Midtown East
Doubletree Metropolitan
569 Lexington Avenue (at East 51st Street)
East 51st Street (E, V, or 6 train)
1-800-836-6471
212-752-7000
Built in 1961 as the Summit Hotel and designed by the same architect as Miami's famed Fontainebleau, this landmark modernist hotel has just been restored and renovated at a cost of $35 million by its new owners, the Hilton company. The exterior, with hints of
Rooms are comfortable, carrying over the clean, simple lines of the lobby. They feature slate bathrooms, high-speed Internet connection, flat-screen TV, and in-room safes large enough for a laptop. Other amenities include a modern fitness center, a concierge for special requests, self-serve check-in, and reasonable parking (for Manhattan) at $30 a day (no in-and-out privileges). On the premises you'll find a hair salon, nail salon, and a W. H. Smith for gifts and worldwide newspapers and magazines.
Remember that when traveling with children you can arrange a lot of what you'll need ahead of time, such as a crib in your room. You can also check to see if the hotel has in-room video games or if you'll need to bring your own.
The Met Grill is a popular location for American and Continental cuisine in a warm, casually elegant environment. It is open seven days a week from 6:30
Grand Hyatt New York
109 East 42nd Street (between Lexington and Park avenues, adjacent to Grand Central Terminal)
Grand Central Terminal-East 42nd Street station (4, 5, or 6 train)
1-800-233-1234
1-800-243-2546 (for instant check-in)
212-883-1234
With more than 1,300 rooms, the Grand Hyatt is indeed grand! After all, Donald Trump built it. The hotel opened in 1980 and was later refurbished with a $100 million face-lift. It is a short walk from Grand Central Terminal, Broadway theaters, the United Nations, the finest shopping on Fifth Avenue, and other attractions. Sports fans may enjoy catching a glimpse of the ballplayers who stay at the hotel when the visiting teams are in town.
With the Hyatt Family Plan, you can get a guaranteed connecting room at a significant discount, but you must book with the hotel directly at least seventy-two hours prior to check-in, there must be at least one kid under twelve, and it doesn't work if you have certain special package deals already.
The Hyatt's rooms, including sixty-three suites, are well lit, sleek, and comfortable, with in-room movies on flat-screen TVs and other amenities. A twenty-four-hour fitness center, concierge, laundry service, and outdoor garden are all part of the Grand Hyatt, which features a sprawling plant-filled atrium lobby, complete with a cascading waterfall. It's quite impressive, but that's the typical Trump style.
Three restaurants include the glass-enclosed Manhattan Sky Restaurant, which has a great menu for families — breakfast buffet, weekend brunch, and Sweet Sensations dessert samplers — and overlooks Forty-second Street; the Commodore Grill, which serves American Continental cuisine and will serve small plates for the kids or for sharing; and the Grand Coffee Bar for coffees, teas, freshly baked goods, sandwiches, fruits, and continental breakfasts.
Marriott East Side
535 Lexington Avenue (between 49th and 50th streets)
East 51st Street station (E, V, or 6 train)
1-800-242-8684
212-755-4000
This hotel property is a landmark Marriott hotel. Its east side location is ideal for those interested in visiting Rockefeller Center, the United Nations, and many other popular city locations. The grand lobby, complete with columns and a lavish interior, welcomes you to this fashionable — but not ostentatious — hotel.
Some 629 guest rooms and seventeen suites offer a range of amenities, including in-room movies, as part of their well-appointed, fashionable accommodations. It is family friendly, entirely nonsmoking, and can provide babysitting if needed. Special offers are available throughout the year, including family packages. The Shelton Grille features continental dining throughout the day, and the lobby lounge provides an intimate setting for cocktails and conversation.
Once upon a time, the Marriott East Side was the Shelton Towers (built in 1924). Over the years it has been a stomping ground for many performers, including Harry Houdini, who performed escape tricks from the pool. Bandleader Xavier Cugat, Peggy Lee, and Eddie Fisher also performed there. Shelton Towers was also the first major New York City hotel to employ female bellhops.
