Deal Dissector: The Best of Broadway Package at Manhattan’s Michelangelo

by Aaron Butzen

There are hundreds of good reasons to stay at Midtown Manhattan’s Michelangelo, but their Best of Broadway Package is unfortunately not one of them. At first glance, it appears that the $950/night package includes everything but the David itself. Luxurious lodging for two in a spacious Junior Suite, complimentary (self) parking, fancy Italian-style coffee and tea served each morning, Bulgari bathroom goodies, assorted Godiva chocolates and, of course, two tickets to a top Broadway show during your stay.

It may sound like a savvy travel coup, but further investigation of this “deal” will leave you feeling as slighted as Amos Hart in Chicago. The big kicker is this: the only package piece not normally included with the Junior Suite is the pair of Broadway tickets. Yes indeed, everyone gets complimentary parking, fancy coffee, Bulgari products and Godiva chocolates at the Michelangelo. (And the fact that they would list these complimentary items as part of a package deal is more than mildly offensive, at least to this writer). Moreover, they only guarantee that you’ll get tickets to “one of your top three choices” of Broadway show. So you can’t even pick your own musical!

We might be able to overlook these offenses IF the package offered a discount on either the room or the tickets, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. The internet rate for a Junior Suite on the Michelangelo’s website is $495 right now, before taxes (the package price is also pre-tax). Two tickets to a top Broadway show (of your choosing, no less) on a weekend night will set you back $304, for good orchestra seats. That brings our total to $799, compared to Mick’s price of $950. My advice is to pick your own musical, smile smugly about saving $150, then slam all the free cappuccino and chocolate you can handle.