Honeymoon in NY, help please

Hello,

We are a Spanish couple who are going to NY in Honey moon in September and we are so excited !! The problem comes when we have to decide what hotel to choose. I went to the travel agency and they wanted to book us in the Hotel Pennsylvania. Then I started reading the reviews and they were so awful that I said no. I am really confused at the moment, because I would like to find a cheap and nice hotel (I do not wnat luxury but I need it to be clean).

I am scared to have bad experience as this is probably a once in life trip. Could you please me rrecommend somewhere nice? What about the Belleclaire?

I have read so many reviews about different hotels and places that I am really confused. Thanks very much !

Honeymoon in NY, help please

No one?

Honeymoon in NY, help please

My wife and I have stayed at the Hotel Belvedere several times and never had a bad experience - it%26#39;s extremely well located near Broadway shows and other Midtown attractions and has pleasant, clean rooms in a relatively small hotel. Their rates are usually very reasonable by New York standards and should be competitive with the Pennsylvania (which is to say still expensive - $300ish). Try booking directly to get a good deal http://www.belvederehotelnyc.com.

The Travel Inn on West 42nd Street is very good. Not high class luxuty but clean and tidy.

The Pennsylvannia Hotel is pretty good. All New York Hotels are tiny unless you are willing to spend some serious money.

Also, the Holiday Inn Express in Midtown is pretty affordable and reasonable.

You can always look on the Upper West Side for Hotels also, they probably get a little cheaper the further you head out of Midtown.

Thanks very much to everyone.

I will check them all and see which one is the cheapest. Hotels are really really expensive in NY ... You can get a five stars hotel here in Spain with the pricew of one star in New York !

Is everything like that? I mean, Are restaurants very expensive as well? Food?Transport?

Thanks again for your help.

Congratulations Laura!

I%26#39;d like to recommend the Courtyard Marriott in Times Square. It%26#39;s also about $300 per night, but they have extremely comfortable beds, terrific location in midtown and it is nicely decorated for such a small hotel. It also has the benefit of being part of an international chain of hotels so it has consistency standards to maintain. You%26#39;ll find other good reviews of the hotel if you check various internet review sites.

Also, for one very special, very romantic night night of your honeymoon you should consider the extremely expensive Rihga Royal Hotel. I was married there and it has awesome rooms - they are all suites. You would remember it forever. This would be especially nice for your last night in NYC if you have any money left! (you could always reserve the night and cancel the morning of if you change your mind about splurging.)

They are advertising a ';special spring rate'; of $249 for a suite; perhaps you could contact them and see if they will have any such specials in September, or possibly a special rate for honeymooners.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks for the info. I am still looking. 300 dollars it is a bit expensive as well .... although I supposse it is fine for NY stardars !

Also Laura, yes most everything is very expensive.

But you can save money if you stay in a suite or a room with a kitchenette b/c you can buy basic food/drinks/snacks and keep them in your room. It is fairly easy to only eat in a restaurant for one meal a day.

Read a good travel guide before you go. Make sure you review a subway map and don%26#39;t be afraid to use the subway - subway travel is much less expensive than cab fare, and often is faster.

Check out www.nycstreetfairs.com for planned festivals in September. Street fairs can be fun and inexpensive ways to fill a day walking, shopping and eating a variety of pretty good food.

It is not too difficult to find ways to get discounted theater tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows, especially if you are willing to wait on-line the day you want to attend and choose from a limited list of shows with available tickets. (check-out www.hotnycdeals.com)

Also, for a fairly close view of the Statue of Liberty, consider taking a round-trip on the Staten Island Ferry. It is a free commuter ferry, passes fairly close to the statue for a nice close-up view and isn%26#39;t as long a boat ride as most tours.

I will check that out as well. And my last question about hotels. What about the budget hotels such as Belleclaire or Cosmopolitan? I have seen I can get a room there for 150 dollars. I have read the reviews from other travellers and they are not too bad ... Is that an OK option?

Laura,

As someone living in upstate NY, you could fly into NY city and Go north of the city and stay for alot less. There are plenty of tours you can do during the daytime and see the NYC Night life in the evening. North of the city is spectacular with Vinards and plenty of site seeing. You should not limit yourself to staying in a big city. For the money you spend you could go to Las Vegas for a nice honeymoon.

body cream

ittwit

Phantom of the Opera

I need advice on purchasing Phantom of the Opera tickets. My daughter really wants to see it and I wanted to know if it was worth the risk of just going directly to the theatre that afternoon to see if I could get tickets. Her hairdresser suggested doing that but I%26#39;m afraid it will be sold out. (want them for Sat. 7/1 8pm show).

