Have what is probably a silly question- but both hubby and I despite years of education are grappling with this one:

Planning an overnight in the city. Will park right over the Lincoln Tunnel and cab to hotel in upper east side. We decided to play hookey from work and make a day of it before checking into the hotel. Not wishing to drag suitcase along, what does one do with luggage?

Trying to avoid enourmous parking fees that hotels charge, yet check-in is usually in early afternoon.

Second question: Any comments on the Drake-Suissotel? How does it compare to the Plaza and Le Parker Meridian.

Thanks for help.

Pam

Go immediately to your hotel and check your bags in with the porter. They will happily hold your bag until you check in.

almost every hotel anywhere is equipped to hold suitcases for people staying with them.You can check into your room,or just leave the bag with the desk.
Is this your first trip?

Oh, it shows? Actually if you feel like a laugh, I am a native n.y.er- really, Long Island-but spent alot of time in the city as a kid.

I moved to South Jersey when I was 16 and have been married to a Jersey boy for the past 21 years. For the past 21 years, I have been hinting (read:nagging) my husband for an overnight in the city and he has resisted. I have finally won!

The task before me, therefore, is to make sure it works so I do not have to wait another 21 years. I want the trip to be trouble free and fun!

Any comments about the Drake?

Thanks,

Pam

the Drake is in my neighborhood but haven't stayed there.the neighborhood is good though.
did you consider parking at the ferry in Weehauken and coming over that way-the parking would be cheaper I think,than leaving the car in NYC.And it is a pretty way to come and go,you can still cab it to the hotel from the ferry.
What do you have planned re: restaurants and a show or something?
pam

Thanks for the input. That's what we shall do. Ask the hotel to hang on to the suitcase until the room is ready.

Re the rest of the trip. This is what is on the agenda:

Shop, shop, shop.
Gugenheim Mus.
Shop, shop, shop
Lunch- maybe pizza at John'Pizzaria or La Familia Pizza or pastries at Payard.(?)
Shop, rest, change for dinner.

Considering Le Cirque, La Bernadine, or
Tavern on the Green (?)

Tix to the Producers

Coffee at Joe Allens(?)

The comments ending with the (?) are begging for input!

This is a very special evening- celebrating my 45th birthday and our 21st aniversary!!

This is only our 3rd overnight since the kids: 17 years ago!!!

Thanks for all suggestions!
Pam

Pam:

Another suggestion for dinner is One if by Land, Two if by Sea in Greenwich Village. We had my birthday dinner there in April and were extremely pleased. Great food, romantic atmosphere and impeccable service. They are on the web if you want to do a search for them.

We originally planned Tavern on the Green for that night, but heard so many negative comments here that we changed our minds, and were very happy for the quiet evening versus the zoo that TOTG seems to be most nights.

Another romantic way to end an evening is atop the Empire State Building or having drinks at The View Lounge atop the Mariott Marquis in Times Square.

Whatever you decide for your special evening out, enjoy The Big Apple!

Hi,Pam-
Tavern on the Green might be good for just a drink, it is pretty at night, but the food and atmosphere are not as good/intimate as you might like for such a special night.
One if by Land is excellent.
So is La Bernadine.
Would you like more recommendations,since Le Cirque,etc. are a little "old" and there are so many new and great romantic restaurants to go to ?
Perhaps Balthazar? If not for dinner,try to get reservations there for lunch.
Try to go to Serendipity for dessert or maybe a tea in the afternoon, it is on E 60th between 2nd & 3rd Ave.It is fun and you will enjoy it,I promise!
Where are you planning on shopping?
Since you are on the East side,Barneys? Do go to Takishimaya!
It is getting late and my mind is blank,have a wonderful time.
Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary!!!!

On second thought, go to Balthazar for lunch before you head back to the ferry and home...it isn't romantic enough
Kate~

I think that when you pay parking for the ferry and RT tix for two people it will add up to about the same as tunnel entrance fee and 24 hours of parking but might be a bit more convenient. If you're parking for multiple days the ferry might be a better choice. I live very close to midtown in NJ (about a 15-20 minute drive) but my lady friend and I recently stayed over for a night in a hotel and thoroughly enjoyed it - have fun, I'm sure you will.

