New York on a small budget? (Hotels, specifically)

[Pulse]

Pothole said:

Have you looked at airbnb?

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/944250

£80ish a night

or this one in Manhattan for £120 https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/381333

Much nicer than a hotel I reckon.

I have. It is also another alternative, but I am apprehensive for a few reasons:

1. You have to hand over a security deposit, which they may/may not be fair about.
2. Some of them have odd rules.
3. Some of them are clearly too cheap (i.e. not real), which puts doubt in my mind about those that are fine.
4. I'm unclear on whether you pay taxes on top of those prices or not.

I have to admit, I would like to stay somewhere with a bit of 'something' about it, rather than a hotel, but it's swings and roundabouts really.

[Pulse]

Petrus1983 said:

When I first went to NYC it was on a budget and stayed here...

http://www.hotel17ny.com/

At £85 per night I was surprised by how good it was, also the location is great for the lower end of Manhattan, but is also really close to the metro.

Those are all shared bathroom unfortunately, which is not an option.

[Pothole]

Pulse said:

Pothole said:

Have you looked at airbnb?

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/944250

£80ish a night

or this one in Manhattan for £120 https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/381333

Much nicer than a hotel I reckon.

I have. It is also another alternative, but I am apprehensive for a few reasons:

1. You have to hand over a security deposit, which they may/may not be fair about.
2. Some of them have odd rules.
3. Some of them are clearly too cheap (i.e. not real), which puts doubt in my mind about those that are fine.
4. I'm unclear on whether you pay taxes on top of those prices or not.

I have to admit, I would like to stay somewhere with a bit of 'something' about it, rather than a hotel, but it's swings and roundabouts really.

I've used them in another country and it was a great experience. There are reviews on the site too...perhaps next time you go away and have more time to investigate?

[h0b0]

I will say it again

h0b0 said:

Go on Jetsetter.com and book one of the hotels on offer. You will get a decent place for your budget

[Pulse]

h0b0 said:

I will say it again

h0b0 said:

Go on Jetsetter.com and book one of the hotels on offer. You will get a decent place for your budget

Great looking site, but sadly nowhere close on prices. I did look on there - I should have said.

The cheapest is £190 a night.

[h0b0]

What are your dates?

[Tumbler]

I managed to get a deal on http://www.hotelmetronyc.com/default.aspx?pg=home&...

Stayed five nights in June 2012

[Pulse]

h0b0 said:

What are your dates?

12th - 20th July

We have two options currently. Either staying in Long Island City for around £1080 total (with breakfast), or staying in the Lower East Side for £1210 total (no breakfast).

What would others choose?

[Kapenta]

We have stayed at the Washington Square hotel in West Greenwich before. Just below 8 St. and 150 yds to the Subway. Good value and very quick to get uptown. Also very convenient for downtown and great for partying in Bleeker.

http://www.washingtonsquarehotel.com/about.php

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Washington+Square...

[Pulse]

Thanks everyone for your help. We have FINALLY booked, after a couple of false starts.

We're staying in the hotel I mentioned first of all - the Verve hotel in Long Island City. It's just off Manhattan, but for the rate, it couldn't be beaten.

I'm now actually looking forward to my trip, rather than worrying about the hotel booking!

[h0b0]

OK, I am too late to the party and I must admit it was more expensive to book a hotel at those times than I though but.

This is the hotel i recommend.....


The Westin Jersey City Newport

This is 130 pounds a night through hotels.com and is a nice hotel. My wife has stayed there in 2009 when it first opened. There are good restaurants in the area and the PATH (underground) is almost across the road. You can hop on the light rail (tram) to Hoboken and have a good night out. Hoboken is also the location for Cake boss so you can buy his cakes there. (my wedding cake came from Buddy in 2009 before he was famous). If you walk to Hoboken the ugly way (Not on the river) you will walk passed the Lakawana center which is where Carlos makes all the cakes and is where Buddy has an office.

If I was you, I would cancel your current reservation and take this one.......

