Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

hab92 wrote: »

When you say that the location isn't good, do you mean it would be full of tourists, so would be quite hectic or that it's not close to anything, because it seems it's not far from Times Square? There is a price of £210 per night for a standard double, what do you think? I don't really mind about bars because I don't drink, and I'm sure we would find somewhere to eat.

A price without dates, is just a price. £210 seems expensive for a tourist class hotel ($336 per night inc taxes).

I say the location isn't good, because it is near a train station, and corporate buildings, a bus station, and chain restaurants. You will find somewhere to eat, but will you find somewhere good to eat?

Times Square is just a square with flashing lights, and being in the proximity of it, shouldn't be a deciding factor when visiting NYC.

M

cazziebo

M4RKM wrote: »

Stay in your hotel, visit the local businesses if it is safe and support them. You don't say where in Brooklyn you are, but if you're in Williamsburg, I can give you a long list of places to visit, I Know the area well.

Most importantly, stay safe. Watch TV!

M

M4RKM - yes in Williamsburg staying in Hotel Le Jolie which I think was your recommendation. Got another day at least here. Having no joy in getting in touch with United to rebook cancelled flight

jackieblack

cazziebo wrote: »

Got another day at least here. Having no joy in getting in touch with United to rebook cancelled flight

I've been glued to the news channels today - pictures/footage is shocking!
In a press conference the mayor of NY I think said that there was no definite timescale for re-opening the airports until the damage has been fully assessed.
From my experience, when we were 'stranded' following the Icelandic Volvano eruption/dust cloud incident a couple of years ago, the airlines weren't taking any calls (phone just rang and rang until the call was diconnected) until they had something that they could tell people.
Obviously, it's just a guess but maybe the same thing happening with United at the moment.

We were advised to keep checking the websites for updates/information. I'm sure you're doing that anyway.

Stay safe:)

M4RKM

cazziebo wrote: »

M4RKM - yes in Williamsburg staying in Hotel Le Jolie which I think was your recommendation. Got another day at least here. Having no joy in getting in touch with United to rebook cancelled flight

Please please don't tell me that you're attempting to call them? You should be able to manage everything via their website.

Manage Reservations

As for where to go, head outside the hotel, you've got a number of bars,

Union Pool across the other side of the BQE (confirmed as open on Twitter, 1pm ET) - http://twitter.com/UnionPool/status/263311688038768640

Petes Candy Store, around to the left, and down the road, might be open, it seems like someone is playing a show there tonight - could be one for later - http://twitter.com/South4thBar/status/263260249379725312

You have Bamontes which is an amazing Italian for a restaurant the road behind the hotel, it might be worth walking around and seeing if it is open, as it's AWESOME!!!!

4th Down is open at 1pm - http://twitter.com/4thdownbrooklyn/status/263317181801062400 - Sports Bar with loads of tvs, and free internet. Crif Dogs is near there too for great hot dogs, and they hope to be open (again twitter).

South 4th Bar is open - http://twitter.com/South4thBar/status/263260249379725312, but that's around a mile away from the hotel, near the Williamsburg Bridge. It's a great friendly bar.. (South 4th and Berry)

Worst Case scenario, you can get very drunk.

You can walk around Williamsburg, and down to East River State Park. There should be things open along the way. I think the local businesses in Williamsburg will be more likely to open, than the big businesses in Manhattan where they'd employ people from further afield, so you're kinda lucky you're there..

EDIT
Reynard, Diner, Marlow & Sons: Andrew Tarlow's restaurant in the Wythe Hotel is currently open for breakfast, and will stay open through the day. A rep from the restaurant group writes to Eater: "Marlow and Sons is open. Marlow & Daughters and Diner will be open at 11 a.m. All the restaurants will have normal business hours today."

Cafe Grumpy up in Greenpoint has recently tweeted their open too - https://twitter.com/cafegrumpy/status/263264999298981888 (kinda walking distance)

You can now have coffee, and a meal hopefully... I'd definately check out the restaurant at the Wythe (if you can get in!)


