Everything & Anything New York City

kweelo

Hi guys, have read with interest this thread - I am looking to take my wife for her 40th birthday at the end of July, flying probably from LHR.

I have visited various websites, looking for deals and the best hotels to stay at. Whilst we don't intend spending much time at the hotel was possibly looking at the Sheraton- Times Sq. At the moment, various websites are offering deals at approx £850 pp mark, am I better to book this price or wait til nearer the time?

We are looking at 4 nights, 5 days and would like to leave LHR as early as possible to maximise time in NY and then leave late on the last day.

Would appreciate any help, pointers in the right direction or recommendations on any deals.

Thanks for your help:)

Savvy_Sue

kweelo wrote: »

I am looking to take my wife for her 40th birthday at the end of July,

<snip>

Would appreciate any help, pointers in the right direction or recommendations on any deals.

It'll be hot and humid.

While we were out there, I turned to MSE for advice on how to remove rings from swollen fingers. The trick (after you've tried soap etc) is to pass a piece of thread under the ring(s) and work it round and round and round and round, until finally the ring pops off. It took a while, but it seemed better than having them cut off because I'd lost the circulation in my finger.

kweelo

Savvy_Sue

thank you, normally myself and my wife love the heat! Possibly not on this trip. Now looking at the Hilton Gardens Times SQ - seems a good deal, would appreciate any ideas. Thank You

Savvy_Sue

kweelo wrote: »

Savvy_Sue

thank you, normally myself and my wife love the heat! Possibly not on this trip. Now looking at the Hilton Gardens Times SQ - seems a good deal, would appreciate any ideas. Thank You

granted I don't love the heat, but it was pretty unbearable when we were there. Survived by ducking into air-conditioned stores when I was close to collapse. Went to the cinema every evening (I think! few years ago now!) for the same reason. also did a late night ride on the SI ferry which was pleasant.

M4RKM

kweelo wrote: »

Savvy_Sue

thank you, normally myself and my wife love the heat! Possibly not on this trip. Now looking at the Hilton Gardens Times SQ - seems a good deal, would appreciate any ideas. Thank You

It's not the heat, it's the the 95% humidity that makes it unbearable. The air just doesn't move, it's sliceable. It's can be really really awful.

Last year, the hot and humid weather was still around when I visited in September, I was basically taking a 5 minute break for every 10 minutes of walking, it was THAT hot. I was thankful for the fridge in my hotel room along with that air conditioning that worked.

Now, if you're still wanting to go at the height of summer, you'll be happy to hear that because of the heat and humidity, a lot of locals leave town for more bearable climates, and hotel prices do drop. Regardless where you currently book, I'd ensure it is fully cancellable, so nearer to the time, you can take advantage of the bargains that are around.

The prices you've quoted work out to be about $300 a night for just the hotel room, when factoring in £400 for a flight. I like to work things out separately, it's just the way I work. You probably can do better, easily knocking off $50 - $100 a night on the hotel itself nearer to the time. If you gave exact dates, it would be easier for me to work things out to find a good deal..


M

kweelo

Thanks M
looking at travelling out 25th Jul back late 29th Jul 2011.

Cheers Kweelo

beeza

On the subject of beer, I was surprised to find local proper beers in NY. I was expecting just awful bud and its copies in the US. I have previously a Brooklyn Brewery beer (possibly the brown ale) at a Manchester bar that I didn't like but I'm so glad to say that wasn't the case in New York. Good selection of beers and I found myself partial to a Blue Moon or Shock Top. I didn't think I'd be drinking "Belgian" beer in NY :rotfl:

Also now found 2(!) bars in Manc that serve Blue Moon.

greenface

Blue moon would only be drunk in Mankchester by half of the population for sure (the better half)Bit like Baggies Beer or Toon Ale or Toffies Tipple

M4RKM

beeza wrote: »

On the subject of beer, I was surprised to find local proper beers in NY. I was expecting just awful bud and its copies in the US. I have previously a Brooklyn Brewery beer (possibly the brown ale) at a Manchester bar that I didn't like but I'm so glad to say that wasn't the case in New York. Good selection of beers and I found myself partial to a Blue Moon or Shock Top. I didn't think I'd be drinking "Belgian" beer in NY :rotfl:

Also now found 2(!) bars in Manc that serve Blue Moon.

The US is experiencing a huge craft beer explosion right now. if you go back a page to my Williamsburg pub crawl, all of these have amazing beers on tap, especially Lorely, Radegast, Sputyen Duyvil, South 4th.

My local pub in Horbury is doing Blue Moon on tap, tis very tasty. Last night I had an epic night of Brooklyn Beers.

M

M4RKM

kweelo wrote: »

Thanks M
looking at travelling out 25th Jul back late 29th Jul 2011.

Cheers Kweelo

Have you priced your flights yet? Without staying a Saturday night increases costs dramatically. Cheapest direct flight is over £800 without saturday, changing it to 23rd - 27th July gets you flights for around £650.

With prices these high, the only options are the package deals, where you get standard tourist class hotels, and nothing really special.

So, with a budget of £400 for your hotel (850 each - 650 = 200), that works out to be $134 a night before tax for a hotel, which isn't really going to get you much.

Looking on quikbook you haven't got many options at that price, so I've looked at Long Island City which is a quick hop into Queens, on the subway. The Verve is $139 a night before tax.

Now, if flights get cheaper (possible) then you've got a chance of getting a better hotel. Even Virgin are £700 for a flight!!

I'd hang fire, and keep checking. It's still over 5 months away, which could be why I'm not seeing any normal priced flights (normal to me at that time of year is around £450)

M