New York Hotel & Resorts Recommendations

NEW YORK CITY

Doubletree Guest Suites is the only all-suite hotel located in the "new" Times Square, the Doubletree Guest Suites - New York City places you right on Broadway - in the center of the excitement and energy that is New York City. They also are next door to the theaters on Broadway. www.nyc.doubletreehotels.com

The Embassy Suites New York City Hotel is the only upscale all-suite hotel located on the waterfront in Lower Manhattan's Battery Park area. Guests of the Embassy Suites New York City hotel stay in spacious two-room suites and receive a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and a nightly manager's reception. www.embassysuites.com

For selective guests who want more than a "tourist" hotel the Excelsior, located in mid-Manhattan's Upper West Side, is a beautiful luxurious four-star landmark, reasonably priced, and within walking distance to Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, Hayden Planetarium, Guggenheim Museum, Lincoln Center, Beacon Theatre, Columbia University, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Zabar's and other major NYC attractions. www.excelsiorhotelnyc.com

Hilton New York is an international hotel located in midtown Manhattan at Rockefeller Center, a block from Fifth Avenue shopping, near Broadway theaters and the "new" Times Square, surrounded by business and media headquarters. Restaurants, bars and lounges, a full-service business center, boutiques, theater ticket and sightseeing services are located on the premises. [Review] www.newyorktowers.hilton.com

Hudson Hotel is a hip boutique hotel on West 58th near Columbus Circle that folks either love or hate. We love it. Once a residence for women, the 1,000 room hotel offers edgy design for hip hotel guests. The tiny rooms aren't for everyone, but this "in" place to hang holds its own in the New York Hotel scene. [Review]

The Jolly Master Hotel, Madison Towers is walking distance from Times Square, Empire State Building and Grand Central Station. Although conveniently located, the hotel is far enough away from the hubbub so that you don’t feel overwhelmed in the crowd as soon as you walk out of the door. It’s in a residential neighborhood called Murry Hill, which is busy during the day but relatively quiet at night. There’s a doorman and the hotel feels safe. [Review]

The Majestic Hotel New York is a private and distinctive hotel with an individual sense of style that effortlessly combines a thoroughly fashionable environment with gracious, attentive service. The Majestic offers a premier mid-Manhattan address just steps from Times Square, Broadway theater, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, Central Park, midtown's financial, entertainment, and publishing districts and the city’s best shopping along Fifth Avenue. Amenities include everything you’d expect plus little extras like in-room electronic safes large enough for your laptop, individual climate control, The New York Times delivered daily and an in-room Bose Wave sound system.

The Mark, with its understated elegance and prestigious address in Manhattan's exclusive Upper Eastside on Madison Avenue, is within a few steps of Central Park, the city's most exclusive shopping district and the famed Museum Mile. www.mandarinoriental.com

The Michelangelo is an Italian luxury hotel in the heart of New York. All rooms feature specially designed and woven Italian imported fabrics, plus coffered ceilings and crown moldings. It is just steps from Broadway theaters, Rockefeller Center and the shops of Fifth and Madison Avenues. www.michelangelohotel.com

The Millenium Hilton is located in downtown Manhattan and just reopened after having been damaged on 9/11. The Millenium Hilton is conveniently located in the heart of the downtown business district, and is easily accessible to many of Manhattan's popular tourist attractions. For guest comfort, the Millenium Hilton has designated 87% of hotel rooms "non-smoking". The combination of smoking and non-smoking rooms encompasses all room types and view vantage points.
[Review]

Ideally located in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood on 28th Street between Park Avenue South and Lexington Avenue, the Park South Hotel is a beautifully restored historic 1906 building. Combining the design elements of a classic New York-style hotel with the latest high-tech amenities, contemporary decor and a boutique ambiance, the 143 rooms feature refined, relaxing common areas and stylishly furnished guestrooms, ranging from standard to superior, each outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. www.parksouthhotel.com

Radio City Apartments is a comfortable apartment hotel
located steps from Rockefeller Center right in the heart of Mid-Town Manhattan. Accommodations include apartments equipped with kitchenettes. Comfortable, “homey” and very affordable. Walking distance to: Times Square, Theatre District, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, NBC Studios, Diamond District, Theatre District, Patrick's Cathedral, Grand Central Station, 5th Avenue shopping and other major NYC attractions. www.radiocityapts.com

Skyline Hotel - This very affordable Three Star Full Service Hotel was totally renovated within the last couple of years. It's located at the West Side of Central Park within a walking distance to Broadway and 42nd Street, Broadway Theatres, Rockefeller Center, Circle Line Cruises, Intrepid Museum, Cruise Ship Terminal, Javits Convention Center and other major NYC attractions. www.nyskylinehotel.com

Trump Towers NYC - Like all guests, I was welcomed to the shimmering Trump Towers with a fruit and goodies basket, personalized stationary, business cards, and complimentary water labled "Trump Ice." There were "T"'s on everything from a gold seal on toilet paper rolls to comfy, monogrammed slippers. Never had the luxe life literally been so luxe. Trump's "Focus on the customer" philosophy takes on unprecedented meaning here. [Review]

Housed in New York's old Guardian Life Building, the W New York Union Square has (so far) been our favorite W hotel. Completely stylish, the 270-room hotel embraces the gorgeous architecture and feel of the historic building, which has undergone extensive renovations. The overall feel is reminiscent of the grandeur of an early 20th century hotel with a distinctly modern touch. Details such as the gold-topped Corinthian marble columns found in the hotel's ballroom are unique - details that just can't be found in newly constructed buildings. The elaborate ceilings and immense iron staircase in the lobby are breathtaking. [Review]

NIAGARA FALLS, NY:

The Red Coach Inn is centrally located in Niagara Falls overlooking a park that skirts an area of the upper and very wild rapids that lead to the actual falls. Our room overlooked this spectacular view making it difficult to pull our very road weary bodies away from the window to watch its power, and what we couldn’t see we could hear. The roar of the dangerous and powerful rapids was strangely calming even knowing if one were swept away that their body would never be found. [Review]