NYC Megathread Archive 1 (to 13/03/08)

luckat · 06-10-2007 02:40PM

Thanks, Savman - my problem was that I didn't actually know which airlines flew from one city to the other. I'd tried Aer Lingus and Delta, and Air France, but didn't know about Continental. I'll look at that now.

Hmmm....

"Continental AirlinesSkyTeam

"We're sorry, but continental.com was unable to complete your request due to a technical problem.
Please try later or call 1-800-300-1547 for assistance.

"Return to Previous Page."

SkyTeam? Heh.

GoHop and eBookers both have dearer prices that I'd found so far.

Cheapest seems to be about €1,100, which is dear enough.

On the Air France site it offers a fare of €415 return including taxes to New York City -

http://www.airfrance.ie/IE/en/local/resainfovol/meilleuresoffres/promo_north_south_america.htm

- but when you click the Book link after this, you're brought through a booking system which ends up costing over €1,400 for the dates I was checking.

BuffyBot · 06-10-2007 06:00PM

Aer Lingus, Delta, Continental all go directly from Dublin to New York

Air France, BA etc will mean a change of planes in Paris or London etc (which to me, for a flight so short it's really not worth it). If you can't get continental.com to work (and it should, it might have only been a temporary glitch) you can always try telephone reservations (1890 925 252).

You must remember that the fares your seeing (such as €415 on Air France) are subject to availability - therefore if they are all booked out of those fares on that day, you'll pay a higher price. It doesn't mean all seats are available for that price

luckat · 06-10-2007 06:33PM

BuffyBot wrote:

You must remember that the fares your seeing (such as €415 on Air France) are subject to availability - therefore if they are all booked out of those fares on that day, you'll pay a higher price. It doesn't mean all seats are available for that price

I'd remember that if it said it on the page.

BuffyBot · 06-10-2007 08:55PM

You probably noticed the "Book before 4 October !" though, which might also explain the lack of offer price fares

Gordon · 06-10-2007 09:03PM

Wow, I got from Dub to NY in November - 129 euros on the airfrance site, that's fantastic! You should read their terms and conditions luckat, it's on the page.

luckat · 06-10-2007 09:44PM

Ah. I didn't realise it was November 5 today. But surely it would be more honest of them to take down the offer if it's no longer apposite.

As for reading terms and conditions - well, perhaps I'm naive, but I'd prefer to deal with people who are straight on the front page, rather than having to fish in the small print for trip ropes.

ateam · 09-10-2007 12:02PM

Heading to New York on Thursday for the weekend. Does anyone know of any special events on this weekend in particular?

mel123 · 09-10-2007 02:07PM

Not even sure if i have spelt it right, but can someone who has actually been give me a review on it - the hotel that is?? All i really care about is that its clean and doesnt have bed bugs!!!

Thanks.

rossie1977 · 10-10-2007 01:48AM

oh god stay away this place, it is a complete dump. I didn't stay here (lucky me) but one of my friends did and we were all up in the room a couple of times.

great location no doubt, right across the road from madison square garden/ penn station and a few blocks from empire state building. Lobby is nice but then prepare to enter the 1920s

The rooms/corridors haven't been touched since the hotel first opened. its really really really old and rooms are really really really small.

lots of reviews here http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d214197-Reviews-Hotel_Pennsylvania_New_York-New_York_City_New_York.html

Ms Inquisitive · 10-10-2007 10:17AM

Stay here at your peril!

True, you are in New York so you're not be gonna be spending more than a few hours in your room but I still wouldn't stay here!

I stayed here for Thanksgiving last year and will never return. Yes, it's that bad! The rooms stank and the bathroom had all sorts of questionable stains all over it!

If I can recommend another hotel, it's closer to Times Square and along the same budget as the Pennsylvania - The Milford Plaza. I stayed here last April and on my next return to New York, it will the be my first choice in budget accomodation!

Dodge · 10-10-2007 11:21AM

mel123 wrote:

Not even sure if i have spelt it right, but can someone who has actually been give me a review on it - the hotel that is?? All i really care about is that its clean and doesnt have bed bugs!!!

