New York? WHERE TO STAY? not too expensive please...apartment or hotel?

[mumonthenet]

would really appreciate any advice.... we are going in December? whoopee!

going in December ! not ?

Are you taking kids? We stayed with ours here: www.radiocityapts.com. It was very central, quite reasonable (18 mths ago!) and had basic fridge/cooker/laundry facilities. Apartment better with kids - enjoy a hotel if its adults only!

If you're not going with kids, the Chelsea Hotel is cheap, despite the fact that it's famous and celebs live there. Bit grungy, but fun and there's a Wholeffods not far away.
Wouldn't recommend it if you're going with kids though.

oh thanks gals, I posted that so long ago I'd forgotten about it.

Yes going with kids 16, 13 and 11. Apartment might be good.

I will check out both those suggestions tx.

Would love any more suggestions...and advice on what's good to do.

Dh is on about a helicopter trip (5-7 mins ) as the euro is so strong to the dollar!

workingmummy what's a wholeffods by the way?

and why wouldn't you recommend the Chelsea with kids?

Have just left a message on another recent thread re things to do in New York. Might give you some ideas. Have fun!

Wholefoods equals our Waitrose . expensive by US standards but food very nice and mostly organic (as I recall).
Chelsea Hotel not recommended with kids because not sure if they have apartments (I remember trying to get an apartment there and failing, but could be because they had no more available). You could try phoning to ask because would be great location if they could give you an apartment.

And, one other tip is to ask for a discount - just make up any reason for getting a discount and they;re likely to give it to you.
I got a discount by telling them that I worked for a world famous TV station in Britain (which was true) and they just took my word for it without asking for ID. Thye love the brits.
Also, I remember now the famous celebrity who we bumped into because he lived there - it was Ethan Hawke. I'm sure there are others living there too though, I'm not so good at celeb spotting.

Have fun!

We stayed at the www.beaconhotel.com with the kids and it was fab, plus it's in a really nice part of Manhattan. The rooms all have a little kitchenette thingy, with fridge, toaster, microwave and I think a hob?? Lots of room, a couple of minutes walk to Central Park and also directly opposite the Fairway Grocery Store which is amazing. ohhh - their cinnamon bread, toasted for breakfast...... I want to go back now, s'not fair.

thanks alot all,

some great ideas here and I'll check out the other thread too.

So useful to have ideas for apartment hotels and also to know if there's a grocery store nearby....practical info like that you can only get on MN!

Milburn hotel very good . Big rooms - bit battered around edges. On Upper West side - also kitchenettes, 3 blocks to central park, great diner over the road. DVD library free of charge - lots of kids DVDs.

We are going on Saturday with our 2dds( you may have seen my post last week asking for advice). We are staying at the Waldorf. Will let you know how we get on.
So excited can hardly sleep( I am such a child)!!!!

The Ameritania is a cheap but ok hotel on Broadway right by Saturday Night Live Studios. We stayed there and it didn't cost a fortune. Also we stayed at the Lexington don't know if they do apartments but there was definitely rooms with interconnecting doors.

Stay near as you can to Central Park if you've got kids, especially if you are there for a while. We satyed in NY for a few months - started in Soho but it's pretty rubbish with kids as no Parks. East Village is also great and fun and there's a park there. There's loads of agents that let appartments - or try Craigs List. Have a fab time it's a wonderful city!

Before baby dp and I stayed at the Stanford Hotel, might be worth considering with kids the age of yours. Very near Grand Central Station and Macys and the Empire State Building, not particularly posh, a budget hotel. One advantage of this place with kids the age of yours (don't know if I'd try it with our baby!) is that unusually for the US it has a breakfast buffet included in the price, so long as you get there in time. It's handy for going anywhere. And there's a Walgreens drugstore which also sells some basic groceries open 24 hours.

www.tripadvisor.com is useful if you know what you're looking for and find reviews by people with similar standards to yours.

We stayed at www.hotelmetronyc.com and it was lovely. 5 minute walk from Macy's and the Empire State building. about 10 miutes from times square and broadway.

Haven't done it with kids but nice and central, Nothing posh at all and 5/6 years ago it was about $100 dollars a night. Washington Square Hotel. Don't forget to add in all the transport costs you'll have if you stay further out and can't walk. Right next to a little square and in the heart of university land and greenwich etc but at the base of fifth avenue. Basiclaly very central. Thoroughly recommend it.

I went to New york for my honeymoon, oh my gawd it was amazing it was everything that i had imagined and even better,

We stayed at Hotel 3030, fab place! quite central aswell. You could take the kids to the studios NBC, also you could go on the moring show as its filmed outside NBC so you could be in the audience.

I must admit i got pretty obsessed with China town as they sell all the fake designer handbags and sunglasses, exact copies they are! im sure you wont be going there.

Also go to Chipotle its a mexican take away its gorgeous!

statue of liberty, you can get a boat to go near it. So much to do.

I was going to return to New York every year for our anniversary but i had a baby instead and i wouldnt change him for the world or China town ha!

oh and central park - gosh ur so lucky, wish i was going again

Beekman Tower Hotel near the UN. It is brilliant! Apartments varying from small to ginormous. Old fashioned decor but spotless. Lovely cafe over the road for the most wonderful breakfasts and they do delivery to the hotel. Restaurant/cocktail bar on the top floor with stupendous views. Bus stop for city tour bus right outside. Ten minutes walk to Times Square. Quiet residential neighbourhood. So jealous - I would move to NY tomorrow. BTW if you are doing the helicopter thing - and do! - splash out a bit more and go on the longer one, the very short one is really not worth it. You basically go up and then down

wow such useful advice...keep it coming!~

and thanks!

Don't know about best places with kids, but when I went I really wished we had stayed in Greenwich Village, as we ended up there most days.

The Modern Suite at Second Home on Second Avenue

It is huge
Living room
bedroom with two doubles
bathroom a bit ropey

here it is

It is near Union Square tube

You can add one of the other rooms on too to make a bigger suite