New York

[BEC]

Hi I wonder if you can help my friend she wants to go to New York in December for four days and was asking advice, I have yet to go so cant help her out but thought someone here could. She wants to know who is best to fly with? Hotels recommended and hotels to stay away from? advice on things to do places to go. Hope you can help.

[freakyjo114]

Hi, I've been to NY twice, both times in December and both times staying at the Wellington on 7th Avenue. It's about 3 minutes walk from Times Square, round the corner from Carnegie Hall and there is a subway station directly around the corner. It isn't posh but is comfortable and reasonably priced we found. Hope this helps.

[birchco]

Hi we went to the big apple last December for the first time and had a fantastic time. We stayed at the Affinia Dumont on 34th Street, and in my opinion a great and safe place to stay. We did all of the touristy things, Rockerfeller Center, Empire State, Times Square, Grand Central Station, and of course Statue of Liberty which was my favourite place,and to me is America! We also did Ground Zero and the museum tour, which was very emotional but im glad we did it. Shopping is amazing and tell her to go to Century 21, New Yorks Biggest Secret!! We flew with American Airlines from Stansted, great price and a good flight, would definitely fly with them again.

[Ruthy1604]

Hi,
We stayed at the Salisbury last Feb as it got great reviews on Trip Advisor. It was fab - bargain price & a little dated on the decor, but clean, in a great location & with a free brekfast. We would definatey stay there again.
We flew with continental & couldn't fault them either!
Ruth

[tomnj]

A dibber recently posted a comprehensive list of must-sees. Do a search and it will appear.

Airports have a choice of Newark (EWR) and JFK. I think EWR is easier to deal with since its recent renovation but choose whatever flight is the most reasonable.

Hotels vary widely. Prices can range from $150 - $1000+. When in Dec is she arriving. Closer to xmas/nye the costlier they become. How many ppl are with her?

[pepsicube]

We flew Virgin to Newark (from Heathrow), flights were about £250 each in the sales.
We stayed in the Waldorf Astoria which was fabulous.
Did the usual touristy stuff - Empire State, Reckefeller, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Central Park (carriage ride), Time Square, Broadway Show, shopping.
We also got a limo to pick us up from the Airport - Decadant, but surprisingly good value.

[freakyjo114]

We flew Virgin to Newark (from Heathrow), flights were about £250 each in the sales.
We stayed in the Waldorf Astoria which was fabulous.
Did the usual touristy stuff - Empire State, Reckefeller, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Central Park (carriage ride), Time Square, Broadway Show, shopping.
We also got a limo to pick us up from the Airport - Decadant, but surprisingly good value.

We couldn't afford to stay at the Waldorf, but did go for lunch one day to see how the other half lives :pgig:

[BEC]

Hi thanks for your help, i will pass on this information.
tomnj - there will be two adults and there daughter who will turn 18 in Nov, they are looking at going around the 17th Dec i think.

[KristyA]

We stayed at the Tudor Hotel and the rooms were really nice. It was my third time, and the nicest hotel.

[tomnj]

I just looked for their dates and prices seem good at the moment. I found several 3 and 4 star midtown hotels for $300/nt +tax.
Courtyard by Marriott and Hyatt Grand are two examples.

Make sure they choose a room with 2 doubles and high floor :)

[lausan]

Must do New York

The New Yorker Hotel

Empire state Building book online save queuing
Do the Audio tour by Tony the Cabbie its fantastic
Statue of Liberty
Red Bus Tour hop on and off
New York Party Shuttle tour, half day Guided Tours
Movie Tours 2hrs(sex in the City) (Friends)
Grand Central Station
Ground Zero
Rockefeller Centre
View and Skate
Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway
Waiters sing from the Broadway shows and the 50s (above Diner is Capezio Dance Theater Shop)
Central Park strawberry Fields
History Museum and Planetarium
Pier 17 Southport shops and Blue Circle Boat Trips
Build a rag Doll 5th Avenue
Space Restaurant and bar Times Sq
Earth cam Times Sq its go on and wave live to your friends back
Home
Broadway Show if you get time if you want good seats go to the Box office otherwise queue in Times Sq(not Me)
http://wikitravel.org/en/New_York_City

[pepsicube]

We couldn't afford to stay at the Waldorf, but did go for lunch one day to see how the other half lives :pgig:

We went in February - when it was affordable - it cost us £150 for a room for a night which was an awful lot cheaper than in December.
Mind you all the extras weren't half pricey (breakfast, drinks, room service etc!) - but it was a great experience.

