Bigrob
TUG Member
We just got back from a Mon-Fri trip to NYC. I thought I'd post a couple of thoughts regarding our experiences.
First, it was a great trip and experience overall. The location is very good, within walking distance of many locations. Grand Central is just a couple of blocks over, Times Square, Central Park, etc. are all relatively easy walks from Midtown 45. We felt very safe everywhere we went.
It is an urban location. We did self park rather than valet but it was still $220 for the 4 days. I'm sure there are strategies to save more money by parking further away, but with 5 of us and lots of luggage (why do kids need to pack so much stuff?!?) it was a tradeoff we had to make.
There is a nice diner across from Midtown 45. I think it's the Comfort Diner. We really enjoyed their breakfasts. We went to see Newsies - next to last week there, fantastic show. We did a NYC boat cruise - chose the twilight tour which gave us the sunset view, then the city lights at night, which was really cool. We also did all the obligatories - walked Central Park, American Girl doll store (had two girls age 10 and 12), FAO Schwartz, Hershey's store, Museum of Modern Art, and of course the 9/11 Memorial, which is amazing. My regret was not allowing enough time for the 9/11 Memorial, I could literally have spent a whole day there, but it is very powerful and it was probably enough time there for my girls.
One of the nicest and most relaxing time we spent was on the 33rd floor/rooftop. That is where some of the pictures of Midtown 45 are taken from, and it's much like the photos. It is very relaxing - we commented that at that height, the noises of the city are blurred and dulled to the extent that it almost seems like ocean waves. They don't mention it unless you're taking a tour - but it is open, so just go on up. The units themselves are much smaller than standard Wyndham units, but you know that going in, and they use the space well. We stayed in a 2BR and a 1BR, the 2BR was MUCH nicer than the 1BR... I suspect the 2BR had been refreshed more recently. It was on the side of the building that overlooked 45th and Lexington. The 1BR faced a much taller building that blocked the sun and was therefore dark all of the time. I was surprised by the "mini" kitchens - they both had large refrigerators and freezers, 4 burner oven, and a convertible microwave that I think could also be used as a small convection oven. Some of the place settings are stored literally at the dining room table itself, in a pretty cool configuration. The rooms also have furnishings that take full advantage of the small amount of space, so it didn't feel as cramped as it might otherwise.
Overall a very fun trip and I'm glad we found availability when we did.
First, it was a great trip and experience overall. The location is very good, within walking distance of many locations. Grand Central is just a couple of blocks over, Times Square, Central Park, etc. are all relatively easy walks from Midtown 45. We felt very safe everywhere we went.
It is an urban location. We did self park rather than valet but it was still $220 for the 4 days. I'm sure there are strategies to save more money by parking further away, but with 5 of us and lots of luggage (why do kids need to pack so much stuff?!?) it was a tradeoff we had to make.
There is a nice diner across from Midtown 45. I think it's the Comfort Diner. We really enjoyed their breakfasts. We went to see Newsies - next to last week there, fantastic show. We did a NYC boat cruise - chose the twilight tour which gave us the sunset view, then the city lights at night, which was really cool. We also did all the obligatories - walked Central Park, American Girl doll store (had two girls age 10 and 12), FAO Schwartz, Hershey's store, Museum of Modern Art, and of course the 9/11 Memorial, which is amazing. My regret was not allowing enough time for the 9/11 Memorial, I could literally have spent a whole day there, but it is very powerful and it was probably enough time there for my girls.
One of the nicest and most relaxing time we spent was on the 33rd floor/rooftop. That is where some of the pictures of Midtown 45 are taken from, and it's much like the photos. It is very relaxing - we commented that at that height, the noises of the city are blurred and dulled to the extent that it almost seems like ocean waves. They don't mention it unless you're taking a tour - but it is open, so just go on up. The units themselves are much smaller than standard Wyndham units, but you know that going in, and they use the space well. We stayed in a 2BR and a 1BR, the 2BR was MUCH nicer than the 1BR... I suspect the 2BR had been refreshed more recently. It was on the side of the building that overlooked 45th and Lexington. The 1BR faced a much taller building that blocked the sun and was therefore dark all of the time. I was surprised by the "mini" kitchens - they both had large refrigerators and freezers, 4 burner oven, and a convertible microwave that I think could also be used as a small convection oven. Some of the place settings are stored literally at the dining room table itself, in a pretty cool configuration. The rooms also have furnishings that take full advantage of the small amount of space, so it didn't feel as cramped as it might otherwise.
Overall a very fun trip and I'm glad we found availability when we did.