Also....where is the best place to sit? ticketmaster states that orch. rows Q-X will miss about 5 minutes of the action. Why? And is it better to sit in the Front Mezz., or Orch.? Is right and left Orch. OK?

Can you still enjoy the show is you are in the rear of the Orch. Section, or the Left %26amp; Right Orch.?

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Phantom of the Opera

Saturday evening is usually the most popular and you will also be here on a holiday weekend.

If it is a choice between orchestra Q-X or front mezzanine, I would take front mezzanine.

I don%26#39;t like being too far over right or over left.

Good luck!

Phantom of the Opera

There are great discounts for that weekend on broadwaybox here

broadwaybox.com/shows/the_phantom_of_the_ope鈥?/a>

Try buying them online with that discount and see what seats are available. I don%26#39;t think we should tell you why Q-X misses the show. It may spoil the drama. Just don%26#39;t sit there! I would prefer orchestra for this show but others may disagree. Just don%26#39;t get limited view etc. If this is the only show you%26#39;re seeing and it%26#39;s your daughter%26#39;s special request, try to get decent seats. I would wait for the day of the show on a holiday weekend for Sat. night.

There is no advantage until waiting %26#39;til arrival to make a purchase at the box office, especially on a holiday weekend when, as nywhiz noted, there is a very real possibility it will be sold out.

The discount is not available for Saturday night performance, but it%26#39;s a nice price break so it seems worth to change your itinerary to take advantage of it. And yep, Front Mezzanine seats would be better than any obstructed view (even of limited duration) seats in the Orchestra section.

Don%26#39;t read any further if you feel it might ruin the show for you to know what you%26#39;ll miss from the rear of the orchestra at Phantom:

The Phantom makes his entrance and sings a song from the top of the prescenium that you can%26#39;t see from the rear because the mezzanine overhang blocks your view. You%26#39;d also miss seeing when the chandelier begins to fall. If it%26#39;s your only show, go for the better seats. Don%26#39;t wait until you%26#39;re here to see what%26#39;s available.

We saw Phantom in May and we sat in the very front row of the Mezz. We were also right in the middle. We thought our seats were amazing! We bought our tickets from ticketmaster and thought the prices were pretty good. The night we went it was totally sold out so I would pre-purhcase tickets. Have fun!

i got great orchestra seats from broadwaybox.com; they%26#39;re like the 5th row and dead center for less than $70 each. do check that site before you go to ticketmaster or tkts.

Personal Favorties - Hotels

Has anyone had good experiences with hotels near the falls? Let me know your personal favorites, ones that you would recommend. To be honest, I%26#39;ve never been to Niagara Falls, so I%26#39;m looking for advice. Thanks a ton!

Personal Favorties - Hotels

Howard Johnson Closest to the Falls 454 Main Street

www.hojoniagarafalls.com

century 21 : shop in manhattan

does anyone know this shop AND is it worth the visit ? what%26#39;s the most interesting shooping place in NEW YORK to buy american good price stuff ??

century 21 : shop in manhattan

What type of stuff? Clothing, souvenirs, antiques, books?

As far as Century 21, I have a love/hate relationship with this store.

Great for housewares %26amp; gifts, excellent prices, hate the shoe %26amp; clothes departments, crowded, unorganized, rude staff.

That being said, a lot of people like it and have great success, if you have patience.

Go off hours and it may be ok.

Don%26#39;t say you were not warned.

century 21 : shop in manhattan

Some people absolutely love this store. Other people absolutely hate it. It depends on what kind of shopping experience appeals to you.

There are racks of clothes all mixed together, with some things being true finds and others being things that you are not at all interested in. To get to the finds, though, you have to dig through rack after rack, while having hordes of other people doing the same thing next to you. Nothing is organized, no one is there to help you, and there is a good chance you will find nothing you like.

Are you a person who thinks that finding a single designer dress or jacket at a good price after long searching makes your whole day? You might really like this store.

Are you the sort of person who likes neatness and calm and order, and who thinks that anything that resembles a rummage sale is hell on earth? Keep away from the place.

I%26#39;ll be the contrarian here. I dont search through racks of mixed stuff - I dont have the patience. But for every rack of mixed stuff, there%26#39;s another rack of newly displayed whatever in every size/color. Not necessarily in size order like it would be at Saks, but who would expect that at significant discount???

