caryn_s

I am planning a 4 night trip to NYC in mid-May to celebrate my 60th. We'd like to be walking distance to museums, and to central park as I trail run. Budget from $350 to $600 per night, but I guess I can go higher if necessary. I want a special experience, so feel free to advise if you've had a vacation that varies somewhat from my priorities. Love good food!

Ike

Caryn I'm from Mississippi but we go to NYC twice/three times a year. I love Central Park South and that area as it's convenient to good restaurants, good shopping and Central Park. I don't trail run......I used to but I do walk 6 miles/day. The Helmsley Park Lane is probably in your budget and it's next door to the old Plaza Hotel. Next door is the Ritz Carlton my favorite but they are getting too proud of their rooms. Another good hote right there close is The Pierre which is a Taj Hotel. I would post some links but it's getting late. Let me know if you need more help. I love that area. I know some very fine restaurants in that area. You can walk/run to the MMOA and the other museums of interest are close. Restaurant Daniel, Jean Georges and other great restaurants are close by. If I can help let me now and I will post my email. Good luck.

mikemo

Stayed 16-19 Feb at W Hotel - the Court at 130 E 39th - great room and location - super king bed - common areas: hallways, elevators) a bit worn and less than clean.
With the 3X2 deal hardly mattered.
We walked everywhere (N and S) despite the very cold weather as we live at 6800 ft and are 60 somethings.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

mclaurie

Most of the museums (Met, Frick, Guggenheim, Whitney, Neue) are on the upper east side where the hotel choices are limited. The Carlyle is at Madison & 76-77 st. and would work. The Surrey is at 76 st b/w Fifth & Madison. It's part of the Affinia.com chain (all suite hotels). Your steps from Central Park from both of these. The area is upscale, residential and quiet.

MOMA is in midtown (53 st) and there are a lot of hotels near it. This area is more central and also near the theater district should you decide to see a show. I think the idea of Central Park South is a good one, but by all accounts, the H. Park Lane is looking REALLY tired. (You can find a park view room at this hotel on quikbook.com for $300/night) Here are reviews and details
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html
Make sure to look at "candid travelers photos"

The Ritz Carlton, Trump International and the Mandarin Oriental are along that stretch but I don't think any of those would be in your budget. I see the Sherry Netherland and the Peninsula, both in that general area, on quikbook.com in your range. Both are lovely, classic 5 Star hotels.

Look for reviews of all of these on tripadvisor.com

GoTravel

I completely second mclaurie's post above.

The Surrey Hotel, catty-corner from The Carlyle is much better bang for your buck because the rooms are huge and all have kitchens. It just doesn't have the cache of The Carlyle but it is a beautiful boutique hotel.

PamSF

And the Surrey has Cafe Boulud which is fabulous . They have a $30 set price lunch which is a great thing to do after the Met.

nytraveler

One other option is the Lucerne on the upper west side. One block from the Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society, one further to Central Park and right across the Park (5 minute bus or 15 minute walk) from the Met and a bunch of other musuems, as well as boutiques on Madison Avenue.

Great mid/upscale residential areas with a huge selection of restaurants in the modest and mid priced range. Easy access to Lincoln Center and 10 mnutes on the subway to broadway shows.

caryn_s

Thank you so much all of you for your suggestions. Now to research!

Jgsbro

We just stayed at The Surrey- great value, great location, helpful and friendly, and huge rooms. If only they had the same sheets as The St. Regis. We stayed at St. REgis only when someone else paid...but it was amazing and special. So for special, I'd say the Carlyle. Judy Collins and Rena Moreno are both singing there right now.