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where would you stay and why.

Radio city apartments, doubletree suites or hotel beacon? We may have grandparents travelling to ny with us for the first time also. these places all have differences but are rated quite highly, very consistently in reviews. we are 2 adults with 2 kids under 4.5 years at time of travel. Price is%26#39;nt our issue. Cleanliness, decent -ish room size and bathroom would be nice. A view we would%26#39;nt complain about either!!! we stayed at the crown plaza last time and loved, so thought worst case we could fall back on that. Any other suggestions welcomed!

please rate inorder...

Of the three you mention,

1. Doubletree

2. Radio City

3. Hotel Beacon

Just because of the three, the Doubletree is a nicer property with spacious suites and good location. Radio City has nice space, good location, but reviews say decor is a little tired, Hotel Beacon is a nice budget hotel, but located on upper west side and not as convenient as the others.

In your situation I would also consider the Affinia properties (check out affinia.com), because they have spacious accomodations and have a nice level of creature comforts also.

please rate inorder...

I have only stayed at the Doubletree Suites, but like it because of the convenient location. Also, the rooms are large, and the very large bathroom has a door to each room. Although it is in a hectic part of the city, the rooms are very quiet inside. They aren%26#39;t plush decor, but nice and updated and clean. Although Radio City gets good reviews and is probably a good deal for the money, I have seen pictures of the suites and they do look rather ';tired';. Although people say they only sleep in the rooms, I still enjoy coming back to a nice room at the end of the day while on vacation.

The Doubletree Suites in Times Square is much nicer than the other 2. While Radio City and the Beacon are both good hotels for the money, they are budget hotels and can%26#39;t come close to the level of the Doubletree. That said, there are other suite hotels that I would prefer for space and location over the Doubletree. Affinia.com is a group of 7 all suite hotels. The Affinia Manhattan and Affinia Dumont are closest to the tourist area but neither are in it as the Doubletree is.

If the grandparents come and you all want to stay in the same suite, the Affinia hotels have 2 bedroom 2 bath suites that might work better for you. Also, the Salisbury hotel is another good suite hotel with some large 2 bedroom 2 bath suites. nycsalisbury.com

I have only stayed at the Beacon - twice - and found it great both times. The rooms are really large, they have lots of closet and drawer space, and a lot of room for several people traveling together (we had four adults in a 1-bedroom suite). There are doors on each of the rooms - bedroom and livingroom - and TV%26#39;s in each room. The kitchen is complete with stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, etc - all you would need to cook if you wanted. The view from the 24th floor was awesome - over the Hudson to New Jersey, and from the 12th floor was good as well, but noisier as the hotel is located right on Broadway. The bathroom is very clean, and had great water pressure and lots of hot water.

It is across the street from the wonderful Fairway Market, where you can buy anything you might want to eat. The area of the Upper Westside is predominately residential, but filled with shops and hundreds of restaurants - two blocks to Central Park, three blocks to Riverside Park, quiet and safe. It%26#39;s a quick subway ride if you want to go to Times Square, and it%26#39;s not so busy and crowded as some other areas. I thought it was a great hotel for the price, and the Upper Westside location is the best in my opinion.

We%26#39;re staying at the Hotel Beacon and arrive on Friday. We are planning on getting the airport bus to GCS. How much further away is the Beacon Hotel? Do you think its a good idea to phone the hotel and ask them for a room on a higher floor? We asked our travel agent to mention it but not sure if they have. Not sure how pleased the hotel would be if we rang?

Any other info about what to do or whats near by would be much appreciated.

Thansk

Claire

I would call them and ask for a higher floor if possible, I%26#39;ve found the desk staff to be very kind and helpful when I%26#39;ve stayed there. The views are much better, and the noise is considerably less the higher you get. Also, you might request a room facing east, rather than west over Broadway, but I do love looking down on the street and watching the people walk by.

From GST is on Park/Lex and 42nd - Beacon is on Broadway and 74th - and in order to get from GST to Beacon, the easiest, best way would be a cab - otherwise you would have to change subways, and the nearest elevator is on the #1 line at 72nd. A cab should run less than $10 and will take you there directly.

There are literally dozens of great restaurants in the general vicinity - some of my favorites are Popover Cafe Amsterdam %26amp; 83rd, Grey%26#39;s Papaya (very inexpensive) Amsterdam %26amp; 72nd, Alice%26#39;s Teacup (breakfast) Columbus %26amp; 73rd - and right next door to that Arte Cafe for dinner, Cafe Lalo 83rd between Columbus %26amp; Amsterdam, Sarabeth%26#39;s Columbus at 80th..........really many from which to choose, you will be pleased and amazed. Have a great trip - you%26#39;ll be in a fantastic location!

thanks heaps! will lok up affina and comapre also!

that was- will look up affina and compare also! spelling needs some help afetr working all day! oops!