New York hotel recommendation, activities for a few days.
May 23, 2013 6:35 PM Subscribe
So, spouse and I snagged an invitation to the "Man of Steel" premier (at Lincoln Center) and after-party in New York. But, I've never been to New York and don't have a clue about the place. I have a couple of questions.
I've tentatively booked a room at the Empire Hotel (price and location, along with reviews seemed reasonable), my question for you folks is: Is there a compelling reason why I SHOULDN'T stay there? And, if the answer to that is "Do Not Stay There!!!", what other options are there (close to Lincoln Center, room cost $300 per night or less)?
The second half of the question is: I'll have from Saturday evening (June 8th) until later afternoon on Monday to experience New York... What should we do?
Best answer: The Empire is totally fine and BY FAR the most convenient place for an event at Lincoln Center -- you can just pop out the door! Go to the Chowder House! (Seriously, they have decent cocktails.)
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:50 PM on May 23, 2013
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:50 PM on May 23, 2013
Response by poster: dfriedman... thanks, I should have included that. We're pretty eclectic...museums are good, Broadway would be of interest....good dining, but reasonable, great ethnic restaurants, historical, shopping not so much, art is a go.... I guess we're pretty open...
posted by HuronBob at 6:58 PM on May 23, 2013
posted by HuronBob at 6:58 PM on May 23, 2013
Best answer: You'll be right next to the Central Park. Walk around in it! It is amazing.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:20 PM on May 23, 2013
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:20 PM on May 23, 2013
Best answer: My mom stayed at the Empire a couple years ago when she was visiting me (I lived on the UWS) and it's totally fine and perfectly located. There's a decent rooftop bar there too that might be open now that spring has finally arrived.
If you've got one nice meal in your budget, I'd recommend Lincoln, a restaurant that is part of the Lincoln Center plaza, so it's an easy walk back to the hotel for you. I had an incredible sous vide "bistecca" there a few weeks ago. Plus three of the four walls of the restaurant are glass, so the views are great too.
posted by BobbyVan at 7:30 PM on May 23, 2013
If you've got one nice meal in your budget, I'd recommend Lincoln, a restaurant that is part of the Lincoln Center plaza, so it's an easy walk back to the hotel for you. I had an incredible sous vide "bistecca" there a few weeks ago. Plus three of the four walls of the restaurant are glass, so the views are great too.
posted by BobbyVan at 7:30 PM on May 23, 2013
Best answer: Nthing Lincoln...and you'll be a short walk away from 9th ave, which from the 50's to 30's has one of NYC's greatest diversity of ethnic restaurants.
Be sure to tell the hotel that you prefer a room with a bathtub if so.
posted by brujita at 10:46 PM on May 23, 2013
Be sure to tell the hotel that you prefer a room with a bathtub if so.
posted by brujita at 10:46 PM on May 23, 2013
Best answer: Have you looked at the Milburn, Beacon, or Lucerne?
posted by Dansaman at 2:01 AM on May 24, 2013
posted by Dansaman at 2:01 AM on May 24, 2013
Best answer: I've stayed in the hotel before- it's pretty nice. Enjoy!
posted by lyra4 at 7:10 AM on May 24, 2013
posted by lyra4 at 7:10 AM on May 24, 2013
Best answer: I've had family stay at the Empire; it was fine.
As for other things to do, I've got a few suggestions:
Instead of The Met, go to the Morgan Library. It's tiny and exquisite; a jewelbox that you can take in fully in about an hour without being overwhelmed.
Instead of seeing something on Broadway, go see Old Hats at the Signature. You'll laugh so hard you'll pee, or enter nirvana, or both. (If you just can't imagine liking a clown - even the world's best clowns - I can also recommend Natasha, Pierre & The great Comet of 1812 or You Are Here. You Are Dead at HERE.)
Have a cocktail, if you drink, and maybe some cavier and blini, at The Russian Vodka Room (a few blocks from your hotel). If you fancy a trip to Brooklyn, then take the L Train to the Bedford stop and wander through the epicenter of hipster culture on your way to Dram, my favorite place that's not the Russian Vodka Room to have a drink.
Totto Ramen, Danji, and Afghan Kebab are all within walking distance of your hotel. If you're going to splash out at a big dinner, I would go to Marea. The food and the beauty and the service are quintessentially New York.
And yes, of course, get yourselves to Central Park for a good, long walk. I like early mornings, but any time of the day is wonderful.
Have a great time!
posted by minervous at 9:58 AM on May 24, 2013
As for other things to do, I've got a few suggestions:
Instead of The Met, go to the Morgan Library. It's tiny and exquisite; a jewelbox that you can take in fully in about an hour without being overwhelmed.
Instead of seeing something on Broadway, go see Old Hats at the Signature. You'll laugh so hard you'll pee, or enter nirvana, or both. (If you just can't imagine liking a clown - even the world's best clowns - I can also recommend Natasha, Pierre & The great Comet of 1812 or You Are Here. You Are Dead at HERE.)
Have a cocktail, if you drink, and maybe some cavier and blini, at The Russian Vodka Room (a few blocks from your hotel). If you fancy a trip to Brooklyn, then take the L Train to the Bedford stop and wander through the epicenter of hipster culture on your way to Dram, my favorite place that's not the Russian Vodka Room to have a drink.
Totto Ramen, Danji, and Afghan Kebab are all within walking distance of your hotel. If you're going to splash out at a big dinner, I would go to Marea. The food and the beauty and the service are quintessentially New York.
And yes, of course, get yourselves to Central Park for a good, long walk. I like early mornings, but any time of the day is wonderful.
Have a great time!
posted by minervous at 9:58 AM on May 24, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks everyone... I appreciate the ideas and opinions.
posted by HuronBob at 2:05 PM on May 24, 2013
posted by HuronBob at 2:05 PM on May 24, 2013
Response by poster: Just a quick follow up...
The Empire was a good choice... it was clean, comfortable, the staff were friendly. I paid about $271 per night (my kid payed over $3,000 a night for the suite he had at the Mandarin Oriental). And, as mentioned was close to a lot of the things we were hoping to experience. And, Ed's Chowder house was a nice place, as was Cafe Fiorello across the street...
Thanks again, everyone... this is a pretty reliable group as far as quality advice goes.
And, that movie I saw, that was pretty good as well!
posted by HuronBob at 2:32 PM on June 11, 2013
The Empire was a good choice... it was clean, comfortable, the staff were friendly. I paid about $271 per night (my kid payed over $3,000 a night for the suite he had at the Mandarin Oriental). And, as mentioned was close to a lot of the things we were hoping to experience. And, Ed's Chowder house was a nice place, as was Cafe Fiorello across the street...
Thanks again, everyone... this is a pretty reliable group as far as quality advice goes.
And, that movie I saw, that was pretty good as well!
posted by HuronBob at 2:32 PM on June 11, 2013
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Regarding exploring--what are you interested in? Museums? Broadway shows, fine dining? Etc. All of that and more is available, but give us some guidance as to your interests.
posted by dfriedman at 6:45 PM on May 23, 2013