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

WaxiesDargle

thegolfingdog wrote: »

myself and the good lady have finally booked up

Glasgow To Ney York Direct 24th June
New York to Glasgow Direct 1st July

£254 each


24th June to 1st July in Hilton Times Square, £450 each

total for the week each is £704. Think thats a decent deal?

can you tel me who you booked with?

I'm going with my two daughters in August and don't really know where to start....its seems a daunting place to go!!

HGLTsuperstar

costingbunny wrote: »

Not stayed here but price is about $240 a night when you need to go - it is Hilton brand and new hotel so might be good. Location is pretty central as well - not exactly central park but a good base in my opinion

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/NYCCLDT-Doubletree-Hotel-New-York-City-Chelsea-New-York/index.do

but with taxes its the same as the Beacon and I can't see if its a private or shared bathroom but thanks anyway.
any one else think I'll get a private bathroom double for under $300 right before Xmas?

traveller

Hi WaxieD, I'm going In august with my children, but not staying in manhattan this time.You should have a look at virgin for flights or kayak and just put your dates in and you'll be able to compare prices.

Accomadation wise, I'd stay as far away from times square as possible.This is nice to go to for a first time visitor, but to stay there, is awful in my opinion-i did this last time. Have a look at markymoos guide and read throw this thread and you will; be very well informed. I think the hotel beacon,would be good for you as they have prices for august and are near central park, which has a lot of activities in the summer.Good luck with your planning!

costingbunny_2

HGLTsuperstar wrote: »

but with taxes its the same as the Beacon and I can't see if its a private or shared bathroom but thanks anyway.
any one else think I'll get a private bathroom double for under $300 right before Xmas?

Defo private bathrooms - link below for amenites in the rooms - hope this helps.

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/NYCCLDT-Doubletree-Hotel-New-York-City-Chelsea-New-York/accommodations-amenities-popup.do?roomType=STD

thegolfingdog

WaxiesDargle wrote: »

can you tel me who you booked with?

I'm going with my two daughters in August and don't really know where to start....its seems a daunting place to go!!

certainly:beer:


flights are through continental airlines website

hotel is through travelrepublic website

WaxiesDargle

Thanks for that...I'll check them out

WaxiesDargle

traveller wrote: »

Hi WaxieD, I'm going In august with my children, but not staying in manhattan this time.You should have a look at virgin for flights or kayak and just put your dates in and you'll be able to compare prices.

Accomadation wise, I'd stay as far away from times square as possible.This is nice to go to for a first time visitor, but to stay there, is awful in my opinion-i did this last time. Have a look at markymoos guide and read throw this thread and you will; be very well informed. I think the hotel beacon,would be good for you as they have prices for august and are near central park, which has a lot of activities in the summer.Good luck with your planning!

Hi Traveller...thanks for the advice...it's appreciated

monty100

welnik wrote: »

Well i've just finished reading the whole of this thread, my eyes hurt now. As a lone female traveller (only for the first day as I am meeting friends on day two), I was thinking of tour busing it on day one. I have only seen the one post though which recommended the new york party shuttle.

I now my friends want to do an open top bus tour. Just wondering which is the best to do a comprehensive perusal of NY. cheers

We did the New York party shuttle 5 hour tour of NY last summer. We felt it gave us a good way to see much of NY so we could then just dot here and there on our other days. We were on and off the coach at Strawberry Fields, St Pats Church, Federal Bank area, Seaport, on the Staten Island Ferry (and a walk to the 9/11 monument there to all Staten Islanders killed). Probably one or two more places - can't recall. In between we went through most districts of Manhattan south of Central Park, and the guide on the coach was very good, pointing out loads of interesting things and anecdotes on the way.

My M and D (in 70's) are doing the same tour this May when they visit - its a good orientation for them.

No experience of open top buses, maybe someone else can help there.

Enjoy, whatever you decide. We love New York, even though we are not 'big city' people. There's a real buzz about the place.:T

ceebeeby

.... Wahey, am home, and want to pass out huge thanks to everyone on this thread for your MSE ideas and ways to make the stay fab.

The best bits:

Gray Line or Circle Line bus trip (both lower and upper) $49
Show tickets from TKTS - $60 ish for FABULOUS seats at Phantom and Mary Poppins
Top of the Rock - yeah we did it (didn't think we would, but once we got over the initial wobbly legs - became the highlight!!) - $18
Iridium Jazz Club - go early and stay for two sets (you only pay once) - (about $80 incl. tip) but that includes a forgettable meal and drinks - well, I suppose you're there for the music really - fabulous atmosphere (7th / 51st)
Carnegie Deli on 7th and 50th - New York Cheesecake that survives 100% the journey home - $22 (fab gift for someone)
St Paul's - the church near WTC / Ground Zero - free entry, but donations welcomed - very moving
St Pat's on 5th / 51st - stunning!
Staten Island Ferry - free (fab views)
Edison Bar - just off times square (10pm - midnight), live show tunes played by Karen (and guests) - absolutely brilliant, top top entertainment and you only pay for your drinks.
New York Plaza - top top concierge staff who were more than happy to show us Eloise even though we weren't staying there, and gave us some history.
Dean and Deluce coffee shops - yummy!
All shop staff (Macy, Bloomingdales, Saks, Disney etc. except Berg ....), a special mention though goes to M&M Store on Time for their unbelievable helpfulness (cheers Daniel!)
The food court under central station - wow!
The hotel (The Belvedere) - was functional, reasonable and was absolutely satisfactory for the cost, hugely helpful staff again.

Worst Bits

TGI Friday - hugely disappointed with Times Square one, very unpleasant staff followed by trying to get you to double tip (i.e. they hide it in the bill and then expect it again) - we had literally 5 sec contact with waitress when ordering, then she slammed meals on table without even looking at us as rushing off to another customer - then added 15% on to the bill for "Good Service" - shamefully we paid it for the sheer brass neck!
British Airways - "could be better". Has totally lost it's personal style on the London - NY journey and vice versa (indicatively massively better on the internal transfers to and from London).
Bergdorf-Goodman - they need to learn not to judge people by their footwear (we were wearing trainers instead of Jimmy's!!!) the sales assistants were actually quite intimidating! Okay it was only a couple of hundred they lost from us, but if they treat most customers that way then that's a fair amount they'll lose each day!

Ooooh, and total spends (for all meals, entertainment and lots of gifts) just under $1000 for the 5 days (about $200 per day) - about £700 ...?

Thanks again everyone! xx

M4RKM

ceebeeby wrote: »

Edison Bar - just off times square (10pm - midnight), live show tunes played by Karen (and guests) - absolutely brilliant, top top entertainment and you only pay for your drinks.

Actually called The Rum House, 47th / Broadway.

Had a few drinks myself there on the thursday when I landed, actually didn't pay for a single on, as Jose the barman remembers me each year, and always gives me free booze!!!

M