What NY Hotel to choose from CC?

[timC]

My wife and I are thinking about ditching the kids for a week in July, and go to New York for some theatre, shopping and general sightseeing. Could I have some advice on these hotels from the Concierge Collection?

The Plaza Hotel - Classic 44/night, delux 56 night.
Shelburne Murray Hill - Studio suite 35/night
Eastgate Tower - Studio suite 35/night
?did I miss any?

I'm not sure about availability, and I've never tried the CC before, but I'm leaning toward The Plaza only because of it's fame, but I'm open for comments/suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[Mary Anne]

Speaking as a DVC member and a New Yorker..... pick the Plaza, and there is a THREE STOREY DISNEY STORE right up the street from the Plaza Hotel (55th and Fifth Avenue). You'll be in heaven.

[CaptainMidnight]

There are some excellent room deals in New York, it might not be the time to use points. Friend of my just had reservations at the Crowne Plaza downtown for $120 a night. What's that equivilant to, 12 points?

Bank those points and look for a cash deal. It's not worth the use of points. Even if you rented your points, you'd come out way ahead.

[PamOKW]

I'd go for The Plaza. It's an idea to check rates first, but by July things may be pretty much back to normal for The Plaza.

[Synonymous]

Haven't been to the others, but if you can afford the hefty points, the Plaza is a real treat. Can't beat being right across the street from Central Park. The place is beautiful, the staff is amazing.

[timC]

Thanks everyone.

I think I'm going to check in with MS to findout exact what rooms apply for "Classic" and "Delux". The Plaza has a "delux" room but not "Classic"... There is a "standard" room, but it looks like it's very small.

If the "Delux" is the room size I'm hoping it is, I'll go for it. If not, I think I'll try looking for a rate deal somewhere.

By the way... Are there any tricks in using CC? Do I need to be concerned about booking in advance or anything?

[pentex]

I definitely would check out cash deals first, since poster above is correct...lots of great deals in NYC now. If that doesn't work out, I'd pick the Plaza.

[PKS44]

Check out cash deals through hotel condsolidaters on the internet:

www.quikbook.com

www.hoteldiscounts.com

Best of luck- I love NYC...

[timC]

Thanks PKS44. These look like great links. I'll have to poke around tonite. In the mean time, I checked with MS regarding The Plaza Hotel rates:

The "Classic" is a 290sqft room; rack rate of $304. (44pts)
The "Delux" is a 360sqft room; rack rate of $344. (56pts)

Not sure why the delux has such a high premium over of the classic. I wonder how much the 5000sqft Presidential Suite would go for?

Either way, I'm a DVC member, partly to avoid paying $300+ for luxury accommodations. If I want to stay at The Plaza I guess I'll be using points.

[PamOKW]

Here's a link to The Plaza's site.

The Plaza (http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/AboutHotel/CDHotelHomePage/0,2993,property%25255Fseq%253D100122,00.html)

[PKS44]

"The "Classic" is a 290sqft room; rack rate of $304. (44pts)
The "Delux" is a 360sqft room; rack rate of $344. (56pts) "

So if you can rent out your points for $7 a point - a low rate at which I suspect you would have many offers, you could turn around and pay cash for the RACK RATE in the deluxe room and still have enough left over to buy a nice dinner for your self. (or pocket) At $8-$10 per point you can get yourself theater tickets and dinner...

Just a thought...

Paul

[timC]

Thanks Paul... I'll have to look into the renting idea. Doing the math, The Plaza is basically giving me about $6.14/pt based on the rack rate. Not a good deal.

[PKS44]

Actually it is even worse than that because you also have to chip in $75 for any Concierge Collection transaction, so that drops the value even more...

Paul

[doubletrouble_vb]

Has anyone stayed at the OTHER hotel? One tends to think Plaza because that's so New York & also because you can say you stayed there...but the other place could easily be as nice just not well known.

And...I agree with everyone who is saying pay cash...here's a website for you www.redwhiteandblue.com This was set up after 9/11

[PamOKW]

Here's a link to the other hotels' descriptions. I have not stayed at the Shelburne Murray Hill but I'm familiar with it on the outside. It is a perfectly fine, safe place to stay for a NYC trip. It is not far from Grand Central Terminal. It is in primarily a business/residential area but you can easily get to the more touristy areas. It is a "suite" set up -- really more like staying in a rented apartment -- than the luxury hotel The Plaza is.

Shelburne (http://www.mesuite.com/6_8_she_overview.cfm)

Eastgate Tower (http://www.mesuite.com/6_4_eas_overview.cfm)

These two hotels are part of the same group. If you click on the Home it will take you to the listing of all their properties.

[M&Mwish]

I have stayed at the Shelburne three times and I love it. The previous post is correct -- it is like a small NYC apartment, not a luxury hotel. The Shelburne is clean, in a great neighborhood and has a great staff. There is a restaurent ( I haven't tried it_) and there is a gym on premises that is terrific.

I have also stayed at two of the other hotels in the Manattan Suites East collection. You will not be disappointed!

[M&Mwish]

Oops! I mean restaurant.