NYC July visit: some questions

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 3:37am

Hi all,

My best friend and I are visiting NYC next month to get our Broadway on for a few days!! Last time I was out there, it was about 3 years ago, and I stayed at the Holiday Inn on 57th on a corporate rate. This is not available to us, now. It's been a while, so I'm not so well-versed on hotels in Mid-town anymore--in terms of location, cost, safety (we're two single gals in our 30s), cleanliness, and...does NYC still have a bed bug problem??

An acquaintance out there recommended something a little further south into Mid-town, closer to the theatres, since that's mainly why we're going. And we're coming from Chicago, so we're not really afraid of the city, and I remember it being crowded off of Broadway and being comfortable walking from the theatre district up to 57th alone even at night, due to the crowds. But would it be annoying to stay there, with extra crowds and noise? It's still an unfamiliar place, you know?

So--the questions are: Can anyone offer recommendations on clean, safe, reasonably-priced hotels within walking distance to the theatre district? It doesn't have to be fancy or boutique-y, as we won't be in the room all that much, but we'd like to be comfortable when we're there, of course. Online reviews can be fake, so it's hard to tell.

A few recommendations and search results turned up some potentials we're considering, including: Hotel Mela, which looked cool and reasonably priced, I think because it's still new; Hotel Affinia or Comfort Inn Theatre District, both of which my friend in NY said are "dumps;" the Hotel Edison, which looks cute and affordable, but I'm wondering if that means "dirty" or "bed-buggy; and the Amsterdam Court, which looks cute, but I'm not sure what to think.

Any feedback on these, or recommendations on others that haven't turned up in the search, would be most welcome and appreciated!

(Also, we originally were going to go from a Wed-Sun in July, and an obligation at home is forcing us to possibly move the trip to Tues-Sat. Why do the rooms on online sites like Orbitz, etc, seem to have more expensive rooms during the week, and less expensive on weekends? I'd expect the opposite.)

Another question: What's the recommendation on pre-ordering tickets for some shows? We're planning on seeing "Hair" (again--SO excited!) and probably some combination of "Book of Mormon," "Anything Goes," "Mother w/the Hat," possibly "Sister Act" or "Priscilla," maybe "Bengal Tiger" or "CMIYC" if we have time.

What's best to order ahead of time, and where can we look for pre-order discount codes, and which ones can you get at TKTS easily?


Thanks SO much! Please post or feel free to PM me.

Updated On: 7/1/11 at 03:37 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 9:41am

I'm also a single gal in my 30's and the last time a weekend in NYC I stayed at the Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square South. It's on 39th between 9th and 10th. For me it was a good location because it was between Penn Station (where I come into the city) and the theatre district. It was clean and I never felt unsafe. I'm a Hilton member so I do tend to steer more towards the Hilton hotels. Yes, they're cookie cutter but you also know what you're getting. As for the hotels you listed the only one I'm familiar with is the Edison. I know people who have stayed there and liked it. There's also a piano bar downstairs that is quite nice - saw Leslie Kritzer there once.

As for tickets I would recommend checking out www.broadwaybox.com as well as signing up for HipTix & LincTix if you're under 35. HipTix (Roundabout Theatre) and LincTix (Lincoln Center) are free programs where people between 18-35 (21-35 in LincTix's case) can purchase tickets to shows for $20-$30. I'm a HipTix Gold member ($75 yearly fee) and had great seats at Anything Goes this past weekend. I would recommend calling early if you sign up for either program since there can be a wait on availablity. Also, if you have a droid or iPhone TKTS has an app that lets you check what shows are available.

ETA: Book of Mormon won't appear on any discount site. Rush might be your best bet.

Since most shows are dark on Mondays

Updated On: 7/1/11 at 09:41 AM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 12:07pm

I would venture to say rush and/or lottery is the only option right now for The Book of Mormon, unless you are willing to pay premium prices through a ticket broker as I believe, and I may be wrong, that officially the show is virtually sold out for quite some time.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 12:44pm

Don't rule out the outer boroughs! Midtown is just a twenty minute subway ride away at some places off the 7 and NQ line in Queens.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 1:12pm

Does Mormon even do a rush? I thought lotto, standing room, cancellations or premium were the only options. I did standing room. I was just by there this past week and the standing room line has been forming earlier. I saw about 20 people in line at 8:00 on a Saturday morning for the matinee and i was told that people are lining up that early for evening shows also.

