Hi - I'll (hopefully) be hobbying in Manhattan for the first time later this week. I've yet to make hotel arrangements: are there any 4-5 star hotels I should be sure to avoid for hobbying purposes?

I tried to book with an escort on my favorites list two days before coming into town for a weekend. I filled out an appointment form on her site and got no answer. I posted an ISO post on the NYC board the night before my trip. Jada Black answered and over the time I was traveling, set an appointment through mps and texts. Thirty-five minutes before the appointment I get a text that she's on her way. I shower, shave, and spritz. Fifteen minute after the agreed time I call Jada and she says she's driving and is in traffic. I pulled the plug after waiting an additional thirty minutes. No real apologies or offers to try to square the situation, beyond half heartedly asking if I wanted to reschedule for Sunday morning. Oh yeah, the lady I filled the form out for emailed me sometime in the afternoon that she wouldn't be available. During the evening two other ladies responded to the ISO post from Friday night.

It will take time for women to check your references, and verify you.  Many women book up or don't take same day appointments.  If there are people you want to see, contact them to get verified.  If you don't know what hotel to use, I guarantee they have a lot of experience at a lot more hotels than you, and could probably recommend something.

But I'm trying to avoid hotel hassels (like key-card elevators)

I have twenty reviews and a membership on a verification site. Some of these ladies are making this harder than it actually is.

If someone makes it too hard to see them, then see someone else.  

I am all for verification. I have reviews and white list entries here and membership at a verification site.  That's been good enough for just about everyone I ever tried to book.  Some women aren't on this site and they aren't on the specific verification site that I use.  That often means they want references.  Since I am usually trying to book same day, references aren't always immediately available.  So, I move on to someone who will take the verification info I have.  

No hard feelings.  No problem.

You can say you are travelling with a family member who is disable and you prefer elevators without the keys.
Also, pick the biggest hotels in the city. They are safer to hobby than the smaller boutique kind

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NYC, overall, is a very hobby friendly city. Taking into consideration that there are gazillions of tourists and business people alike coming in and out of the city at all times, it is not a place you should stress about. You are likely to blend in with all of the traffic.

Even in boutique hotels, if you are hobbying discreetly, and with proper research (ie the lady is reputable and you're not inviting questionable/low end women over) you will be ok. A reputable lady is not going to show up in thigh high boots and fishnets.  Now, if you intend to have multiple dates with different women during your stay, you may feel more comfortable at a large hotel. Ultimately, you can't get in trouble for having guests. You are paying for your room, and it is not up to the staff to decide if your female guests are hookers haha! However,  I do feel that comfort is important. Paranoia can ruin a fun time, so I would take Betty's advice and go with a larger hotel. The key card issue is not the end of the world, but it can feel like a large bump in the road when you just want to stay under the radar.  

XOXO

Ironically, I lived most of my life in/around NYC - but that was pre-hobby and I never had reason to stay in a hotel.