[viggyp]

Pulse said:

Thanks everyone for your help. We have FINALLY booked, after a couple of false starts.

We're staying in the hotel I mentioned first of all - the Verve hotel in Long Island City. It's just off Manhattan, but for the rate, it couldn't be beaten.

I'm now actually looking forward to my trip, rather than worrying about the hotel booking!

Nice. In case I missed it, how long are you going for? I'll be there in June for a week (3rd year in a row, 5th time in total) and its my favourite place. If you're going for a week then I'd spend the $29 for a Metrocard.

[Pothole]

h0b0 said:

OK, I am too late to the party and I must admit it was more expensive to book a hotel at those times than I though but.

This is the hotel i recommend.....


The Westin Jersey City Newport

This is 130 pounds a night through hotels.com and is a nice hotel. My wife has stayed there in 2009 when it first opened. There are good restaurants in the area and the PATH (underground) is almost across the road. You can hop on the light rail (tram) to Hoboken and have a good night out. Hoboken is also the location for Cake boss so you can buy his cakes there. (my wedding cake came from Buddy in 2009 before he was famous). If you walk to Hoboken the ugly way (Not on the river) you will walk passed the Lakawana center which is where Carlos makes all the cakes and is where Buddy has an office.

If I was you, I would cancel your current reservation and take this one.......

what if he doesn't like 'cakes'.

[h0b0]

Ok, so I dwelled on the cake. The location is great and the hotel is very nice. I have never been near the OPs choice of hotel but I'm sure the one I suggested is better. There is a beer garden up the road and you can get a car and head over to 6 flags. It's a nice walk to liberty park as well

and there is cake

I am not a North Korean dictator

[RDMcG]

very good and reputable B&B site is City Lights......some quite tasty places to stay


http://www.citylightsnewyork.com/?gclid=CKLB09C90L...

[shirt]

Pothole said:

Pulse said:

Pothole said:

Have you looked at airbnb?

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/944250

£80ish a night

or this one in Manhattan for £120 https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/381333

Much nicer than a hotel I reckon.

I have. It is also another alternative, but I am apprehensive for a few reasons:

1. You have to hand over a security deposit, which they may/may not be fair about.
2. Some of them have odd rules.
3. Some of them are clearly too cheap (i.e. not real), which puts doubt in my mind about those that are fine.
4. I'm unclear on whether you pay taxes on top of those prices or not.

I have to admit, I would like to stay somewhere with a bit of 'something' about it, rather than a hotel, but it's swings and roundabouts really.

I've used them in another country and it was a great experience. There are reviews on the site too...perhaps next time you go away and have more time to investigate?

i've used airbnb on a few occasions now and agree that the experience was miles better than staying in a hotel. owners have all been great and the properties even better. it's become my first stop when looking for holiday accom.

[Pulse]

h0b0 said:

If I was you, I would cancel your current reservation and take this one.......

Too late. We've booked, and it was an advance payment rate, so no cancelling it. I'm happy though - £900 for 8 nights.

[Pulse]

viggyp said:

Nice. In case I missed it, how long are you going for? I'll be there in June for a week (3rd year in a row, 5th time in total) and its my favourite place. If you're going for a week then I'd spend the $29 for a Metrocard.

Yep, that's the plan. I believe it's now $30 +$1 for a new card, but still good value for a long trip.

[h0b0]

Pulse said:

h0b0 said:

If I was you, I would cancel your current reservation and take this one.......

Too late. We've booked, and it was an advance payment rate, so no cancelling it. I'm happy though - £900 for 8 nights.

It looks like your chosen hotel gets good reviews. I always like it when I see the hotel answering the bad reviews professionally as well. I do not think I have been to a hotel that has not got a 1 star rating on Tripadvisor but if they respond well it is a good sign. Search on PHs for NYC ideas as there are many threads and even as a local I read them.

Here is a start though, Go to a comedy club. There are the famous ones and then there are the less famous ones. My best experience was going to one on a week night when the comedians were testing material. This way you can sometimes get a very famous star and even if you don't the comedians are much more interactive with the audience. At the end they sometimes come into the audience to review their material.

