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

Lady_S

Well, we have flouted the three month rule and booked today to go for thanksgiving next year. The flights were as cheap as three month rule ones so we went for it.

Flying out on 23rd November and flying back on 28th. I am one excited girlie.

Looking for a hotel with a parade view now.

thatsfabulous

What airline did you book with Lady S?
I went thanksgiving this year, left the day before thanks giving. I am thinking about going back the same time this year and staying for thanksgiving.

Lady_S

Virgin, i couldn't do a long flight in econ, so we have booked PE. Very excited now x

HGLTsuperstar

We did VA PE (read my very long report) and they spoilt us rotten. We're going PE now to Delhi next Friday!!!

Lady_S

Yup, I would agree with that, really kind, friendly cabin crew. Suitcases off quick is another fantastic part of the deal.

We wanted to stop at the doubletree times square as we stopped there before and it was proper lovely, but the price for thanksgiving night is $1500, lol. Think we will have to change our ideas.

Affinia Manhattan is coming out reasonable at the moment.

mattybully

Hi all
Looking for a little advice,
Have just booked to go to new york for 3 nights as a suprise for my OH 21st birthday. Total New York virgin, however have just returned from a 10 day Florida road trip.
Staying at Marmara Manhattan flying out at 10:30 am on 30th Jan return flight at 6:50pm 3rd Feb.
Q1 - I have heard about birthday discounts and freebies, can anyone advise?
Q2 - Whats the best way from newark airport to upper eastside.
Q3 - Whats the most recommended things to do in such a short time.
Q4 - I would like to take the OH for a memorable meal somewhere to celebrate both our birthdays, Can anyone reccomend anywhere?
Q4- I have budgeted for £1000 spending money, I hope this is enough?
Q5 - Any other tips, Web addresses and reccomendations for a totally excited but anal planner and new york virgin.
Thanks :rotfl: :j

bb69

mattybully wrote: »

Hi all
Looking for a little advice,
Have just booked to go to new york for 3 nights as a suprise for my OH 21st birthday. Total New York virgin, however have just returned from a 10 day Florida road trip.
Staying at Marmara Manhattan flying out at 10:30 am on 30th Jan return flight at 6:50pm 3rd Feb.
Q1 - I have heard about birthday discounts and freebies, can anyone advise?
Q2 - Whats the best way from newark airport to upper eastside.
Q3 - Whats the most recommended things to do in such a short time.
Q4 - I would like to take the OH for a memorable meal somewhere to celebrate both our birthdays, Can anyone reccomend anywhere?
Q4- I have budgeted for £1000 spending money, I hope this is enough?
Q5 - Any other tips, Web addresses and reccomendations for a totally excited but anal planner and new york virgin.
Thanks :rotfl: :j

Ahhh how lovely I stayed at Marmara Manhattan for my 30th last year!! went for a week
Here are my answers:
Q1 - I know the Herseys store does a birthday message, if you search within the forum you'll find more info.
Don't know of other discounts/freebies too excited to be there but i'm sure there are others.
You could ask the airline staff to make an announcement before landing? that might be nice

Q2 - We landed at JFK so took transfers with virgin, but on the way back we went from Newark and took a taxi arranged by the hotel, we left in the early hours so not much traffic - and was quick. Traffic from JFK wasnt too bad either

Q3 - Where are you going for dinner? I was taken to the view at the Marriott, it's a revolving restaurant overlooking aspects of times square (48th floor) - was lovely although foggy the day I went the waiter made an extra effort as my birthday and sent out a medley of desserts with a candle for me.

I would also recommend - Top of the rock but more so to see the sunset - breathtaking! (although cold) by hey its NYC! - we didnt do the empire state building only because it was my choice to go to TOTR and took good photos of the ESB.
Statue of Liberty is one to see. Fifth avenue for shopping i'm sure she will love! Central park is beautiful! Whilst walking take in the Chrysler building, grand central station, ESB etc

Q4 - I can only recommend the view in the marriott as that was where I went, but I'm sure there are other lovely places. Food was nice, not extravagant - Desserts (cheesecake Mmmmmmmm) and cocktails - lovely

Q5 - I am sure £ will be, depends on how much shopping you would like to do (or your girlfriend) we took the bus a bit and taxis (dont really like tubes here so wouldnt take subway there) we also found that we left early each day so a taxi into say fifth avenue as a base wasnt too costly.. Get a metro card from a subway station that will save u £. Getting bus home (:D it did feel like home) was ok or taxi being out of the hustle meant a quicker journey.

lol just realised you have Q4 twice...

Q6 - Maybe nice to get your GF a keepsake - I bought a New york moleskine diary - you can get them from waterstones etc about £10 basically its like a posh map/diary of/for NYC but you can also mark places on the map using tracing paper and write down shops you plan to go sites etc.. it serves as something to use again as i'm sure once you have been once you'll go again!!
I have written down places i have been and also things to do, you can also keep cards, tickets for memories etc in the back its very compact and will last for life!

Go to the welcome meeting at Planet Hollywood they'll explain discounts etc

Breakfast we walked to a lovely place not far from Marmara do a left and about a 5 minute walk - i think its moonstruck diner but i'll check the name for you.. great service and food at a reasonable price! & fills you up so much! if you want to get a bus there is a bus stop outside the diner too - they run ok.

To the right there is a Macdonalds and to the left a lil walk away a papa johns pizza (but they can deliver to the hotel).. walk straight up to i think 3rd avenue and do a left and there are chinese restaurants etc.. also to the right (in between 2nd and 3rd) andis and not far is a grocers called gristede's - useful to pick up bits and bobs to tide you over and you'll have the kitchen very handy!
Shops I would recommend going into - Tiffany's, Abercrombie (only for the atmosphere!) Macys - 11% overseas discount, oooh Rugby Ralph Lauren is lovely thats near union square, DKNY etc etc depends what you like really..

I found places like century 21 and Daffy's a little hard work but if you like browsing then those are shops for you (i'm more of a i know what I want to buy so won't be in here long shopper!)

We didnt do a bus tour only because we walked to explore, but that would be nice..

Oh I am soooo excited for you! I can't wait to go back just looking at prices now!
I'll have a think of other ideas, but feel free to ask!!!

bb69

Oh Matty Bully
Have you requested a higher floor for the Marmara?

Lady_S

What to cover in such a short time... here goes

Q2 - Depends what you mean by best. cheapest is airtrain/subway, quickest is cab, but this would be $50 plus tolls and taxes I believe
Q3 - what you want to do will depend on your interests, do you like museums, do you want to see the sights? do you want to shop till you drop?
Q4 - spending money will depend on you personally. We took £700 each for 6 nights last year and it was plenty.
Q5 - My only tips would be to enjoy yourself, make the most of your time there and make sure you do the things you can't bear to miss. I am a devil for the trip advisor forums, so keep your eye out there for ideas.

greenface

museums,China Town , Central Park and shopping right down Park, 5th & lexington and returning up the next. Is your OH over 21 on their visit or under because you will be suprised how strict the bars are (more so than Florida)There is a Brazilian Restaurant around there called Zebra Grill very good real honest food not too pricey either. Enjoy NYC