My daughter and I spent three nights in NYC during Christmas week, and used our points to stay at the Shelburne Murray Hill, between Lexington and 37th.
I was a bit leery at first, having only used points about three years ago to stay at the Plaza - but was pleasantly surprised by the SBMH hotel.
We had a one bedroom unit - which had a relatively spacious living area (spacious by NYC standards), a little kitchen, a large bathroom and a huge master bedroom. The LR couch pulls out and sleeps two, and you can also ask for a cot (which would fit in the room rather comfortably). We had great views of the Chrysler building - and even got to experience snow for the first time in about 7 years
The hotel is older, but clean and very well kept. Service was excellent - the doorman was a comedian (and we needed the laughs!) - and overall it was a great experience. The location is wonderful - just a few blocks from major shopping on Madison, Park and 5th - and a hop, skip and a jump from the Empire State Building and Grand Central.
There are many good restaurants very close to the hotel - which is an advantage because the hotel restaurant (called 'Rare') was of mediocre quality and overpriced. My recommendations: try The Black Sheep on Madison for the look and feel of an Irish pub - with decent prices and delicious food. There's also a little Japanese place around the corner from the hotel that was great, and my teenaged daughter and her cousin loved dinner at the Jekyll & Hyde club on 6th ave/55th.
All in all a great experience. If you cannot get ressies at the Plaza for your NYC trips, the Shelburne Murray Hill will suffice. While the hotel lacks the pizzaz of the Plaza, it is certainly an option for those who are looking for something practical, safe and clean
Happy New Year
Lisa
I was a bit leery at first, having only used points about three years ago to stay at the Plaza - but was pleasantly surprised by the SBMH hotel.
We had a one bedroom unit - which had a relatively spacious living area (spacious by NYC standards), a little kitchen, a large bathroom and a huge master bedroom. The LR couch pulls out and sleeps two, and you can also ask for a cot (which would fit in the room rather comfortably). We had great views of the Chrysler building - and even got to experience snow for the first time in about 7 years
The hotel is older, but clean and very well kept. Service was excellent - the doorman was a comedian (and we needed the laughs!) - and overall it was a great experience. The location is wonderful - just a few blocks from major shopping on Madison, Park and 5th - and a hop, skip and a jump from the Empire State Building and Grand Central.
There are many good restaurants very close to the hotel - which is an advantage because the hotel restaurant (called 'Rare') was of mediocre quality and overpriced. My recommendations: try The Black Sheep on Madison for the look and feel of an Irish pub - with decent prices and delicious food. There's also a little Japanese place around the corner from the hotel that was great, and my teenaged daughter and her cousin loved dinner at the Jekyll & Hyde club on 6th ave/55th.
All in all a great experience. If you cannot get ressies at the Plaza for your NYC trips, the Shelburne Murray Hill will suffice. While the hotel lacks the pizzaz of the Plaza, it is certainly an option for those who are looking for something practical, safe and clean
Happy New Year
Lisa