Go to Highline park. It is a converted railway that runs from meat packing, 12th street to around 34 street on the west side. It is elevated up a level so you look down on the roads below. There are food truck style restaurants near the south end to eat at. If you are in the meat packing area go to the bar on top of the Gansavort hotel. Again, expensive but entertaining. If you want to continue drinking in this area go to Pastis which is across the road. They do large Kronenbergs. Just up the road is Buddakan. This is a NYC restaurant and is where they filmed a scene from Sex in the City. The food is good but not budget friendly so go in and have a beer for you and a "Charm" for the lady friend.

Go to John's Pizzeria. Make sure you go to the converted church because this is the largest one.

Wolfgang's steak house does fantastic steak. I have not tried the new one on times square but the one on the east side is excellent. In general NYC steak is highly regarded and some would say it is the best in the US.

Use the opentable app to book restaurants. Its just easier that way.

The bar in the Manderain Oriental hotel in the Time Warner building at the South West corner of the park has views of the park. Its worth the extortionate price of the drinks.

If you are in the Time Warner area near lunch go to the basement of the building to Whole Foods. There is a huge buffet that serves very good food. Its a quick easy food solution for everyone. (I hate buffets but eat here regularly)

When you leave the Time Warner building the hotel to the north of the round about is the Trump hotel. This was the location for the filmed "Tower Heist" it also has 2 very good restaurants.

As you are on a budget (like most real people and not like a stereotypical PHer) look for food bargains. For example, Bouley has a 6 course tasting menu for dinner, $175 each. For lunch you get 5 courses for $55. I am a fan of David Bouley and this is a bargain. Look out for restaurant week. If you are lucky and it is on the week you are there you will get to experience some amazing restaurants at bargain prices.

If it is fashion week the stores on 5th Ave have private openings for invited guests only. Don't worry about the invite and just turn up. Cartier will serve you all the free Cartier Champagne you can drink from Cartier glasses.

Speaking of Cartier, if you are fortunate enough to be buying the lady friend a gift from Cartier, buy it before you go shopping. It is a very funny experience having the staff at every shop treating you like a king because they see the bag. Even better, buy 2 pint glasses from Tiffany's at $30 each (I think) They will be wrapped and then put in a huge Tiffany's box and then a huge Tiffany's bag. Let the Lady friend carry that as the entire city will be starring with envy. Then when you get back to the hotel you get to drink beer from Tiffany's glasses. (Yes, I do have Tiffany's pint glasses at home)


There will be food trucks in Union square at the weekends. These are fun. During the week they are located near the offices around Time Square.

If you are not planning on leaving the city, do not rent a car. There is no point.

Try the Californian wine. A lot of it is surprisingly good. I would not recommend the local (Brooklyn) beer though. It's awful. Most people like Sam Adams from Boston but I stick to Peroni.

Most of all, and do not forget this........

DO NOT STOP RANDOMLY TO LOOK UP! NYC is a working city with people rushing to get somewhere. Generally, the locals are very friendly and helpful and you should never feel intimidated. But, do not just stop because the person behind you will not stop! The tourists from Mid West America are the worst for this though. Yes, we hate American tourists as well.


Oh and do not forget the sunscreen and very comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and it may be 100 degrees. The shade in NYC does not work either because it is so humid. The temperature in the shade will be the same as in the sun. (I hate Summer weather here but I am delicate)

[Pulse]

h0b0 said:

It looks like your chosen hotel gets good reviews. I always like it when I see the hotel answering the bad reviews professionally as well. I do not think I have been to a hotel that has not got a 1 star rating on Tripadvisor but if they respond well it is a good sign. Search on PHs for NYC ideas as there are many threads and even as a local I read them.

It definitely gets good reviews, though their responses to some of the 1* reviews are... interesting. Still, they appear to be well-reviewed for a reason, and it's hard to beat £900 for 8 nights.

I'll get to reading the rest of your post now - cheers!