New Yoik New Yoik - recommendations?

[benjaminty]

We're off to the big apple soon and trying to find a decent place to stay which wont cost the earth. Have been several times before but there just don't seem to be any decent places in the Lower East Side (preferred location) which aren't crazily expensive or just run down as hell - no middle ground.

Anyone got any recommendations or good ideas?

[pablogrande]

We went last year and found a private apartment rental on www.craigslist.com really cool place in the village one bed in fantastic location all for arouns $120 a night for the 2 of us

couple of things that you might not normally do that I'd recommend

the tenement museum and the ethnic food walking tour

good luc and enjoy yourselves

[buggie]

Go to the Library Hotel, its near Grand Central Station, is a small but perfectly formed hotel, each room has a different theme, with books on the subject in the room!!

The really fab thing is that they do free breakfast, and from 4pm have cheese and wine (plus other nibbles) to eat in the lounge as well - great to have then skip starter/have smaller meal out! As they keep the pastries under glass domes, food and hot drinks are pretty much available 24/7.

Has fab trip advisor reviews: library hotel

[Otto]

You will not find anything "middle" in the lower east side...it is a recently gentrified (but still edgy) area and will have high end (rivington hotel - v. v. nice and cool), or, incredibly dodgy. For the most part, most of lower manhattan (chelsea, soho, tribeca, nolita, etc) will be high, or, low hotel-wise. You will find mid-priced hotels in midtown (that makes more sense than it should...). There is the W hotel near 14th street that is decent, and, a bit less than the others downtown...and it is in a pretty well-located spot for transport and walking.

I'm an ex-new yorker and I'd recommend a walk over the brooklyn bridge, chinatown, ps1 museum, candy at dean and deluca (broadway and prince st), walkers bar in tribeca (good food and drink - not expensive)...

enjoy your travels, otto

[missd]

try this place -really good vallue and great location

http://www.chelsealodge.com/

[benjaminty]

Thanks Guys.... most helpful. Will have a dig around on these suggestions tonight.

I stayed at the Hotel On Rivington on my last visit in 2005 and really enjoyed it (and the views from the bedroom and shower) ..... it just doesnt sum up the Lower East side for me. But I also want to be comfortable in my surroundings.

May be I'm being difficult - or have I seen an opportunity here for a change in vocation?

Thanks again .....

[Nero]

Little Italy is great. Just walking around Bleeker, Houston, Mott and Elizabeth Streets is great fun. It's actually quite quiet down there, even at the weekends. And the farmers' market in the square near to the Flatiron Building (can't remember its name) is great - maple syrup and the like for a smaller price than here, obv. Nero

[Asset]

I just booked an apartment near Wall St. through holiday-rentals.co.uk for July. It's costing $1000 for a week which at current rates is about ?500. As there are four of us it's a bargain I think. There were quite a few on their website, lots of 'studio' apartments which for a couple is ideal.

[mumra]

Hotel Gershwin is cheap-ish and you either have your own room or stay in a dorm. It's mid-town and fairly near the Empire State. Lovely friendly staff and quite cool - has an original Warhol soup can in the lobby. Gets booked up early though. Also, Hotel 17 is cheap but crazy decor - we stayed in a room with gold sheets and wallpaper!

[giggirl]

I can thoroughly recommend the Mercer Hotel in Soho (not too far from Lower East side). Gets booked up fast though - very popular place.

http://www.mercerhotel.com/main.html

Don't know what your budget is. It's a bit pricey but it's nice.

Nice restaurant is Pastis - http://www.pastisny.com - also gets very booked up.

I have also stayed at Hotel Gershwin (see above post) - nice place too.

The problem with all NYC hotel rooms is they are tiny - which is really annoying considering how much they cost.

Good luck - and milk that $ exchange rate for all it's worth.

[gerry]

Its absolutely freezing in NY in February, so dress warm!! Spend some time in Central Park and be sure to hit the sales at Macy's.

[Nero]

Take ear plugs, preferably the wax kind as it is noisy in NYC. I couldn't sleep without them the last time I was there. Nero

[benjaminty]

Thanks for all your recommendations - a few interesting ones there....

Loving Chelsea Lodges ... but no space at the inn :(

The search continues...

[giggirl]

missd Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> try this place -really good vallue and great

> location

> http://www.chelsealodge.com/

Thank you for posting this link. A few years ago I tried to book in here (trip to NYC to see Cream at Madison Square Garden) but I couldn't get in. I thought it looked lovely and the reviews were great. Anyway, I lost the link and couldn't remember the name. Thanks for posting it - I'm going to try and book a long weekend in the summer.

[sazzle]

Go to the top of the rockerfeller centre it has great views and you can book a time inadvance.

Get bargains in Century 21 next to ground zero and eat at ruby fu's on times sq. yum.

[giggirl]

Yeah - I've booked myself a garden suite at the Chelsea Lodge for a week in July. I heart NY so can't wait.

[benjaminty]

Really wanted a suite at the chelsea lodge but then I found an unbelievable decent place for a fraction of the price of everywhere else.

$560 for 5 dollars for 2 people .. instead of >$2000 for an average place in times square .... no brainer... but I guess I havent stayed there yet!

http://www.thesohotel.com/

[giggirl]

Dear Benjaminty - it gets a mixed review on Tripadvisor (and I swear by Tripadvisor). Read it here

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d292140-Reviews-Sohotel-New_York_City_New_York.html

There does seem to be a noise problem so if I were you I would make sure you request a quiet room. Read the Tripadvisor reviews so you will know what to ask for. Location looks great.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Having spent a fair amount time in NY both for work and pleasure the thought of staying anywhere near Time Square is horrific

I barely ever go north of 14th when I'm there now - Tribeca is my home from home, with excursions into Bleeker St and Lower East Side (although what they have done with the Port at the bottom of the island is nigh-on criminal)

Don't tell Mockney, but there is a bar in Tribeca where I'm convinced the barmaid is Neko Case (shhhhh)

She even remembers what I drink when I go in

I miss the old owner of the Tribeca Tavern - Sal. Legend... I once spent 2 hours listening to him talk to me about Stand up comedy and Judas Priest. Then again, he thought they were different things

[snorky]

Maceys at opening time is full of jetlagged brits eager to get going, as theyve been awake since 4AM

Avoid.

The statue of Liberty is crap.

Avoid

There is as much of a reason to go to Times square as there is to go to leiecester Square.

Avoid

The bargain electrical goods shops that litter The TImes Square are anything but a bargain

Avoid

apart from that, wander about on foot , go to Brooklyn , go up to the top of Long Island.

[SeanMacGabhann]

snorky is spot on (and are you officially back now??)

Anyway

Brooklyn and New Jersey are places that I stayed on visits - New Jersey is fun from a Sopranos point of view but doesn't have much going for it. Brooklyn I found much more fun and remains the scene of the most epic breakfast I have ever ever had

[gerry]

Snorky

What or where is the 'top of Long Island?'