http://www.vrbo.com/115235
That apartment looks great as far as bedrooms go. There's very little common area with the table in the living room and it looks like a small sofa only in the living room, but other than that...

I agree that Feb can be very cold, but IMO New York is wonderful anytime! Enjoy your trip!

Try to find out what the exact address is so you can check on the legality of the place. This looks like it is a privately owned home that is not licensed to rent out rooms on a short term basis. (or at all). I doubt they're paying the city anything on these. And 4 bedrooms/3 baths??? Is Jackie's old apartment being rented out these days? Sorry, but if it looks too good to be true, it's probably a scam or illegal.

Original poster states in her very first line:

Ever since I was a lot younger I have always wanted to go to New York.

Bowspirit replies:
Another option: Do you have any interest in visiting Las Vegas?

Yes, people often confuse the two. We are the ones with the real Statue of Liberty.

"And 4 bedrooms/3 baths??? Is Jackie's old apartment being rented out these days? Sorry, but if it looks too good to be true, it's probably a scam or illegal.

Bowspirit, check out the reviews from folks who have stayed there. The bedrooms are discussed. Doesn't sound like a scam to me.

Do you know the 'folks' who have stayed there? I don't either. And I don't want to read those silly, created reviews again because they're meaningless.

However, I have two suggestions: RCA and Affinia.

Here's two more: e-mail the Dept. of Bldgs. or call 311

audchamp1: The original poster asks in line 3 if they 'could go elsewhere":

>>

I think I'll just stand by my Las Vegas suggestion: Good, predictable weather pattern, as cheap a trip as could be had and no worries about lodging. Could be a dream vacation for some.

Hi Millie,
It's your dream, your birthday and from one Aussie Saggo to another - GO! Do it! If it's cold, it's cold. That's part of the experience. Sure you could go at some other time, but you wouldn't be in NYC on your 50th, would you? We're supposed to be the luckiest star sign and you just might get great weather. OTOH, imagine .... Central Park with snow

On the budget etc., I rather agree with McLaurie; seems to me some of those 20somethings ought to be paying their own way. Maybe just you and your husband go to New York for your 50th and do something else with the rest of the family, if the $$'s are the dealbreaker.

Bokhara2: I like your style!

Thank you very much everyone for all your replies.

- I promise I will not book an illegal apartment. In fact the idea of having to do lots of checking is not for me. I am not going to risk it. Only suggested it because have read another post where someone said that they Knew it was legit.

- I have decided the 20 somethings are to fend for themselves!! I will book something for me and they can do what they want. Time to follow me and not the other way around. They will definately pay for themselves.

- My dear husband has finally said that he will go with me whenever.

- Unfortunately we need to take the 17 year old. Cannot leave him by himself and so trip is also to be around school holidays. The only good thing is that he has 3 weeks in September.

Dear Bokhara2, your post made me smile. Your are absolutely right. We are such a lucky star sign that it will all be ok regardless.

Going to see a travel agent at the end of the week to work out dates. Will book Hotel after this. Have decided the Beacon or one of the Affina hotels look good.

Good woman! Yesssss!! Just imagine - NYC on your 50th

If the 17 yo hasn't begun holidays by the time you want to leave in December, I'm sure you can do a deal with the school & let him make it a project. Friend of mine took her daughter to Antarctica a few years ago this way. School happy. Kid happy. Mother happy.

Accommodation: Have a look at Affinia Gardens. http://www.affinia.com/New-York-City...ffinia-Gardens
It's in a great location (64th, just off 3rd Ave between 2nd & 3rd) and I got a very good deal in April. Rooms are large and both of mine had kitchen facilities.

I will just add vis a vis hotel...some of the Affinia hotels have 2 bedroom suites so you and dh and son can have some privacy. The Eastgate Towers is one with very large rooms and the 2 bedroom has 2 bathrooms as well. Decor not as up to date as the others but kept very well. The Affinia Dumont and Affinia 50 have some suites with 2 queen beds rather than the 2 doubles you find in most other hotels. Ofcourse you can always get a 1 bedroom with king bed and let 17 yr old sleep on sofabed in the living room.

starrs,

I think you need to do some research on the scams and illegal rentals in NYC...and yes, I know many people are lucky and get away with renting them, but read some of the stories about the unlucky ones. It just isn't worth the risk.

And you do realize that there are many reviews that are fake, I'm sure.

Take a look at TA Advisors NYCity board and you will see lots of horror stories.

ALong the lines of Susie Q thoughts:

Sending someone to investigate this subject by telling them to read the NYC regulations, is like instructing someone who wants to go to the Bronx Zoo to just head for Fordham Road and then look for the Monkey House.

Here's the link for the Beacon Hotel:
http://www.beaconhotel.com/index.htm

They've gone through a recent renovation and the hotel is really beautiful. The UWS location is wonderful too. The hotel has gotten plenty of word of mouth buzz so I doubt you'll find any discounts on third party sites such as quikbook, but the reservationist at The Beacon is very helpful indeed. Have fun planning.