Anything & Everything New York (PART 2) - [please search thread before posting]

welsh_cake

Can anyone recommend a good guide book for NY? We have never been before and I just wanted to start reading up on it. Thanks

M4RKM

oooh.. guide books...

one i like is NFT (not for tourists) as it doesn't bore you with the standard details of walking tours, that are kinda out of date, or telling you about all the places you can go, which people probably already know.

What it does do, is give you detailed maps of each area of NYC, with the landmarks, bars, restaurants, shops, subway stops / bus routes etc.

it's a great companion guide i'd say..

for my first few trips to NYC, i had a time out guide, and the lonely planet guide, i think the Time Out guide got used more....

I go with an NFT in my bag now, as wherever i go, i'll be able to find somewhere to eat/drink or get around quite easily.

ninestonecreature

[/QUOTE]
Hi
Just to say that I stayed at Embassy Suites earlier this month and it was great option for the facilities - me review is on tripadvisor under maryios. we paid the prepad cheapest rate but still got a hudson view (room 825) which was great, especially at night! Think you will like it - the evening drinks reception is a right bonus (if you drink) - free gin and tonics/wine/cocktails!! and the brekkie will fill you up till later in the day - look out for the takeaway boxes and stuff them with bagels and muffins and grab some fruit and a takeway coffee/tea on your way out - sorted for the day! Enjoy.[/QUOTE]

Oooh, excellent. I have emailed the hotel to see if we can get upgraded, we will be getting married while we're there, so hopefully they'll do this ), I do drink, so yes, that will be most welcome...lol, and the takeaway boxes sound awesome, will help us save money to spend on more food at tea time...hehe

Are there any places/restaurants/food shops around the area that you would recommend? I also need somewhere to buy nappies from etc.

I'm still a bit confused with regards transport from the airport, I could get a sedan from dial 7 for around $50, thats not including tip and toll...how much am I looking at all in? Or, I could get the express bus, or struggle with trains etc then maybe get a cab once we're in Manhattan. I really I really need to see if it's actually worth just spending the extra $$$ to go direct to the hotel, cos I don't want any stress before we get there. (I always take the long winded route instead of spending that little bit extra....I think this is the one time I bend the rules

Exciting stuff, my countdown begins soon, I tell my partner 3 weeks on friday, it's the worst and best secret I've ever had to keep in my life. Yey!

M4RKM

If you're carrying a little one, then yes, i'd consider a car service

check out carmel car service, as they normally have a $4 off a trip from the airport voucher.

from Newark, you'll come into NYC via the Lincoln Tunnel, which is an $6 or $8, then you're looking at around 15 - 20% tip.

($8 is peak which is Weekdays 6-9 a.m., 4-7 p.m.)

with Carmel it's also $50, so $50 - 4 = $46, plus tip $9.20, plus toll $6, gives a total of $61.20, so you could easily give the guy $60, and you won't get any growls etc!!!

so, if it's 2 adults, and 1 child, it's only $20 each...

ninestonecreature

markymoo wrote: »

If you're carrying a little one, then yes, i'd consider a car service

check out carmel car service, as they normally have a $4 off a trip from the airport voucher.

from Newark, you'll come into NYC via the Lincoln Tunnel, which is an $6 or $8, then you're looking at around 15 - 20% tip.

($8 is peak which is Weekdays 6-9 a.m., 4-7 p.m.)

with Carmel it's also $50, so $50 - 4 = $46, plus tip $9.20, plus toll $6, gives a total of $61.20, so you could easily give the guy $60, and you won't get any growls etc!!!

so, if it's 2 adults, and 1 child, it's only $20 each...

See, that's what I need to do in my head....brill, I'll do that!

I said before didn't I about asking for an upgrade, and here's a big lesson folks.....if you don't ask you don't get...I asked and........(lets out a little scream) they have upgraded us to a Harbour view state with views of The Statue of Liberty, we have been made VIP guests of the managing director 'to ensure your special stay with us is one you will always remember(lets out another little scream).

