Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

Marriott Brooklyn Bridge is a bit out of the way, even for me, and I've been to NYC plenty of times.

You really need to tell us a bit more about what you want to do and see, and what time of year you want to go, and how much your budget is. Without these key things, it makes it very difficult to recommend where to stay.

Ideally, Manhattan is as central as you can get, anywhere near a subway station is perfect. Times Square is great if you want to do loads of Theatre, the Upper East Side better if you want to do numerous museums, and anywhere Chelsea or Below 14th Street if you want more individual styles, nightlife other than theater, and the like.

Out of all my 16 trips, I have yet to actually book with a travel agent. I've done online packages, but nowadays, always find for myself, that booking a flight and hotel separately works out cheaper. Also, as I'm pretty sure at a minimum you'll want a room with 2 beds, but for only 2 people, it again, makes sense to book separately.

Post back with some answers to the queries at the top, and I'll see what recommendations I can come up with..

M

Grandad_81

Hello and hope everyone's had a lovely Christmas.

Looking to visit New York for about 5 nights in the first couple of weeks of December next year with my wife. I've been told by friends that the 'Pod' hotels are good as don't want to spend loads on hotel as planning to spend all day sightseeing, is either one or the other better for going doing the following:

ESB, ToTR, MSG, seeing something on Broadway.

I imagine as long as one or other of them is close to a subway then it doesn't matter greatly.

Also, having read on here that you shouldn't book flights until you're about 3 months out I wanted to check it this applies all year round or if certain times of year such as December in the run up to Christmas you're not likely to get a deal. Looking at 2 seats in economy or premium economy, most likely with BA (as want the Avois points). They're about £525 return now each for economy, would we really get them much better by leaving it til nearer or is it not a big enough discount to make it worth the risk?

Many thanks for any advice.

M4RKM

Pod Hotels are cheap, but they're very very basic. Even when you are out and about, coming back to a hotel that you're going to be comfortable in, is important.

You don't have to stay in Manhattan if you want to keep costs really low. There are a number of hotels just across the river in Long Island City in Queens which are perfect for budget conscious travellers.

The week before Christmas is always cheaper than the first or second week in December, that's something to consider when you're looking at your hotel costs.

As for flights, well, Off Season flights are normally around £400 now for economy. December flights are always expensive. I personally wouldn't consider booking now, and would start looking in June time, and watch the prices closely. You say you want Premium Economy, that limits you to 2 airlines, so there won't be any competition on the prices. One other thing to consider is Delta and their Economy Comfort. It gives you priority boarding, extra legroom, extra recline, and front of economy class seating, and from LHR - JFK, this is only £50 extra per leg, which is a damn sight cheaper than PE on other airlines.

M

wifeforlife

Hi M4rKM et all

Another for hotel info here. I've been reading this thread for 7 months and still can't make a decision on where to book.

With it being our honeymoon and we are in NYC for a week 9th to 16th April we want somewhere better than basic. I'd like a big comfortable room, which I know is a premium but I can but dream. I'm reading triadvisor a lot also and to be honest I can get a few of the top 5 rated hotels at the max of our budget but being MSE I would love to save and be able to spend on tourist attractions. Although I may pick up a few bits of shopping, seeing the sights and enjoying the city is the main aim.

So I was thinking of doing Martins suggestion of using Priceline and wondered has anyone used this? Also would this be mad considering its our honeymoon?

Our budget is $300 a night

OH previously stayed in fitzpatricks near grand central station however they have no availability for when we are in NY.

M4RKM

Would you be mad? Yes. You bid an area, and there are some awful 4* hotels, so you could end up with somewhere cheap, and not what you really wanted.

Personally, I'd look at Quikbook, and see if there are any secret hotels. These ones are easy to guess, so you've got more of an idea of what hotel you're getting.

Both options above though are non refundable.

As you have a reasonable budget, then I'd spend that on a hotel you want.

M

Grandad_81

M4RKM wrote: »

Pod Hotels are cheap, but they're very very basic. Even when you are out and about, coming back to a hotel that you're going to be comfortable in, is important.

You don't have to stay in Manhattan if you want to keep costs really low. There are a number of hotels just across the river in Long Island City in Queens which are perfect for budget conscious travellers.

The week before Christmas is always cheaper than the first or second week in December, that's something to consider when you're looking at your hotel costs.

As for flights, well, Off Season flights are normally around £400 now for economy. December flights are always expensive. I personally wouldn't consider booking now, and would start looking in June time, and watch the prices closely. You say you want Premium Economy, that limits you to 2 airlines, so there won't be any competition on the prices. One other thing to consider is Delta and their Economy Comfort. It gives you priority boarding, extra legroom, extra recline, and front of economy class seating, and from LHR - JFK, this is only £50 extra per leg, which is a damn sight cheaper than PE on other airlines.

