I am attending an event at Columbia University, NY. are there any
trendy hotels close by. Is the HUdson or a W hotel for example within
easy reach?

Hello Mickey--

I am familiar with the area with which you're speaking, have conducted
some research for you, and have your answer.

Good News! The Hudson is within 10 minutes of Columbia University.

First, I found a list of what are considered "trendy" hotels in NYC. I
located the web site "New York City Tourist," which lists some of the
trendiest hotels in the Big Apple. You may access this list online.
The link is http://www.nyctourist.com/hotelist.asp?special=Trendy

Iroquois Hotel   
49 West 44th Street | Times Square  

WJ Hotel   
318 West 51st Street | Midtown West 

Chambers
15 West 56th Street | Midtown West  

Hudson An Ian Schrager Hotel
356 West 58th Street | Midtown West 

Morgans - An Ian Schrager Hotel
237 Madison Avenue | Murray Hill  

Paramount An Ian Schrager Hotel
235 West 46th Street | Times Square 

Royalton An Ian Schrager Hotel
44 West 44th Street | Times Square 

The Mark New York
25 East 77th Street | Upper East Side

The Mercer Hotel
147 Mercer Street | Soho 


The Hudson Hotel is located at 
356 West 58 Street
New York NY 10019

I know that part of town is not far at all from Columbia University.
Only Theodore Roosevelt Park separate the two.

I searched MapQuest.com to even find you directions from the hotel to
the university. In fact, MapQuest says this hotel is only three miles
from Columbia. You may search MapQuest online. The link is
http://www.mapquest.com

To search for directions from these hotels to and from the university,
I entered the address of the university's administrative office: 2920
Broadway
New York, NY 10027-7004. I also entered the addresses of the hotels.

You may view these directions online from the Hudson to Columbia. The
link is http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&1tabval=address&2tabval=address&1sbx=0&1ex=1&cl=EN&2ex=1&un=m&2sbx=0&ct=NA&1y=US&1a=356+West+58th&1c=new+york&1s=ny&1z=10019&1ah=&2y=US&2a=2920+Broadway&2c=New+York&2s=NY&2z=10027-7004&2ah=&formtype1=address&formtype2=address&idx=0&id=403f88cd-0024b-031f9-400c2550&aid=403f88cd-0024c-031f9-400c2550

(You may have to cut and paste the above link into your web browser to
make it function correctly)

1:  Start out going Southeast on W 58TH ST toward 8TH AVE. <0.1 miles Map  

2:  Turn LEFT onto 8TH AVE. <0.1 miles Map  

3:  Enter next roundabout and take 4th exit onto BROADWAY. 0.8 miles Map  
 
4:  BROADWAY becomes AMSTERDAM AVE. <0.1 miles Map  
 
5:  Turn LEFT onto W 73RD ST. <0.1 miles Map  
 
6:  Turn RIGHT onto BROADWAY. 2.0 miles Map  
 
7:  End at 2920 BROADWAY NEW YORK NY  Map  
 
Further, the WJ Hotel, another one on the trendy list, is within four
miles of Columbia. You may view directions and a map of these two
locations online. The link is
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&1a=318%20West%2051st%20Street&1c=New%20York&1s=NY&1z=&1y=US&do=nw&1ex=1&2ex=1&src=maps&ct=NA&2a=2920%20Broadway&2c=New%20York&2s=NY&2z=10027%2d7004&2y=US&2pn=&2l=nSc2vjzOYD0%3d&2g=e9OBdzvcILk%3d

 1:  Start out going Northwest on W 51ST ST toward 9TH AVE. 0.5 miles Map  
 
 2:  Turn RIGHT onto W SIDE HWY/NY-9A N/12TH AVE. Continue to follow
NY-9A N. 2.2 miles Map

 3:  Take the W 96TH ST exit. <0.1 miles Map  
 
 4:  Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto W 96TH ST. 0.2 miles Map  
 
 5:  Turn LEFT onto BROADWAY. 0.9 miles Map  
 
 6:  End at 2920 Broadway New York NY 

I found there are also two Westin Hotels within four miles of Columbia.

1. Westin Essex House on Central Park 
100% Match 

160 Central Park South  New York, New York  10019  United States
Phone (212) 247-0300  Fax (212) 315-1839 
2.88 miles from 2920 Broadway, NY  Enter dates
to get rates 
Photos >>   Winter in New York! Design Your Own Package. Now through
March 21, 2004, enjoy a special winter rate of $199 per night and your
choice of daily complimentary breakfast for two at Café Botanica or
free parking for each night of your stay. Valid for Thursday - S...
More >>
 
2. The Westin New York at Times Square 
100% Match 
270 West 43rd Street  New York, New York  10036  United States
Phone (212) 201-2700  Fax (212) 201-2701 
E-MAIL US VISIT OUR SITE
3.63 miles from 2920 Broadway, NY  Enter dates
to get rates 
Photos >>   Come for the Weekend and Park for Free! Stay amidst the
color and excitement of Times Square. For just $199 per night, you'll
enjoy heavenly accommodations, plus complimentary overnight parking
each night of your stay. Valid for Friday and Saturday arrivals th...
More >>
 
To find these hotels, I searched the address for Columbia on the
Westin Hotels web site. You may do the same online. The link is
http://www.starwood.com/westin/index.html?EM=aa_Google_westin_hotel

If you need any clarification, please don't hesitate to hit the clarify button.

Thanks,

darrel-ga

thank you!