Advice - Hotels in NYC

[+ Reisr30]

Newbie here who has asked the forum some questions before and received some very helpful responses. Thinking about setting up a meeting in NYC and was wondering if there is any advice on hotels to stay in. I figure a major chain like marriott, hilton, westin would be less conspicuous and "safer" to meet in. However, I thought I would ask for advice and what other considerations I should take into account. Thanks in advance.

[adriano46]

Reisr30 -- I personally book through hotel sites that give the best price (e.g. Hotels.com or Trivago.com) but make the ultimate choice of the room based on neighborhood (e.g. in NYC ease to getting on a subway or public transportation), and on the layout of the rooms (some in NYC are cubicles, not rooms), amenities, and price, of course (which the discount sites can help discover).

 

NYC hotel personnel are generally very discreet and these days seem to almost always offer to give you two keys even when you are checking in by yourself ;-)

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

In NYC it is location, location, and location - - plus price. For years, all of my NYC travel was on business, so I stayed in hotels that were close to my business meetings. However, on my first personal NYC trip I chose to stay at a hotel I was familiar with from business travel. I realized that I spent more time walking and more time in cabs than I would have if I had chosen a hotel closer to the sites I wanted to see/events I wanted to attend.

[+ azdr0710]

I do agree that staying at large, corporate-style, chain hotels is a great way to disappear in the big city and stay under the radar.....and I prefer to travel that way......I got lucky on hotwire last fall and scored the Sheraton New York for about $12 more than the YMCA, which a very frugal female friend of mine had suggested I stay at!.....perfect location for walking around and catching the nearby subway....no elevator security, huge hotel, impersonal, busy lobby - just the ticket for discreet encounters!

[buckguy]

You tend to get more space downtown--the Millenium Hilton near the World Trade Center site has great views, big rooms, and a decent pool, but most guys live in Chelsea or Hell's Kitchen, so it may be far for an hourly. The Hilton in Times Square can be entered from 41st (no crowded sidewalks) but the hotel starts quite a few floors up. Very nice and the rooms are large. The Sheraton and Hilton Midtown hotels in the 50s have large rooms and sometimes are affordable. The non-flagship brands like Hampton, Hilton Garden, etc. tend to have rooms on the small side.

[Tonyko]

I have lived here all my life, but you didn't say what your needs are aside from seeing a scort. When you say setting up a meeting is that SOLE purpose of your visit?First time here?? Or you've been before or you live close by etc and just need a "room" to rendevous in here in town? (I'm asking because as far as seeing a scort and locale ANYWHERE from Battery Park to 98th st and river to river is doable for ANY scort to get to and re discretion many hotels only require key card only elevator access AFTER a certialn hour like 11pm. What YOUR needs are the rest of the time (if any :-) and legnth of stay etc is what should determine where U stay :-) Ie if you're driving in doing the deed and driving out, well the popular cubicle rooms are really all you need. If you're staying a few days, you want more :-)

[+ Reisr30]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. They were really helpful.

 

Tonyko, I travel to NYC often for business and for fun and know the city well but have not met anyone before. So wanted to get some advice on the hotels that would work best for a meeting...

[+ FreshFluff]

I think the Marriott Marquis would be ideal. It's huge, and you don't need to go by the "front desk" to get to your room; you take an elevator to the lobby area and then another one to your room. Most people taking the first set of elevators are tourists going up to the restaurant at the top.

[Kevin Slater]

I think the Marriott Marquis would be ideal. It's huge, and you don't need to go by the "front desk" to get to your room; you take an elevator to the lobby area and then another one to your room. Most people taking the first set of elevators are tourists going up to the restaurant at the top.

 

Sorry to disagree, but I hate that hotel. The elevator system is slow and confusing (you program your floor in the lobby and it assigns you [and everybody else] to the same elevator). It's a real pain, slow and crowded. It's right in Time Square, so the streets are a mess. The rooms are meh. And after a certain point at night, your guest has to check in with the unfriendly lobby guard to get up to your room.

 

Kevin Slater

[+ FreshFluff]

Sorry to disagree, but I hate that hotel. The elevator system is slow and confusing (you program your floor in the lobby and it assigns you [and everybody else] to the same elevator). It's a real pain, slow and crowded. It's right in Time Square, so the streets are a mess. The rooms are meh. And after a certain point at night, your guest has to check in with the unfriendly lobby guard to get up to your room.

 

Kevin Slater

 

I was thinking solely in terms of anonymity and privacy, as the post implied that the OP was in NYC mainly for the appointment. The Marquis is large and impersonal, and New Yorkers are unlikely to run into other locals they know inside the hotel.

