hdm

I know this is quite premature but I can't go very long without starting to plan a vacation.

Our trips to NY are usually an just extended weekend but since we're not likely to be spending the bucks to go to Europe next year, I thought we might spend a week or ten days in NY and maybe lessen the cost a bit by staying in an apartment rather than a hotel.

I've used vrbo for Italy with good results but I've never used it in the US or Canada. Has anybody used vrbo or another apartment website for Manhattan? Is there a website you'd recommend or even a specific apartment? We're fine with a one bedroom or even a spacious studio and would like to be in the heart of Manhatten.

Suggestions?

LoveItaly

Hi hdm, NeoPatrick stayed in an apartment for a month this summer. Hopefully he will see your question and consequently will be able to give you some help. Your vacation idea sounds wonderful, something I have always wanted to do but for some reason every time plans were made something serious came up and we always had to cancel.

Seamus

I have used vrbo once in NYC and also have used an agency http://www.metro-home.com/ and was quite pleased. Most often though, I have used the vacation rental section of www.craigslist.org and have done very well there.

nancy1652

I also just got a great one-bedroom on Craigslist.

NeoPatrick

We had a wonderful stay for a month this year, but alas I don't think the guy is still renting the apartment. The only reason we didn't stay at our "usual" was because it wasn't available months ahead.

But here's the one you need to look at.
www.bigapplegetaway.com
We've stayed there twice. It's a fantastic apartment in a great high rise with fantastic views (31st floor). It is always booked about three or four months ahead, so don't dally. Rents for about $225 a night, which is a steal -- and the equivalent of less than $200 for a hotel room before taxes! The location (Worldwide Plaza -- 50th between 8th and 9th) couldn't be better in my opinon.

Look at the website. Check the availability. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

hdm

Oh yippee! Thanks everyone -- I love this planning part of the vacation, don't you! I feel I'm at some sort of great 'apartment buffet table' and now I get to choose something delicious.

Thanks so much.

hdm

Neo, that place looks great and I can see that someone's already booked it for a week in April!

Seamus, I like the look of that metro-home website but I can't figure out how to see the pictures of the various apartments. I can see written descriptions of the apartments and the neighbourhoods but no pics except that one of the living room with the spiral staircase. What am I missing?

NeoPatrick

Yes, and did you notice it's fully booked for August, September, October, November, and nearly all of December (even though December is MUCH more expensive)?

I note it's also now $250 a night, but still a steal.

By the way those pictures really are actual views from the apartment.

hdm

Love those views! I just love NY -- I'm trying to convince SO that we need to go live there for a year for his next sabbatical.

babyfat

go to craigslist and look under sublets

NeoPatrick

And if you find anything on craigslist that even nearly approaches the BigAppleGetaway in quality for the price, please let us know. I can't seem to find anything there to even begin to compare -- and I've looked and looked for several years now.

nancy1652

NeoPatrick: I found a one-bedroom apt. on the upper west side (75th and West End Avenue) for $175/nite last week on Craigslist. We're going in December and he had already filled up the time between now and the end of November. There was also a beautiful two-bedroom at 72nd and Central Park West for $300/nite that was available for my dates. A number of the posters on Craigslist didn't answer me, but these two are gems, in my opinion. I kept looking many times a day, and there were always new posts. But you do have to plan far ahead, since the good ones are snapped up very quickly.

NeoPatrick

I suppose there are some on Craigslist, and I too have seen more nice ones upper East or upper West side than midtown.
But most are also limited on dates -- particularly if someone actually lives in it. Over and over for midtown, I only find the fifth floor walkups and the places that look like old dormitory rooms complete with futon rather than a bed.

Incidentally, there are more of them under "vacation rentals" than under "sublets" which are mainly for longer term.

nancy1652

I rejected a lot that were too cluttered and messy, but the two I mentioned are only used as rentals, and they are very attractively furnished with no clutter. The two-bedroom one is an elevator/doorman building. And yes, the place to look under is "vacation rental" when you go to NY craigslist.

dmlove

NeoPatrick, I (like many others here, I'm sure) are filing this away for future reference. I have a question, though. Is this a "one-off" apartment in that building; in other words, do most people in the building live there full-time? Is it a condominium or coop? I'm just surprised nightly r entals are even permitted (?)It sure looks great though, and will beat the Residence Inn we're staying in for Thanksgiving any day.

NeoPatrick

There seems to be a mix in that building which is a condominium. To be honest, I don't suppose short term (1 week rentals) are permitted. But there seems to be no problem. And like many such rentals, I am sent a letter and the desk is too -- that I am their "guest" in the apartment. Within a day or two, all the concierges and doormen seem to know us and they couldn't be more pleasant.

The apartment we rented for a month this past May/June just a block away and very similar, ended up being a rental building -- not a condo as I had assumed it would be, so the owner was definitely "illegally" subletting the apartment. I got some rather nasty comments from the one concierge who seemed to know what was going on and didn't like it. I think he was actually stopped from renting it out, and possibly even his lease was cancelled because he did it.

hdm

Hiya,
I'm glad I came back to read. I've looked at vacation rentals on craiglist -- just browsing so far, no serious shopping yet.

Here's my wish list (and we're thinking of going in April or May). I want:
- a rental apartment (not one that somebody lives in
- the obvious things -- clean, safe, nicely decorated, not cluttered
- a security desk
- a great, great location. Upper west side, upper east side, etc.
- a good view would be nice
- a reasonably outfitted kitchen, since we'll eat some meals at home and may even have dinner guests
- quiet for sleeping
- air conditioned
- under $300 a night

Given your suggestions, that doesn't seem to be asking too much, is it?

Seamus, any hints on finding pictures on metro home?

Seamus

It's been a while since I used metro home but as I recall they do not post pictures of every apartment, rather representative shots. At first that concerned me but both times I used them the apartments were fine, and the service was great. The only time I needed to get i touch with the office was to ask about connecting to the internet and they had me set up by the time the brief call ended.

hdm

Thanks, Seamus. Too bad about the pictures, though. Even with your recommendation, I'm hesitant to rent an apartment I haven't seen.

mclaurie

oakwood.com and furnishedquarters.com tend to do month long rentals but have some buildings where they have nightly/weekly prices. I'd contact them. They both have some newer towers that will have views on upper east and upper west.

I've seen an apt. on vrbo.com that's on the upper east side near the Met museum. No view and not a highrise building, but apt. looks decent. staythenight.com is a b& b on 93 st b/w Madison & Park. Gorgeous location in Carnegie Hill. They have 1 apt. but it's a 4th floor walk up.