Accommodation in New York-24-28 august-mother&daughter

[Julesmac]

As RACV Club Members we could use the NY Racquet Club. I'm sure there were a couple of others as well. We didn't bother in NYC but have used reciprocal clubs in Washington DC and Boston and they were splendid. You would have to be a club (not just a roadside assistance) member, I think. Cabs are easy, clean and cheap and they don't turn a hair if you only want to go a couple of blocks

 

[bPeteb]

By signing up with Gem/Ascend hotels you get quite a good discount on the rates offered on all of the usual suspects. They have a number of hotels around Manhattan. We had already booked a refundable stay at the Riff Chelsea but reviews are not hugely positive so we're considering rebooking at The Paul.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

New York is actually one of the places I'd consider using Priceline (name your own price). Can get some good deals at some of the larger hotels. While they're say they're 4 or 5 star, they're probably around the 3.5 star mark. But can be good value if you bid right.

 

[dk4]

It seems they screen owners adequately before they allow them to use their site to advertise properties. You actually communicate through homeaway rather than directly with the advertiser. Airbnb obviously doesn't do that (or, at least, doesn't do it as well) so you can't have as much confidence in renting through them.

You will find many of the same hosts advertising on Homeaway and Airbnb.

In fairness, I would like to point out the insecurities with HomeAway's business model, as they allow host's to take payments outside of the HomeAway payment portal, whereas Airbnb does not: Airbnb handles all financial transactions, and withholds payment from hosts until 24 hours after a guest checks in (giving all guests plenty of time to contact Airbnb, if there is a problem, and stop payment).

You can read more about trust at Airbnb - https://www.airbnb.com.au/trust

Airbnb is transparent about how well identified their hosts are (as well as their guests) - so consumers can make informed choices, which suit their situation and level of trust. And, at Airbnb, reviews are a two way process, not only may a guest write a review about a host's property, but a host may also write a permanent review about a guest's behaviour (creating a much more secure community for everyone involved).

Communication at Airbnb is exclusively via the Airbnb portal prior to a booking, then the guest or host are recommended to continue communicating in this way, but other contact details may be provided. Some guests like to know they have a host's mobile number (and vice versa) in the unlikely event something does go wrong, so it can be dealt with quickly, I know I do.

So, while each system has slightly different approaches, and I use both (Stayz is HomeAway in Australia) IMO I feel more confident in using Airbnb - as a community, over HomeAway - as a mere advertising site. YMMV.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Consider Brooklyn. There is more to NYC than Manhattan

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

On 6th Ave close to the Empire State Building. Try www.ten15nyc.com .

 

[Johnno101]

My daughter and an older friend are there now. They booked through homeaway a one bedroom unit in Brooklyn. It has a lovely four poster in the bedroom and a make up bed in the lounge. They are there 15 nights and say it is great. The only problem has been transport as it is memorial day. Made the Macy's memorial day sale so that's an added bonus. Let me know if you want further information on the place they are staying.

 

[llk]

The Hotel Beacon on UWS is fantastic. The rooms are spacious, and have a coffee machine and mini kitchenette. The hotel is opposite Citarella's deli, Fairways supermarket and a few blocks down from Zabars, all great for getting breakfast, lunch and snack foods. There is a subway close by with an express train to times square. Very close to Central Park. It's a quieter location, but still so close to all of the action!

 

[kcoulson]

We stayed at the Hotel Beacon - apparently it is extremely popular with Australians (it made me wonder if the travel agents got a big commission). We stayed there for 3 or 4 nights in late 2013. Good location, and convenient. Not cheap, but nothing in NY is. We also stayed at the ExcelsiorHotel for a few nights (part of a tour) - which was very nice too.

 

[Ausbt]

Definitely consider Brooklyn and Williamsburg, they are just a short subway to town. Also if you are doing just 5 days in NYC you'll be getting up, having breakfast and then spending all day in Manhattan seeing the sites. It's nice to come back to more village-y feel where you can go to local restaurants and bars. Plus from some properties you'll have stunning views of the NYC skyline. For me, I'd be in Williamsburg or Greenwich Village as I feel those make you feel like a bit of a local.

 

[Canada]

How frustrating! I just wrote a very long question only to find I wasn't logged in and have now lost it grrrr.
Well, better for you - less to read

I'm having trouble finding an affordable (clean with good reviews!) hotel that allows a third bed in the room. My preference is around midtown.

I have New York Marriott Marquee Time Square: $1800aud - 2 x double + sofa bed - no free wifi (4 nights, need to add another night but prices have skyrocketed since I booked this)
I have Novotel Tiems Square: $2000 - 1 x king + sofa bed - free wifi (5 nights)

I ended up with these 'fancy' hotels because I'm halving the price with another mother. However, there must be somewhere else that's decent, good spot, safe area for us walking home late after broadway etc, that allows a rollerbed (preferably without adding $125 extra for roller bed. The Paul sounds nice however it's hard to tell from websites if a roller bed will fit/be allowed.

My daughter likes the New Yorker but it ends up being around the same as Marriot above once I've paid another $25 per night for the roller. And the next suite up with sofa bed at new yorker is no cheaper than marriott.

anyone have any suggestions of places they think will accommodate the third person (usually those that allow children free under 18) that's decent enough to house 3 females so that we don't drive each other silly in a confined space? It's so hard to tell on the internet, you never know if the room pic you're looking at is the one you'll get and fine print is hard to figure out.

