Everything & Anything New York City

Savvy_Sue

shymanuk wrote: »

Hi i did look at it, but some of the companies he has on there have poor reviews for paying out and the bits they cover, such as holiday safe . just dont wanna be under covered as never been before .

Fair enough, but an insurance thread would be a better place to discuss that than the NY one: a company with poor reviews won't have them JUST for NY ...

thriftykitty

Just wanted to put my two-penneth in!


Last year me an my bf stayed in New York for a week at the end of a 3 week tour of the east coast. We were on a strict budget (I had just finished Uni!) and had been staying in hostels/B&Bs throughout the trip. New York was definitely the most expensive of the cities we visited (DC, Boston and Philadelphia) but not unmanageable.


We stayed at the New York Budget Inn which is a hostel to the west of downtown. Its on the same street as the Empire State building and Macys and the subway is about two blocks away so really well located. There's a lovely restaurant/bar downstairs called the Cinema and the hostel provide a first come first served mini Dunkin Donuts and coffee breakfast each day, and free pizza a couple of nights a week. Staff were really helpful, there's a shuttle bus to and from any of the New York airports and everything is clean and fresh bed linen every day! We had a shared bathroom but there was always one free, even at busy times and they were spotless. There are ensuites available if you wanted more privacy. It wasn't noisy and we had a room at the back so I was able to sleep even with the NYC noise and light (I'm a light sleeper). You can request a street view though if you want. We had AC which was a godsend but not sure if all the rooms do. You get a fridge and microwave and there are supermarkets nearby so you can make sandwiches etc if you are on a budget like we were.


We went up the ESB but mainly because I am an architecture geek and have always wanted to go up there! TOTR just didn't seem as special to me! I'm sure the views from both are gorgeous though! We went out on the ferry to SOL and Ellis Island - were advised not to go up SOL as you can't actually see it when youre in it! Same views as from Ellis Island, too and really interesting museum on there. My favourite place was the High Line, never been anywhere like it and was lovely to sit and eat a Wholefoods salad (one of my fave things about the States is Wholefoods!) and watch a music video being recorded. To me that's what NYC is all about! Was pouring with rain when we went to the Twin Towers memorial and was an atmosphere like no other. All I would say is please don't be one of those people taking selfies and acting like it's some tourist attraction. Its quite a harrowing place and I would hate to offend someone coming to visit a loved one. Some other people didn't seem to care.


Hope that has helped someone! Talking about it is making me want to go back!

wept

I have just booked the Cosmo again for November stayed 2009 and daughter recently- good deal £500 with flights 3 nights with Expaedia.
I am flying with United in Newark which will be a new experience - anyone flown United - compared to Delta how do they rate?

bluenoseam

Wholy agree with the whole WTC memorial & selfies statement, nothing wrong with taking pictures (as I did) but not every little thing needs to be selfied!

Went up One World Observatory, I'm fairly articulate but even I can't find the words for that view as breathtaking just doesn't do anywhere near enough to describe it. Problem is with it being an enclosed observatory it has the major issue of window reflections, would've preferred an outdoor section but that's just my strive for a decent photograph talking. Well worth the $30 to see it - although I do hear the restaurant is being savaged!

Have discovered a newly found hatred of selfie sticks though, every 10ft in Times Square there's someone with a bloomin golf club out taking a selfie of themselves crossing the road. Really??!?

richardw

Thinking of staying in Jersey City for the views, it's a one night stopover, is it very quiet on Sunday mornings in summer around here, looking for a good brunch before going to EWR. Westin hotel looks ok.

richardw

I found a good deal near Penn station last night so booked that.

Well worth searching and it was cheaper than the Westin in Jersey City.

Btw Norwegian flights are now on sale to end of May next year.

SW17

richardw wrote: »

I found a good deal near Penn station last night so booked that.

Well worth searching and it was cheaper than the Westin in Jersey City.

Btw Norwegian flights are now on sale to end of May next year.

Which hotel?

richardw

Hampton Inn through booking.com.

michele-p

So after 18 months of planning, we got home from our East Coast trip on Tuesday. We spent the first 4 nights, and the final night of our 16 day trip in New York.

I think my feet have just about started to recover from the walking now!

One of the best tips I'd like to share is UBER, we found a code online last week for a $30 off your first trip, and the service is AMAZING. On our first arrival day we were at JFK and jumped in a yellow taxi to take is to Long Island City. It took an hour (bad traffic) and cost $75 +tip.

We found out about Uber, and signed up. It's an app on your phone (so use use wifi or the Three unlimited data sim card like we did), when you are ready to travel you click on uber, and it tells you how long a driver will be, you give it your destination, and then shows you the number plate of the car, and a photo of the driver. No cash involved, you enter credit card at sign up. The 2 cars we got (signed up with 2 different phones for 2 airport trips!) were very comfy SUVs, much nicer than taxis, and lovely temperature.

So our return trip from Manhattan to JFK took around 50 mins, and cost $35 after the discount. We also landed at la Guadia the night before, that trip cost $5.75 after the discount.

This is the link we used for the sign up. Hope it helps someone else:
https://www.uber.com/promo

Savvy_Sue

Each to his own, but here and here on Uber.