Everything & Anything New York City

RedBern

Annie021063 wrote: »

Thanks for this, I saw most of this but it's really nice to hear what other people have used well, probably stick with post office one as I know I can get it quickly, we travel in 2 weeks so probably too late to get metro bank?

We got a fairfx card within about 3-4 working days recently, always found it really good.

jtr2803

Evening all,

Well I am super excited because the holiday funds materialised and as soon as my travel agent gets back from sunning herself in the Maldives I will be booking, hopefully next friday . Before anyone mentions DIY - yes I know it often works out cheaper but I don't own a credit card and the only person who does has no idea about the trip so that's not an option.

Anyway, I bought two lovely guide books for them for Christmas and am now trying to narrow down a reasonable location to stay. I have read through a lot of the info and understand nowhere is 'central' as such. One hotel that seems to be a reasonable price is the Hilton Garden Inn on West 35th, it looks like it has a few landmark sites around it and within walking distance and has pretty good reviews overall, has anyone stayed here or have any other suggestions? It's for my fiance and I (early 30s) and my 12 year old. I expect we will be out exploring as much as possible so just looking for clean and comfortable.

M4RKM

jtr2803 wrote: »

...Before anyone mentions DIY - yes I know it often works out cheaper but I don't own a credit card and the only person who does has no idea about the trip so that's not an option...

...One hotel that seems to be a reasonable price is the Hilton Garden Inn on West 35th, it looks like it has a few landmark sites around it and within walking distance and has pretty good reviews overall, has anyone stayed here or have any other suggestions? ...

Not owning a credit card doesn't mean you cannot book DIY style. You can book flights with any kind of card, be it a debit card, or a prepaid card.

If your debit card is Visa, then you've got very similar protection to booking with a credit card, I just can't see the logic of using a travel agent, who does take a commission.

If you still wish to go to the travel agents, just be sure to ignore any "transfers" that they'll try and sell you, as they'll probably be per person, and also on a shared shuttle. With 3 people, you can easily book a car service, for probably less than what the "transfers" cost you. This is a major city, not a resort, so there are many ways to take transportation to the city.

As for the hotel, the location of where it is and in relation to tourist attractions should not be important, what should be is the location to the Subway etc. What you have around that Hilton is the Empire State Building and Macy's. I can't think that is enough of a reason just to solely choose that hotel. Dining in the evening is poor, but transportation good. If it falls in budget, and the bed arrangement is OK, then go for it.

M

jtr2803

Thanks very much for the feedback Mark, I appreciate you taking the time.

Completely get what you are saying about the cards and flights, it seems to be booking the hotel that would be a problem as it's not a credit card and also I have some concerns about using a debit card as I don't think I get full protection (I could be wrong, not great with those things!).

Fortunately, my travel agent is someone I have known for a long time and have booked many trips through her so I trust her completely.

It's hard to know where is the 'right' place to stay so I think if the Hilton stays the same sort of price then we will go for it!

cubegame

M4RKM wrote: »

Up to $208 ex tax per night for April? It could be a tight budget, especially if you're looking at Manhattan. Have you looked at any hotels yet? Take a glance on quikbook.com and see what kind of prices you get. $208 plus tax, into UK money (at $1.6 = £1, so I'm kinda assuming you've got a decent card to pay with, see above), is around £150.

I'll give you some context, I'm hoping to head to NYC end of Feb / beg of March, and I'm looking at $240 per night before tax for a decent hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. If I wait til after Easter to go, then it goes up to $325 per night.

M

I'd done some searching before posting and saw that £150 was do-able for Manhattan but I think I'm tending more towards Long Island City.

It seems to have been mentioned before a few times with the Verve and Country Inn & Suites being touted as great value and convenient for the subway.

Both less than £100 a night.....any reason not to book one of these straight away at those prices? That will allow us to splurge on nicer food and helicopters etc etc.....

Annie021063

Just 10 days before we fly, any final tips from you lovely people?

bleepandbooster

Annie if you visit American Eagle in Times Square and purchase anything, pop downstairs a get your photo taken. Then about 15mins later they put it up on their sign outside !

Cofion
David

M4RKM

If you want your photo on a big screen, just use google, and it's free.

https://plus.google.com/+chrome/posts/ipJg1mw3crx

Katykat

I'm staying at Holiday Inn 45th/5th Ave. i have been looking at the Newark airport express and feel it would be a good option for 2 of us. We land at 12.15 so by the time we get through baggage and customs, would it still be rush hour traffic? Which stop is best to alight, Bryants Park or Grand Central.? Does the bus only stop at these places, or does it make other stops ( apart from Port Auth.

greenface

grand central is slightly closer but both are within easy walk to the holiday inn enjoy your stay & traffic is always bad in NYC central