Going to NYC, where to eat and shop? (edited title)

[3ric]

Me, my wife and another couple are planning to travel to NYC some time in December. Any advice on where to stay for about 5-7 days would be very helpful. Pricing: about $130-150 a night by my estimate (would this be enough for a decent place?). I've been checking out some apartment hotels with two-bedroom suites for us to share but any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

[Joe]

I'm staying at the Grand Hyatt when I go in a couple of weeks. We got a good rate ($200), so not as low as you're looking for. Last time we stayed at a cheap place that ended up not even having locks on the doors.

[Klinglerware]

December is a peak travel season for NYC--I would expect rates at halfway-decent hotels to be high, especially if you stay in mid-town Manhattan

[Ramzavail]

If you want any good places to go eat, let me know, I can recommend a bunch of good places depending upon what style you want.

[cthomer5000]

I wouldn't worry too much about the location of the hotel itself, but if you don't get an ideal area, just do your best to make sure you are near one of the more major subway lines.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by 3ric

Me, my wife and another couple are planning to travel to NYC some time in December. Any advice on where to stay for about 5-7 days would be very helpful. Pricing: about $130-150 a night by my estimate (would this be enough for a decent place?). I've been checking out some apartment hotels with two-bedroom suites for us to share but any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Be VERY careful trying to go cheap on hotels in NYC. Check reviews and I wouldn't suggest staying at anything less than a 3 star establishment. I know you're trying to save money, but NYC hotels are not the place that you want to go on the cheap. The only way you can get relatively cheap rooms that are decent quality is to go outside the island and ride the subway into town. I've done that before and it's not a bad option. Got a 3 star hotel room for around $70/night near a subway station.

[3ric]

I've heard about the NYC hotels and I agree about the 3 star limit. An option I'm looking at is to get a junior suite and to split the tab with the other couple. That way we should be able to get a good hotel downtown for under $200 (paying only half of the full price).

Junior suite = bedroom + living room with pull out sofa.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by 3ric

I've heard about the NYC hotels and I agree about the 3 star limit. An option I'm looking at is to get a junior suite and to split the tab with the other couple. That way we should be able to get a good hotel downtown for under $200 (paying only half of the full price).

Junior suite = bedroom + living room with pull out sofa.

That's a really good idea to room together. You get a much nicer place that way. If you can't agree on who sleeps on the couch, swap halfway through.

[3ric]

Originally Posted by Ramzavail

If you want any good places to go eat, let me know, I can recommend a bunch of good places depending upon what style you want.

I'll probably PM you later on - finding interesting places to eat at is one of the objectives for the trip, as one of us in the travel party is a food writer. She's going to get some materials for articles during our stay.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Joe

I'm staying at the Grand Hyatt when I go in a couple of weeks. We got a good rate ($200), so not as low as you're looking for. Last time we stayed at a cheap place that ended up not even having locks on the doors.

I've stayed at the Grand Hyatt a few times and will be going back for a Sat night in a few weeks. It's a great place, with a room size that isn't minimal (for a NYC hotel).

[BigDPW]

Stayed at the Pennsylvania one time... Right across from MSG... Great location... Not what I was expecting as far as quality but it was not "that bad"... Ended up not spending that much and was right in the middle of manhattan a easy walk to Time Square, right across from MSG and Penn Station...

[Logan]

Originally Posted by BigDPW

Stayed at the Pennsylvania one time... Right across from MSG... Great location... Not what I was expecting as far as quality but it was not "that bad"... Ended up not spending that much and was right in the middle of manhattan a easy walk to Time Square, right across from MSG and Penn Station...

I heard some nightmares about that place.

FYI for anyone else...I believe the official name is "Hotel Pennsylvania."

[Galaxy]

Watch out for the bed bugs.

[molson]

Originally Posted by BigDPW

Stayed at the Pennsylvania one time... Right across from MSG... Great location... Not what I was expecting as far as quality but it was not "that bad"... Ended up not spending that much and was right in the middle of manhattan a easy walk to Time Square, right across from MSG and Penn Station...

Fantastic location, but their rates have shot up in the last 2-3 years for some reason.

