[THREAD CLOSED - SEE PART 2] Anything & Everything New York

Sidmon

Brandyslad you have PM!

docij

I was very aware that New York has a significant problem with illegal holiday rentals and so I checked out VRBO and the owner's details as much as possible. I was glad to see that the Tripadvisor forums are predominantly positive about VRBO. I think it's still worth people having a look at apartments as an alternative to hotels.

M4RKM

I don't disagree that apartments are an alternative, I think it is wise that people do do research, as there are plenty of stories that people have booked an apartment, that overall doesn't exist, or the person in the apartment has no clue, or the keys don't arrive on time.. .

lizziebell*80

Clowy2 wrote: »

Can anyone advise me on the cheapest way to book a trip to New York? We are looking to go for 3 nights, early December and not sure whether to book now, or wait for any late deals. Also is it cheaper to book a package deal or flights and hotels direct? Theres so many websites offering deals, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed!

I agree, you'll have to book sooner rather than later Dec is a peak time in NY (I have been at beginning of Nov and also beginning of Dec before and it was stowed out with British folk xmas shopping!). Hotels are more expensive over that time and avialability will be restricted by now.

I booked a holiday to NY in Feb this year as a surprise 2nd honeymoon (as soon as the flights were available) for 2nd Jan 2009 for 6 nights as I thought it would be cheaper after everyone had left after new year and managed to get direct flights (EDI to JFK) and a 3 star midtown hotel for £585 ppn on expedia (I checked individual flights and hotels from their websites directly and the package was cheaper). I keep checking to see how the prices are changing as so far have only gone up (by about £100 ppn so far). I did think about last minute deals and checked beofre the dates for this year and I didn't really find anything as good or in midtown for much less that £600 so I booked the good deal when I saw it. Hoping to catch the sales too

Good luck booking your trip- all the xmas decorations will be up at that point and it is lovely!

lizziebell*80

brandyslad wrote: »

Hi,

And when you go to Macys bring your passport, go to the office and you get 11% of everything in store for being an international customer. quote]

Actually there are rules as to the visitor discount, you cannot get it off make-up and perfume.
Bloomingdales does a similar visitor discount for one day possibly 11% as well for international customers (again not off make-up and perfume, but works for Ugg boots http://www1.bloomingdales.com/about/shopping/visitor.jsp) and also for every $100 you spend you take the receipt to the visitor counter and you can choose a free Bloomingdales gift, usually quite a good quality bag (is a good size for hand luggage I found ) or a keyring, however these change sometimes and also it is one gift per person, so if you spend $300, you will only get one gift (but if you have a few people with you then you can all get one each, I think it's just not more than one each-however you used to get as many as the money you spent would equate to, bah, were good as xmas pressies!).

For the ladies, it is really easy to get your make-up done at one of the counters- I go for the Benefit counter where there is a man with the most groomed eyebrows I have ever seen! You also tend to get lots of nice extra freebies when you buy things too- much nicer than typical UK sales counter people where it is like you are asking for the moon-o-a-stick to get some wee testers, in NY you don't even have to ask.

Also off the subject slightly, on Liberty island they do ranger tours for free that tell you all about the statue and the island (I managed to join one by accident once and it was really good). The island is part of the national parks and the guides explain all the symbolism of the statue which I had no idea about prior to that. Been on it twice and the content varied as different rangers but very good (not sure what time of year this happens but the times I went were in Aug and May).

debjay

Can anyone recommend a good guide book? I had Brits Guide to Orlando and see there is a Brits Guide to NY. Any good?

M4RKM

i like notfortourists... it is a small book, a collection of maps, and lists just what is in each area, from shops, to bars, restaurants, and they have mini 1 line reviews...

now, it probably is only useful if you've been to NYC before, but when hunting for that morning bagel, comes in very useful..

you can view the WHOLE book online, and print of sections, i find it invaluable, as it is pocket sized, and doesn't look like you're lost when having to unfold a HUGE map....

other books I've used and recommend, is the time out guide.. i found that great...


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nell_wen

debjay wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a good guide book? I had Brits Guide to Orlando and see there is a Brits Guide to NY. Any good?

I'm planning a trip to NY and have the Brits Guide from the library. It is pretty similar to the Orlando one and has a lot of recommendations, etc. For me it seems a bit easier to read than other guide books. I haven't actually been to NY yet, so it remains to be seen if it's any help while I'm there!

nell_wen

I'm planning my first trip to NY (October this year) and have been reading through this thread for quite a while to get ideas of things to do, etc. I've booked the Cosmopolitan Hotel as it sounds like a good kind of place to stay and I've been reading my library's supply of guide books for things to do.

What I would like advice on is things to do of an evening. I'm a 31 year old gal travelling alone and staying in NY for just over a week. To be honest, I'll probably be exhausted after all the things that I have got on my list to do during the day, but can you recommend anywhere? I'm not really bothered about going to shows, etc. but would love to go to a bar or two. I'm determined not to stay in the hotel every night and turn into a hermit on my holiday!

M4RKM

if you are staying at the cosmopolitan, you have 2 bars really close by that i can recommend..

you have mudville 9 which is directly opposite the hotel on chambers street, and if you walk onto west broadway, cross over the road, turn right, one block, you are on reade street.. turn left, and then you have the reade street pub and kitchen..


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