgesuites.com

I booked the Sofitel at the end of May on Hotels.com and got it for $289. I can%26#39;t cancel and I%26#39;m not sure if it will be on an upper floor but my daughter and I don%26#39;t care about that.

Had a great stay (and rate - $162+ on Quikbook) at Affinia%26#39;s Eastgate Suites - off the beaten path a bit on E. 39th between 2nd and 3rd but a safe and decent area

The Sofitel is definitely worth the extra money. You may, however, have a better shot at a bargain (or at least an upgrade) if you call them directly (even asking for the ';manager%26#39;s special';). I%26#39;ve had some success with them.

I think the Royalton is still under renovation -- if so, too bad, as it was a great place for a drink right across the street from the Sofitel.

I just stayed at Affinia 50, and it%26#39;s a lovely hotel; really great staff, nice location, plus the room has a kitchen. Very nice accomodations, though I%26#39;ve never stayed at Sofitel to compare. We were very extremely pleased with Affinia 50 though.

We stayed at the Sofitel twice last year. You can%26#39;t beat the location. Fifth avenue on one side and times square on the other.