A question about : Anything & Everything New York (PART 2)
ANYTHING & EVERYTHING NEW YORK
**UPDATE January 2009 - Searching for Information**
This is the Part 2 of the Anything and Everything New York Thread. There have been over 2000 posts on the previous thread, so we're starting with a clean thread.
However, this doesn't mean that the information is not there. The old thread still has LOTS of useful information in it, and below, are links to useful snippits of information, and also to the whole old thread, which is now locked.
Almost every topic has been covered at some point. To help avoid unnecessary repetition and allow the regulars to best assist you, please search prior to posting, by clicking Search this Thread (drop down box at the top right) and enter the search terms. Results will be shown as posts from within the thread.
Anyway, welcome to the New York Q&A Thread - take a look here for guidance on details to include in your post - this makes it easier for the regulars to help you out
For specific queries, use one of the threads below:
Cheap Hotels in New York
Cheap Flights to New York
Shopping in New York
The Original Anything & Everything New York
Information Guides/Threads
Guide to Booking an NYC Holiday
Guide to Travelling in and Around Manhattan
Guide to Sightseeing in Manhattan
Why markymoo doesn't stay in Times Square
Weather in New York
The ESTA Thread - Remember to register before you travel!
The actual ESTA site
General Reviews - Always been added to!
[1207] Hotel: Hampton Inn Manhattan Chelsea Hotel, Sights/Eats: The Rock, Shows, Ground Zero
[1658] Hotel: Colonial House Inn, Chelsea, Sights/Eats: Gershwin, Boathouse, Mariott Marquis, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island Ferry, Fashion Stores
[1837] Hotel: Cosmos, Sights/Eats: Reade St Pub, Morgan Market Deli, Soda shop, South St Seaport, Heartland Brewery, Staten Island Ferry, Marriot Marquis, Top of the Rock, Chinatown, Little Italy, Canal St, Times Square.
[1838] Hotel: Novotel Times Square Sights/Eats: Macys, NHL Ice Hockey, World Trade Center (Ground Zero), Madame Tussads, Grand Central, Rockerfeller, Central Park, Hard Rock Caf!, Planet Hollywood
US ($) Currency Questions
US Currency Questions & Answers Thread
Current Ј : $ exchange rate using a Nationwide Debit Card
Locate a VISA ATM
Locate a Mastercard ATM
Historical exchange rate graphs: 30 days, 90 days, 180 days
Martin's Articles
Travel Money Maximiser: Finds you the cheapest holiday cash in seconds
Cheap Flights: Get the cheapest flights, whenever & wherever you go
Spending Overseas: The cheapest way to pay
How to get a flight upgrade
Compensation for delayed flights
External Useful Links*
HotelConxions - The CHEAPEST place to book the Cosmopolitan Hotel, a MSE favourite!
Music Concert Listings
Big Apple Greeter - FREE local guide to take you on a tour of the area you want!
Carmel Car Service - Cheaper than a taxi from/to airports
Tel Aviv Limo - Same As Above
New York Subway / Trains / Buses Info
Top of the rock tickets
Finally, if you are thinking of booking an apartment to stay in, while on holiday in New York City, please be aware, that these are NOT recommended, and are illegal. Everything will be done to remove posts that state how wonderful illegal apartments are. Please stay in a LEGAL hotel.
Keep reading, keep posting, and this will keep getting updated!
Best answers:
- This bit used to be my signature, but I'll paste it here for easy reference.
I've travelled to NYC, 11 times already, and my 12th is coming up, since 2001, prices have dropped, gone up, and dropped again, and gone up again.. it is always a moving market, however, this is my opinion only on what kind of price people should be paying for a DIRECT flight from either Manchester, or the London airports.
Direct Flight
Ј000 - Ј300 = 5*
Ј300 - Ј350 = 4
Ј350 - Ј400 = 3*
Ј400 - Ј450 = 2*
Ј450 - Ј500 = 1*
Over Ј500 = 0*
Over Ј500 for a return flight isn't money saving.
Ideally, i'd love to say, if you see a flight UNDER Ј250, to book it straight away. There are some bargains to be had.
When it comes to flights that invlove one change, knock Ј50 off each of the price bandings, and then again you have a good price
However, when posting this, I feel that the days of sub Ј200 flights are now gone!
------------
Time for some hints and tips.
1 - The centre of New York is Manhattan, in a tourist sense.
2 - You can't have a hotel close to everything, as Manhattan is 2.5 miles wide and 13.5 miles long. If you're near Central Park, you're not near the Staten Island Ferry
3 - New York is safe. it isn't like the movies or CSI:NY. It is the safest big city in the USA, and i think the 3rd Safest in cities over 100,000 people.
4 - The Subway is easy to use and safe, and runs 24 hours a day.
5 - the cheapest way to get from the airport is to walk, However, it is miles away, so public transport is the second cheapest..
6 - Times Square is a tourist attraction, not the place to be!
7 - Apartment Rentals are illegal in New York City for stays under 30 days...
Here is some more information on the rather delicate subject of point 7 - Apartment Rentals
There is a lot of information over on TripAdvisor, much more than I can be bothered going through tonight, so I'd suggest people take a look over there if you don't believe what I say. However, I will go through this, logically.
99% of apartments are not "Transient" accommodation in NYC, and therefore illegal. There have been recent events that illegal hostels and hotels have been closed down, and hundreds of tourists, who just book wherever is cheap, end up on the street.
