Discussion
Mrs Dibble has mooted the idea of taking me to NY for a few days for my birthday this year.
It seems to be getting more expensive by the day (flights, hotels, $ vs £, etc).
Is it worth a trip? Is 4 nights enough, or would a week be better?
Any recommendations on where to stay, travel agents to book with, airlines, etc?
It seems to be getting more expensive by the day (flights, hotels, $ vs £, etc).
Is it worth a trip? Is 4 nights enough, or would a week be better?
Any recommendations on where to stay, travel agents to book with, airlines, etc?
Go here http://www.smithandwollensky.com/new_york.htm, split a lobster for starters then have a cajun rib eye for mains, with asparagus and hash browns then get the NY cheesecake for afters.
Other than that the Crowne Plaza Times Square was nice last time I stayed there, as was the New York Hemsley. The Air and Space museum on the USS Intrepid is a good way to spend an afternoon http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/, I hear they've just got an Airbus A320 as a new exibit (sorry, too soon?).
Other than that the Crowne Plaza Times Square was nice last time I stayed there, as was the New York Hemsley. The Air and Space museum on the USS Intrepid is a good way to spend an afternoon http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/, I hear they've just got an Airbus A320 as a new exibit (sorry, too soon?).
The wife & I went in October last year. Spent 5 nights there which was enough. Flew from Teesside to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to JFK. Good flight no lay-overs. Stayed at the Millenium Hilton right next to ground zero for a night (KLM screwed up the flights, so needed another night) - excellent hotel (we were on 48th floor and had a corner suite, so the views were outstanding), it's in the financial district so not as buzzing as other areas, then down to the Hilton Garden Inn near Times Square (actually on 8th Avenue, but very central for most of Manhattan), again a very good hotel. Didn't find the prices of food & drink whilst there too bad.
BA packed in the daily flight from Manchester last year, so if you want to go direct, you'd be looking at Gatwick or Heathrow I think. Booked the flight through local travel agent and the hotels through lastminute.com which were cheaper than booking directly through the hotels websites.
Beware the hotels ARE VERY EXPENSIVE . . . . have a good look on trip adviser before booking anywhere, there do sound like some not very nice ones out there.
Anything else?
BA packed in the daily flight from Manchester last year, so if you want to go direct, you'd be looking at Gatwick or Heathrow I think. Booked the flight through local travel agent and the hotels through lastminute.com which were cheaper than booking directly through the hotels websites.
Beware the hotels ARE VERY EXPENSIVE . . . . have a good look on trip adviser before booking anywhere, there do sound like some not very nice ones out there.
Anything else?
Edited by chopper602 on Tuesday 20th January 13:54
It's brilliant and nowhere quite like it - if you grew up on 70's and 80's TV in the UK, you already have a relationship with NYC, and it doesn't dissapoint.
I fly Virgin usually to Newark, and there's plenty of direct flights that aren't massively expensive - use expedia to find best prices.
As for hotels, depends as always on budget...and just like in London there are overpriced bargains in dumps...best for a reccomendation, I like the W on Lexington, (but I have a lot of Starwood points)...
I fly Virgin usually to Newark, and there's plenty of direct flights that aren't massively expensive - use expedia to find best prices.
As for hotels, depends as always on budget...and just like in London there are overpriced bargains in dumps...best for a reccomendation, I like the W on Lexington, (but I have a lot of Starwood points)...
Hotel: Le Parker Meridien on 56th and 6th. A bit corporate but comfortable enough and in a good location. W hotel is also nice but the rooms are a somewhat cramped.
Steak: Try Dylan Prime in Tribeca - http://www.dylanprime.com/
HTH and enjoy your trip.
First time I went to NY I stayed at the Amsterdam Court http://www.nychotels.com. Nice boutique hotel located centrally. Room was quite small but I don't think thats unusual.
Dibble said:
Captain Cadillac said:
I live here, what do you want to know? There are a few things to do.
It was more about how to get there at the moment - places to stay, airlines, travel agents.I'll pick your brains if we end up making the trip.
ps. That is Manchester-JFK direct.
Edited by King Herald on Tuesday 20th January 14:44
Dibble said:
Captain Cadillac said:
I live here, what do you want to know? There are a few things to do.
It was more about how to get there at the moment - places to stay, airlines, travel agents.I'll pick your brains if we end up making the trip.
As far as flights go, remember this.. if you are going to NY City, you are really going to Manhattan Island.
JFK airport is just as far from Manhattan as Newark and you can sometimes get better deals there, also, TBH, if you take the airbus it's almost easier than flying in and out of JFK.
When you arrive head straight for the Yellow Cab rank with the authorised cab handlers. Ignore all other offers of a taxi.
Otherwise you'll be hustled into a people carrier and pay the same fare having shared with four other people who will be dropped off at their hotel before you are.
Edit: sit as near to the front of the plane as you can so you get off the aircraft ASAP and as far up the front of the immigration queue as you can get. On NO account make any jokes or small talk with the immigration officer. Yes Sir. No Sir. that's it. And make sure your Customs form is correctly filled out or you'll have to queue again and accept you will be treated like Bin Laden's brother.
Otherwise you'll be hustled into a people carrier and pay the same fare having shared with four other people who will be dropped off at their hotel before you are.
Edit: sit as near to the front of the plane as you can so you get off the aircraft ASAP and as far up the front of the immigration queue as you can get. On NO account make any jokes or small talk with the immigration officer. Yes Sir. No Sir. that's it. And make sure your Customs form is correctly filled out or you'll have to queue again and accept you will be treated like Bin Laden's brother.
Edited by audidoody on Tuesday 20th January 16:07
audidoody said:
When you arrive head straight for the Yellow Cab rank with the authorised cab handlers. Ignore all other offers of a taxi.
Otherwise you'll be hustled into a people carrier and pay the same fare having shared with four other people who will be dropped off at their hotel before you are.
Edit: sit as near to the front of the plane as you can so you get off the aircraft ASAP and as far up the front of the immigration queue as you can get. On NO account make any jokes or small talk with the immigration officer. Yes Sir. No Sir. that's it. And make sure your Customs form is correctly filled out or you'll have to queue again and accept you will be treated like Bin Laden's brother.
Yellow Cab from JFK = Ripster Off.Otherwise you'll be hustled into a people carrier and pay the same fare having shared with four other people who will be dropped off at their hotel before you are.
Edit: sit as near to the front of the plane as you can so you get off the aircraft ASAP and as far up the front of the immigration queue as you can get. On NO account make any jokes or small talk with the immigration officer. Yes Sir. No Sir. that's it. And make sure your Customs form is correctly filled out or you'll have to queue again and accept you will be treated like Bin Laden's brother.
Edited by audidoody on Tuesday 20th January 16:07
212 777 7777 aka Dial 7. Take a cleanish Lincoln Town car, pay the same or maybe less.
If you do go, make sure you fill in your ESTA http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/ or you won't get in
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