What NYC hotel should I pick for a Christmastime visit?

November 3, 2008 7:28 PM

What interesting but not too hipster NYC hotel should I choose for a four-night near Christmastime stay in December?

I'm heading to New York City in December for a work related conference near Times Square. We are also thinking about attending the Metropolitan Opera, and going to see The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center while in town. My partner plans to check out the Met and the Guggenheim while I am working, along with window shopping the Christmas displays around 5th Ave.

Last time we stayed at Le Parker Meridian which we liked well enough.

We'd like to find someplace interesting to stay, reasonably accessible to where we plan to spend most of our time. Caveat: we are late 30's but not terribly hip, even though we like architecture and design.

Price range: $350 or less, more only for something great

posted by objdoc to Travel & Transportation around New York, NY (6 answers total)

Best answer: I usually recommend the Library Hotel (41st and Madison) for short visits. It's quirky but not hipster, great compromise location for jaunts downtown or up, about four blocks from Times Square.

Architecturally it's pretty incredible. I love that building.
posted by rokusan at 7:44 PM on November 3, 2008

Please god, don't just go by the uber-hipsterish website, but I've stayed at the Bryant Park Hotel at, well, Bryant Park and it was pretty nice. The location was great for hitting Mid-town as well. I don't know I like to walk in NY especially in winter, but 6-7 blocks doesn't seem to bad for Times Square. The price is right at your $350 price point for the delux queen room. Bar downstaris is meh.

Just to let you know, I'm also in my late 30's and "not terribly hip" for me would be like saying Bea Arthur is not terribly sexy.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:45 PM on November 3, 2008

The last time my parents were in town visiting, they stayed at the Algonquin Hotel. It's a good location if you have a conference near Times Square and is quite the quirky, interesting and attractive place. I think it was fairly reasonable for an October stay, but I have no idea how crazy rates might get during the holidays. I guess you could consider it hipster-esque (New Yorker cartoons on the walls) but it's more in the "history of circles of people who vastly contributed to American literature" vein - the quirk is earned.
posted by ilana at 7:47 PM on November 3, 2008

there is a question just like this on askme and my suggestion stands.
posted by krautland at 10:31 PM on November 3, 2008

Good Luck trying to find something cheap this close . I would find something soon (the city is very very crowded in nyc during christmas.)
posted by majortom1981 at 5:27 AM on November 4, 2008

have you considered subletting an apartment for the 4 nights? There are a lot of pretty nice options for $350/night and less.
posted by slograffiti at 12:45 PM on November 11, 2008