A friend of mine just stayed at the Yotel and really liked it. It looks reasonable.

Also, it is sometimes hard to know what is going to be up on TKTS. It is sometimes good to go to the theater. Last night we went to TKTS to get tix for Bengal Tiger. They wanted about 80 bucks. Just on a whim we decided to walk to the box office. We just missed the lottery but the guy at the box office offered tix in the orchestra on the side for 47 bucks. It was an offer they gave to the lottery losers. Between Priscilla and Sister Act, I would go with Sister Act. Just my opinion.

Updated On: 7/1/11 at 01:12 PM

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 1:26pm

Hampton Inn's a good choice, as is the Hilton Garden Inn on 48th, though it's a bit pricier. My bf's family stayed at the Belvedere and said it was fine for the price.

I recently attended an event at the Nyma hotel near Macy's. It seemed cute for a midprice-like hotel. (I think it used to be a La Quinta or such, but they took the flag off and went independent). It's what I would define as walking distance, though some might disagree. :)

Check the bed bug registry if you're concerned about those critters.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 2:34pm

Midweek is often more $$ as the presumption is people are there for business of some kind. Othe hotels are just the opposite- more for tourist/visitor trade.

IF you cannot LIVE w/out seeing BofM the only other viable option would be a tkt broker @ $$$$$ or ( my prefered route) Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids CareTix program. The cost is double the face value of the tkt BUT the extra $$ is considered a donation to BCEFA so is tax deductable.
Can't SWEAR to what the availability is but it's worth a call- but only if it's worth it to you.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 2:55pm

I've stayed at the Hotel Mela. It was lovely and the staff was great!

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 3:14pm

Thank you so much, everyone!

I will look into those hotels mentioned and check the ticket links. Thanks for the BOM insight. I knew that would be a tough one, so we'll definitely want to book "Hair" and BOM before we go. We'll compare the discount links with TKTS (do they have a site with going daily rates too, or can you only go day-of to scope that out?) before and after we get there.

"Yotel?" This, I gotta look up. Never heard of it. Is it cheap and gross, or quaint and expensive? Not sure we're up for either of those, just a happy medium with affordable, walking distance and clean, but I'll check it out! Lol

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 3:21pm

Here is the link to Yotel's website:

http://www.yotel.com/Hotels/New%20York%20City.aspx

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 4:36pm

do they have a site with going daily rates too, or can you only go day-of to scope that out?)

tdf does have a website and there is a phone app for iPhone and droid like I mentioned. They, typically, only reflect that particular day but it's a good way to check things. Usually if a show is on TKTS one day it should be there the next.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 4:44pm

Ok thanks, but I have no idea what that last person said.

What is "tdf," and I do not have a droid or any other phone with app capabilities. (I do not believe in it nor have a need for that junk in my daily life, and cannot just get it for a trip for a few days.)

Does TKTS have its own website, and if so, what is it??

Thanks!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 6:06pm

Most of your questions could be solved with a quick google search.


You cannot get tkts tix in advance. It changes day by day what is available and what the cost is.

If you are going to secure BOM tix in advance, you will likely only be able to that by paying several hundred dollars per ticket. (Unless, of course, you are talking about going NEXT July.)

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 6:36pm

http://broadwaycares.stores.yahoo.net/caretix.html

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 10:35pm

I didn't realize I typed in a foreign language or that my phone is imaginary and/or junky.

TDF = Theatre Development Fund.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 7/1/11 at 10:57pm

I live 2 blocks from this place...my nail place and hair salon are right across the street. A real gem, on a quiet lovely, tree-lined Hell's Kitchen block. Totally safe - 2 blocks from TS, theatres and zillions of little restaurants, shops etc. I stopped in 1 day just to see what the rooms were like....Very, very, nice. The "hotel is actually a 4 story converted, rennovated brownstone. Small, quaint, and close to everything w/o being "touristy" Very clean.
Good luck!

http://414hotel.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d217630-Reviews-414_Hotel-New_York_City_New_York.html
Updated On: 7/2/11 at 10:57 PM

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 7/2/11 at 1:51am

Thank you, Tiny and everybody!! :)

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 7/2/11 at 2:07am

You're welcome...also, you may want to sign up (for free), and use GOLDSTAREVENTS.com (NYC) Great discounts for all kinds of stuff!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/2/11 at 11:32am

Just got this in an Email from Amex not the right dates, but for any oe else planning to go u can see when availabiity is for
Purchase tickets to see The Book of Mormon before the general public. More seats are now on sale for Mormon, the winner of 9 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, and your American Express® Card is the only way to get them.

