Help - August NYC trip
 

Hi, We (family of 4) have suddenly decided on a 3 day trip to NYC. We will coming from Philadelphia (business) and going to D.C (family) from NYC. On a quick scan, I have chosen Belvedere hotel and Harold Square hotel as possibilities. Does anybody have any input on these hotels? Also I have been toying with the idea of staying in NJ and ferrying to Manhattan? Has anybody done this?

This is our first visit to NYC and we expect to be doing touristy stuff. Thanks!

If your budget allows, stay in Manhattan, not only is it an overall nicer experience, you'll spend a lot of extra time commuting. Are you driving? If you are you will want to ask about parking for your stay.

Friends of our just went to NYC for the first time and took their 2 kids ages 7 and 9, they stayed at the Belvedere and were very happy with it. It was clean, conveniently located and had a little fridge in the room for soda, water, snacks etc. They would stay there again.

The 4 of us are also going to NYC in August. We are staying at the COurtyard Marriott Midtown East. 2 Queen beds ( a MUST for me) $285, AAA rate. Great reviews. Good locations. Also considered the Hampton Inn Midtown but they didn't have 2 queesn available for our trip.

We stayed at the Belvedere 2 years ago. Great location, bathroom absolutely tiny. There were only 2 of us at the time, so we made do.

If you are staying RIGHT NEAR the ferry, it might be okay. The ferry ride is nice and calm. But if your daily trip into the city will involve any sort of driving, just stay in the city. Overall, it's the most conveient choice by a landslide, and will give you more time to enjoy everything you want to see.

Please don't stay on the NJ side and ferry in. The ferries are really aimed at commuters and are expensive to boot. By the time a family of 4 pays for 3 days of round-trip ferries, you can probably stay in Manhattan for the same price. If you want to stay near the Pavonia/Newport PATH station, that might be a realistic alternative because you can get into midtown in a few stops, and as a family you probably won't be staying out late. Plus it's only $2 a trip instead of more like $8 (I don't know the actual ferry cost, but it's considerable). YOu could also quite easily stay at the Comfort INn in Queens, near the Queens Plaza subway station. Unless you are on a subway or PATH line, though, you will pay a huge price in time and convenience.

Based on your responses I have ruled out the NJ idea. We are planning to take either Amtrak or bus from Philly to NYC

Any comparison on Herald square and Belvedere? They are nearly the same price. Thanks!

I have stayed at the Belvedere a few times and really like it. The rooms are big for NYC and an added plus is the refrigerator, microwave, etc which is great for storing water, etc (never really used the microwave). The bathrooms are pretty small but we managed with 3 women because there is a big dresser with a mirror to do your hair, make-up etc.

I looked at the reviews of Herald Square and it seems like a good hotel. I personally like the location of the Belvedere better but that's because I go to a lot of shows when I am in NYC.

If you do stay at the Belvedere, there is a great little no-nonsense diner around the corner on 8th. It's good for a basic breakfast. A few left turns out the front door and you are there. VERY inexpensive. Nothing fancy but cheap eggs, bacon, toast, etc.

The Belvedere is a nicer hotel in a better location than the H<b>e</b>rald Square. That said, I understand the Belvedere has been undergoing renovation so it might be noisy if they're not finished. Check reviews on tripadvisor.com to see if there's any mention in recent posts.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34808632
For a family of 4, there are other hotels with larger rooms or suites that might not be any more expensive. The Courtyards tend to have good sized rooms and, as Austin says, many rooms have 2 queen beds (not saying the Belvedere's are small-just not as big as some). The Courtyard Times Square South is worth checking along with the Residence Inn.

The Affinia.com hotels are all suites and very well run. If their Shelburne Murray Hill is available at a decent rate at the time you're going, it's worth a look if you can manage a 1 bedroom suite.

FYI, I believe the ferry from NJ is now $6/person per ride so for 4 people with 1 roundtrip/day you're talking about almost $50 day commuting.

As to your trip from Philadelphia, there are 2 ways to take the train. Amtrak is fastest but will be more expensive. When you check prices, try using the discount code V383. It should cut the price in half. You can also use local trains (I think NJtransit/SEPTA) which is much less expensive but takes longer. Here's another thread on train options to/from Philadelphia.

I stayed at the Belvedere last year &amp; was really impressed - by far better than the Salisbury that is recommended by UK travel agents. I will be staying again at the Belvedere 4th August &amp; should be able to advise if the building work that appears to be taking place has been finished - that is if you are going after that. It looks like it started in March on the top floor &amp; was moving downward quite quickly. As work was only being done in daytime I don't think this was a problem with anyone.
Our favourite breakfast bar is turn right out of the hotel, turn right up 9th Ave &amp; at the corner of 49th is a friendly internet cafe that had lovely fruit juices, smoothies &amp; breads. The one on 8th was more of a fry up breakfast.

Have you looked at the Travel Inn on W 42nd St. It is one of the only hotels in the city with a pool and in August will be a welcome relief.

Ferry is $7/ride from Hoboken.

Prices just went up due to fuel.

:)

Belvedere and Herald Square are around $200 per day. Travel inn is $30 more. We dont care about the pool etc. Just want a clean room, airconditioning and good location. We expect to use the room just for sleep and shower. Is Travel Inn better than the other 2?

