Help me organise our New York Trip !

[ChiliPepper]

As you might know, there'll be an international GTG in New York City commerating the tenth anniversary of this great site.

I have always wanted to visit New York, so this is quite important to me.

I will probably travel to NY with a few a friends of mine ( including Bruno a.k.a Vorago if he can afford it)

I hope you guys can help me out. First of all, we'll have to find a rather cheap, clean hotel.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks !

[ChiliPepper]

Here are a few hotels that I've found :

The Chelsea Lodge



Chelsea Lodge is a recently renovated
hotel located in the heart of the historic
Chelsea district in New York City.
Our 22-guest room European-style hotel is conveniently located to all of New York City,
but still gives a sense of being away from it all.
The secure, private, and quiet Chelsea Lodge provides a clean and comfortable environment
at reasonable rates for our guests.

All rooms at the Chelsea Lodge are newly designed and furnished. The rooms have
been remodeled in a country, Americana style, featuring new beds, televisions, showers,
and air conditioners.

The Chelsea Lodge is located near public transportation, tourist attractions, restaurants, clubs, and galleries.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

http://www.chelsealodge.com/index.html

The Pod Hotel












The Pod Hotel offers hip, convenient, and personalized accommodations for the stylish and spendthrifty traveler. Formerly the Pickwick Arms, the Hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan's Midtown East neighborhood, and is New York's number one choice for visitors on a budget.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/desti...od-hotel_x.htm

http://www.thepodhotel.com/index.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

The Deauville Hotel



The Hotel Deauville, located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is a true gem. Our 54 room, family owned turn-of-the-century brownstone combines old world charm with todays value and personal service. Our location in Murray Hill is especially convenient to the Empire State Building, Herald Square, Gramercy Park, The Flatiron District, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and more.

Walk to the Theater District, UN Plaza, The Jacob Javitz Center and Madison Square Garden, or take a quick 5-10 minute taxi ride. Fifth Avenue shopping, Rockefeller Plaza and Central Park are moments away via public transportation and taxi.


Simple and spacious guest rooms offer private baths (some with legendary purple bath tubs and showers). All rooms are air-conditioned with color cable television and telephones. Amenities also include 24 hour reception, daily housekeeping, safe deposit boxes, smoke detectors and security cameras. Hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, maps and tourist information are provided by reception

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html ( great traveler reviews )

The Latham Hotel



The Latham is a true budget hotel, but right off 5th Avenue, and a brief, terrific walk to the Empire State Building, Chelsea and Herald Square. Convenient to Penn Station, Grand Central Station and the discount inter-city bus lines—all so close!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._New_York.html

All these hotels are in Manhattan. For those who have been to New York, did you stay in Manhattan or a different part of the city ?

[BassManPatsFan]

I'm pretty sure we haven't decided on a venue for the GTG, so you might want to wait until we do that before you book a hotel. I would imagine that it will probably be in Manhattan, but even still you'll want to find something close by. I have family in NYC and so I have never stayed in a hotel there, so maybe some other people can comment on which ones are good and cheap and stuff.

[Ericman197]

I live nearby, so I've never stayed at a NYC hotel. However the Gershwin is highly recommended, so put that one on the list as well.

[Bob Clayton]

maybe some of our north jersey/nyc residents could open up their house for a few nights to some international travelers.

it wouldn't be a problem if you guys wanted to stay at my place for a few days, but i am 2 hours away from nyc, i'd assume you'd want somewhere closer.

[ChiliPepper]

Originally Posted by Ericman197

I live nearby, so I've never stayed at a NYC hotel. However the Gershwin is highly recommended, so put that one on the list as well.

Thanks ! I will add the Gershwin to my list.

We'll be a group of 6,7 people and I try to combine the GTG with our NY trip. This will probably be a one week stay.

[Papersen]

Well, I`m actually planning my NYC trip for next March.
I`ve been searching hotels for sometime now. My needs are probably different than yours since I`ll be going with my wife and toddler on a tight budget and exchange rates are not the best for me.

To the ones you mentioned I added:

- Hilton Garden Inn (in Secaucus, NJ). Probably one of the best for your money, 20/30 minutes away from Manhattan (also consider Brooklyn and Queens as options)
- Murray Hill East Suites. Great location and family friendly. Has suites that can accomodate several people and don`t charge cancellation fees until one day before your arrival.
- Murray Hill Inn
- Hotel Edison

Be sure to do your homework and get some travel guides / maps before going.

One more thing. Be sure to buy an unlimited Metro Card (you`ll use the subway a lot) and a New York Pass (nypass.com) since you`ll get discounts and save time when visiting the main attractions.

[Tsal]

Local backpackers seem to recommend the Big Apple Hostel, close to the Times Square.

[ChiliPepper]

Originally Posted by Papersen

My needs are probably different than yours since I`ll be going with my wife and toddler on a tight budget and exchange rates are not the best for me.

Most of us are in their early 20's so yes our needs our quite different Fortunately, the exchange rates are great for us.

Originally Posted by Papersen

One more thing. Be sure to buy an unlimited Metro Card (you`ll use the subway a lot) and a New York Pass (nypass.com) since you`ll get discounts and save time when visiting the main attractions.

Thanks ! btw have you been to New York before ?

[Papersen]

Originally Posted by ChiliPepper

Most of us are in their early 20's so yes our needs our quite different Fortunately, the exchange rates are great for us.



Thanks ! btw have you been to New York before ?

Yes, I`ve been there once in Oct 2000.

[MAJOR METAL]

We could be in queens but its easy enough to find a cheaper hotel chain.

[BellBottomBlues]

I'm gonna plus one the unlimited metro card, you can get an unlimited one week card for about $20 odd USD. If you take the train twice a day, it pays for itself.

Since the G2G will probably be in Manhattan, you might also wanna check out places to stay in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Rates there are usually cheaper as people don't want the half hour's inconvienance to go to the city/

[Barkless Dog]

I just took my daughter to New york and wanted to stay near Times Square and had trouble finding a Hotel for under $800 a night!

was a late book, one night and over a Friday night.

[MJ5150]

Regardless of where you stay, plan on spending an evening at McSorleys.

-Mike

[ChiliPepper]

I went to a travel agency today and the flight will cost at least 750 € / 1,112 $

Thank God, after the flight we'll be in cheap dollar land

[GregC]

Consider staying in New Jersey near the water. You'll find cheaper hotels, and there's a train system called the PATH that will take you from several places (Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark, among others) into the city for $1.50 a ride. (I just used it this past weekend, in fact.) From the stops in NYC, you can access a wide variety of subway lines.

http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave.../html/map.html

[GregC]

Bump.

[Mark Wilson]

I need to find a hotel as well.