New York City - April 2007

dobbadobbs

Hello

Another serial lurker question here! I've read the various threads regarding trips/travel/accommodation in New York but my request differs somewhat, so hopefully you don't think i'm being too lazy! I have previously looked on expedia, found a few packages, but obviously as it's my first visit to the states, and booking through a site such as expedia, i'm unsure of when the best time is to book something such as this?

I'm looking to take my girlfriend away for her 21st birthday next April, just for a weekend break (19th - 22nd maybe)

We are based in the North of England, so would prefer flights from Manchester or East Midlands airport. I'm only recently finished university, and money at the minute isn't flowing as i'd have hoped. I guess i could stretch to around a budget of 1,000 pounds (my pound key isn't working )

So, my questions are as follows:

Is a budget of 1000 pounds (or possibly a slight bit more) reasonable for a weekend break in NYC? Obviously looking to make it memorable and special for her so a hotel of 3-4 star, is probably what i'd be looking at.

Is a weekend sufficient time to have a look around given the issue of the long flights?

Location issues - Would be ideal to be centrally based (we are garbage at finding places, and probably too lazy to look around at times)

Is there anything i should be looking to include in regards to visiting whilst in NYC?

I appreciate this is a long and tedious post, but as you can probably see, i'm quite unsure of whether it's feasable to do this and if not, could anyone suggest any alternatives? (barcelona maybe?)

Thanks very much in advance,

Craig

richardw

You could have a fantastic time in Barcelona and it would cost a lot less than GBP500 each. Depends on what you and your girlfriend like doing really, clubbing? shopping? beach?

dobbadobbs

richardw wrote:

You could have a fantastic time in Barcelona and it would cost a lot less than GBP500 each. Depends on what you and your girlfriend like doing really, clubbing? shopping? beach?

Cheers for the reply Richard.

As we are going on another holiday in June/July 2007 - (a week long jobby) i don't think this will a clubbing break. I'm thinking more, visit a few places/landmarks/sightseeing, bit of shopping, nice meal and a few drinks at night!

Jamp

I think you'll struggle for a grand I'm afraid. I went in April and stayed 6 nights in a Youth Hostel; it cost me £700 for flight, accom and spending money. That was a cheap flight and I was quite frugal on spending out there but did do everything I wanted to. Unless you can get a fantastic deal on flights (like Delta were doing a few months back) and make do with a Youth Hostel, I would look at somewhere in Europe. Save NY for another time when you can afford it and can spend some more time there - I'd have liked another couple of days for a first trip.

BusinessStudent

NYC is fab but you will need a bigger budget to have a good time!

dobbadobbs

Right then, time to change the barriers i think.


Did everyone interpret budget as everything included?

What i meant by budget was flight and hotel only!

So on that basis.....

budget for flight and accommodation - 1200

Is that possible?

Just really fancy the states - as i've never been there and will be a bit different from the holiday we are planning later in the year - which looks like being a villa in france.

Cheers, Craig

richardw

https://www.expedia.co.uk have this. Sofitel gets good reviews on https://www.tripadvisor.com

Avg/person: £574
Sofitel New York
A block east of the Theater District and opening onto both West 44th and West 45th streets, this 398-room outpost of a French chain shares West 44th with ... More hotel info

Hotel promotion - Deal of the Week: Special Rate
If booked separately: £1263
Expedia discount for booking together:
-£115

Total: Price details £1148


New York, NY
Premier Queen-Non Refundable Check in: 19/04/07
Check out: 22/04/07

---

Manchester (MAN) to Newark (EWR) Depart:19/04/07 11:25 - 14:10 Continental
Newark (EWR) to Manchester (MAN) Return:22/04/07 22:05 - 09:55 (+1 day) Continental

TONKAJOYCE

http://www.airline-network.co.uk/flights/availability.asp £290 x 2 = £580 (delta airlines)

£170.76 http://www.bedandcoffee.com/index.php

total = £750 for the two of you.

TONKAJOYCE

http://www.statravel.co.uk have flights, the same timing as my previous post which didn't show for £544 for the two of you:

Outbound: 19-Apr-2007
Manchester (MAN) New York Jfk (JFK) Delta Air Lines DL155Depart: 10:30Arrive: 13:15 Duration: 7hr 45min Class: Economy Aircraft: BOEING 767 Miles: 3336 Inbound: 22-Apr-2007
New York Jfk (JFK) Manchester (MAN) Delta Air Lines DL154Depart: 20:30Arrive: 08:30 +1 Day


There are some really helpful people on here who will probably get you a better deal, so I would hang around and wait and see what they come up with.

goodscams

If you like a nice posh meal I'd strongly recommend the Boat House in the middle of Central Park.

It looks right over the lake / pond and if they are about you will get to watch turtles swimming about. you have to book in advance but well worth a nice lunch! about £30 a head for three course meal.

http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/sections/home.htm

dwight-van-man

If you're after cheap shopping, you need to go to Woodbury Common. Its a bus trip into New Jersey and pretty much a full day but if you can do it on the friday before the locals hit it at the weekend, you'll save a fortune. Google it to get the range of shops but as an example of prices, I got a Tag Kirium for approx £650 (£1395 rrp in the UK) and at the other end of the scale a pair of Gap jeans selling for £30 here were approx £11