Go have fun, and be safe!!!

M

M4RKM

Some further updates for tourists in NYC.

Buses - 5pm today there will be limited bus services (Sunday Hours), and today and tomorrow they will all be free of charge - http://gothamist.com/2012/10/30/free_mta_buses_resume_at_5_pm_nyers.php

Taxi's and Car Services

Cab drivers are allowed to pick up multiple passengers at a time; also livery and black cabs, car services etc are allowed to pick up passengers anywhere in the city.

Road & Tunnels

Brooklyn / Battery Tunnel is still closed and wet.

Bridges over the East River are open. http://gothamist.com/2012/10/30/cuomo_opens_tappan_zee_bridge_linco.php - You can walk over the Williamsburg, Manhattan and the Brooklyn. This means there is plenty to see and do.

I once did a lovely 6 mile walk from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, all the way into Lower Manhattan over all three bridges.

As I trawl the blogs, I'll keep updating for those who are interested.

M

cazziebo

Wow- thanks Mark. Already had dinner in Bamontes- fabulous. Like something from a film. Been for a walk around Metropolitan Ave. still quite quiet. Any dinner recommendations?

Managed to get on a flight home tomorrow via Frankfurt and Hamburg (to Edinburgh). Only one day late so no big hassle. Might have to taxi as news reports say Nj transit off indefinitely.

weather today is okay. Bit damp but not very windy so here's hoping the areas that really suffered get sorted soon

barginunter

We have an Expedia booked trip to NY departing on Nov 12th for 4 nights. Looking at the news it would appear that things are going to be bad for weeks. Does anyone know if Expedia are likely to allow me to change my booking without huge charges?

M4RKM

cazziebo wrote: »

Wow- thanks Mark. Already had dinner in Bamontes- fabulous. Like something from a film. Been for a walk around Metropolitan Ave. still quite quiet. Any dinner recommendations?

Managed to get on a flight home tomorrow via Frankfurt and Hamburg (to Edinburgh). Only one day late so no big hassle. Might have to taxi as news reports say Nj transit off indefinitely.

weather today is okay. Bit damp but not very windy so here's hoping the areas that really suffered get sorted soon

I'd head down to the Wythe Hotel and see if you can get into the restaurants there. That would be a good place, and there are great reviews of it right now.

As for your taxi, I'd actually speak to carmel or dial 7 and book something, or speak to the guys downstairs at Le Jolie. It will be easier to have something booked, than try get a taxi..

M4RKM

barginunter wrote: »

We have an Expedia booked trip to NY departing on Nov 12th for 4 nights. Looking at the news it would appear that things are going to be bad for weeks. Does anyone know if Expedia are likely to allow me to change my booking without huge charges?

Doubtful. Packages in their entirety through Expedia are always non cancellable.

Flights starting to resume tomorrow, (1st), and it will take around a week to recover, with some creative routing from the airlines. You're not flying for on the 12th. There are no free reschedules from airlines after the 1st.

As it will be 4 days to get some subway service up and running, and buses are starting tomorrow, by the 12th, you've got even more of a chance for things to be done.

Yes, outlying areas will have problems, but Manhattan itself, they'll get that up and back to normal as soon as they can. Watch this space, I'll keep the updates flowing.

M

hab92

M4RKM wrote: »

A price without dates, is just a price. £210 seems expensive for a tourist class hotel ($336 per night inc taxes).

I say the location isn't good, because it is near a train station, and corporate buildings, a bus station, and chain restaurants. You will find somewhere to eat, but will you find somewhere good to eat?

Times Square is just a square with flashing lights, and being in the proximity of it, shouldn't be a deciding factor when visiting NYC.

M

That price was for 29th March-5th April, next year. I need the 2 beds and I want somewhere in Manhattan.

Ahh, ok, now I get what you mean in terms of location, it would just be an unoriginal, boring place to stay, in terms of surrounding areas.

Don't worry, Times Square won't be the deciding factor.