Which hotel for $500/night

I posted about this a while ago but didn%26#39;t really get the response I was hoping for, so I%26#39;m trying again.

I will be turning 40 in 2008 and want to spend the night in NY with my wife (we live about an hour out of the city and we both lived in NY for many years). I%26#39;m looking for a really nice hotel for the night and my budget is $500. Any thoughts? I know I won%26#39;t get a top of the line hotel for that price but I%26#39;d like something that is definitely above average.

Thanks in advance.

Which hotel for $500/night

I can receommend The Michelangelo. We stayed there over Christmas a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, we are going back this year. We loved the location, convenience to everything, and when you walk in, it doesn%26#39;t feel like every other hotel chain.

And the best thing - esp. in NYC - the rooms are HUGE!!

Call to find out what they are offering when you%26#39;ll be there next year. I%26#39;ve seen/heard prices everywhere from $195 up to $500-$700.

Which hotel for $500/night

It%26#39;s almost impossible to tell what will be $500/night next year. Prices fluctuate drastically depending on the month. You also don%26#39;t tell us

%26gt;what you plan to do while you%26#39;re here that might affect location--(theater? dine in room with room service? go to a trendy restaurant?)

%26gt;what kind of hotel you like (small boutique or large full service, modern/traditional etc.)

I agree that the Michelangelo is a lovely hotel in a central location. Whether it will be $500 on your date, I don%26#39;t know. The London NYC hotel is near it and I think that would be great too. But there are also some trendy places downtown that might be more fun/interesting like

the Gansevoort

the Mercer

60 Thompson

the Bowery

Another vote for the Michelangelo. It will not disappoint! Do not book on the internet. You get better rates by calling.

Thanks everyone, sorry for the lack of specific info on what I%26#39;m looking for. Location isn%26#39;t that big of a deal as I know how to get around the city pretty easily. Obviously convenience is a good thing, which is why I%26#39;m shying away from the Bowery Hotel a bit, although I must admit that it looks really interesting.

I know this is contradictory but I love the idea of an old, classic NY hotel but I don%26#39;t like the idea of an old beat up room. When I posted originally someone mentioned the Plaza would be re-opening as a hotel, and I think it%26#39;s actually just re-opening now. That may be an option.

My main concern is spending a good amount of money and then feeling like I%26#39;m not getting my money%26#39;s worth. I read reviews of hotels like the Ritz Carlton downtown with stains on the carpet, etc., or the Waldorf Astoria and really tiny rooms, and that is definitely something I want to avoid for the money I%26#39;m looking to spend. I%26#39;d like just a bit of luxury and a clean, comfortable room in a fancy-ish hotel.

I%26#39;ll take a close look at the Michaelangelo. Any other tips would be great. This would be for mid-September next year which probably isn%26#39;t the best time to find a bargain...

I spent some time at my SO%26#39;s cousins top of the line suite in The Bowery this past weekend and have to say, it was outstanding.

Before actually seeing the place, I too was concerned about the location and the hotel itself. But once inside the lobby and then in their suite, I was pleasantly surprised!

They had booked the room for the weekend and went all out in choosing the one bedroom suite and they got a lot for their money. The room was like a small apartment with huge windows and a killer view. All furnishings and amenities are first class and unlike any other hotel room I have seen.

Although I didn%26#39;t see the other smaller rooms, I am sure they are of the same high standards that were found in this suite and I wouldn%26#39;t hesitate to book there myself. From what I seen on their website, the rooms range in price from $350 - $750 per night...the highest being for the suite I mentioned above.

A valet service was available and their car was waiting for us when we were ready to head out all three times in under 10 minutes.

Also above, The Hotel Gansevoort was mentioned. While a very trendy place, the location in the Meatpacking District doesn%26#39;t seem to be where that hotel belongs. We stopped in for cocktails Saturday night after dinner and the place was like stepping into a fashion photo shoot....beautiful people everywhere and the atmosphere was surreal. From what I heard, the hotels occupants have priority seating in both the restaurant and club if that is any importance to you. Again, the atmosphere alone IMO is worth the cost of the room itself. VERY see and be seen in land of the Beautiful!!!

You might also check into the Maritime Hotel, we stayed there in July and it was top notch...from the furnishings to the lobby to the outstanding service, it is in your price range and is worth every dollar. Located on 16th Street, it is a short cab or taxi ride to all areas of the city.

It also depends on when you are booking.i am now looking at September 2008 and the Waldorf Towers is $549 a night.now the W-A%26#39;s rooms may be small but the towers rooms certainly are not small.This rate is cancellable up to 24 hours before arrival so you loose nothing and can keep looking in case something better turns up.