Now through Sunday, 7/3/11, Cardmembers enjoy exclusive advance access to tickets for performances Tuesday, 4/3/12, through Sunday, 9/30/12.

Preferred Seating is available for performances 10/4/11 through 4/1/12. So don't miss your chance at some of the best seats in the house for "the best musical of this century" (Ben Brantley, The New York Times).

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/2/11 at 11:49am

RE: hotels

You might want to try Priceline. I just booked some excellent deals for my upcoming trip to Europe.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/2/11 at 12:13pm

lovepuppy, check out www.applecorehotels.com. They have several properties in the theatre district and their rates can't be beat. The last few times I have gone, I have stayed at The Hotel @ Times Square and it is wonderful-2 blocks from Times Square, close to all theatres, clean and modern. The rates are usually, under 200 a night. Also, the rates often get cheaper the closer to the day, so you can book now, and if a cheaper rate shows up closer to your date, you can make the new reservation and cancel the old one online. Its a great hotel.

As far as BOM, just keeping checking telecharge any chance you get. Full price (non-premium) do show up. I've had many friends get lucky who were vigilant about the search. Don't pay a broker.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 7/3/11 at 1:43am

Thanks, Betty! I did check out The Hotel @ Times Square and it looks fairly ideal. Though, the prices are between $229-249 a night for 2 double beds, which we'll need. Was hoping for the under-200 rate you mentioned! But if we're splitting it, it's still not so bad.

The YOTEL came up in an Expedia search...the prices were fantastic but that's because it's new and "futuristic" and with hardly any people working there. It's pretty, but should be noted that they don't have any rooms with 2 double beds. They have some rooms with "bunks" and fold-outs, though. Not what we're looking for.

Updated On: 7/4/11 at 01:43 AM

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 7/4/11 at 2:50pm

Ok, one last question:

Does anyone have any experience/opinions on the Mayfair hotel?

My acquaintance in NY calls it "a dump," but he's also a curmudgeonly sort, lately. Is it a matter of taste, or is it a dump? (I'd definte that as dirty, messy, unhelpful staff, etc.) It's definitely old and "old Hollywood"-ish, I get that. But the reviews were decent and it was reported to be clean on the Bed Bug Registry. Decent prices. An acquaintance on here recommded 414 Hotel in Hell's Kitchen, which looked cute and affordable too, but again--only single beds in the rooms.

We narrowed it down to that or The Hotel @ Times Square, by AppleCorehotels.com. The latter seems cool and comfortable, but would add more to our expenses and I'm on a budget. But I wanted to ask about Mayfair, to be sure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks to those of you in the know! (Hopefully this will be my last question...until we start checking out links for show discounts. :) )

Updated On: 7/4/11 at 02:50 PM

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 7/4/11 at 5:54pm

There are a number of old, BBW threads with excellent hotel recommendations. Just go to "SEARCH "(Bway Board), type in :"hotels in nyc", click, and numerous useful threads might help you in choosing. BTW, I stopped by the YOTEL today on my way back from our picnic, and we all had a drink on their outside, 4th floor terrace. with super views! El cheapo and nice! A nice little respite in the nabe. The YOTEL has only been open 3 wks. Although "high tech" looking, with that awesome robotic huge arm doing luggage in the lobby area, the place seems great for young-ish bargain hunters. It's 3 blocks near Times Square, 2 blocks from the River/Pier, w/o being in the middle of TS. Quiet corner, this is, !0th Av, 42nd st. Ideal location for everything (across from my own apt house). Too bad about the double bed thing.....

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/4/11 at 7:14pm

The Mayfair is older, a mite shabby and rundown, but clean and last I saw, has new tvs, electronics, etc. The rooms are super-tiny. The word "quaint" comes to mind. Decent place to stay, as is the Edison.