New York 2022

[PeacheyPeach]

Having thought about going somewhere hot next Christmas , the family have said instead they would like to go to New York,
We are thinking from about 27th Dec for maybe four or five days.
Havnt got a clue were to start looking for places to stay.
Has anyone got any personal recommendations for hotels, are Airbnbs allowed over there? I'm sure I read somewhere that it was illegal for short term rentals in New York but maybe I've dreamt that🤣
Would it make more sense to book flights and hotel together?
Would really love to go think it will be a real experience ,

If you’re on Facebook join the NYC the place to be page. Great tips on there.

We are going in April so I am watching with interest!

I'm not much help as we have only booked flight and hotel so far but this is where we are staying, we got a really good deal with BA (before COVID it wouldn't have even crossed my mind to book a package holiday for a city trip)
www.booking.com/Share-b2KOoc

Some reviews are better than others but it was the case with every hotel that I looked at within our budget.

@MrsMcCluskeysCat thanks for the link I will take a look xx

We went in 2019. Flew out on Christmas Day and stayed for 4 nights. We all loved it, including two teens.

We booked a package with Southall Travel. Would really recommend them. I’d never have considered a package for a city break but it did work out a fair bit cheaper. And in the current climate. You’ve got more protection if you book a package with an ABTA agent, rather than separate flights and hotel.

We stayed at The Westin Times Square which was a great location. Not sure I’d have wanted to be there for NYE though as it was really, really busy and from memory, package price went up hugely if the stay was over New Year.

And yes, AirBNB is illegal in New York.

We are going in February.

May be worth booking a package in these Covid times as I believe the protection is better should things go wrong.

NYC have recently mandated vaccination for indoor activities for (I think) all kids over 5. This has buggered up our plans as DS will be 14, will only have had 1 jab but to be allowed into indoor venues will need 2 jabs, as he's over 12. Kids 5 and older need 1 jab. Look into the rules and how they apply to you and your DC before booking.

@peachjuice aww that would be a pain if the DC weren't covered to go inside anywhere, that might put a bit of a spanner in the works !!

We booked via BA and got an amazing deal on our hotel. We went mid November but jesus wept the wind really rips through the streets at night and we found that it was too cold to be able to do much after dark. Which was fine for us as our hotel had a shopping mall and cinema. Just make sure that your hotel is well located is my only tip.

It's the most gorgeous city and I can't wait to go back.

We are going in April. By then DS will likely be double jabbed. If they then want a booster, we will have to cancel. I’m not going all that way to not be allowed to do anything inside.

Because of COVID, we booked with a travel agent as a package. At the moment we’ve spent £150 as deposits. Balance is due at the end of January. Usually I always book myself but I felt safer booking with an agent. She can deal with rebooking and sorting stuff for us.

I also recommend the Facebook page suggested above. It’s great.

Hmm maybe it wouldn't work going in the winter months if it's really cold. I couldn't be bothered with the sounds of moaning kids because they are cold! Sort of had find imaginings of us being in times Square at night time not being back in the hotel 😕

@PeacheyPeach Please don’t be put off by potential weather. As I mentioned before, we were there from Christmas Day onwards and it wasn’t nearly as cold as I’d expected.

We’d all taken big coats and lots of layers and ended up feeling hot whilst walking around. We were out every night. One of the best things we did was get the subway over to Brooklyn, had pizza and walked back over Brooklyn Bridge.

Christmas is such a fab time to go to New York and even my ‘always cold and often moaning’ DD was fine.

We’re looking at booking for next Christmas as well but likely a few days before. We had it booked for 2020 but obviously didn’t get to go. We booked a package through BA and it was very reasonable if I remember correctly. They normally have a sale in January so I’m tempted to book then.

We did Xmas in NYC in 2019. With Jet2 they do an amazing new your deal pre-covid maybe they will do one for next year.

Rockefeller at night
Xmas day lunch at the tavern on the green in central park
Boxing day dinner at "the view" in the Marriott.

We stayed on Broadway but next time we will stay in Brooklyn. Much much cheaper

Aww this all sounds great thank you 🥰 might wait till the new year then and take a look at any offers,

It's definitely worth waiting to see what you can find in the next BA sale, we booked during the last sale and it was £1100 for flights and hotel for two of us for 5 nights. We only had to pay £150 deposit with the balance due 3 weeks before we travel so even if for some reason we needed to cancel rather than change the dates (which is free) we would only lose £150.

The Air B&B situation is very uncertain because it's dependent on the kind of home it is - rental, condominium, cooperative, etc. NYC is a city where there are multiple guide books, so that is a good starting point.

it gets very cold in winter...i didnt like it much...used to go each summer for years in the late 80's...i find it sterile now....anyway you can do air b and b...but as said, not in certain apts and owner has to be there which you may or may not like.

I'm booked for March, and like many have booked it via BA Holidays so I only had to pay the £150 deposit. Just in case things change with the Covid situation. I've also taken out extra holiday insurance that covers me if I have to self-isolate just before my holiday etc.

OP Dec/Jan in NYC is cold but bearable if you're wrapped up and don't have to be outside if you don't want to. I did have one New Year there where it was -20 on New Year's Eve. That wasn't fun.

I've been to NYC many many times. I first went 25 years ago on business, made some great friends there and have been backwards and forwards ever since for a mixture of business and pleasure. My favourite time to visit is spring or summer. The longer days and good weather make a huge difference! But the depths of winter has its charms too. Just make sure you have comfy, warm shoes and wrap up well. I bought a winter coat in NYC years ago (at Macy's) and it's warmer than anything I've ever found in the UK. It gets brought out for every winter North America trip.

I might look into going early spring, as I can't bear being cold and thinking about it I remember s friend went and they had freezing conditions so they basically stayed in their hotel room which I'd be gutted about!?

I’d look to go in the autumn if it were me OP as it won’t be that cold yet but also trudging round city streets in the heat of summer is miserable.

Relatives who live there say midtown has got a bit nasty since covid. Odd atmosphere and a return of crime not seen for many years. Hopefully this will clear up as tourism returns but it’s something to bear in mind.

@orangeSamphire thanks for the heads up xxx

Yes and consider Brooklyn, we were amazed at how much cheaper the food and hotels were plus it's lovely in parts.

Tribeca is a really nice part of Manhattan for a calmer day.

And a few day cocktails or old fashioneds at majority of the battery restaurants. We went there for a lunch before hitting ground zero.

Oh and you must go to an proper original speakeasy, we went to a place called "the backroom" amazing.

We stayed at The Kimberley Suites on 50th Street between 3rd and Lexington Avenues. It was so well located with a choice of different subway lines nearby. You get your own well equipped kitchenette with a microwave which was perfect for warming up doggy bags etc. Loads of coffee shops and bakeries on the block so you can do a take away and enjoy breakfast in your suite. We were on the 34th floor and had a great balcony. They serve all day free coffee and pastries to hotel guests on the top floor. The chocolate chip cookies were quite incredible. We liked staying here as it gave us more flexibility and independence than a hotel.

Please check current vaccination guidelines as I'm almost certain children need to be vaccinated to get into indoor dining and venues. This had just been rolled out in other cities like Philadelphia for example, meaning children travelling from abroad can't eat out in restaurants if not vaccinated. Worth considering before you book! Good luck with your planning.