Seriously, If it ain't a scam, it'll be illegal. There are very few legal apartment rentals for under 30 days in New York City.
Feel free to search the address on https://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis/bis.shtml
if it doesn't come up as a
Department of Finance Building Classification: H9-HOTELS
on the first page, then it isn't the right classification for a transient hotel. That is one quick check, the next one is to check the certificate of occupancy, Click on View Certificates of Occupancy, and then choose one from the list. I pick a known legal hotel, and it comes up as a J-1 Transient Hotel. Now, I've picked a known illegal apartment rental, and the certificate of occupancy states, 2 Family Dwelling and Accessory Office.
So, if you are a not living there permanently, within a unit that is designed for a family, (and obviously that is not the case, because it has been illegally converted to 3 (three) apartments), then it is illegal, but the many websites don't give a crap what they have on their site, because they are getting their commission. There is no point asking them, they don't vet, or are required to vet what goes on the site.
If you decide to use one then you are really depriving someone living in NYC in an affordable room, just because you don't want to stay in a hotel, which is what they are designed for. Hotels, transients, apartments, residents.
If you want the apartment style, so you can cook a meal, have a living area etc etc, then choose a suitehotel, which there are a number of, Eastgate Tower in Midtown Manhattan is reasonable, and you can get a 1 bed studio, 1 bed suite, or a 2 bed suite etc etc. This is the closest you'll get to staying at an apartment in NYC legally. - Thought I'd share this link with you all
https://newyorkdailyphoto.blogspot.com/ - OK so going to annoy everyone and repost on this new thread so I don't get lost in it.
Its official as of today that I'm going (for the first time) to NYC for my 30th!!!
Now its not until December but I'm allowed to be excited, and also want to make it perfect so getting very organised!
There will therefore be more posts over the coming months but here's my opener:
Flight plan is Virgin PE as its my bday so want a bit more style! (using the miles + money deal - currently around Ј460 each - but dont know when is best to book, given the credit crunch and hoping prices will fall but if more airlines go bust so there's less competition...
Was going to mention that I'm the birthday girl at check-in/on booking - anyone know of any extra treats from Mr B's team?
And when is best time to book?
Now hotel wise it HAS TO BE Central Park (as bizarre but want to go for a jog in Central Park on bday morning - then make up the "lost calories" at the Magnolia bakery but I digress...)
Quick hunt about on hotelconxions came up with Astor on the Park, Central Park West, 3* and seems to tick all our boxes for $551 for the 3 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun) - I thought it was too early to book but am tempted to snap this up pronto? Is it likely I could get a better deal nearer the time or by ringing the hotel directly (i.e. early bird discount?). Also anyone know about this particular hotel or any overlooking the park?
BTW Dates are Out Friday 4th Dec Back Monday 7th (my bday)
PS the M+M fare I see is an offer for travel in Sept so obviously no good but what is the likelihood of a Virgin/BA price war for the first week of December - guessing that the high Xmas season is probably from the following week???
But really want to know about this hotel ASAP please - people start thinking about going to NYC for christmas anytime from october onwards.
From this point on, the airfares suprisingly are higher, right from the beginning of november, until the 1st week of jan
personally, i know i love the 3 month rule, (flying march 5th, booked hotel Jan 1st, Booked Flight Fri 9th Jan), it occasionally doesn't apply - Ooo I also meant to say - if you're into sweets or have kids to buy for when in NY go to Dylans Candy Bar - WOW - I was sugared up for about three days after my visit but be warned I spent $25 in there and didnt even buy much
And LES - please I might be moneysaving, but I'm still a park princess! - becky.. if we were ever in NYC at the same time, we'd never bump into each other..
LES FTW! - Well the good news Mark is - I love NY so much - I'm already thinking about buying some flights in the BA sale for later in the year
- greenface clocking on into new thread subs paid cheques in the post ready to serve.
- yeah.. maybe next time you go you'll see that LES is much better than UES...
*laughs*
yeah ok.. maybe never - Maybe not - but at least we're both east siders
The music venues look cool around LES though - I didnt do much clubbing so thats a target for next time! - hi all
going to NY for a week on the 13th and we'll be there for Valentine's day wondering if anyone has any ideas on what we could do to make it abit special, nice resturants, somethnig different etc, as a NY newbie i don't know what's around.
I did try and book the Two times (revolving) at the Marriott Times Square but its fully booked all day for the 14th so ive booked the 15th instead.
Ideas would be welcome xx - Restaurant week happening from 18th Jan-30th Jan. https://nycgo.com/ $24 dollars for lunches and $34 for nice dinners.
Kerrrching! - whatever happened to restaurant week price matching the year??
it should be $20.09 for the meal! bah.. inflation, stupid stupid inflation
M
*my head is hurting* - Just to let all you know i have just returned from a very enjoyable stay at the above hotel. We were there for New Year and went to times square but im afraid we didnt last till midnight it was so cold we ran back to our hotel and watched it on the T.V. The hotel was very nice and well located we found our way round no problem even using the subway! I just want to go back this year but i dont think i would go for New Year again it was so busy. Hope this helps anyone thinking of going.
- Just had email from Virgin flying club promoting their 25th anniversary year of celebrations and offers to their fave destinations over the course of the year. Anyone know about this - guessing NYC would count as a fave destination so another sale later in the year on the cards?
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