Everything & Anything New York City

adoreholidays

M4RKM wrote: »

I've never heard of East Village Suites, so it probably is an illegal apartment rental. You should be worried, unless you like breaking the law.

Laws are different in Boston, and New York City laws won't apply there.

Hi M4RKM you could book these through booking.com so would these not be legit. How would people know in the UK that this is ilegal and could be breaking the law this could be quite worrying

greenface

adoreholidays wrote: »

Hi M4RKM you could book these through booking.com so would these not be legit. How would people know in the UK that this is ilegal and could be breaking the law this could be quite worrying

Booking.com and many others are just a host for people ,hotels,businesses etc to advertise what they have to offer .I bet i could get a igloo in egypt up for a fee. They dont nor could possibly vet all places offered. How would people know ?? Maybe as bad as when you get there and trying to book into the local camera shop as thats the address you had for the Apartment. When the authorities turn up and throw you on to the street, when a fire in a apartment below happens and you find your insurance invalid . Some scary stories are out there. If youve booked and paid there are some helpful people around to look deeper M4rk has more knowledge and T/A is a good place to ask questions about NYC apartments and the legallity but you wont like the answers . Good luck & enjoy NYC

adoreholidays

Now you have got me really concerned this is where we have booked

East Village Suites 42 Avenue B, New York City, NY 10009

on Trip Adviser it is ranked 6th of 153 with 46 reviews mostly good and names the guy Chris who I dealt with paid 2 days deposit already with Credit Card. So how would you go about checking it out thanks

jackieblack

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-c147344/New-York-City:New-York:Vacation.Apartment.Rentals.html

adoreholidays

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Yikes wished I had read this a few months back would never have bothered. Our problem was we needed 2 seperate bedrooms as had DS and girlfriend coming with us and another son so needed seperate rooms most hotels although would say sleep 5 would have 2 double beds in rooms never even entered our head that NYC would be any different to renting apartments than anywhere else didn't think it was even cheap $325 a night paid for 2 nights by CC upfront.

M4RKM

Yes, it is an illegal hotel. That's much worse than an illegal apartment rental. Mainly because there are multiple units in the same building, and NYC crack down on them, rather Mr & Mrs Smith renting out an apartment occasionally, which hasn't had repeated complaints about it.

Here is one complaint from last year - http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=2&vlcompdetlkey=0001472560

The above complaint states illegal hotel rooms, and more worrying is the fact that it clearly states on the complain ECB Violation Served - FAILURE TO PROVIDE FI ALARM AND SPRINKLER SYSTEM . There is a stop work order on the property too, which isn't good either, as it states there is no means of egress (that means getting out in emergency), also illegal awning (advertising the illegal hotel). Finally, looking at the Certificate of Occupancy (this will determine the status of the place) it is classified as Stores on the First (read ground floor), and Apartments on the rest. That to me means there should be locals resident in the place. There is no certificate of occupancy for it to be a hotel.

So, no fire alarms, no sprinkler system, no fire escapes. I'm currently more concerned about what would happen if things went wrong but it is illegal. This won't stay under the radar for long, and reviews on websites are nothing to go on to ensure legality. if you were a business, and charged someone to list on it, it is not your responsibility to check the legality, it is the person renting the property, staying there, because all tripadvisor are, are a listing website, like an advert in a paper.

$325 isn't cheap. Asking questions is free, and I'm sure with all the legal apartment hotels that are around, you could find somewhere that would work. I know a hotel that is $125 per night in Long Island City for a standard room, and then about $160 for a room with 2 beds in, that would have worked also.

How many hotels require 2 night deposits, these things surely flag up as a warning to you?

Firstly, you need to find out what the cancellation policy is. If you can cancel it would be wise to do so. Do you want you and your family staying somewhere illegal, and potentially dangerous?

Secondly, post your exact dates, exact bed configuration requirements and total number of people, and total budget per night, and I'll have a search around all the apartment hotels, and hope to find something in your budget.

Thirdly, never believe what is written on the internet, in newspapers, what people tell you when they're trying to sell them. Did you know that I can leave reviews of places that I've never been to, never intend going to, I just have to tick a box to say it is an honest review etc etc. So out of your 46 reviews, how many are actually real?

M

adoreholidays

M4RKM Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou :A:beer: for your help and so relieved Aesop pointed me in this direction as would have been totally oblivious :A

We are going in a few weeks time 3rd of June to 10th in NY then moving on to Boston until the 15th where we return to NY to fly home on 16th staying at a hotel near Airport.

We have DH, I & DS3 (15) can share room so a double with single, and then DS1 & Partner so another double. Would want AC and preferrably fridge for drinks. Liked the idea of having kitchen facilities but not an absoloute must as probs eat out most of the time but would be nice to have breakfast at room (just purely to save abit on cost). Would prefer similar location although DS2 who has been once to NY said anywhere below Central Park is OK but we have never been so are clueless but sounds like you got alot of experience:A. Hope this is helpful to you

Sorry forgot to add budget well the apartment we had booked was going to cost $2340 or around £1500 so if could get a little cheaper to make up for loss of deposit would be a bonus or around similar if not

greenface

Now we really need to find out more about this rental . I am finding the trip advisor reviews well stretched and written honest alot fron easybookers & aussies with other reviews. I will stick my neck out and say its there Its in a awkward location transport wise but its Manhattan and i belive its there. Is it legal ? nothing showing either way but again i will stick my neck out and say its not. Im not reliable and if you want to know what i would do. ????? I dont know.. Have you got back up cash ? have you paid in full .how long( 7 days) & how much etc who are you taking ? what time are you landing ?(add 2.5.hours on to that)for being on the doorstep of your apartment . The link from Jackieblack has it there for you its your call .

adoreholidays

Thanks greenface also for your help and jackieblack, I read her link which made me think this not good, confirmed by M4RKM's post.

We arrive at 11am at JFK airport. We paid 2 days deposit $650 for a 7 night stay no idea what cancellation policy can't find anything in emails or own site. There are 4 Adults and 15yr old teenager as long as had a seperate room for DS1 & GF as wouldn't be comfortable even if a sofa bed in lounge would be fine. When we travelled last year with DS2 & DS3 we all shared same room as easier and cheaper. We normally always book package with travel agent when going abroad but only as had Avios miles to use we had to book just accomodation. Last week was going to ring about paying the rest of money how nieve is that:eek:. Haven't even looked into the Boston one which is Bed & breakfast associates so just praying that okay

hornetsmad

Hello, I am new to this forum but have been reading this thread on and off for the last few days and am very impressed with the amount of helpful and friendly information it includes.

I am planning to take my family to New York next March for my Mother's 50th Birthday, and have been looking up package deals on expedia.co.uk

The prices a week or so ago seemed to indicate we could get a decent hotel and flights for around £650 per person but now the prices seem to be rising.

Is it best to book as soon as possible or do you think it's worth waiting until nearer the time in the hope of getting a better deal? Obviously I'll be gutted if we can't get a good deal nearer the time and don't want to miss out on what will be the trip my Mum's always wanted.

Thanks in advance for all your help.