The shoe department was significantly better before they moved it, but I dont think I%26#39;ve ever left there without a pair.

For underwear, socks, sheets, travel accessories alone its worth a trip to me - especially if you plan to be at the World Trade Center area anyway.

I love the store. It%26#39;s on Cortlandt Street off Church downtown and

I have been shopping here since it carried shampoo and contact lens solution decades ago. It is not the easiest place to shop,crowded and messy. But if you are looking for bargains in designer clothes,sportwear,intimate apparel,linens and some other stuff,this is the place for you. The children%26#39;s department is terrible,though there%26#39;s some good baby clothes.

hotel

I am trying to decide between Four Points by Sheraton and Howard Johnson closest to the falls to stay in. Anyone had any experience with either of these hotels? Thanks

hotel

I live in Niagara Falls and would chose Four Points Sheraton without a doubt. I hope this helps.

hotel

I live in Niagara Falls and would go with Howard Johnson. They are closer to the Falls...

BTW, it is no longer a Sheraton property, they lost their franchise license last year. It is now called just ';Four Points';

All alone,Need your help

Im coming into town on a Thursday afternoon but im not meeting up with a buddy until Friday night for the Yankee game. What are a couple points of interest for an early 30%26#39;s guy staying by Times Square for a Thursday night out and a Friday afternoon. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

All alone,Need your help

I often travel alone to New York and I%26#39;ve met lots of interesting people by having dinner at the bar of the restaurant. Here are a couple of examples: Casa mono on Irving place (though it is not located by times square, you take the bus or the subway and you are there quickly) where they serve tapas and quartinos of wine (about 2 glasses of wine). Otto which is the exact same thing, tapas but italian, and quartinos of wine. It is on 8th street just around the corner from 5th avenue. When the maitre d asks me if I want a table or If I mind sitting at the bar, I always take the latter because you can chat up with the barman (or barmaid) and he often introduces you to other singles like you.

I started traveling alone to New York because my ex-boyfriend did not like it all and I%26#39;ve never been bored alone in New York...it is impossible to be!!! There%26#39;s a problem with you if you are alone in your hotel room because there is too much to do!

All alone,Need your help

I%26#39;m not sure what your interests are, but some tourist highlights that I would recommend include: walking the Brooklyn Bridge, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, Central Park or a Circle Line cruise. You can get the circle line on W 42nd St, so it is only a few blocks walk from Times Square.

Get out of Times Square!

OK, stay long enough in Times Square to see the lights after dark, but for fun at night, go to The East Village or The Lower East Side.

For Friday afternoon, go the Met. Friday evenings, the Metropolitan Museum stays open until 8pm - it is always ';pay what you wish'; donation entrance fee. They have live chamber music and serve wine, cheese and appys on the balcony.

A very chic, cultured and ';new york'; experience for average people. Do it by yourself before the friend shows up, in case going to a museum is not macho or cool enough for him. ;o ) Excellent people-watching and easy to be ';alone in a crowd';.

Plus, you%26#39;ll be near the #4 train, which goes directly to Yankee Stadium.

For Thursday night, here%26#39;s a cut-n-paste:

Here is a previous post about seeing live music:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k459226-鈥?/a> _Surprises_for_my_boyfriend_s_birthday_in_NYC_Any_ideas-

How about a comedy show:

Comedy Cellar is a great ol%26#39; mainstay, and it%26#39;s in the heart of the Village. It%26#39;s a little worse for wear, but you won%26#39;t be disappointed. It%26#39;s great to walk around the neighborhood.

http://www.comedycellar.com/

Other places are (each website shows calendar):

Comic Strip Live

http://www.comicstriplive.com

Upright Citizens Brigade (improv group sketches - a crap shoot)

http://www.ucbtheater.com (select the NY location)

Stand Up NY

http://www.standupny.com/

New York Comedy

www.newyorkcomedyclub.com/scheduleny.htm

Here are some general websites that have listings for music and nightlife. Maybe they%26#39;ll help you narrow down your options:

http://www.ny.com/clubs/

http://bigapplejazz.com/nycjazzclubs.html

http://www.thelmagazine.com (Also available in hard copy for free in orange street-corner boxes. For a younger audience, but thorough.)