New York is my favourite place in the world, and it's just been made a whole lot better ))))))))

M4RKM

awesome.... great news.... i stayed at the affinia 50 and all i got for my 30th birthday was a bottle of wine...

costingbunny_2

Great news on the upgrade - sounds like you have the posher suites which, from my recollection on the website look well fancy!!

as for resturants and stuff we did not eat anywhere near the hotel so can't help. as for nappies????? no clue at all - sos. Century 21 is close by if you like rumaging for bargains (i found it overwelming and not fun but everyone is different). Within the hotel is a mexican place which we had a beer in but the food looked a bit rubbish. Round the corner is a bagel place which is great for bagels (durr) and has great build your own salads which we had made up and then ordered in pizza (steve's pizza which is also local, I have the flyer at home so can post you number is you want it - $20 for 18inch pizza delivered in 15 minutes - you can warm up leftovers in the microwave if you are tight like us!! hee hee). There is also a diner about 5/10 mins walk with a shop below which sells snacks and cold beers (not wine though). bang in front of teh hotel is the Irish Hunger Memorial and you can walk all along battery road esplande to the SOL, or jog as we did (although you can just look at the SOL from your room yuo lucky thing!). Also you can walk to Seaport which has a great pier with views of Brooklyn Bridge and nice bars and restaurants and on a sunny day is well worth a mooch about.

If I think of anything else I will post again! ps - at the free drinks reception you can take your drinks to your room if you fancy and it comes with free nibbles which you can also take away (nachos, veggies and dips!) Bonus

ninestonecreature

markymoo wrote: »

awesome.... great news.... i stayed at the affinia 50 and all i got for my 30th birthday was a bottle of wine...

I think it's probably because we're getting married while we're there as well.:p

Meanwhile, my boyfriend knows nothing of this, NOTHING...lol, we'll also be going to see Jon Stewart while we're there with VIP tix, and Ive bought him and my mate tix to see unwigged and unplugged (Spinal tap guys) while we're there. I have to say it, he's a very lucky man teehee

ninestonecreature

costingbunny wrote: »

Great news on the upgrade - sounds like you have the posher suites which, from my recollection on the website look well fancy!!

as for resturants and stuff we did not eat anywhere near the hotel so can't help. as for nappies????? no clue at all - sos. Century 21 is close by if you like rumaging for bargains (i found it overwelming and not fun but everyone is different). Within the hotel is a mexican place which we had a beer in but the food looked a bit rubbish. Round the corner is a bagel place which is great for bagels (durr) and has great build your own salads which we had made up and then ordered in pizza (steve's pizza which is also local, I have the flyer at home so can post you number is you want it - $20 for 18inch pizza delivered in 15 minutes - you can warm up leftovers in the microwave if you are tight like us!! hee hee). There is also a diner about 5/10 mins walk with a shop below which sells snacks and cold beers (not wine though). bang in front of teh hotel is the Irish Hunger Memorial and you can walk all along battery road esplande to the SOL, or jog as we did (although you can just look at the SOL from your room yuo lucky thing!). Also you can walk to Seaport which has a great pier with views of Brooklyn Bridge and nice bars and restaurants and on a sunny day is well worth a mooch about.

If I think of anything else I will post again! ps - at the free drinks reception you can take your drinks to your room if you fancy and it comes with free nibbles which you can also take away (nachos, veggies and dips!) Bonus

Thanks for replying ) I went to century 21 last time we were there, and I hated it as much as I hate most shops!! I do LOVE a bargain though, so I know I won't be able to help myself...lol

CAN'T WAIT. Ps, have blatantly read your trip advisor report, I recall the jogging bit...lol

Lady_S

welsh_cake wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a good guide book for NY? We have never been before and I just wanted to start reading up on it. Thanks

Personally, I would go for the Brits guide to New York. I found it really interesting, loads of good tips and a fantastic bus/subway map in the back.