I'd love to hear from recent personal experiences. Especially The paul someone mentioned above, it looks good. if you were the poster, do you think there's room there for another bed?

I just have this thing about sharing when I spending so much on the trip as a whole, it seems crazy to have to share but New York accomm is soooo expensive.

I too was referred to the beacon today by a travel agent, even after I said it was a bit further up than where I was looking.

Anyway if you have any personal experience with hotels, preferably around shopping on 34th, please let me know.

thanks


edit:
also......
if your flight was 1.30am so needing to leave new york city around 9pm I presume, would you just book out that morning and store luggage? and would it cost to store luggage for that long? I started to wonder if it's worth booking the cheapest hotel I can find for that last night so we have somewhere to shower etc. however I don't think any shower is worth that kind of money.
what would you do? pay to store luggage till 9pm?
cheers.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Have you thought of an apartment. I've stayed here www.ten15nyc.com and it's reasonably priced, clean and does studio, 1 and 2 bedroom options. It's on 6th Ave, a stones throw from the Empire SB.

 

[get me outta here]

I'm sure that luggage can be held till you leave on the same day. Often, you'd be able to change clothes too before departing.

did,you have a look at Leo House, it has family rooms which may suit you and the 23rd station is right on the corner and one subway ride to the theatres, I did that ride on my own a number of times late at night and many people around and very safe.

And, I had a thought that wifi is free in Marriots if booking directly, or as a member(?)

 

[vetrade]

Canada, maybe it's time for a reality check. You want to stay in a clean, highly rated, 3 bed accommodation in an expensive area of one of the most expensive cities in the world at the most expensive time of the year on a limited budget - and now you're still procrastinating only 2 months before your visit. Wishful thinking won't cut it in NY so you need to either stump up more money or lower your expectations a bit. Look a bit further out (say the upper west side which is very safe and served by multiple train lines which will get you to Times Square etc in only a few minutes).

And you won't need to pay for bag storage - all hotels will store them for free after you check out if you have a late flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And you won't need to pay for bag storage - all hotels will store them for free after you check out if you have a late flight.

this might depend on the hotel! while my hotel didn't 'charge' for left luggage, the bell-hop chased me down as I was leaving for lunch with his hand out saying 'I won't be here when you get back'...

on return the next bell hop also wanted a tip for handling the luggage.

so it cost me $10 to store suitcase + small hand luggage (2x$5 tip).

 

[Alanslegal]

Priceline Express Deals have 4* in Times Square for under $300/night inclusive of taxes per night, for 24-28/8

 

[bPeteb]

The Paul sounds nice however it's hard to tell from websites if a roller bed will fit/be allowed.

Especially The paul someone mentioned above, it looks good. if you were the poster, do you think there's room there for another bed?

We haven't stayed at The Paul, just considering it. We think we'll end up keeping our booking at The Riff Chelsea. Great location and when it comes down to it, it's a bed and a shower. They do have some larger rooms, I think even the one we've booked has a sofa bed.

Pete

 

[JimmeRuss]

Have a look around Long Island City.

Hilton Home 2 Suites Long Island City ... 3 subway stops from Times Square, there is also the Z NYC which even provide a free hourly bus into Manhattan. Both at a fraction of the price of a central Manhattan hotel and much nicer IMHO.

 

[Ausbt]

Have a look around Long Island City.

there is also the Z NYC which even provide a free hourly bus into Manhattan. Both at a fraction of the price of a central Manhattan hotel and much nicer IMHO.

I've stayed at the Z, it was pretty good really. Great rooftop space with amazing view to NYC and easiest way to 'do' Manhattan is grab the free 15 minute (depending on traffic) morning bus and make your way back on the sub (or get picked up if you want). The Long Island City has it sights too - 5 Points if you love 'artistic' graffiti, MOMA has it's modern art branch here as well. Easy to get the bus down to Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

 

[Warks]

We're just back from NYC (and Orlando) having 6 nights at the New Yorker. We prepaid on a deal late last year when the dollar was about 93c which was a smart move in hindsight. As has been said, nothing is cheap in New York, or Manhattan anyway and to me it was still rather expensive. Something a bit over $200 a night. But it's a great old place - it was the tallest building in NY for about a year when completed - 47 storeys I think - then overtaken by the Chrysler and Empire State within a couple of years.

I thought our room was rather tiny when we walked in but when I looked out our 33rd floor window and had this brilliant view of the Empire State Building I was sold. Free wifi and no bellhops harassing us for tips. As has been said - it's only a bed and a shower anyway - it's all about location and this is great - right across from Penn Station at the corner of 8th Ave and 34th St with the subway below. Found 9th Ave was a great place for eateries and so much quieter than 8th to 5th Ave. The eatery in the hotel was expensive (so I heard) so we often ate at a diner nearby which was really cheap and old style - good food too.

For three of us it was our first NYC visit and we couldn't have had a better place to stay. I'd stay there again. It was so easy to walk everywhere or do the train. Glad we didn't stay out in the 'burbs.

Oh and for the history/science buffs it was where Nikola Tesla spent the last ten years of his life. His rooms were right near ours - plaques on the doors. Also a small 'museum' dedicated to him on the lower 'ground' floor.