Hotel Dilemma Again! Help me decide!

Hi, all!

Once again, I am having trouble comfirming plans for our upcoming stay. We arrive on a Friday but are definitely staying that night and the Sat at the new Residence Inn Times Square that is opening in January--we were able to use our credit card reward points for that, a huge savings as the rooms there are going for $349 a night and it includes a free breakfast buffet.

Anyway, we planned to move to the Blakely then. It%26#39;s $285 a night. We%26#39;d chosen that over the Salisbury which was $230 a night. Both are one bedroom suites, we are traveling with a 2 and 7 yo. However, while searching for flights this morning, I saw Expedia is offering the Salisbury for an average of $200 the nights we need for the suite. I guess I am wondering if the Blakely is worth almost $400 more for the 4 nights. It looks much more luxurious than the Salisbury; some reviews make the Salisbury sound really cruddy and we want this to be a comfortable trip since we have our kids.

Any advice out there? What would you do?!

Thanks--you all are great!

Tessie

Hotel Dilemma Again! Help me decide!

Oh boy, tessie. I think you%26#39;ve switched hotel choices more times than I can count! All I can do is tell you what I know about the 2 hotels.

The Blakely is closer to Times Square so very walkable to/from TS. The Blakely is a quiet smaller hotel where you will get much better service if you need it.

The Salisbury has the bargain $3 breakfast they offer guests. The rooms may be larger but will not be as nicely furnished. The lobby of the Salisbury can be a zoo when it%26#39;s busy. The Blakely lobby is very small so you%26#39;ll rarely see people sitting in it. It feels more like an apartment building.

I think you would be happier at the Blakely, but whether it%26#39;s worth an extra $400, plus they don%26#39;t have any sort of cheap breakfast offer, I%26#39;m not sure. A while back someone suggested you try the website

www.hotelconxions.com

for the Blakely, claiming they had the best prices. Did you do that?

Are you sure the offer on Expedia is for a one bedroom suite at the Salisbury??? Have you double checked prices for both the Blakely and the Salisbury on quikbook? I%26#39;ve seen quikbook have better prices for the Salisbury than the Salisbury%26#39;s own website a few times.

Hotel Dilemma Again! Help me decide!

Hi, Whiz,

I know you must be getting sick of me!! My indecision is making even me crazy! So thank you again, for always being so helpful and informative!

Yes, I did check that website a few times and they never listed the Blakely. And yes, the rate for expedia is for a suite at Salisbury. The main reason the rate is so low is that they are offering the Sun for about $150 so drops the average down to $201 a night.

I am thinking after some more reading and some more thinking that we might should stick with the Blakely. Hate to spend so much more. But am thinking about how the Residence Inn will be brand spanking new and the Salisbury might seem very worn, more than it would otherwise, having just left a new hotel.

Any more advice would be appreciated.I wouldn%26#39;t worry so much about all this if we were coming alone but travelingwith young children can be stressful and I so want a wonderful repeat visit to the city. Am I being too seduced by the Blakely%26#39;s website promises of flat screen tv%26#39;s, dvd players,and frette linens?!!!!

Thanks, tessie

Could you explain this sentence?

';The main reason the rate is so low is that they are offering the Sun for about $150 so drops the average down to $201 a night.';

Is that Sunday night you mean?

Are you being seduced by flat screen tvs etc.? Probably, but maybe you should be. I haven%26#39;t seen the Blakely rooms since they renovated. I%26#39;ll tell you I was unimpressed with the lobby (very dark and clubby and small) BUT I do agree that after coming from a brand new hotel, the Salisbury may well feel a bit seedy. It ain%26#39;t the Ritz. The benefits are it%26#39;s location, huge rooms and great prices. The service staff there is not great. I was trying to contact someone staying there and was repeatedly told they%26#39;d checked out when they never did.

Way back when, I tried to get you to consider the Affinia 50. I still think that%26#39;s a good idea if you don%26#39;t mind being on the east side. Here%26#39;s that first thread.

tripadvisor.com/鈥?178455

Hi, yes, sorry my sentence was confusing!

The Sun night at Salisbury(on Expedia) is just $150 and the other three nights are $218. So the average price they listed per night was $201.

Thanks for all your advice. I%26#39;m not too worried about the lobby. With kids, it%26#39;s all about the room itself.

I have kept an eye on Affinia 50 but rates there are $1356 BEFORE taxes according to their website for the 4 days we need so way more than Blakely.

I appreciate your help--I think for now we have decided to stick with Blakely. Will rule out Salisbury and will just keep an eye on travelzoo for any last minute deals.

Thanks, tessie