Everything & Anything New York City

Ady87

M4RKM wrote: »

Yeah, read the thread, create your own questions, and we can help with planning, but I know for one, the regulars on here we won't plan your holiday for you. If you need that, pay a travel agent.

Thanks for the response. This is a service I would definitely take advantage of depending on the cost as I can get hit by anxiety when having to consider hundreds of options for things. Is there somewhere on this board where professionals offer this service or a website that can be recommended?

M4RKM wrote: »

In the middle of what? A tourist area with 1000's of tourists? Yes. It is, it's just off Times Square. It's an old hotel (I've stayed there twice), it's massive and impersonal, it's functional and clean. I personally wouldn't stay there, but I don't want to see Times Square every single time I want to go somewhere. What are you aiming for out of your holiday to NYC?

M

For my first trip I am quite happy to do all of the touristy things. I personally think acting the tourist is underrated and too many people want to do the unseen stuff. As i have never seen any of New York I wouldn't mind getting stuck in to the big landmarks and some good shopping. Would Times Square be a good base to work from?

Seamonster_2

LorraineM wrote: »

We are taking our 10 year old for 4 days at end of March and am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of hotel choice!

Does anyone have any personal recommendations and also is it worth waiting till nearer time to book?

Thanks

I'd recommend the Hotel Metro on West 35th Street as a budget-ish option. I've stayed there twice before and am doing so again next year. Great view of the ESB from their roof terrace!

greenface

keep an eye out for deals . The Hyatt is always doing good deals . Its a decent hotel so not uber cheap and in "central times sq location ." Wellington is cheap and clean again "central" Carter is avoidable at all costs IMHO. New Yorker is always having a sale . 35th so a little out of the hub but decent iconis location .. TBH New york Manhattan isnt big and easy to get around so you are never out of "central " really . inc Brooklyn

74jax

clarky213 wrote: »

I would recommend Hotel Metro on 35th street. Metro access at the end of the street. It is coming in at just under £600 for the dates you are wanting, but its well worth it.
I recommended it to 2 other people and they agreed with me.

Have a great time!!!

Thanks. I have booked this with free cancellation up to 24hrs before (I have done the same with New Yorker Hotel - but think I will cancel that one).

Trip Advisor reviews are good too.

Many thanks.

M4RKM

Ady87 wrote: »

Thanks for the response. This is a service I would definitely take advantage of depending on the cost as I can get hit by anxiety when having to consider hundreds of options for things. Is there somewhere on this board where professionals offer this service or a website that can be recommended?

Ok, I don't think I've got the recommendations for a company or someone, but we are willing to help. Help us though, by giving us some of your likes and dislikes, and we can guide you in the right direction.

Make a decent list of what you want to see, sit down with a guide book and go through everything that you think will interest you. Let me know and I'll be more than willing to help with some maps to order things together, and make sure you're not getting overloaded.

I can wholeheartedly recommend a tour guide called Stan O'Connor, he's a great guy, so knowledgeable too, His website is in the process of being updated, but his old one is still live at http://www.oconnorgreentoursnyc.com/ - he does walking tours now rather than pedicabs, so maybe a nice guided tour will ease that anxiety.

For my first trip I am quite happy to do all of the touristy things. I personally think acting the tourist is underrated and too many people want to do the unseen stuff. As i have never seen any of New York I wouldn't mind getting stuck in to the big landmarks and some good shopping. Would Times Square be a good base to work from?

Go to the big landmarks, go shopping and have fun, go to the major tourist attraction, but, as all the attractions and shopping as spread out throughout the whole of Manhattan, and Brooklyn seems to be more and more on peoples itineraries, then you can stay anywhere and take public transport.

I do NYC differently to many people, but I've been many times. The few times I did the tourist stuff, and I still do to a certain degree, but I look at where I'm going to be visiting, and choose something that works for me. Without knowing what your likes / dislikes are, it's a tough call to recommend a place to stay. If you're crazy into nightlife then somewhere other than TS will be good. If you're going to shows 4 out of 6 nights, then TS may work well.

Hope that helps and if you keep bombarding with questions, I'm more than willing to answer them.

M

josie

Ady87 wrote: »

A few people on Facebook have recommended The Edison as somewhere cheap and in the middle of it all. Any views on it?

I think the Edison is a great hotel in a brilliant location - about 50 yards from Times Square, especially if it's your first time, because as you say you're right in the middle of things. It's got a brilliant Italian restaurant in it as well. We're going back to eat there next week, although not staying in the hotel. They were refurbishing last time we were there and the rooms were good and a decent size. You can ask for the quieter side of the hotel at the rear.

bb69

Silly Question:

Planning on first time booking of car via Dial 7 or Carmel for Thursday from Newark to Manhattan

Do I put the time the flight arrives or the estimated time including clearance for immigration?

Edit - So I have looked on the FAQ - it looks like I will have to estimate the time for clearance as the 45 minutes waiting time is free..

Landing at 1400 - Should I therefore book the car for 1445?

Thanks

josie

Traincrashing wrote: »

I'm booking mine from viator, as I've already booked from there before. Tickets are £12.10 for weekdays, and £16.34 at weekends. They have the schedule of the opening hours so you know which day to book for, as it closes early on somedays, incase you were looking to go at a particular time.

One thing to watch out for if you don't pre-book, is that they only take cash and not cards for some reason! Unless it's changed in the last year.

josie

bb69 wrote: »

Silly Question:

Planning on first time booking of car via Dial 7 or Carmel for Thursday from Newark to Manhattan

Do I put the time the flight arrives or the estimated time including clearance for immigration?

Edit - So I have looked on the FAQ - it looks like I will have to estimate the time for clearance as the 45 minutes waiting time is free..

Landing at 1400 - Should I therefore book the car for 1445?

Thanks

Not tried either of these providers, but the one I've used in the past, it was the actual flight arrival time and flight departure time. You'll see they'll calculate back for you. Try putting a trial one through and see what it comes up with.

josie

Thought I'd share this link as it's a while since I've flown into Newark as prefer JFK, but going into Newark this time.

A useful summary, which backs up previous advice on here about public transport being the cheapest and most reliable option of travel to and from the airport.

http://www.nysubway.com/airport/newark.html