Everything & Anything New York City

Katykat

M4RKM wrote: »

Depends what you want.
Calls in the US?
Calls back to the UK
Texts in the US
Texts to the UK (and from the UK)?
Data?

Answer that, and I'll be able to point you in the right direction.

M

No data but calls to UK and Canada, texts also

jaffacat_2

i want to buy a new camera would it be cheaper to buy at the airport or in New York? if NY any suggestions of shops to go to? thanks in advance

greenface

Not at the airport . What sort are you thinking of buying and how much do you think you will spend/save .

bleepandbooster

As Greenie says probably not at the airport ...... Only if they have the make model you really want and the price is right. Do you want a point and shoot, bridge or DSLR ? Do a little research before you go. Check out the websites for Best buy, B&H and J&R. The shops themsleves are easy to find. Becareful not to go over your spends limit bringing it back home !!!

Greenie ....... where have you been ? Is this you in the photo I took a few years ago in the Thanksgiving Parade ???
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q712/djdolydd/IMG_4110_zps15a7ea0e.jpg

Cofion
David

mellymeepmeep

Katykat wrote: »

My phone is unlocked and usually when I visit relatives in Australia I buy a Vodafone Red Sim pack. It is a sim card that is loaded with $30. Is there anything similar that I can buy in New York?

I really want to know this too, I know we're only going for a week but I'd love to be able to have data on my iPhone so I can make use of google maps and call home every now and again.

greenface

Dave its my mother in law. I have been off line because SKY are !!!! & without a clue . (been busy too)Back on track but missed a few easter bookings at the mad house (got next weekend if anyone can make it)Cameras and many electrical products are cheaper in the US be careful on going over your tax allowance as bleep says (or be careful how you bring it back)thats not advice but a statement from me. Buy from a company that can and will honour its product as its a long way to go back if theres a fault. If its a big savings and you not going to declare it then it maybe worth the chance and haggle with the shopkeeper over the price . or get a bag/sd card etc thrown in ..

jaffacat_2

thanks re camera. i no the make and model its the pint and shoot samsung camera so will look whilst there. i no how much they are in the UK and not desperate for it. thanks

cargo

Hello all.
I was hoping someone may have some recommendations on hotels in New York. In the main area or there abouts. We are planning to travel on the 8th August and leave on the 12th 2013. 3 adults (Daughter will have just turned 18 hence the trip)
My better half is keen on getting a room with 2 x beds and one with a kitchenette as Kirsty (Daughter) is faddy with food so maybe an advantage. I have been on Expedia numerous times as this seems to be the best place to book on price and ease of use but I seem to be going around in circles. Budget wise off what I have seen it looks like between £3k to £3.5k will sort it. I would rather stay some where recommended if poss. Trip advisor is good but very conflicting reviews on many places, I am just totally phased out with looking now.

Hope someone can help.

Gary

M4RKM

jaffacat wrote: »

i want to buy a new camera would it be cheaper to buy at the airport or in New York? if NY any suggestions of shops to go to? thanks in advance

Do some research so when you're at the airport, you can see how much Dixons Travel are. J&R (jr.com) and B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) are often recommended. You could also look at Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/).

Once you've done your research, then compare to the UK prices, (online and offline).

Katykat wrote: »

No data but calls to UK and Canada, texts also

Pick up any SIM then, really it is only with Data that it gets complex.

mellymeepmeep wrote: »

I really want to know this too, I know we're only going for a week but I'd love to be able to have data on my iPhone so I can make use of google maps and call home every now and again.

Is your iPhone unlocked? If so, get a t-mobile sim and go on the $3 a day plan. In NYC this should give you 3G speeds, and plenty of data. Calls back home will come out of your prepaid balance.

M

M4RKM

cargo wrote: »

Hello all.
I was hoping someone may have some recommendations on hotels in New York. In the main area or there abouts. We are planning to travel on the 8th August and leave on the 12th 2013. 3 adults (Daughter will have just turned 18 hence the trip)
My better half is keen on getting a room with 2 x beds and one with a kitchenette as Kirsty (Daughter) is faddy with food so maybe an advantage. I have been on Expedia numerous times as this seems to be the best place to book on price and ease of use but I seem to be going around in circles. Budget wise off what I have seen it looks like between £3k to £3.5k will sort it. I would rather stay some where recommended if poss. Trip advisor is good but very conflicting reviews on many places, I am just totally phased out with looking now.

Hope someone can help.

Gary

There is never really a need to book someone like expedia. If you're looking at packages, it is always worth pricing things up separately, and also looking at the website apartments2book, which is based in London and has good deals with the legal apartment hotels in New York.

I don't know what airport you're flying from but prices in August ain't cheap for flights, and on the otherhand the weather sometimes ain't great in NYC as it is so damn humid, so it normally drives hotel prices down.

Places like the Affinia Group of hotels will offer what you need (2 beds and kitchenette), but the costs for that kitchen will mean the hotels are more expensive. NYC has 20k restaurants, so there will be something in many of them for the fussiest of eaters. I personally, for such a short trip, wouldn't want to stay in to cook, when you can be out and about exploring, and eating on the move.

As for TripAdvisor reviews, well, the best thing I find to do, is to strip out the "oh my wow, this is so amazing and beautiful and they pandered to every single need I had" which no doubt will have 5 stars, and no discernable information about the hotel, and also to strip out the ones that are "oh my wow, this was awful, the staff ignored me, and the room had a single hair in the bath when I got there, and it was AWFUL" as these are no doubt 1 star reviews, again, with no discernable information about the hotel.

Once you've got rid of all of these reviews, you'll get a good idea of what is good. Also, posting on here, or TripAdvisor forums will get regulars and locals comment on your choices, so please do tell me what you've found.

I'll reiterate the point there there may not be a need to go through Expedia, and bear in mind if you're doing it that way, any problems or changes you're dealing with Expedia, and not the hotel / airline directly.

M