What about a hostel? This one is located directly across the Park from the hospital: http://www.hinewyork.org/

Regarding getting a cab from the hospital at night, would there be some sort of Information Desk in the hospital lobby with staff who can call a cab for you? I'm not familiar with Mount Sinai (only been there once during day time), but I would imagine there are at least a handful of visitors who utilize taxi service to get home at night...

If no one mans the Information Desk at night, surely there would be a taxi company phone # listed somewhere so that you can call?

Thanks everyone. Great feedback. In Paris we got a cab by the information desk calling one - there were really none that I could see in that area of Paris - so while I am sure I sound 100% inept I promise I do travel but just feel afraid during certain situations.

It was this forum that gave me the courage (Doug actually) through giving me play by play instructions last summer on how to take the subway from the Waldorf down to the Statue of Liberty. (seriously). I found it easy and not "scary". It was crowded and never did I feel in danger.

I took the Metro all over Paris no issues as well.

Gail - I agree with you - I am actually encouraging dh to go. His sister would be thrilled if he was there. He has always carried guilt for not going back when she was in the hospital for 3 months 20 plus years ago.

I will let you know what happens.

New York cabs don;t respond to phone calls - you hail them on the street. If you want to phone for a car you call a car service - like Carmel or Dial 7 - and they can usually get you one fairly quickly - unless there is hideously bad weather or a parade or something.

I'm sorry I'm coming in late to this. I wouldn't stay at the Courtyard Marriott on 92 st. It's ALLLLLLL the way east and the hospital is on Fifth ave. Crosstown blocks are much longer than north/south streets. I see no benefit to staying there. You won't be able to walk anyway. The cheapest thing I see in a good location for you is the Park 79 on the upper west side for $88/night plus tax on quikbook.com

You can take a crosstown bus through Central Park on 79th st. and then transfer (for free) to a Madison Ave. bus going north.

To get from the airport, I'd take the Express bus to Port Authority bus terminal and then either taxi or 8th ave. city bus up to 79th st. You can also take the subway but it requires stairs.

I notice that someone above suggested the Newton Hotel which is a bit closer to the hospital. I personally would prefer the newer decor of the Park 79 and the location. Just a heads up that both of these hotels have some rooms with shared bathroom so make sure you pay close attention to what you're booking. The $88 price on quikbook was for a "superior queen" which would be private bathroom. Same room on the hotel's website looks to be ~ $95/night.

Your other option is to stay in a midtown hotel near Madison ave. and just take the bus up Madison. You can get a studio suite at the Shelburne Murray Hill (37th & Lexington) for $112/night on quikbook. You'd be very close to Grand Central to get a bus from the airport. You're also near the subway at Grand Central if you want to take the subway up to the hospital.

Actually, the Shelburne is a good idea. Those rooms even have kitchens (I believe including the studios), and it's a quick trip up there from Grand Central, which is 4 blocks away. The Shelburne (which is currently undergoing a renovation) is a nice hotel in a very safe residential neighborhood near where I live.

I remember now giving the instructions for the subway from the Waldorf. Once you settle on a hotel, we can do the same to Mount Sinai.

You may have already reviewed these options ..... the hospital's website lists several accommadations for staying in the area >>> http://www.mountsinai.org/Visiting%2...Accommodations

Have you called to ask about the Mt. Sinai rate at "On The Ave Hotel"?

Doug, I believe the interior renovation on the Shelburne is completed. They now have some suites without a kitchen and some with. On the hotel's own website I know only those suites with the word "deluxe" in the description have kitchens. In the 1 bedroom suites, they converted some of the kitchens to a second bathroom so in some 1 bedrooms not listed as "deluxe" you actually get 2 full bathrooms instead of the kitchen. The price I quoted (from quikbook) was not for a deluxe studio. http://affinia.com/New-York-City-Hot...ge=Floor-Plan#

thank everyone SO much. We have gone around and around - dh is going to go. I just ticketed his flight. He arrives in and out of LGA on American - arriving on Thursday - coming home on Sunday. I am going to work on his hotel now.. I will check into the Shelburne!

Okay update. He is staying at the Marriott on 92 street. Do not ask. I showed him this thread. He wants to stay there. Okay. We did get a rate of 111.00 a night for a King room with the AAA card.

I will remind him about the Pio Pio Doug.

Thanks again everyone. I know his sister is going to be thrilled. We tried to work it out so I could join him as well but that just gets very complicated. So no NYC for me next week.

That's a very good rate for that hotel and it has a pool. Just make sure he understands it's a LOOOONG walk up to Fifth ave. and if you walks to the hospital it's over a mile and about a 25-30 min. walk, part of it uphill. What he could do is walk up to 96 st. and take the crosstown bus to Fifth ave. and walk from there up Fifth ave. or get out of the bus at Madison and transfer for free heading uptown 10 blocks on Madison. http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf

Tell him to have a look at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park-entrance at 104 st. & Fifth ave. The Museum of the City of NY is also right across from that entrance.

Effy's Cafe seems to get good reviews as a nearby place for breakfast. http://www.menupages.com/restaurantd...aurantid=41066

grr, sorry about the grammar.

mclaurie - it is one of those things - you can lead a horse to water.. LOL I showed him the thread - AND a grid map. Knowing dh? He will just take a cab. I am the one that hates to spend the money on transportation in the family.

I will indeed share the Effy Cafe and the museums :).

It will be fine. Hope all goes well for SIL and hope dh has a reasonable few days providing moral support.

Thanks Mclaurie - SIL will be so touched. She adores her big brother.

Dawn - I saw this thread rather late, but am wishing your SIL a full and speedy recovery. She is in a good place. Please let us know how it goes on Tues. (And thanks for the nice comment on the other thread!).

Centerparkgal - thank you so much. She did well and did not have the worst possible situation take place as a result. She should be headed home sometime on Sat. Dh is leaving in the am - she still does not know and will be thrilled. I wish I was headed out with him!

Dawn - thanks for letting us know - glad it went as well as possible. She still doesn't know what? That he's leaving so soon?

oh sorry yes - that dh is flying in. He is surprising her in the hospital. She is VERY blue right now over many different things - she owns a hallmark store in NJ and she recently moved to a larger store with more expenses, the timing could not have been worse with the economy. :( She will be thrilled to see him. He leaves early tomorrow and will be in her hospital room later tomorrow :)