M

Thanks very much for the advice, will look at the Long Island Inn & Suites that I've seen recommended in this thread.

Re: Delta Economy comfort, I've had a look on their website, is availabilty for the economy comfort only shown post booking? as when I looked for dates in December it said ecomomy comfort available but only offered prices at Economy or Business? - Ignore, just found you have to put your passenger details in and then when you select seat can choose the economy comfort option.

hellokitty08

Hello,

Hope everyone had a nice christmas. I still havent booked my holiday yet and I am getting a bit worried. I think my problem is I have nothing fixed, so searching for a deal is a bit of a nightmare.

Bascially I want to go for my 30th Birthday on 15th February, but I dont mind when I go in February. Also I dont mind flying from London, although I would prefer to fly from Birmingham.

I have a fixed budget of £1100 for three nights for two people. (twin room) I am planning to go to staten island, so somewhere near the ferry would be good.

Can anyone offer any help?

Annie021063

bleepandbooster wrote: »

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ or http://www.jr.com/information/directions.jsp

There used to be decent camera shop up by Columbus circle , but I use either B&H (beards and Hats) or J&R both are top drawer !

There are plenty of horror stories about the camera shops around the TS area. I am not going to comment as I have never used them.

Nadolig Llawen
David

Thanks for this, we just bought perfect lens for daughter as well as other things in B&H - what an amazing store. Sitting in hotel room now after a fab day in NYC planning tomorrow's activities. NYC is amazing and although we have been here just 2 days we have done so much. Thanks for everyone's advice. X

M4RKM

hellokitty08 wrote: »

Hello,

Hope everyone had a nice christmas. I still havent booked my holiday yet and I am getting a bit worried. I think my problem is I have nothing fixed, so searching for a deal is a bit of a nightmare.

Bascially I want to go for my 30th Birthday on 15th February, but I dont mind when I go in February. Also I dont mind flying from London, although I would prefer to fly from Birmingham.

I have a fixed budget of £1100 for three nights for two people. (twin room) I am planning to go to staten island, so somewhere near the ferry would be good.

Can anyone offer any help?

£1100 for 2 people will be tight. Twin Rooms are a hard find in NYC, but rooms with 2 doubles easier (and obviously more expensive, as they hold up to 4 people).

Flights themselves, from Heathrow, are £400 each if you include a Saturday night stay, so you have to fly on your birthday, because you only want 3 nights. (LHR - JFK with Delta).

You're down to £300 for your hotel stay. In $ (as hotels are priced in $, and it's easier), that's $160 including tax, and without tax (as hotel prices are shown without tax), that's $139.

Now, you don't have to be near the ferry at all to be able to get to Staten Island. Also, with Sandy, there are still some problems with Lower Manhattan, not many, but some. Looking on Quikbook however, it isn't the location that is the main worry, it is your budget. Feb is cheap, but $140 cheap for Manhattan is not going to happen, mainly because your birthday lands on a major corporate fake love holiday malarky called Valentines Day. Hotels always sky rocket for that weekend, and thats when you want to go.

On QuikBook you can get the Cosmopolitan Hotel - Tribeca for $176 per night, which overall, will put you £80 over budget. This puts you within walking distance of the Staten Island Ferry.

Your other option is to stay in Long Island City in Queens. This is much cheaper, and you could actually stay 4 nights with your budget.

A room with 2 beds in Country Inn & Suites, is coming up at $385 for 3 nights, or $514 for 4 nights (£321). You'd fly out to JFK on the Wednesday 13th.

Trying to search for packages on the likes of Expedia is very difficult, as you want 2 beds, rather than a double...

Hope this helps. I'd recommend you scrape the extra money, and go with the Cosmopolitan Hotel - it's in a great area, and is a great hotel I've stayed at many times myself.

M

malkie76

Looking at 2 seats in economy or premium economy, most likely with BA (as want the Avois points).

Firstly, remember you can earn Avios on AA too (or any oneworld carrier). Also remember you can get premium economy tickets for economy prices if you start your journey in Europe rather than London (even though you still route through London). You can similarly get business tickets for premium economy prices doing the same.

Secondly, can I ask what you are saving the Avios for? NYC is a very easy route to find redemption or upgrade availability. Premium economy ticket (even a cheap sale one) and 20k points gets you a business class return. It's only 80k for full redemption, or 120k in First. I appreciate its a very short flight though.

Lastly, always price up a flight and hotel option at BA which can save you hundreds and get extra nights, free breakfast and room upgrades. It also earns you significant numbers of Avios too. You can then double-dip by earning hotel points which you subsequently convert to Avios (I got 12.5k Avios from a recent Marriott stay). Lastly you can triple-dip by paying with an Avios earning credit card.

Hope that helps