 

Thanks for posting about the lobby guard. That really degrades the privacy level. I guess the escort could call the OP when he gets downstairs, and they could upstairs together, discreetly. But that adds unnecessary logistical issues to what should be a relaxing appointment.

[Tonyko]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. They were really helpful.

 

Tonyko, I travel to NYC often for business and for fun and know the city well but have not met anyone before. So wanted to get some advice on the hotels that would work best for a meeting...

 

Well if thats the case and you know the city, The Empire right across from Lincoln Center is a decent choice, re hood its far from the crazyness of tourist land, and a Bar/Lounging Lobby thats good for pre meet-ups. And I"ve visited many buds there and never been stopped nor have eyebrows been raised when we've meet in the lounge or bar and gone up to a room.

[+ Reisr30]

Thanks for all the suggestions. They have been really helpful.

[Diverdan]

I have also enjoyed the Grand Hyatt... large comfortable and quiet rooms... staff is very gay friendly, and I am almost always able to get an upgraded room at no additional cost when I am friendly to the front desk personnel. I recently had to stay at the huge New York Hilton as I was there for a meeting, but I will not stay there again. Very crowded with international travelers who must use their points to stay, were very rude getting off and on the elevators and were very impolite in the club lounge for breakfast and cocktail hour. Most had many young kids with them, and it was not a holiday season either. The Parker Meridian is also a great place to stay, with a very nice indoor pool, steam room, and large rooms with a view. Again, it is a bit more expensive, but I am always able to get an upgraded room there too when being nice to the young men at the front desk who seem very willing to help a single guy traveling. Good luck and enjoy the city and the companions you select.

[+ Charlie]

Well if thats the case and you know the city, The Empire right across from Lincoln Center is a decent choice, re hood its far from the crazyness of tourist land, and a Bar/Lounging Lobby thats good for pre meet-ups. And I"ve visited many buds there and never been stopped nor have eyebrows been raised when we've meet in the lounge or bar and gone up to a room.

Glad to know the Empire is still a reasonable place to stay. I haven't been there in years, but I always liked it.

[DaddyCub]

While I usually use Trivago when it's a quick trip to the city, I have found that for a reasonably priced "luxury" stay the Eventi is nice. But I also discovered a gem for my overnight with a guy at the Element.

[Tonyko]

Glad to know the Empire is still a reasonable place to stay. I haven't been there in years, but I always liked it.

For EXTENDED stays that are "reasonable" sans the glitz and glamour (or anything fancy lol) and for those who want the option of spending most of their time outside their room AND the option of staying in a night and chilling, The Beacon on 76th and BWay is a good out of the way place WITH kitchenettes.

[+ Charlie]

Good to know. The Beacon is another place I haven't stayed in years.

[+ FreshFluff]

Has anyone been to the London NYC? Would you consider it a true luxury hotel? Feel free to PM or post. Thanks!

[AdamSmith]

Has anyone been to the London NYC? Would you consider it a true luxury hotel? Feel free to PM or post. Thanks!

 

Eh. Stayed there 3 nights in 2009. Nice spacious suites (most rooms had a big living room and separate bedroom), couple of nice restaurants on site, but in truth its press seemed rather over-hyped. It was not remotely in the same class as the St Regis or other such NYC properties I would think of as 'luxury.'

 

(Even though Fergie was staying there at the same time and very nearly swiped my escort from off my arm in the elevator! Trip report: http://www.boytoy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3724-three-dinners-with-andre/)

[+ FreshFluff]

Eh. Stayed there 3 nights in 2009. Nice spacious suites (most rooms had a big living room and separate bedroom), couple of nice restaurants on site, but in truth its press seemed rather over-hyped. It was not remotely in the same class as the St Regis or other such NYC properties I would think of as 'luxury.'

 

(Even though Fergie was staying there at the same time and very nearly swiped my escort from off my arm in the elevator! Trip report: http://www.boytoy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3724-three-dinners-with-andre/)

 

Thanks, Adam. I had a feeling. The group is also looking at the garish but more luxurious Trump International. (Both hotels have suites with a particular amenity they require.)

[buckguy]

For EXTENDED stays that are "reasonable" sans the glitz and glamour (or anything fancy lol) and for those who want the option of spending most of their time outside their room AND the option of staying in a night and chilling, The Beacon on 76th and BWay is a good out of the way place WITH kitchenettes.

 

The rooms at the Beacon vary widely. It was a residential hotel for many years and basically consisted of smallish one-bedrooms and studios.