re: NYC hotel recommendations

I think you will like it there. Even though you are not in Manhattan, I find the location very convenient. There are elevated train tracks outside but the windows are completely soundproof.

Good Brazilian Steakhouse at the Holiday Inn down the Street.

One thing I want to mention, if you use the subway at Queens Plaza, exit where it says Northern Blvd/41st Ave NW. This puts you right at the hotel. If you exit elsewhere you will have to cross over multi lanes of traffic going up to the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan and it’s a pain in the butt.

I don’t know how extensively you plan to use the subway (I use it a lot. I buy a 7-day unlimited Metrocard and it pays for itself after 2 days) but there is the Queensboro Plaza Station (not to be confused with Queens Plaza) a few blocks away where you can take the 7 train into Manhattan as well.