[misaps]

Hi Becky

We stayed at The Bentley which is on Upper East Side with fabulous views of 59th Street Bridge. It's a boutique style hotel which provides breakfast with the room. A bit out of the central touristy areas but not far from Bloomingdales / Central Park.

The thing we loved was that we ended up walking around areas that we definitely would not have done and thus seen more of a different view of New York, had we'd been elsewhere.

Other than the usual things to see mentioned in previous posts, I'd recommend seeking out 'The Big Apple Chorus' that do Christmas Carols (free of charge) outdoors at Fulton Square and Water Street(near to South Street Sea Port I think). They do 2 performances every Fri, Sat & Sun usually starting end of November until Christmas Eve.....some nice restaurants in the area as well!

:smile:

PS Just noticed your countdown is the same day as us, which is weird as we followed you in the villa last year!

[freakyjo114]

We went in February - when it was affordable - it cost us £150 for a room for a night which was an awful lot cheaper than in December.
Mind you all the extras weren't half pricey (breakfast, drinks, room service etc!) - but it was a great experience.

Yeah it seems that every hotel increases it's prices late Nov, early December. They don't seem to drop again till literally 2 days or so before xmas.

I must admit I loved the Waldorf, what I saw of it. Will perhaps stay there on a special occassion one year.

Never been to NY any time other than Dec, I love the holiday season, the decorations, the atmosphere.

[BEC]

Hi Becky

We stayed at The Bentley which is on Upper East Side with fabulous views of 59th Street Bridge. It's a boutique style hotel which provides breakfast with the room. A bit out of the central touristy areas but not far from Bloomingdales / Central Park.

The thing we loved was that we ended up walking around areas that we definitely would not have done and thus seen more of a different view of New York, had we'd been elsewhere.

Other than the usual things to see mentioned in previous posts, I'd recommend seeking out 'The Big Apple Chorus' that do Christmas Carols (free of charge) outdoors at Fulton Square and Water Street(near to South Street Sea Port I think). They do 2 performances every Fri, Sat & Sun usually starting end of November until Christmas Eve.....some nice restaurants in the area as well!

:smile:

PS Just noticed your countdown is the same day as us, which is weird as we followed you in the villa last year!

Hi that is weird!!! Where are you staying this time? fab villa of Steve's wish it was mine! hope you had as good a time as we did there.
Thanks for the info I will pass it on x

[BEC]

I just looked for their dates and prices seem good at the moment. I found several 3 and 4 star midtown hotels for $300/nt +tax.
Courtyard by Marriott and Hyatt Grand are two examples.

Make sure they choose a room with 2 doubles and high floor :)

Hi I passed on this info to my friend and she wants to know where you got these prices from please.

[misaps]

Hi that is weird!!! Where are you staying this time? fab villa of Steve's wish it was mine! hope you had as good a time as we did there.
Thanks for the info I will pass it on x

:wavey:

Staying at another Dibb villa, this time at High Grove. Unfortunately Steve's was booked (as you no doubt knew) which was a shame as we had a great time there and would love to have gone back once more............maybe another year!

[BEC]

:wavey:

Staying at another Dibb villa, this time at High Grove. Unfortunately Steve's was booked (as you no doubt knew) which was a shame as we had a great time there and would love to have gone back once more............maybe another year!


Yes!! we will return for sure we were considering xmas 2009 but i dont know if i could manage without my super hot weather and humid days lol.

[tomnj]

Hi I passed on this info to my friend and she wants to know where you got these prices from please.


From the hotel's website.

I also did a comparison search on www.sidestep.com

[BEC]

From the hotel's website.

I also did a comparison search on www.sidestep.com

Hi, thanks i will pass this on, thanks again for your help. :thumbs-up