Sofitel, Westin etc. weekend of 09/01/06

Our trip to NYC this time is a surprise birthday celebration. Need help with recommendations on hotels. I have narrowed it to The

Sofitel Hotel, Westin Time Square, SoHo Grand Hotel or Tribeca Grand Hotel. We are not strangers to NYC we have stayed with The Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and want to try something different.

Thank you in advance for your input and suggestions. There are 2 adults traveling.

Regards, Susan

Sofitel, Westin etc. weekend of 09/01/06

I live here and have been inside very few NYC hotel rooms, but the Chicago Sofitel is my favorite domestic chain hotel. You dont want to get out of their beds. I%26#39;d imagine the NYC property is the same level of service and comfort. And, if you join their Priviledged Guest Program in advance you should get upgraded...

Can%26#39;t go wrong with the Soho or Tribeca Grands either. My rich French friends from St Barth stay at the Soho Grand when they%26#39;re in town, and love it (I get them $250 on Expedia but they come in the winter). It sounds like you typically stay in midtown - maybe downtown could be that change you%26#39;re seeking...

I work in midtown and have no clue where the Westin is!

Sofitel, Westin etc. weekend of 09/01/06

I don%26#39;t think any of these come close to the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons. Those are 5* where the ones you mention are 4 (at best).

Since they%26#39;re in 3 totally different locations, a lot depends on what you plan to do, but I%26#39;d say the Sofitel is far and away the best of the group you mention. The Soho and Tribeca Grands are trendy and in fun locations, but the rooms and service can%26#39;t compare to what you%26#39;ve had in the past.

So what are you looking for, Susan? Trendy, romantic, midtown, downtown etc.

I am looking for romantic and excellent service!

You can cross the Westin off your list. Even if you think the rooms are more romantic than I do [we did have great views from our large corner room through the windows which ran almost floor to ceiling], ';excellent service'; -- even on the Club floor -- is never an adjective I would link with the Westin which is a huge hulking hotel... ';non-existent service'; would be the more apt adjective there ;-)

We just spent 4 nights at the Sofitel and can%26#39;t find fault with it. The room was spacious, spotless, had a large bathroom and the bed was so comfortable it was almost a crime to get up in the morning. All the staff treated us like old friends making our stay a wonderful experience. Its location also makes it a top choice.As for having a romantic break, that is your department

We%26#39;re frequent visitors to Manhattan who adore the Sofitel. The staff is courteous, the rooms are larger than expected and nicely furnished and the location (Midtown West) is ideal. (We also like the Kimpton Boutique Hotels chain, so we recently enjoyed staying at the Park Avenue Hotel -- but it is a little further off the beaten path.)

I%26#39;ll stick with my original statement. The Sofitel is the best of the bunch you list but it won%26#39;t beat the RC or the Four Seasons for romance or service. If you want to stay downtown, the Mercer or 60 Thompson both in Soho are more luxurious than the Grands.

Trump International is supposed to have great service. The St. Regis is a more classic hotels with traditional decor and ranks high for service.

One other idea is the Mark Hotel on the upper eastside (near the metropolitan museum). This hotel will be closing soon to be converted into apartments. Might be a nice change and probably the last opportunity to stay there.

I agree with whiz that the Sofitel isn%26#39;t as distinctive as what it seems you%26#39;d wish. But since you%26#39;d like to try a different neighborhood, I can enthusiastically recommend a neighbor of the Sofitel, the Iroquois.

The service there in my experience has been top-notcl really llike the decor/furnishings %26amp; the baths; and you%26#39;ll sleep quite well there [unless you%26#39;re a light sleeper %26amp; then you%26#39;ll want to ask for a room or suite which does *not* front onto 44th St). It is, however, housed in a building erected in the early 20%26#39;s so the room sizes do vary, with the least expensive rooms being rather ';compact';; you%26#39;d doubtlessly be happier with one of ther larger rooms or a suite. The Iroquois is my first choice for a romantic mini-getaway when we don%26#39;t feel like spending the $$$ for a big ';blowout'; :-)

http://iroquoisny.com

Thank you for all of your posts in reference to hotel stays in NYC.

The Sofitel Hotel stay was perfect. The entire experience from the arrival and greeting at the door to our departure exceeded our expectations.

We can%26#39;t wait to see NYC from the Sofitel during the holidays.

Thanks again!

Warmest Regards,

Susan

Glad you liked it!