Pam, just a suggestion: You don't mention how soon you're planning to visit, (at least I don't think so), and if you want to dine in such poplular places as Le Cirque or Le Bernadin on a Sat. night, you might want to hurry up and make reservations right away, or the choice won't be yours to make.

If there is any time to relax during the day, the Boathouse Cafe in Central Park is pretty [if the weather is good]. A table next to the lake could be a nice relaxing, romantic spot. Also, if you're interested the MET is an easy walk from there.

so much to do...so little time!!!

Thank you all for your input. We are going this Friday to the next day, when my 'fantasy get-away' will abruptly end when we race home to get one daughter to work, the next to the soccer field and the youngest will have a committment as well to be sure...and so it goes.

I made reservations at three places: La Bernardine, Le Cirque, and Joe Allens (just in case we were too tired to fuss with our attire)

Still hoping to get feedback about the Drake vs. Le Parker Meridian. Since my last post, a friend mentioned the New Yorker-I checked the web site, wasn't too thrilled. Any feedback on that hotel?

Thanks,
Pam

Pam, the New Yorker is not the place for a romantic/special weekend!
It used to be a complete dump, then was owned by the Unification Church (Rev. Sun-Young Moon(? ), now is considered a budget tourist class hotel in an uninteresting location (34th and 8th avenue). The other 2 choices are both elegant hotels, very close to each other (Drake on Park Avenue 56th? Parker Meridien on 57th near 5th?).
Have fun and do all the silly touristy things that this native New Yorler has never done,ke go up to the Empire State Building at night and have a drink at some spot with a great view!

Pam -

"xxx" is on th emark about the Ramada New Yorker. If you get a special on the room it can be a good value in the sense that some of the rooms are large and nicely restored/renovated. Downside is as mentioned - huge hotel with tour groups etc. and in a uninteresting location. It's perfectly safe there but the stretch of 8th Ave running from there up to the low 40's is more than a bit on the seedy side - not a good choice for a romantic weekend.

Pam we either stay at the Radisson Empire Hotel at Lincoln Center or the Royal Righa. The Radisson has had some pretty good rates for the weekend.

Worried about your dinner plans coupled with The Producers. Although One it by land... is an excellent place to dine, it is going to take some travel time to get back up to the Producers. I would recommend Joe Allens or one of the other "local" places for dinner.

I would like to propose another alternative to coming into the city. Since you are coming from S Jersey, Why not take the Fast Ferry from either Highlands or Atlantic Highlands? Parking is free and safe, and the view from under the Verrazzano Bridge coming into the city is 2nd to none. Schedule and ticket infor is at:http://www.nyff.com/

You're thinking of sitting at the busy bar at Joe Allen's and ordering coffee??? Why?

Re: Joe Allens- I guess from my readings, I thought we could duck in there for an after theatre snack. (Recurring themehop, eat, shop, eat). Thanks for the Heads-up that that idea perhaps won't work.

Reservations for Le Cirque and la Bernardine are for 5:30 (will obviously cancel one of them) Will there be ample time to get to theatre within that time frame?

Thanks,

Will check in the morning for any responses.

Pam, do remember that most hotels will allow check-in at any time of the day, provided the room is available and cleaned. They'll only stick to the "3pm" (or whatever it may be) time if they were sold out the night before!

I'd be sure to ask if ANY rooms are available if they tell you the room isn't ready when you check in. It may be as simple as getting a slightly different room type!

I kind of thought the same thing about Joe Allen...that you could go in there after theatre and have some drinks and appetizers. I haven't been there yet, but planned that for the next trip.

Can you pop into Sardi's for after theatre drinks? I suppose you may need reservations there, huh?

Anybody's opinion on "popping into" either establishment post-theatre would be greatly appreciated. We don't really want to deal with having set reservations.