Everything & Anything New York City

VestanPance

The only time I've ever used a taxi in NYC was back before they had the air-train links from the airports. The subway system is cheap, safe and easy to use.

EDIT: On the Christmas theme there are the shows that are traditional New York fare (Nutcracker or the Rockets) if that type of thing interests you. There's the Ice Skating at Central Park and the Rockefeller Centre. Take the subway over to Brooklyn just before dusk and walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan and watch the city light up.

Legend83

Hi all,

Planning on taking my wife to NYC next Autumn for 4/5 days as surprise 30th birthday present. We will hopefully be going with two friends so I have been looking into apartment rentals, such as those on www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, as a low-cost option.

Has anyone had any experience of doing this, any problems, things I need to consider?

Also, what do people consider to be a reasonably priced flight these days (travelling in mid-Sept or mid-Oct)? I am not a seasoned traveller (especially the US) and would not have the first idea of what was a good price – best I get on SkyScanner flying direct is £538 with BMI.

I have an itinerary as long as my arm (TOTR, CP, GZ, TKTS tickets, museums, SOL) but what I am not armed with is a list of great eateries – any recommendations for a) somewhere to grab and go (heard about the Shake Shack?) and; b) somewhere nice to take my wife for a treat (Keens?).

All advice warmly received.

Thanks

Ed

bb69

GemmaC25 wrote: »

I'm so excited I'm going back to NY on Monday for my 2nd visit - looking forward to seeing NY close to Christmas!

Just wondering if anyone has visited at this time of year before and have any tips on anything to see or do? I did all the 'main' tourist sites in the 1st trip - this time I'm doing a food tour in Greenwich, visiting the 9/11 memorial, seeing the new section of Highline Park and lots of shopping. This time I'm feeling more brave so to save on taxi fare we're doing Air Train/Subway route from airport to our hotel (in Times Square) which could be fun armed with suitcases

Enjoy Gemma! Have a look on this link http://www.goldstar.com/events/anytown-ks/amc-movie-bundle

The cinema is todays offer, but you might find something nice and chrismassy on there!

A must see is the tree at the Rockefeller center and all the store windows. Did you do top of the rock last time?

red_pad

Legend83 wrote: »

Hi all,

Planning on taking my wife to NYC next Autumn for 4/5 days as surprise 30th birthday present. We will hopefully be going with two friends so I have been looking into apartment rentals, such as those on www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, as a low-cost option.

Has anyone had any experience of doing this, any problems, things I need to consider?

Also, what do people consider to be a reasonably priced flight these days (travelling in mid-Sept or mid-Oct)? I am not a seasoned traveller (especially the US) and would not have the first idea of what was a good price – best I get on SkyScanner flying direct is £538 with BMI.

I have an itinerary as long as my arm (TOTR, CP, GZ, TKTS tickets, museums, SOL) but what I am not armed with is a list of great eateries – any recommendations for a) somewhere to grab and go (heard about the Shake Shack?) and; b) somewhere nice to take my wife for a treat (Keens?).

All advice warmly received.

Thanks

Ed

Careful with some of the Apartment Rentals. Many are illegal. If you head over to Trip Advisor and search Illegal Apartment Rentals there should be more info on it.

cooking-mama

jackieblack wrote: »

Does anyone have any personal experience of the bedbug problem in NY?
I stumbled across a website where people report hotels where they've been infested and I wish I hadn't, it's starting to put me off staying anywhere!

What bedbug problem:eek:.. we went last year and didnt come accross any bedbugs(thankfully),we stayed in The New Yorker.
Hoping to go again either Aug or Oct next year.prices are very high just now,any ideas when its best to book?,January maybe?,2 adults 2 teens.flying from Scotland(either straight flights or via London,dont mind realy)
last year it cost us £2300 for 3 of us,1 week in the New Yorker 2nd week in July...what are the chances of getting a deal like that again?ie decent hotel,7nights for £800.plus each?

cbsexec

Just got back today!!!!! Fantastic trip - the city is so easy to navigate. Most of the sights are within walking distance. We were novice travellers and managed the subway to statten island ferry with not trouble. Very cheap and easy to use. We walked from there to the 9/11 memorial site - I believe more tickets are released all the time so it's worth checking the website if the dates and times you want are not available. It was not too busy when we went. Can't believe my trip of a life time is over and want to go again. If anyone wants to ask anything please do.:)

VestanPance

Legend83 wrote: »

Hi all,

Planning on taking my wife to NYC next Autumn for 4/5 days as surprise 30th birthday present. We will hopefully be going with two friends so I have been looking into apartment rentals, such as those on www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, as a low-cost option.

