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

FutureGuy wrote: »

Hi everyone

Myself and my girlfriend are spending 3 days in NYC on the way home from Orlando from the 1st-4th April. We've everything booked for the holiday, apart from the hotel in NYC!

We're looking for something in Manhatten that is quiet (if there is such a thing!) but we've found it hard to find a hotel for under $1000 for the 3 nights.

We have also looked at the apartments that were discussed earlier in the thread, but would prefer a hotel.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Tony

Hi,

The hotel I stayed in in January, the Red Roof Inn, is 642$ for the dates you want, exclusive of 13% tax. Breakfast is also included. I'd recommend it to anyone. It's near Macy's, so the area is busy, but the hotel itself is very quiet.
http://www.redroof.com/reservations/inn_details.asp?innNumber=0605

Have a look on Tripadvisor for better pics and reviews.

PaulyB63 wrote: »

Regarding Customs and purchasing clothing, DVDs and cameras etc.

Remove all tags and don't try to reclaim the NY sales tax until after you get home. Use the camera or camcorder equipment over there and remove it from the box. Same with DVDs... Just open them, then they're not new anymore...

So do you mean that you can reclaim the tax when you are back in ireland. Do you do it online?

Check the reviews forum...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055223643

Thats my one, there's a few other good ones with tips on things to do

We are heading to NYC on sunday for 5 days, have a few questions.

Is it better to carry cash or bring a CC (and how safe is it to use in restaurants etc when they might take it out of your sight).
I have about 4500 dollars to spend but was considering putting the cash on the card and only bringing a few hundred dollars for tipping etc.

As regarding tipping, I know it is almost mandatory but what happens if you don't think they deserve it.
What happens in a bar if you order a beer for $5 and give a $20 dollar bill, will the bartender take out his $1 tip out of the change??? Or do you give a big tip when you are leaving?
Someone said a few posts back that for room service you will have to pay 10-20% of the final bill for a tip when you leave, thats a bit too much isnt it??

We are taking our baby girl with us so is it difficult to get around with a baby and are the streets really busy and overwhelming. Has anyone ever taken a baby with them and what was it like. Do taxis take babys and are they insured.

We are staying affinia dumont on 34th street, anyone ever been there?

Whats it like carrying around expensive camera equipment and taking photos, is it safe to do so?

Thanks guys

man1 wrote: »

Do they still expect a tip after the 10-20% added on to the bill??

If they add tax and gratuity to the bill, then no.

man1 wrote: »

Is it better to carry cash or bring a CC (and how safe is it to use in restaurants etc when they might take it out of your sight).
I have about 4500 dollars to spend but was considering putting the cash on the card and only bringing a few hundred dollars for tipping etc.

I'd say a little from column A, and a little from column B. Cash is much easier to deal with and as you say, you need cash to tip. I carried cash mostly (using an ATM when I needed more - there are ATMs everywhere) and only used the CC for big purchases.

As regarding tipping, I know it is almost mandatory but what happens if you don't think they deserve it.
What happens in a bar if you order a beer for $5 and give a $20 dollar bill, will the bartender take out his $1 tip out of the change??? Or do you give a big tip when you are leaving?
Someone said a few posts back that for room service you will have to pay 10-20% of the final bill for a tip when you leave, thats a bit too much isnt it??

Tipping in the US is so unlike what it is here, that it catches you by surprise. What you need to keep in mind is that staff rely on tips as part of their take-home. And businesses pay staff less because they know that they get tips. In Ireland, people get relatively well-paid, so all tips are a bonus. In Ireland, if you get bad service, you tend to not tip. In NYC, bad service gets a 10% tip. Sounds crazy? It is. "Normal" service gets a 15% tip and good service gets anything from 20% up. These are huge tips in Irish terms, but it's what's expected over there.

Unless a service charge is included in the bill, then staff will never take a tip out of your money. If you buy a $5 beer and give him a twenty, then have a one or two dollars ready to give him. If you get a bill at the end of the night e.g. in a restaurant, calculate the tip then add it to the bill and give them as close as you can to that amount. When they take your money, they won't come back with your change unless you ask them to.

Restaurants in the US have very few of the social graces that we use over here - they're interested in getting you in, stuffing you and getting your money, not giving you a dining experience. When you're finished your course, they will take your plate whether or not your party have finished eating. It's normal to order your starter, then hold onto your menu and order your main course when the starter arrives. You won't generally get water unless you ask for it and as I mention above, you won't get change after paying for the bill unless you ask for it.
Just keep these things in mind - the waiter isn't being rude, he's being American

Whats it like carrying around expensive camera equipment and taking photos, is it safe to do so?

Very safe from what I saw. Plenty of tourists wandering around with cameras hanging out. And yes, the stereotypical old Japanese couple with their massive camera taking pictures of everything, does exist

i was in jersey gardens, its huuuuge... lots of deadly savings to be had there. we spent the best part of a day there. then the other days, hit the high street stores.

haven't been to woodbury so cant compare!

We went to both jersey gardens and woodbury common last week. To be honest we prefered woodbury.

jersey gardens is indoor and woodbury common iis outdoor. probably more shops in jersey gardens but at leat half of them are rubbish. Cheap tack.


Comparing tommy hilfiger shop in jersey gardens to woodbury... well there was no difference. Same stock, same prices, same specials.


We would deffo go back to woodbury but not to jersey gardens.

We had a 2 year old, and rather than try and take her on the bus, we rented a car for the day. It worked out cheaper than the bus tickets and we could stop whenever we wanted. Really nice drive to woodbury, but horrible drive to jersey.

When we go back again, it will be a no brainer.... rent a car and off to woodbury.

Going to the Big Apple next week.
Now I have been to New York a few times before but the art of tipping always interests me.

Now I know we are not great tippers in this country as it is not part of our culture but I am well aware that it is expected in the States (I don't want to get side tracked by comments on why we should/should not tip in Ireland!).

Anyway, my concern/issue is sometimes because we do not tip much in Ireland sometimes as a tourist in the states we might end up feeling inclined to tip too much or too often! I just feel sometimes that because I am not accustomed to tipping I mightn't have either the confidence or knowledge to tip or to know when to tell yer man to shag off!

Sorry if I am confusing ye but does anyone know what I'm saying?

Also I often end up not having the change in order to tip properly..you know what I mean if a bell boy carries bags for you etc..OK, some scenarios will mean you can use the change you get to tip but other scenarios mean you must have a few dollars in the pocket and I've often been caught there!