USA holidays - recommended destinations/hotels

[snookhams]

I am in the really early stages of planning a 3/4 week trip for our 25th Wedding Anniversary, still a couple of years off, but wanted recommendations of area or great hotels that you have visited. We are thinking of flying to New York for a few days and then to Jacksonville and doing a mini road trip culminating in a week at the Grand Floridian. We would also like to include at least one night at the submarine hotel in the florida keys (i believe it was a former labratory). This trip will be just DH and me and want to spoil ourselves a little. So if you have any recommendations I am compiling a list that we will use to determine our final itinery Thanks

 

[KayleeUK]

Wow a road trip that sounds fab!!! Can you take me with you

 

[orlandothebeagle]

We stayed at the belvadere in NY, it was really great right in the middle, but not scary expensive.
The grand floridian looks great, enjoy!

 

[Lisash]

We've stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel, Renaissance Times Square and Hilton Garden Inn Times Square in NY and would stay at any of them again. I would also recommend dinner at 'The View' (the revolving restaurant at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square) it's not the cheapest meal you'll ever eat but the views over the city are amazing and their signature champagne cocktail is to die for

 

[wicket2005]

If you like the Universal parks I would definitely recommend staying onsite at one of their hotels.

 

[snookhams]

Thank you all for your replies, I will be storing all this information and looking at websites, the one thing that we are thinking of not doing is the undersea hotel, we have looked at the website and for $125 dollar each did not feel looking at the pictures it was worth that money, but will look again nearer the time to make a final decision

http://www.jul.com/Pictures2/bedroom1.html
http://www.jul.com/Pictures2/hatchway.html

 

[Frances999]

Lots of wonderful hotels to choose from in New York, especially if you want a splurge for your anniversary. Our favorites are the Mandarin Oriental (absolutely incredible service, and great location with Hudson River/Central Park views. Really nice spa on the top floor), New York Palace (Really nice interior and styling, great rooms, and right near Madison Ave), Ritz Carlton (there are two, one at Central Park and one at Battery Park - we prefer the Central Park one for location). We found the Plaza to be disappointing, but know lots of big fans and it's recently had a complete renovation so it's probably a lot nicer now. It's in one of the best locations, too.

We're now members of the Hilton Club New York so spend most of our time at the Hilton on Avenue of the Americas - also highly recommended. It's just steps from Central Park and about 5 minutes from Times Square/5th Avenue. It's one of the biggest hotels in New York and the views from the top floors (concierge levels) are outstanding - and you can often secure a concierge club level room here for about the same price, if not less, than a standard room at some of the other top NYC hotels. With it being a Hilton, you can "double dip" and get VA flying club miles, too.