Two worthless Hotel PA comments: 1. Sally Jesse Rapheal and Maury Povich used to tape in the ballroom there. 2. During the Westminister Dog Show, it's like a kennel in the lobby.

[Logan]

By the way, I'm completely bothered by the "on" in the thread title, unless it was merely a typo.

No offense to our Swedish friend, though.

[3ric]

Bump. We're due to arrive on Dec 27th, and leaves Jan 1st. We're staying in a nice Lower Manhattan hotel and any recommendations on what to eat and where to shop are welcome!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by 3ric

Bump. We're due to arrive on Dec 27th, and leaves Jan 1st. We're staying in a nice Lower Manhattan hotel and any recommendations on what to eat and where to shop are welcome!

If your wife wants all the knock-off purses, shoes, luggage, etc., head down to Chinatown. Your wallet will thank me for this suggestion.

Rolex knock-offs can be had for $20-40. Really nice looking and, unless someone is a Rolex expert, they won't know the difference.

[KWhit]

Originally Posted by 3ric

Bump. We're due to arrive on Dec 27th, and leaves Jan 1st. We're staying in a nice Lower Manhattan hotel and any recommendations on what to eat and where to shop are welcome!

If you're looking for a nice expensive place to eat go to Vong.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by 3ric

Bump. We're due to arrive on Dec 27th, and leaves Jan 1st. We're staying in a nice Lower Manhattan hotel and any recommendations on what to eat and where to shop are welcome!

The beautiful thing about the city is that you're a $2 subway ride away from any place you'd want to go.

[3ric]

Thanks for the suggestions... any recommended place for a pancake breakfast?

[Klinglerware]

As far as places to eat, there are just too many fantastic places to list. Consider getting a copy of the Zagat NYC restaurant guide, or looking things up on zagat.com.

While you are here consider trying some restuarants that specialize in American regional cooking. Sylvia's in Harlem is a go to place for Soul Food, for example (though it is pretty touristy at this point).

For more upscale restaurants, try one of Danny Meyer's restaurants (for a list, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Meyer). Yes, there is a lot of hype surrounding him, but I've never been disappointed with the food at any of his restaurants.

NYC is of course also great for international cuisine. One interesting experience could be having Peking Duck in Chinatown (try the "Peking Duck House"). Of course, for NYC's (expensive) take on Scandinavian cuisine, you could try "Aquavit" in mid town.

Breakfast? There are many places that serve a great brunch...

[Ramzavail]

3ric - I know you said you are staying downtown but I'd really try to make an effort to go to Patsy's - its an amazing italian restaurant

www.patsys.com

its in the theatre district

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

NYC is of course also great for international cuisine. One interesting experience could be having Peking Duck in Chinatown (try the "Peking Duck House").

Yes, yes, go there. I ate there when I went in October and it was awesome.

[3ric]

Great suggestions so far - we'll make sure to visit both Patsy's and Peking Duck House. Thanks!

[Klinglerware]

So, how did it go?

[gi]

My fiance an I loved the three course dessert at Chikalicious. It is only dessert there, but the taste and flavor was outstanding.

hxxp://www.chikalicious.com/

[Ksyrup]

I'll be heading to NYC for the first time in my life the second weekend of March. I'm staying at the Hilton NY on Avenue of the Americas. What's around there that I need to see/visit/eat?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I'll be heading to NYC for the first time in my life the second weekend of March. I'm staying at the Hilton NY on Avenue of the Americas. What's around there that I need to see/visit/eat?

The first thing you need to know is that you're a $2 subway ride away from damn near everything. If you confine yourself to that area, you're missing out on 95% of the city.

That being said, you're smack in the middle between Central Park and Times Square, the prime tourist areas. While you should definitely walk in both directions to check out both places, don't be afraid to expand your horizons.

[Pyser]

if i have my geography right, you are also right at radio city music hall and st patricks cathedral, obvious spots to hit up.

basically, just walk around. take in a few shows.

then walk some more.

take the subway to another part of the city, and walk again.

and eat a hot dog from a vendor.

[Logan]

Also, you're right at Rockefeller Center. I've heard really good things about the new observation deck tour that takes place at the top. Amazing views, as you would expect.

http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ODTStatic/site.htm