Everything & Anything New York City

paulday

Hi

Have seen a few people on here lately looking for hotel rooms in August and i know not everybody wants to go super budget, but the Howard Johnson Express in Queens has rooms at the moment for $73 a night.

Have just booked 9 nights there, end of August into September, and it came in at just under $800. So if all you want is somewhere to collapse at the end of a hot day in NY then its probably ideal. Book directly through their website to see these prices.

Paul

M4RKM

Impius wrote: »

M4RKM - thanks so much for your reply. You were right in all of your assumptions there about needing two beds and the youthfulness! I like the sound of Williamsburg from your post - is it a safe neighbourhood? What sort of nightlife is there?

Aaaah, that age old safety question. Well during the day it is quieter than during the evening, most people in that area commute to work, or are recovering from the previous night. After 4pm things start to come alive, it's a great area day and night and perfectly safe. I love the area, I'm just in my 30's and blend right in. Even where the hotel is there are a few bars within walking distance.

Bars are the main nightlife in the area, there are a few gig venues too. Now, after midnight is when it gets busy in the bars, every day of the week really, and they kick out at 4am, so by about 5am it's getting quiet on the streets. Now, a few pages back, I wrote an epic bar crawl, that bar crawl is around Williamsburg, so have a root through, and you'll find it, it'll give you some kind of idea how many places there are. Bear in mind, I barely scratched the surface on my bar crawl.

M

M4RKM

paulday wrote: »

Hi

Have seen a few people on here lately looking for hotel rooms in August and i know not everybody wants to go super budget, but the Howard Johnson Express in Queens has rooms at the moment for $73 a night.

Paul

Long Island City is a better location if you want to go cheap. Maybe there you're looking at $100-$130 a night at places like the Country Inn & Suites, the downside to the HoJo is the distance from Manhattan, and the less than desirable location of Woodside. About 10 lanes of traffic right outside, and around half a mile to the nearest subway, which then takes about 30 minutes to get into Manhattan.

It is cheap, but time is money. I'll say it again, August is a cheap month, hotel prices will drop, they always do, especially before Labor day which is first weekend in September. It is still March, we have over 4 months. If you want to book something to feel secure, make sure you can cancel it, then you will be able to get bargains.

M4RKM

phatbear wrote: »

I think i can sum san fran up in a few words:

golden gate bridge
alcatraz
cable cars
bums/homeless people
rain

dont think i'll be going back as I found it about a tenth as pleasurable as NY, whenever I get back from NY I start thinking about my next trip with san fran I was pleased to be home. However one thing good about SF that I found over NY is how pleasent everyone is, always get a please and thank you from everyone as opposed to a "get out of my way" from NY

Im sure it would have been better if it had'nt rained so much, think at a push I would go there as a stop over for a drive to vegas/L.A but I found no real positives about the place

I had great weather with mine. it isn't as easy to get around, as there is no subway, what part of San Francisco did you stay? Fishermans Wharf?? I stayed just off Union Square, found the location alright, close to transportation. Headed down to Haight Ashbury a few nights, and the vibe there, well it smells of weed..

I found the homeless people to be harmless, they're there like in every other city, and there is a lot of them, I just blanked them like the locals do.

I liked San Francisco, I found it much more laid back. However, I never hear anyone in NY say - "get out of my way" mainly because I don't visit midtown where there is a lot of tourists. You know me Mr Bear, I'm always down below 14th Street, or in Brooklyn, you get a decent vibe that way, and I'd try it one day, even staying in a hotel down there... oooh!

One thing I will say, it isn't an every year city like NYC is (well NYC is every 6 months), I can see myself visiting somewhere like Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, and Portland, OR. Tick them off my list before I go back to San Francisco.

phatbear

I stayed on 4th street and market my room window looked out on to the apple store.

The smell of cannabis was almost over whelming on occasion walking down certain streets.

My "get out of the way" statement is'nt actually a verbal statement its more of an attitude i do get naffed off with opening doors for mrs pb and having people shove through without a thank you etc, totally different to sf. Oddly i did once experience a young ethnic chap walking down 34th and broadway shouting "get the f#*k out of my way" to everyone sadly this bear aint for moving.

Maybe things would have been different if we had'nt had a teen with us as evenings were looooong and he didnt want to go to the baseball or basketball.

I did ignore the bums but its a tad hard when ur sitting in a sandwich shop and theres someone convulsing on the floor outside the window

Ahh well roll on aug

M4RKM

phatbear wrote: »

I stayed on 4th street and market my room window looked out on to the apple store.

The smell of cannabis was almost over whelming on occasion walking down certain streets.

My "get out of the way" statement is'nt actually a verbal statement its more of an attitude i do get naffed off with opening doors for mrs pb and having people shove through without a thank you etc, totally different to sf. Oddly i did once experience a young ethnic chap walking down 34th and broadway shouting "get the f#*k out of my way" to everyone sadly this bear aint for moving.

Maybe things would have been different if we had'nt had a teen with us as evenings were looooong and he didnt want to go to the baseball or basketball.

I did ignore the bums but its a tad hard when ur sitting in a sandwich shop and theres someone convulsing on the floor outside the window

Ahh well roll on aug

Aah yeah, I know where you were staying. I was just on Geary, at the Clift hotel, very swanky and posh, and a HUGE bedroom. I would say compared to NYC, in NYC, I also had a huge bedroom, with sofa, tub, shower etc.

I know what you mean about the cannabis smell, however, medicinal marijuana is legal in California, and as it is legal, people can smoke it on the street. Can't say I minded myself, it's such a sweet smell..

I enjoyed my time in SF, but the 4 nights was plenty to get a feel for the city, I felt however that 4 nights in NYC, even though I've been so many times, still didn't do it justice. Roll on September for me, beer week, baseball, and hopefully, if the price is right when it opens, a stay at the new Aloft in Brooklyn. I do love my swanky hotels now...

M

Impius

M4RKM - I just read your post and had a look at the new aLoft in Brooklyn. The prices seem pretty good. Is it a good area for nightlife do you know?

M4RKM

Impius wrote: »

M4RKM - I just read your post and had a look at the new aLoft in Brooklyn. The prices seem pretty good. Is it a good area for nightlife do you know?

I'm considering the aloft in Brooklyn for September, however, the area is not famed for it's nightlife. There is good subway links into Manhattan from less than 2 minutes away walking, but there really isn't much in the area from what I can see.

If the rate is right, then go for it. The Subway is 24/7 so you shouldn't have an issue getting around.

randomtask_2

Impius wrote: »

M4RKM - thanks so much for your reply. You were right in all of your assumptions there about needing two beds and the youthfulness! I like the sound of Williamsburg from your post - is it a safe neighbourhood? What sort of nightlife is there?

Williamsburg listings guide here, plenty of bars/restaurants and clubs to look into. I really liked Barcade for it's very lo-fi appearance, wide range of retro arcade games, pool table and rather splendid beer selection.

http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/listings/

karenlyth25

I am thinking of going to the MOMA restrurant "modern" to celebrate getting married (its just the two of us)...has anyone eaten there before and any comments about it? I posted here previously for some ideas but didnt get much response. I am struglling with the want of a nice view but great food....!! I think food might win! Any other recommendations apart from the View and River Cafe?

Many Thanks