Has anyone had any experience of doing this, any problems, things I need to consider?


Ed

As already mentioned pretty much all vacation apartment rentals in New York are illegal. One quick look at that site and the number of Manhattan options already tells me those are illegal lets. The authorities clamp down on these frequently, do not book an apartment.

If you want a cheaper option look to stay outside Manhattan. There are a number of cheaper hotels in Long Island City, which is a 10 minute subway ride to midtown Manhattan. The likes of The Verve, or the Country Suites and Inn are popular budget choices.

Savvy_Sue

The Radio City Apartments are, I believe, OK.

The alternative could be to book a 'suite', which I believe would give you better catering facilities than a 'room'. We didn't do this in NYC, but in NJ we stayed at a Holiday Inn somewhere, and our rooms had coffee machine, and a microwave. plastic plates and cutlery, and you're away ...

M4RKM

Legend83 wrote: »

We will hopefully be going with two friends so I have been looking into apartment rentals, such as those on https://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, as a low-cost option.

Has anyone had any experience of doing this, any problems, things I need to consider?

As others have already said, Vacation Apartment Rentals are illegal in New York City.

The ones you see on holiday-rentals are illegal, as they're residential buildings. The reason you see them on there and other websites are that they accept advertising money, and expect the people advertising to ensure they are legal. Unfortunately laws have been passed in New York City to outlaw these, and when complaints are lodged, places get closed down.

I've recently read one report where someone rented a place illegally, had a visit from the police, who wanted to take photos of their rental agreement, and then left. Now, that place is now probably in the process of being closed down. What you need to bear in mind is the reason why apartment rentals are illegal. Hotel occupancy is high at over 75%-80% all year around, so even hotels are hard to get for all the tourists. Now, take into the account all the people who want to live in NYC, and find affordable accommodation, well they were getting kicked out of places they were living as the landlord could make more money selling it as an apartment rental. This has a detrimental effect on people who live in New York. Also, some places were illegally converted from SRO (for vulnerable people) places to hostels and hotels, and rooms designed for 1, now hold 8 people in bunks, and it's unsafe, and a fire risk.

What is legal though are a number of "apartment style hotels" which are things like Radio City Apartments, the Affinia Chain of hotels, which does include the affordable Eastgate Tower. There are others too. You could also look on airbnb at the "Private Room" option, which means you share an apartment with the people who live there. I doubt you'll get somewhere big enough for 4 people though, but it's worth a try. Obviously the best bet is a hotel.

Now if you're looking at a 2 bedroom suite, you need to be prepared for the cost. You're heading out to NYC in high season, anything after Labor Day Weekend, (first weekend in September), the prices shoot up. Even a basic hotel away from Midtown Manhattan will be going for around $200 per night, so if you want to keep costs down, look at staying in Long Island City (if flying into JFK), and you can probably get the Country Inn & Suites at a reasonable price, or the Verve Hotel, amongst others. Or if you're flying into EWR, you could consider the hotels in Jersey City, which is near a PATH station to get you into Manhattan. The PATH and the Subway run 24/7 so they're both good options!

As for flight prices, well BMI themselves don't fly direct, so that's a code share flight, and as you don't state your departure airport, it is a tough call. I think it's far too early to book for September 2012, this september I paid £425 for my flight with AA from Manchester, so I'd expect flights to be around £450-£475 depending on what days of the week you intend to fly.

Hope that helps.

wdw2003

We stayed in one of these illegal rentals a few weeks ago, although it only became illegal between booking it and going and we didn't even know about the change in the law until just before we went. Anyway, we had no problems at all and the landlord couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. We read all the doom and gloom warnings before we went and were expecting to be turned back at the airport if they asked the wrong question or maybe be subject to a SWAT-style raid at any time, but our reality was that holiday life continued entirely as normal.

Having said that, I wouldn't take the chance again if only to avoid the stress of worrying that you might be one of the probably very small percentage who's caught out.