Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

sneasel1 wrote: »

Don't worry about cutting to the chase, but no, I am not an Orthodox Jew, so thanks you for the info.

And I am over 21, but the OH isnt, Williamsburg was recommended too me by a friend. Want to stay in Brooklyn cause it's a little further out, we've got 7 days, so travelling into Manhatten doesnt bother us that much. I'll check out your recomendation we're just trying to keep the cost down too.

Sneasel

As a young couple, I'm sure you could "slum" it, instead of hotel luxury, and maybe look at a private room in an apartment. There are loads on airnbnb, and I can recommend one, as I've stayed there. It's not a hotel, it is a little more awkward than a Hotel, and not something I'd repeat, I did it more as a social experiment (and the fact I got to get to NYC again!!).

Hotel Le Jolie is great though, so you should be OK there... look on their website as well as STA Travel, it may work out cheaper.

M

goneshopping

Hi, looking to travel as a group of 3 to NYC in December (Dates are flexible but need to be in the UK for Christmas day).

Looking to fly from Manchester and stay in Manhatten. We'll need 2 rooms for the duration of the stay unless a 2 bedroom suite is something we will find in NYC.

Any help anyone can provide would be appreciated - I know this is notoriously the most expensive time of year but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Gemma

sneasel1

As a young couple, I'm sure you could "slum" it, instead of hotel luxury, and maybe look at a private room in an apartment. There are loads on airnbnb, and I can recommend one, as I've stayed there. It's not a hotel, it is a little more awkward than a Hotel, and not something I'd repeat, I did it more as a social experiment (and the fact I got to get to NYC again!!).

Hotel Le Jolie is great though, so you should be OK there... look on their website as well as STA Travel, it may work out cheaper.

M

Mark,

thanks again for your help, I dont think the OH would be too happy with 'slummin' it :rotfl: so we are trying to find a hotel we can use a base, but that isnt too expensive. Unfortunately Hotel Le Jolie, seems to fall into the category of 'too expensive', do you (or anyone else on the thread) have experience of Union Hotel Brooklyn?

Once again, cheers,

Sneasel

M4RKM

My next question is whether you actually have a realistic budget. I was thinking that, you might be looking a bit too early for Hotels in February. Feb is normally cheap, and that there might be no deals are around.

I've checked the Le Jolie, and it's coming up at $114.71 before taxes on a prepaid rate. That price is an absolute BARGAIN! A 7 night stay including taxes is $946 (or £87 per night!!!!). You won't be able to get a decent hotel in the UK for that amount of money.
Normally, you'd be looking at rates around $200-$250 to get a decent hotel in Brooklyn.

£812 for flights, plus £609 = £1421 for a week holiday in NYC for 2.

As for the Union Hotel, it's not in a great area, but not bad - http://unionhotelbrooklyn.com/ - Their website, never replaced renderings with photographs, and actually is a "microtel" as the rooms are so small.

I really think that you're trying to do NYC too cheap, and ignoring the fact that it is one of the most expensive cities to stay in.

At that price, I'd encourage you to save that bit extra, and we're only talking £78 more expensive than the Condor Hotel (Le Jolie still gives free continental breakfast, free wifi, and has the added bonus of 42" HD Plasma TV with movies), so between now and when you fly, just over 5 months away, that is £7.80 each per month. I spend more than that on a pint of beer at times, so to save that amount of money to be able to afford a decent hotel, in an area of Williamsburg that is actually useful to tourists, is a tiny tiny price.

M

M4RKM

Sneasel1 - If you really don't want to spend that much, I can recommend the Country Inn & Suites which is up in Long Island City. This is coming up at $95 per night, and with taxes that is 787.57 for the stay, which works out at £489 for the stay. It's convenient to get into Manhattan, and you could walk down to the G train to head into Brooklyn (it's just around half a mile walk!).

sneasel1

Mark,

You are being ever so helpful, thank you.

Just to update you, the original flights have gone out of the window, as you pointed out, they were not direct (had a 20 hour wait in amsterdam, no thanks!) So we are currently looking at direct flights from Birmingham to Newark, with Lufthansa, that cost ~£460.

Regards to budget, then im not sure, I recieve my first pay check from my new job at the end of the month, so I'll have a better Idea then. I'd guess around 700-800 each, I could probably spend more then the OH, because of income etc.

I'll take a look at Long Island City, and re-consider Le Jolie (you did make a convincing arguement with the beer )

I also have the same concern's as you about booking now, we are tempted to hold off until November Time, so for 1) we have a better idea of our budget for hotels, and for 2) to see if there are any sales on the rooms etc.

I'll post back on the thread when I know more,

Cheers,

Sneasel

M4RKM

gem3641 wrote: »

Hi, looking to travel as a group of 3 to NYC in December (Dates are flexible but need to be in the UK for Christmas day).

Looking to fly from Manchester and stay in Manhattan. We'll need 2 rooms for the duration of the stay unless a 2 bedroom suite is something we will find in NYC.

Any help anyone can provide would be appreciated - I know this is notoriously the most expensive time of year but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Gemma

Aah, it isn't necessarily the most expensive time of year. If you do the week directly before Christmas, it is slightly cheaper than the first week in December.

For 3 people, you really don't need a 2 bed suite, or 2 hotel rooms. It depends on who you are, and what BED requirements you need. Places like Eastgate tower, have a bedroom and sofa in a living area, along with a full kitchen.

Without a budget, or a length of stay, (how many nights?!) it's hard to say where you can stay, because I could easily pick out the hotels I would want to stay at, but they might not be what you want.

Also, don't just consider Manhattan. If you want to save money, then the same advice applies, and look at Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City, it's only 10 mins away from Manhattan, and you could be in Bloomingdales shopping, but it is much cheaper. I've checked random dates in December, and I get prices around $127.50 per night for a room for 2 people, or $170.00 for a room with 2 queen beds in. (before taxes)

M

guineapig

I am looking at booking 9 night stay at the Affinia Dumont in Murray Hill in October 2012, booking from the hotel website. Each type of room has several booking options.

What confuses me is that the cheaper option says:
"Reservations must be cancelled by 6pm 3 days prior to arrival to avoid a penalty of 3 nights stay plus taxes. Reservations must be gtd with a credit card. Hotel charges fee of 1 night room/tax in event of early departure"

The option that costs about 25% extra says:
"Reservation may not be modified or cancelled once booked. Full pre-payment will be taken on credit card. You will be charged the full amount of this reservation immediately. This 100pct deposit will not be refundable".

Is it just me or does the cheaper option seem to be the more desriable ie more flexible one?
Booking direct with the hotel seems to be cheaper overall but the fact that the cheaper one seems better seems to go against common sense IYSWIM?

cazziebo

M4RKM - where would you stay in New York, and how would you advise booking hotels e.g. Priceline, direct, Hotwire etc. When would you advise booking?

We're off to New York 26th October until 31st.

ethelmary

I can recommend Hotel St James for anyone on a budget. The hotel is very basic, but the prices were excellent when I stayed last year. The location is also fantastic if you want to be in the heart of the action; Times Square is at the end of the street. I booked it via lastminute.com.

I've also stayed in New Jersey and travelled on the PATH every day to get into the city. It was much cheaper accomodation wise. I'd say it's like going on holiday to London and staying in Croydon - you're reliant on trains to get to the good stuff, but it's not too long a journey. Also the PATH trains are 24 hours I think. I remember getting one from Manhattan to Hoboken at 4am. So, you're not restricted in that sense if you don't want a travel curfew as you would in London.