Stayed there for a couple of nights and it was fine. Room clean, nice bed, bathroom spotless. Small but not much smaller than every other hotel room in NYC.

I was told to ask for a renovated room at recepion and despite only booking the day before (when the rest of New York was booked out...) there was no problem. I'm glad I was told this as the other reviews can testify

Huge hotel where you'll more than likely have to queue for a while to check in. We didn't have any dealings with staff after that so can't comment. There's 8 elevators in the hotel so you're never waiting long and you can check on through your TV.

BuffyBot · 10-10-2007 12:46PM

Just to keep this thread in check I've removed one or two "chatty" posts. It's really designed to be more a Q + A place. I'm also retitling the thread to keep it clear.

Ouijaboard · 12-10-2007 04:03PM

Going to NY in Nov and staying at Jack and Judy's BB on UWS, anyone stayed here and have any comments good or bad on the place?

Also what is the story re customs with bringing back shopping from NY, have heard that anything amounting to over $150 should have the price tags and labels removed due to chance of having to shell out duty upon arrival back in Ireland?

Third_Echelon · 12-10-2007 04:24PM

mel123 wrote: »

Not even sure if i have spelt it right, but can someone who has actually been give me a review on it - the hotel that is?? All i really care about is that its clean and doesnt have bed bugs!!!

Thanks.

They are renovating the hotel from the top floors down.... So ask for a renovated floor (14 upwards i think). If they have it they should give it to you. Floors 11 and 12 are the business level rooms. They are pretty nice.

What the others have said is true enough. The hotel is pretty old, but the rooms are clean, bathrooms are fine and the bedsheets etc are clean. I've stayed in it a few times and I kinda like it... The location is perfect. Right beside the Empire State Building. Times Square is a 10 minute walk. Penn Station is right across the street, so you can use the subway to get you anywhere and you wont have far to walk when you get off the subway to get to your hotel...

Milford Plaza as someone else mentioned is in the same price bracket and is right beside times square. They would be similar enough in standard and age etc...

You're only going to be in the hotel for sleeping etc, so when it comes down to it either the Penn or Milford are perfectly fine.

cougar1 wrote:

Going to NY in Nov and staying at Jack and Judy's BB on UWS, anyone stayed here and have any comments good or bad on the place?

Also what is the story re customs with bringing back shopping from NY, have heard that anything amounting to over $150 should have the price tags and labels removed due to chance of having to shell out duty upon arrival back in Ireland?

Never stayed or known someone who has stayed there...

Every year around Christmas the customs leak warning in the press etc that they are clamping down on shopping coming back from the states etc... I've been many times and I have never been checked at customs once. I have never seen anyone ever being checked, or known anyone that has been checked.

Just remove all tags and you'll be fine...

Ouijaboard · 12-10-2007 04:42PM

Ok thanks Third_Echelon, will remove all tags to be on safe side...Re Jack and Judy's B&B, it's more or less an apartment style or 'B no B' that gets excellent reviews over on tripadvisor, was just wondering if anyone on boards had any knowledge of it.

deisemum · 14-10-2007 08:06PM

We are flying to Orlando this coming Friday and our original booking was Shannon to JFK, JFK to Orlando.

I just checked our flights on the Delta website and our flights are now changed to Shannon to JFK, La Guardia to Orlando.

What's the best way to get from JFK to La Guardia? How long should it take?

I'm another one that would strongly advise staying away from the Pennsylvania Hotel. It's the worst kip I have ever had the misfortune of staying in. Really dreadful. I've heard of guests getting mugged in the place.

BuffyBot · 14-10-2007 10:51PM

LaGuardia is only a short hop away from JFK - about 15-20 minutes if even that. (Traffic permitting)

Third_Echelon · 15-10-2007 10:50AM

BuffyBot wrote: »

LaGuardia is only a short hop away from JFK - about 15-20 minutes if even that. (Traffic permitting)

You have to cross the whole of Queens. (check it out on google maps).... Its about 12 miles and with traffic, I'd give yourself an hour at least...