For something completely different, go see some burlesque or an offbeat show:

Mo Pitkins House of Satisfaction

(Check out the hardest working middle-aged man in show business, Murray Hill! Every Saturday night through end of June)

http://www.mopitkins.com/

http://www.mrmurrayhill.com/shows.html

http://www.wauwausisters.com

The Slipper Room

(If you%26#39;re good at trivia, try The Big Quiz Thing one Monday per month)

http://www.slipperroom.com/

http://www.bigquizthing.com/

Bowery Poetry Club

(Much more than poetry, but not that much more. )

http://www.bowerypoetry.com/

Go to a bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn:

http://billburg.com/

Or see some great music or DJs at Southpaw in Brooklyn

www.spsounds.com

Queensboulevard-So, no go on Times Square? That was the advice of others that have gone to the city. Maybe all of us in Florida just have no idea. hahahah

What places in East Village or the Lower East Side would you personally recommend for a good evening place to have a drink, but not look like a stalker at the bar.

Should i consider booking a hotel in some other part of town as well?

How are you getting to the Yankee game? That might affect where you stay.

QQ2-To be honest, i really dont know how we are going to the Yankee game. My buddy is coming into town fri afternnon from Jersey and we are going from whatever hotel i stay at.

If you have to stay in Times Square then go west to 9th Avenue which will be Hell%26#39;s Kitchen. There are some great bars there to hang out in to catch a game on TV.

I agree with Queens Blvd that Lower East Side will fit the bill for you. You%26#39;ll find tons of night life along Avenue A from Houston Street all the way to 14th. You will also find things of interest north and south of Avenue A (Avenue B, Avenue C, being south and 1st Ave and 2nd Ave being north).

Lower East Side is totally not touristy and you%26#39;ll see how the regular New Yorkers hang. Also you%26#39;ll get the most for your money there. Most bars will offer 2 for 1 beers during happy hour which goes around 4 - 8pm.

Spend 10 minutes on Friday afternoon checking out Times Square no more than that.

If your friend is coming in to town on public transportation, and you two are planning on taking public trans (i.e., subway) to the game, then it might make sense to stay with your hotel reservation in the Times Square area., if he is coming into Port Authority or Penn Station, and you are taking one of the west side subway lines to the game.

JTGATOR - let me clarify - TImes Square is a wonderful, brightly lit, exciting, over-priced tourist trap. It is our Epcot. It is brighter than day, larger than life. You are truly at the crossroads of the Western World. It is a phenomenon and you should not miss it, especailly at night.

BUT, I would not recommend it as a place to hang, or have a fun single-guy-night out.

Go to Times Square after dark with other tourists and theatre-goers and see the ESPN Zone, the Foot Locker store, the news tickers, Virgin MegaStore, Lindy%26#39;s, Carmines, Sardi%26#39;s, Hershey store, the Broadway theatres and marquees, the ads...

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/

...Then go downtown to find a cool bar, live music and a place to chill with locals.

If you want to spend the night at the ESPN Zone, more power to you.

I just wouldn%26#39;t classify that as a quintessential NYC experience.

Thanks to all for the advice. I think I%26#39;ll try for the afformentioned quintessential NYC experience.

JT

howtogetevenwithyourex

Please Help confused about the money exchange in Canada

Hi: Going to Niagra Falls this Monday staying on the Canadian side. I am totally confused about the money exchange. The only thing I know is that it changes daily.

How should I pay for things credit card I called Visa and they charge 3% for each transaction. Does Canadia change anything. How is the best way to deal with this. We are Seniors and not up to date with this. Thanks for your help. Anything will help us old folks.

Please Help confused about the money exchange in Canada

Hi! When we went to Canada-earlier this month- the only time we used or credit card was when we paid for our hotel room. What I used was my debit card (has a visa logo), my bank offered only a 2% fee for each transaction that needed to be converted. When we converted our money, we stopped at the info booth at the end of Rainbow Bridge, they exchange fairly- DO NOT exchange your money in any shop or resturant, they are not fair- your best bet is any bank and casino. With our $ conversion being really close to the Canadian dollar amount (at the time we went it was 10 cents to every dollar), you want to get as much money as possible.

Another tip- pay attention to your Canadian change- they have a dollar and 2 dollar coins!

Have a fun and safe trip! Also remember to visit the NY side as well- it%26#39;s beautiful!!!

Please Help confused about the money exchange in Canada

Casino Niagara in Canada offers the best exchange, but try AAA if you are members, and they will probably handle for you...

Good advice about the $1 and $2 coins................called ';loonies'; and ';Two-nies';

make up lipstick