Child-friendly Hotels in New York

Q: We will be in New York over Christmas for three nights with our eight-year-old son. Do you have any suggestions for hotel accommodation that is centrally located and that is child friendly? We would also like to enjoy a nice lunch on Christmas Day, any recommendations? – Yolandi Ditchfield

A: You will surely want to stay in Manhattan, close to all the tourist attractions. Many of the hotels here have special facilities for children and kids programmes. Here are a few. The Doubletree Guest Suites in Midtown West has a great "Kids Club" program, which includes "child-proofed" rooms, kid-friendly items on the room service menu and Sony Playstations in rooms. 70 Park Avenue Hotel in Murray Hill hs a "Kids Rule" program, with in-room features like a Nintendo, enormous TVs and great audio systems. Another hotel offering Nintendo in the rooms is the Belvedere, which also has in-room kitchenettes. Kids under 18 stay free at the Sheraton Manhattan in Midtown West, which also has the advantage of a year-round indoor pool. Of the upmarket hotels, the Four Seasons has a reputation of going the extra mile for their young guests, with their own shampoo and bathrobes. Rooms have a DVD and there is a video lending library. Many restaurants in Manhattan are closed on Christmas Day, but there are still plenty of options for you. The easiest way to find an available restaurant is to go to the www.opentable.com website and check options for New York City. When I tried early in October there were 159 restaurants available. If you check in mid-November, the listings will have greater detail, such as special Christmas menus. Buffets are particularly popular. Remember that sales tax of 8.25% will be added to any price quoted and waiters expect a 20 percent tip. Some of the restaurants that you may wish to consider include two swish favourites, The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel and the Rainbow Room. However, if you feel your son might feel ill at ease there, you could try the buffet at Murals on 54th or one of many smaller diners. For a particularly Christmas atmosphere, the Rock Center Cafe is near the massive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and The Sea Grill, which overlooks the center's ice skating rink. One restaurant that may appeal to your son is the Jekyll & Hyde Club on Sixth Avenue. Designed in the form of a haunted mansion with four floors of live interactive entertainment and spooky special effects, it prides itself on being open 365 days a year. You won't have a traditional Christmas lunch, but it is likely to be one your son won't forget. (16/10/11)