Thanks

Not imo. Are you sure that price is good for <b>4</b> to a room? If yes, go with the Belvedere.

You might just check the Millenium Broadway and the Time hotel, both of which have specials on travelzoo.com for $199/night on certain nights. I think both are nicer than the Belvedere if the price is available on your dates for a large enough room.

The Millenium Downtown is also having showing a rate of $199, so you might check there as well.

Also check www.hotels.com for more suggestions for your dates of travel. It shows rates, amenities and distance to sites.

&lt;&quot;&quot;The ferries are really aimed at commuters and are expensive to boot. By the time a family of 4 pays for 3 days of round-trip ferries, you can probably stay in Manhattan for the same price&quot;&quot;&gt;

I just wanted to say thank you Doug for pointing this out.

$200 at the belvedere is such a great price for 4 so I checked. According to their website, there are no quads available in August. If you put 4 in the number of persons, it refers u to some of their other hotels. So you might be able to find something in one of their other properties.

Do you already have a reservation at the Belvedere? From Austin said, you might not be able to get a room for four but what I would do is call them. I have been able to get a room from them over the phone that I couldn't book online. Also ask about discounts for Auto Club, etc.

The Millenium Broadway sounds good. I am definitely going to try it sometime.

Yes I already made a reservation. I have a deluxe double double. It is actually $194 for 2 days and $224 for the last day. So kind of averages out to $204/day. I booked through a travel zoo link. The other travelzoo links did not work out for 4 ppl. I did not realize that I got a good price - I guess I better stick to it then. I was comparing with Hilton Hawaii for which we paid $199/night and it did not seem such a good deal. I guess NYC prices are unique

Yes I would definitely stick with hit unless you can get the Millenium for around the same price. NYC hotels are definitely unique and expensive. The first time I stayed at The Belvedere was in 2003-rates were still low after 9/11. It was around Easter time and I think I paid $135 a night. What a deal. In 2005, I paid around $265 a night for the same time of year. Now during certain times of the year (Christmas, etc) I have seen their rates in the $400 range. Is that crazy or what to pay that for a 2.5* hotel?

Many will differ but I love staying in Secaucus NJ. You can get the NJ transit and be right in Manhattan in 20 minutes. Hotels are much cheaper! Also check Embassy Suites at the Financial Center. I highly recommend the double decker tour bus- hop on/hop off. It is a great way to see the city and you can get off at places that interest you most.

Iss1, is NJ transit train or bus? And just like ferry wont the transportation cost negate any price difference in hotels?

It's NJ transit bus. The bus picks you up right in front of most hotels in Secaucus and takes you to the Port Authority (which is not too far to walk to Times Square). Also, if you take the 48 loop tour (hop on/hop off) they will meet you at the Port Authority and shuttle to the first stop on the tour (TImes Square) no charge. If my memory serves me correctly is what only about 5.00 or 6.00 USD each day per person to go round trip. BUt check the NJ transit site for the price. No advance booking is needed. I found the journey in and out of the city lovely and the cost overall to be effective. I think the last time we stayed in Secaucus, we stayed at Fairfield Inn (which always includes breakfast) and has free internet. Also Secaucus has the outlet mall, and the bus stops there. I have never visited it, b/c where I live there are a lot of outlets around. There is also a great bargain store in NYC near Battery Park, but I will have to look up the name of it and get back to you if you are interested.

http://www.njtransit.com/sf_bu_schedules.shtml
There's the link to NJ transit. If it doesn't work, just google search NJ Transit, the fares and schedules are listed. The bargain store I was thinking of is called Century 21.

On a quick scan of comparing Embassy Suites in Secaucus and NYC, Secaucus is about 1/2 price...same for Fairfield Inn. Give it a check..

Staying in Secaucus is fine if you want to visit Secaucus.

If you want to visit Manhattan - and see/experience everything that the big city has to offer - then that's where you should stay. (Otherwise you might as well be staying in any office park motel in any suburb in the country.)

Diversity is good I suppose as long as people realize their opinion is not the only ONE right way to do things. I have done it both ways.

I agree with NY traveler. I like walking out the door to Manhattan. It just won't be the same in NJ. You got a great deal at the Belvedere. We stayed there in 05 for $160 per night. The next year it went WAY up.

I agree stay in Manhattan, you will waste so much travel time getting into and out of the city, and you are dependant on bus and train schedules, also late night you will wait much longer the trains and buses are geared more for commuters than tourists.

Also any savings in hotel will be used in transportation costs.

I would certainly consider staying in Jersey City near the PATH train, but I would never recommend staying in Seacaucus. The bus service is, just like the ferries, aimed at commuters. By the time you pay a $5 charge each way for 4 people, this almost negates the savings of the cheaper hotel. And let's not even talk about the isolation and inability to visit restaurants and such. I'm also not sure how late the buses to Secaucus run, but service will be very irregular after 8. They'll run, but perhaps only 1 time an hour, and if you miss the service ... well, too bad. If you can stay in Manhattan for $200, that's a no-brainer.

Secaucus is also a very difficult city to navigate -- confusing signs, awkward layout, and few u-turns. If you're not familiar with the area it's easy to get lost.

I have decided on Belvedere. Now I can focus on the rest of the trip. Thanks all for the suggestions.