Hello there everyone,
After spending the past few weeks perusing this site I am now in need of some direct reassurance and am sure you can all help. My 70 year young Mum & I are coming over to New York for 8 days at the end of June. The trip is impulsive and a “dream come true” for my Mum as she’ll see Jimmy Roselli (her Idol) at Westbury and also see New York at long last. As our flights from Edinburgh were very costly we had to budget the hotel and I booked the Ramada New Yorker Hotel with Hotres.com ($95 per night) for that and the following reasons:
- Best priced all amenities hotel I could find and across from Penn Station.
- A better chance of getting 2 beds instead of 1 double due to sheer volume of rooms.
- Rich in historical reference to Mum’s great love of 30’s big bands and swing music.
Mums only wish is that it’s clean & convenient for us. We plan to take some day trips Upstate once we have seen the sites in an around Manhattan so the hotel is really just a place for some R&R in between adventures.
I do have some nagging doubts however, and need some reassurance. Is the hotel and area okay for our needs? It’s invariably described as undesirable and rundown and my Mum is very independent and friendly and will no doubt want sometimes to do things on her own. Is it safe enough at night, even accounting for extreme prudency? Should we really pay more and consider staying somewhere else? Near Radio City Music Hall perhaps?
Realistically, we can’t afford more than $129 if we want to have enough spending money to fully enjoy our experience. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Susan

Here's the reassurance you're looking for. Don't worry, for less than $100 a night it is one of the best spots you could find. Think about it like staying near King's Cross, if you're familiar with London-- not wonderful, but not really bad either. In just one block you're in a nicer area. You will have a great time. What else can we do to help?

Thank you kindly for your quick reply – I am indeed familiar with Kings X (perfect analogy) and you’re right that a particular area can be a bit shabby but around the corner it’s different entirely – it’s the same in Edinburgh. I am probably overtly cautious because of my Mum. I stayed in New York at 48th/8th four years ago on my own and felt safe but I don’t know this area. I’m sure the convenience will outweigh any negatives regarding its aesthetics. Again, thank you so much and if I need any further help I will be sure to ask.
Regards Susan

Hi Susan...if you want to take the time to do a little more research try the website at: www.mytravelguide.com/cheap-hotel-and discountcondoreservations
they have some very good deals...I heard that the New Yorker has been renovated, but I don't know how the new management rates...I do know you will be on 8th Avenue between West 34th and 35th Streets and across the street from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station...during the day it's a very busy area...you'll see lots of the garment district workers pushing racks and racks of clothes through the streets...Macy's Department Store is one block down...except for events at Madison Square Garden, it quiets down considerably at night as the shops and restaurants close, and the workers go home...there are some apartment buildings down the block closer to 9th Avenue at West 34th Street, where alot of Lincoln Tunnel traffic exits...there's a McDonald's across the street from the hotel and all along West 34th Street there are many shops including a K-Mart (kind of like your Woolies)...on 7th Avenue there's a Wendy's, Pizza Hut, and the like...I have lots of info on upstate NY if need it.

Susan: Many of the trains going upstate will leave from Grand Central Station at 42nd Street, way across town, not really an easy walk. You said you stayed at 48th and 8th and were happy, well the New Yorker is in a gritty area not unlike 48th Street, but not as convenient to the standard tourist attractions. Having said that, you might want to check out the Habitat hotel on 57th and Lexington, I believe it offers similar rates, but the location is top notch. The hotel was recently gut renovated but make sure you are getting a quote for private bath. If you can go to $129, the New York Helmsley on 42nd and Third Avenue is a far nicer hotel and a great location. Have a great trip.

Susan:
I am not too crazy about the location of the New Yorker. Kind of a gritty area and deserted at night. I'd prefer you stay in the forties or closer to the East Side. How about the Avalon? www.avalonny.com. Right near the Empire State Building, plenty of restaurants,etc.
Any questions about the upstate areas, I'd be glad to help.

You could probably do a little better but you could also do alot worse. Being across from the station means you may get a few more 'transient' types than other locations in the city, but I think you'll be fine. There are plenty of restaurants around -- fast and non-fast food -- and that area is usually pretty busy. Penn Station has excellent subway access that can take you anywhere in Manhattan, and the Long Island Railroad to take you out to Westbury. I disagree with the above poster who wants to put you over by the Empire State Building -- too quiet, too far away from the places you want to be, and to get to the subway or LIRR you'll have to walk over to where you would have stayed in the first place.

In short, you did good -- stay the course.

Dear All
Thanks for taking the time to reply. One of the reasons for me choosing a place opposite Penn station is that when we arrive and before we have a chance to get our bearings, we are off to Long Island 2 evenings running for the concerts and I knew the train to LI runs from there and felt happier that we could just walk a couple of minutes back to our hotel at night, also thinking that as it's a main station it's bound to have some life at all hours.
I haven't had time yet to look into where to visit Upstate yet - with the exception of Niagara - which is a must! I have seen a flight on JetBlue for approx $60 same day return at the beginning of July but can't find any train service which runs a day service -I presume it's too far. You're suggestions on that and places Upstate will be very
welcomed.
Thank you again,
Susan

Hi Susan,
Not sure what you mean by "upstate". To some people it's Hype Park - to others it's Massena! I live in Central NY and would recommend Saratoga, Rhinebeck & Hyde Park (not upstate, but it's a lovely area) Check out Niagara Falls and then move on to Niagara-on-The-Lake. You may want to look into Skaneateles and the Finerglakes area (reservations are a must in summer). If you just have time for a day-trip, I would vote for traveling to Rhinebeck. Some of the folks more familiar with the transportation in and out of NYC can help with directions once you decide where you would like to visit. Check the website http://www.iloveny.com for some ideas of the different regions and see what interests you.

Hi Susan,
I make frequent trips up to the Buffalo area. Jet Blue is a great airline. I have done the round trip flight in one day myself.If you book online and far enough in advance and with more than one person flying, you can get the fare for as low as $44 one way! The lowest price I paid for this flight was $86 [yes, including taxes], but usually the fare booked this way is $105 round trip. They now provide a shuttle from Jamaica train station for a nominal fee, and that is cheaper than a taxi. A taxi would most likely run about $35 to get to the airport. I'd strongly recommend renting a car for the day if you want to get to see Niagra Falls [worth a visit]. It's about a half hour ride from the airport. Car rentals are right at the terminal. Enjoy your trip!