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

floyd

markymoo wrote: »

If you go to the secret stash in red bank, say hello to walt flanagan and his dog for me... *grins*

M

ha ha will do

Btw, when we were eating lunch today, OH said "don't stare but I recognise the woman behind you". It was Linda Fiorentino! Made my day, here's hoping I bump into Jason mewes tomorrow

M4RKM

OMG.... the last scion!

becky_rtw

Okay so I've found the place that I'm going to book for me and my OH for a couple of nights on our next trip:
http://www.libraryhotel.com/

WOW!!!

M4RKM

Kenny,

The thing is, is that you normally DON'T pay a premium to stay in Times Square, as most of the "package" hotels are located there, and also first time tourists see Times Square as the centre of all things New York. I've visited NYC 12 times in the past 8 years, and have stayed in quite a few locations. Some I've liked, some I've found rather boring, but again, this is just opinion.

I've stayed at the Edison hotel just off Times Square twice, (back in 2001, and 2004), but wouldn't stay there again (both times with family members, 2001 was my first trip, 2004 my mum wanted to stay there!)

I've stayed around 30th street, 35th street (in a godawful place I found online), and since 2005, I've found myself at the Cosmopolitan. I made a mistake in March this year, and stayed at the Affinia 50, and however nice the hotel was (and the hotel was a little bit nicer than the Cosmo), the location didn't do anything for me. I was surrounded by big businesses, or other hotels. After 6pm, I just couldn't find anything to do, and ended up travelling for 20 mins to the village, or tribeca, or LES for stuff to do..

Times Square is always the weird one, I always say it's a great photo opportunity, as all the flashing lights, make it a huge wow factor for everyone who visits there, but I think it's just that. Other people ones who love the place and think it is convenient to everything, and don't mind eating at a TFI Friday's or a Sbarro, because they must eat near their hotel, and it's a hard argument to win when it comes to someone who MUST stay near Times Square. The only time I think it is convenient is if you're going for a short trip, and seeing 2 shows on Broadway!

If people wish to stay in Times Square, who am I to stop them? I'm nobody, I'm just someone who frequents, attempts to help and recommend what I like, where I've stayed personally, so know exactly what it's like, but half the time there just isn't enough information to actually know if the recommendation is helpful. I know a number of people have stayed at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, in Tribeca, which has character, restaurants, bars, and shopping all close by. A Park is a few blocks away to get away from the noise, and at night it is much quieter than other areas, such as Times Square

Manhattan as a whole island, is a convenient place to stay for a holiday in NYC, because of the subway. However, there are great bargains in other areas than just Midtown, and some people can't see that. They want everything on the doorstep, and think that Midtown means everything is there.

Some people plan an itinerary, and they are going from Midtown to Downtown, to Uptown back to Midtown in a day, and cram so much in a day they are going to miss what in my opinion makes New York, New York, and that's the village atmospheres in other areas, and just wandering around aimlessly. I think Union Square has much more character and better restaurants/bars/shops around it than Times Square, but who's to blame that first time visitors don't see this?

My holidays to NYC are now going to be based in Brooklyn for the most part, as there is MUCH more to see here, than Manhattan, based on that twice as many people live there, and it's about 3 times the size. Would I ever recommend it to someone who is visiting for the first time, No, because it has nothing that they'd want. People want the flashing neon lights, and expensive subpar (for the most part) restaurants in the vicinity of their hotels, and people like to complain that $8 for a beer in a faux irish bar in Midtown is expensive, but they are the people that will always complain, and never listen to what anyone else has to say, even though someone like me has been 12 times to NYC, and that means nothing, because they know best.

I really don't give a crap to be honest now where people stay, and avoid the questions about hotels as much as possible, and help people with flights, and organising an itinerary in the correct order to minimise the example I gave above. If they want to stay in Times Square, it keeps my little neighbourhood gems a little gem!

*phew* I do babble a bit

M

Savvy_Sue

becky_rtw wrote: »

Okay so I've found the place that I'm going to book for me and my OH for a couple of nights on our next trip:
http://www.libraryhotel.com/

WOW!!!

Now for that, I might be prepared to go back to NY ... Will have to show it to DH.

urbancookie1

(Anyway, it wasn't long before i needed the loo - have you ever tried finding a toilet in NYC!!!! Im not joking Mark, Mcdonalds had bouncers at the toilet doors. Anyway, i just had to go in a toilet doorway in the end.)

OMG!!
This quote worries me, Because of my medication i have to use the loo quite frequently (and also i expect the weather to be cold) I was under the impression that like other places in the U.S you could just pop into places like McDonalds, Starbucks and the like to use their restrooms, am i wrong here?

Lady_S

I have never been stopped in a mcdonalds or starbucks. They tend to be my favourite place to spend a penny.

ooh, Borders book stores and filenes basement in union square are useful too xx

M4RKM

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

I know exactly where you are coming from. Last month i stayed at the Le Bleu in Brooklyn and had a fantastic time, i love Brooklyn. I have even stayed in the Bronx near the zoo. My sons mother loves Elizabeth (probably because its one of the cheaper places)

EDIT

Anyway, it wasn't long before i needed the loo - have you ever tried finding a toilet in NYC!!!! Im not joking Mark, Mcdonalds had bouncers at the toilet doors. Anyway, i just had to go in a toilet doorway in the end.

Point being, and exactly as you say Times Sq is tourist central, but real New York is found else where.

Aaah.. I stayed at the sister hotel, the Le Jolie back in September, which is up in Williamsburg. Loved that, and am going back in March.

As for the loo dilema, I'll second the vote for Borders, and add in Barnes and Noble..
Normally, by 3pm, I've done exploring the for day, and am having an afternoon drink in a bar somewhere, so there is always a loo there.... *grins*


M

HGLTsuperstar

Marky, your rant sounds like that of a fed-up man. You're not building up to leaving us are you?

randomtask_2

if you happen to be midtown, there's loads of big department stores you can answer nature's call at...I recall popping into Takashimaya on 5th Ave. Very plush.

Lot's of hotels have toilets near the lobby on the ground floor too.