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

costingbunny_2

Ally wrote: »

Hello All

I've been looking to book tickets to NY from LHR. Our dates are specific (23/10/09 - 30/10/09) and I've been told that Virgin are the best to book with if you have kids?!? Can anyone confirm this? Our eldest (12) is fine ... it's our youngest (5) that may have "issues" Price I was given was just over £1.5k for four of us, 2 adults and 2 kids (non-stop).

I would also appreciate advice on which area would be most suitable to stay in with kids whilst still being central. We want to rent an apartment as we prefer the freedom you get with coming/going, eating etc Has anyone got any recommendations of good sites for NY holiday rentals?

TIA

Hi

As Mark notes, Radio City are apartments. Other option is Embassy Suites New york - a downtown option which has a lounge with sofa bed and TV and a bedroom with a TV and with massice king bed (big enough for 2 adults and 2 little uns to be honest). All rooms are same suites and have microwave, coffee maker, mini bar (fridge on request). Good option maybe? rates include buffet breakfast with enough stuff to satisfy any appetite and there is a free drinks reception. Not cheap at around $2300 for your dates. Another option is Doubletree suites in Chelsea which looks similar and is opening in Aug 09 - this is a better location and cheaper for your dates about $2,100 and will prob be brand spanking new so might be a bit ritzy! Just a few options - both part of Hilton chain - I have stayed in Embassy Suites and can vouch for it.

Savvy_Sue

Also for Ally, we used Holiday Inn suites (although not in NY) and although it was just one room with two double beds, there was a fridge and coffee machine etc, that might suit you if you can persuade the children to share a bed ...

mersey

Hi Gillian. £25 seems good for the Sopranos tour. We only went on one other tour, with On Board Tours, they were great. They also do a night time tour, you can google them for more info. Have a blast we did. Mersey.

Stew68

A little help please.

Due to fly out to New York 4th November, we were then flying down to Florida for a bit of sun then flying back from Orlando. Booked it all with BA as they had a flight from Gatwick to New York and then fly back to Gatwick from Orlando.

Now did you spot the problem?? The word HAD!! They've just cancelled the flight from Gatwick to New York and rebooked us to fly out from Heathrow!! I booked it this way because I didn't want the messing around getting from airport to airport, the price was extremely good as well as I booked it well in advance.

Any ideas, I don't know what my rights are with BA if they cancel a flight, I'll try and phone them tonight but I'd like to have some ideas of alternatives. Can I cancel and start again (knowing I probably won't get the same kind of price!!). I'm in South Wales so I guess I'll have a look and see if BA fly from Manchester to New York and back from Orlando.

Anyone had a similar experience that they can offer some advice

Thanks In advance,


Stew

Ally

markymoo wrote: »

99.9% of NYC Apartment Vacation Rentals are illegal.
The only ones that I can think of that are not illegal, would be the Radio City Hall Apartments.
As for flights, I can find £1364 for 4 people travelling, direct with American Airlines / Virgin / British Airways
Out of those three, American have the best flight times.

The absolute cheapest flight i can find is 1224 for all 4 people, and that's US Airways, changing at PHL
Don't even think about booking an apartment rental, as it may not exist, and you arrive in NYC, to find that you have nowhere to stay, or you're staying somewhere illegal..
I don't know what you mean about "the freedom you get with coming/going, eating etc" as hotels in NYC are usually Room Only, and the front desk staff really don't mind what you are doing, etc etc...

M

Thanks Mark

I'll check the other flight operators you have mentioned for flights. That'll save us a lot of money - thank you again!

By freedom I mean being able to come and go and have somewhere to cook a proper meal in a kitchen/ette. We don't like eating out/take-outs for that long. We've stayed in hotels in Europe and the far-east and definitely enjoyed our stays more when we had like a 'home from home' if that makes sense.

What do you mean about 99.9% of apartment rentals being illegal? Can owners not rent out their property on holiday lets?

ps. Where's there thanks button gone!

Ally

costingbunny wrote: »

Hi

As Mark notes, Radio City are apartments. Other option is Embassy Suites New york - a downtown option which has a lounge with sofa bed and TV and a bedroom with a TV and with massice king bed (big enough for 2 adults and 2 little uns to be honest). All rooms are same suites and have microwave, coffee maker, mini bar (fridge on request). Good option maybe? rates include buffet breakfast with enough stuff to satisfy any appetite and there is a free drinks reception. Not cheap at around $2300 for your dates. Another option is Doubletree suites in Chelsea which looks similar and is opening in Aug 09 - this is a better location and cheaper for your dates about $2,100 and will prob be brand spanking new so might be a bit ritzy! Just a few options - both part of Hilton chain - I have stayed in Embassy Suites and can vouch for it.

Thank you Costing

Do the rooms not have cookers/hobs?

Ally

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Also for Ally, we used Holiday Inn suites (although not in NY) and although it was just one room with two double beds, there was a fridge and coffee machine etc, that might suit you if you can persuade the children to share a bed ...

Hi Savvy! Thank you for your reply.

One room is fine and the kids are great with sharing a bed. We would just really like a proper kitchen or kitchenette area.

Thanks again!

uzubairu

Ally wrote: »

Hi Savvy! Thank you for your reply.

One room is fine and the kids are great with sharing a bed. We would just really like a proper kitchen or kitchenette area.

Thanks again!

We stayed at the Beacon Hotel earlier this month and our room had a proper kitchen area.

It was great as it gave us options, and is an option we will request when we go back to New York next year.

Ally

uzubairu wrote: »

We stayed at the Beacon Hotel earlier this month and our room had a proper kitchen area.

It was great as it gave us options, and is an option we will request when we go back to New York next year.

That looks lovely ... would cost over £1200 for a week :eek: But like I say ... it looks lovely

Thanks for replying

M4RKM

Ally wrote: »

By freedom I mean being able to come and go and have somewhere to cook a proper meal in a kitchen/ette. We don't like eating out/take-outs for that long. We've stayed in hotels in Europe and the far-east and definitely enjoyed our stays more when we had like a 'home from home' if that makes sense.

What do you mean about 99.9% of apartment rentals being illegal? Can owners not rent out their property on holiday lets?

In a nutshell, no, they are not allowed to let out their property on a holiday let. Most buildings are co-ops and have rent stabilized, so if you were to holiday let it, you have to charge the rent stabilized rent, and also, have permission from everyone else in the building.

There have been stories of someone renting, paying via bank transfer (most places do not accept credit cards), and getting to NYC, and the address exists, but it isn't an apartment there, or it is an apartment, but there is no one there to give them the keys etc, and then they can't get through to anyone...

Don't ask the question, but go along to the trip advisor forums, and have a nosy at the threads there about apartment rentals...

if you do ask, they won't be as nice as me..

M