Gordon · 15-10-2007 10:59AM

An hour for safety yeah, but unless you hit major rush hour traffic the drive is as Buffybot said 15-20 minutes, as you travel on the Grand Central Parkway all the way. In fact even in heavy traffic it can only take you 30 minutes.

The worst wait would be waiting in the taxi rank at JFK which can be slow depending on the time and amount of people waiting. However, you can chance your arm with an illegal taxi that will beckon you forth into the taxi if you wait outside the terminal. Be prepared for a severe markup in price though.

jon1981 · 15-10-2007 08:53PM

hi,

Im bring the girlfriend to New York and I'm trying to book a hotel, but there are so many :eek: ideally i want somewhere near time square (willing to compromise on this) with a view of all the lights and madness! lol anyone got any recommendations

cheers!

SlummyMummy · 15-10-2007 09:52PM

Try The Hilton on Times Square; great location and v little noise on the higher floors; brilliant views from the lobby though our room only had a street view

Soho Grand is also fab; great views from the rooms though expensive

jon1981 · 16-10-2007 12:00PM

SlummyMummy wrote: »

Try The Hilton on Times Square; great location and v little noise on the higher floors; brilliant views from the lobby though our room only had a street view

Soho Grand is also fab; great views from the rooms though expensive

abit pricey, was trying to keep it below 1600 for the 7 nights

brackerknacker · 16-10-2007 02:43PM

I am going to a wedding at the end of Dec, but will be in New York at the beginning of the month to shop, so am wondering if anyone can recommend anywhere that would sell dresses... or know of any of the outlet stores that do dressy stuff. I was there last year and found it very difficult to find dressy outfits.. Seemed to be mostly casual stuff around...

what2do · 16-10-2007 03:43PM

I'm off to NY at the end of the week and hoping to pick a couple of pairs of jeans - does anyone know where the best place to buy Seven or Rock & Republic ones ??

Stephen P · 17-10-2007 12:12PM

Anyone know of a reliable, trustworthy limosine company that would pick up from Newark Airport? Web link only required.
Thanks

Pythia · 17-10-2007 10:25PM

jon1981 wrote: »

hi,

Im bring the girlfriend to New York and I'm trying to book a hotel, but there are so many :eek: ideally i want somewhere near time square (willing to compromise on this) with a view of all the lights and madness! lol anyone got any recommendations

cheers!

I like the Red Roof Inn, but it's part of a small group, one of which is in Times Square. Look at the website: http://www.applecorehotels.com/

johnny_adidas · 18-10-2007 12:56AM

heading over myself this weekend, just wondering, when it comes to Woodbury Common, would the train be a better option than the bus, given leg space/bag space on the return trip, cost and lack of traffic?

18-10-2007 09:15AM

Why not hire a car with gps and drive up to woodbury common?
I've done this a few times now and don't believe a word about driving in manhattan,it's no worse than Dublin.
Once you are out of the island you are on the highway straight up there and have the chance to stop in small town up state new york whenever you want.

If you don't do that,I'd recommend jersey gardens instead.
It's cheaper and next door to newark airport so easy peazy to get to by train.
It's also cheaper as new jersey taxes are less.

Stephen P · 18-10-2007 09:21AM

johnny_adidas wrote: »

heading over myself this weekend, just wondering, when it comes to Woodbury Common, would the train be a better option than the bus, given leg space/bag space on the return trip, cost and lack of traffic?

You've probably seen this already, gives information for train.

johnny_adidas · 18-10-2007 01:14PM

stephen p wrote: »

You've probably seen this already, gives information for train.

yep already spotted that. just wondering if anyone had gone that way and if the trains were crowded or all seater?

duno bout the driving method. i crack up in traffic jams/busy roads in ireland nevermind the US so id rather just relax and let someone else get me there, nevermind herself cracking up if we managed to get lost along the way. I did think about rentals this morning, then i spotted some sports, exotic car rental. trying to book a trip one of them do with 5 or 6 supercars (ferraris, lambos, astons) over a 130mile journey for 600 dollars. never gona get to do anything like that here so may as well. fingers crossed i can keep them between the ditches / guardrails

edit:sorry its 900dollars to drive all six cars yourself

NYC Megathread Archive 1 (to 13/03/08)

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