Day 5 – Continued………..
Reunited, we quickly jumped in a taxi to our hotel in Manhattan. Traffic was typically busy and the journey took around 90 minutes, during which time the driver attempted to speed things up as much as possible to the point where he was jumping on the accelerator and break all over the place. It was quite an unnerving experience. We somehow made it to the hotel on Central Park South – just over $75. Chose the cash option and gave him a $100 note and asked for $10 change. That’s when the guy really p#$$%d me right off as he pretended he didn’t have change. I mean, it was an obvious lie. What taxi driver goes around with no cash on them at all? Not even a single $10 note? I said I’d pay by card then but he said I couldn’t due to already selecting the cash option. Anyone know if this is correct? Anyway, after a brief stand off I gave him a piece of my mind and didn’t bother with the change. Later on I thought about it further though and if this ever happened again I would go get change somewhere and then come back and pay sans tip. Irritating start to our visit!
Things got better as we went inside to the lobby of Park Lane Hotel New York. The hotel is located on Central Park South between 5th & 6th Ave. We stayed previously on the same street a couple of building down at the Ritz Carlton Central Park and absolutely love the location. Across the road from central park is a hard beat IMO. With minimal Marriott Bonvoy points at our disposal this time I was looking for other options. Searched for a while before this place caught my eye. Great location! Big rooms by NYC standard! Only marginally more expensive than tiny rooms at various Marriott Courtyards and the like. So I booked it! The rooms could use a refresh but they are still more than good enough so we were happy with what we found. Booked 3 nights for our initial NYC stay over Xmas and another separate 3 nights over NYE.
Stay 1: 23-26 December - 3 nights in a City View Room with 2 queen beds was USD$1,761.24 including tax
Stay 2: 29 December – 1 January in a Panoramic Park View Room with 1 queen beds was US$2,230.08 including tax
Being only 2pm the room wasn’t ready for us so we left the bags and went out to the city we had been waiting for! Just a short walk a few blocks down 5th Avenue for a look around and to take it all in. With Xmas only 2 days away the crowds were out in force. Amazing festive atmosphere.
Making traffic great again as well
Never realised how big this Apple store is!
The hotel texted to say the room was ready so we headed back. Grabbed out key and then up the lifts to level 39. Down the corridor and then into our room. As I mentioned, these could use a refurb but they were fine for our 3 night stay. Don’t appear to have taken any photos but have some for the 2nd stay which I will post then. That said, the room details can be found HERE.
A short rest and then we were out to grab an early long forgotten dinner. Crowds everywhere as we walked down 6th Avenue. Our tiredness was hitting fast so we didn’t stay long. A couple of photos on the area then back to the hotel.
Found the back entrance on 58th St
Back up to the room, a quick look outside to appreciate the view and then it was sleep.
Reunited, we quickly jumped in a taxi to our hotel in Manhattan. Traffic was typically busy and the journey took around 90 minutes, during which time the driver attempted to speed things up as much as possible to the point where he was jumping on the accelerator and break all over the place. It was quite an unnerving experience. We somehow made it to the hotel on Central Park South – just over $75. Chose the cash option and gave him a $100 note and asked for $10 change. That’s when the guy really p#$$%d me right off as he pretended he didn’t have change. I mean, it was an obvious lie. What taxi driver goes around with no cash on them at all? Not even a single $10 note? I said I’d pay by card then but he said I couldn’t due to already selecting the cash option. Anyone know if this is correct? Anyway, after a brief stand off I gave him a piece of my mind and didn’t bother with the change. Later on I thought about it further though and if this ever happened again I would go get change somewhere and then come back and pay sans tip. Irritating start to our visit!
Things got better as we went inside to the lobby of Park Lane Hotel New York. The hotel is located on Central Park South between 5th & 6th Ave. We stayed previously on the same street a couple of building down at the Ritz Carlton Central Park and absolutely love the location. Across the road from central park is a hard beat IMO. With minimal Marriott Bonvoy points at our disposal this time I was looking for other options. Searched for a while before this place caught my eye. Great location! Big rooms by NYC standard! Only marginally more expensive than tiny rooms at various Marriott Courtyards and the like. So I booked it! The rooms could use a refresh but they are still more than good enough so we were happy with what we found. Booked 3 nights for our initial NYC stay over Xmas and another separate 3 nights over NYE.
Stay 1: 23-26 December - 3 nights in a City View Room with 2 queen beds was USD$1,761.24 including tax
Stay 2: 29 December – 1 January in a Panoramic Park View Room with 1 queen beds was US$2,230.08 including tax
Being only 2pm the room wasn’t ready for us so we left the bags and went out to the city we had been waiting for! Just a short walk a few blocks down 5th Avenue for a look around and to take it all in. With Xmas only 2 days away the crowds were out in force. Amazing festive atmosphere.
Making traffic great again as well
Never realised how big this Apple store is!
The hotel texted to say the room was ready so we headed back. Grabbed out key and then up the lifts to level 39. Down the corridor and then into our room. As I mentioned, these could use a refurb but they were fine for our 3 night stay. Don’t appear to have taken any photos but have some for the 2nd stay which I will post then. That said, the room details can be found HERE.
A short rest and then we were out to grab an early long forgotten dinner. Crowds everywhere as we walked down 6th Avenue. Our tiredness was hitting fast so we didn’t stay long. A couple of photos on the area then back to the hotel.
Found the back entrance on 58th St
Back up to the room, a quick look outside to appreciate the view and then it was sleep.
