Repost: Trying to decide between 3 hotels....

Posted in the wrong forum the first time...oops!

My best friend %26amp; I are going to NYC in March to celebrate my 40th bday!

Based on reviews %26amp; comments %26amp; rates, I%26#39;ve narrowed my selection down to 3 places; The Novotel, The Belvedere, and On the Ave.

I know the Novotel %26amp; Belvedere are more centrally located but I also like the idea of being in a ';neighborhood'; and close to the park. If we stay at On the Ave, are we going to wind up spending all our money on cabs %26amp; subways to get everywhere?

Out of those 3 which would you pick %26amp; why?

Thanks so much in advance for any help!

Virginia

Repost: Trying to decide between 3 hotels....

I%26#39;d pick On the Ave. I just love the UWS. And it%26#39;s only a 10-minute ride away from Times Square. You%26#39;ll find the subway easy to use and the best way to get around. Plus, even if you stay midtown, you%26#39;ll need to use public transport to see the sights.

I%26#39;ve never stayed at any of the hotels, but you should consider other UWS hotels: Lucerne, Excelsior, Beacon, Belleclaire, Milburn, Newton. I think On the Ave looks great from the outside, but others -- particularly the Lucerne -- are better regarded.

Repost: Trying to decide between 3 hotels....

Agree totally with Bettina, nothing wrong with staying at either the Belvedere or Novotel, both very nice, but the Upper West Side is a wonderful, residential area right near the bus %26amp; subway which is a short ride to Times Square and all areas of the city.

Whichever one of these 3 you choose, you can%26#39;t go wrong!!!

Can I choose none of the above? For a 40th b%26#39;day with a girlfriend, you need a nicer hotel and there are some that shouldn%26#39;t be much more expensive. Right now there%26#39;s a special here

eleisurelink.com/danay/SPECIALmailform_ParkC鈥?/a>

at the Barclay Intercontinental, a pretty glamorous hotel near Saks, St. Patrick%26#39;s and Fifth Ave.

If you want to stay on the upper westside, I agree with Bettina, look at the Lucerne or the Excelsior. I always wonder why there aren%26#39;t reviews of On the Ave. here.

Travelzoo.com usually has very good discounts within a month or 2 of your stay. Your other option is to book something cancellable and wait.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

oops i posted my first reply in wrong section also... sorry, can you retrieve it?

I found your post Mary Catherine. Thanks for all the good tips!

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d99288-R鈥?/a>

Whiz, it%26#39;s listed under ';On the Ave'; (without the ';.';).

It gets mixed reviews, unlike the Lucerne, which everyone seems to love. If I were booking for myself, I%26#39;d go for the Lucerne or the Excelsior.

Bettina%26#39;s got the right answer. Stay on the UWS at the Lucerne. Second choices On The Ave and the Beacon.

You%26#39;ll spend small $$ to be in midtown when you want to be, but the beauty of your hotel location is that you won%26#39;t be in midtown.

Get it?

Travel safely,

Joe in NYC