NY Upper East Side - good area to stay?
Mar 8th, 2003, 07:08 AM
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NY Upper East Side - good area to stay?
I have made a provisonal reservation for an apartment on East 93rd Street, between 5th and Madison Avenues.
We have 2 full days in NYC before moving on to Boston. Is the Upper East side a good base? We will not be majoring on Museums and Galleries and I imagine will be doing many of the tourist things a bit further south.
Is there much in the way of cheap places to eat in this part of the city?
Has anyone actually stayed in the place we are planning on? The prices are quite reasonable and it sounds very good on the website http://www.stay-the-night.com/accommodations.html
Our reservation is for the Cecilia Suite.
We have 2 full days in NYC before moving on to Boston. Is the Upper East side a good base? We will not be majoring on Museums and Galleries and I imagine will be doing many of the tourist things a bit further south.
Is there much in the way of cheap places to eat in this part of the city?
Has anyone actually stayed in the place we are planning on? The prices are quite reasonable and it sounds very good on the website http://www.stay-the-night.com/accommodations.html
Our reservation is for the Cecilia Suite.
Mar 8th, 2003, 07:46 AM
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I don't know your accomodation but this is a very residential, upscale part of town near many of the best private schools in New York. On Fifth Ave are lots of elegant apartment buildings & on Madison there are boutiques, small gourmet markets & some restaurants. It's unfortunate you're not planning museums because this would be an ideal spot for that with the Guggenheim at 88th & 5th, the Met at 83-84 & 5th, Jewish Museum & Museum of the City of Ny in the 90's etc. You'll be a half block from Central Park & the reservoir. To give you an idea, this was Jacqueline K Onassis' old neighborhhod (85th & 5th), Woody Allen lives in this area (lots of private townhouses).
If you're planning to do typical midtown (Empire State, Grand central, Times Square) and/or downtown (Staten Island Ferry, WTC, Village etc.) stops, you'll waste lots of time from 93rd ST. The restaurants right near by on Madison will not be cheap but there is a Jackson Hole on 91 st. for huge burgers, Sarabeth's on Madison between 92-93 is hugely popular for lunch/brunch (long lines). If you walk further east to 2nd & 3rd aves. the prices are a bit better.
Bottom line, if you were looking for a real neighborhood NY experience & museums, it's a great location. For traditional tourist stuff you'd be better off further downtown.
If you're planning to do typical midtown (Empire State, Grand central, Times Square) and/or downtown (Staten Island Ferry, WTC, Village etc.) stops, you'll waste lots of time from 93rd ST. The restaurants right near by on Madison will not be cheap but there is a Jackson Hole on 91 st. for huge burgers, Sarabeth's on Madison between 92-93 is hugely popular for lunch/brunch (long lines). If you walk further east to 2nd & 3rd aves. the prices are a bit better.
Bottom line, if you were looking for a real neighborhood NY experience & museums, it's a great location. For traditional tourist stuff you'd be better off further downtown.
Mar 8th, 2003, 08:13 AM
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Having always stayed in the Times Square area, I was only a little apprehensive when I rented an apartment on the Upper East Side (UES) for the month of May two years ago. I loved it. I was at 71st and 3rd Avenue, a good bit further south, and I suspect that the restaurants in your neighborhood will be a little pricier than the major mix of places I found from 70th to 90th on both 2nd and 3rd Avenues, but there will still be plenty to try, and it is a short trip over to the other area I've just mentioned. You're going to be in a "neighborhood, a very upscale one", but I guess I'm not sure why you're doing that if you are only in New York for two nights. When I return this summer for just three nights for example, I will abandon that new found UES place in favor of midtown which is more convenient for the couple days of shows and sites I will be doing.
Mar 8th, 2003, 08:27 AM
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If you do decide to stay there, some places to eat would be Jackson Hole on Madison for diner/burgers (as mclaurie mentions above), 92 (American) and Pascalou (French - prix fixe) are at Madison and 92nd. Further east on Third Ave are many restaurants - I like the Barking Dog Luncheonette on 94th (diner style) and always pass by Osso Buco and Ecco-la (both Italian I think) but I haven't eaten there yet.
One of my favorite places for a breakfast pastry or soup & takeout lunch is Yura on Madison and 92nd. It's not cheap (especially their prepared foods) but everything is delicious. The store is light-filled with little tables and benches. There's another Yura on Third, with a section with waiter service but it's darker and I don't like it as much.
Across 92nd from Yura is a wonderful ice cream store - Ciao Bella - if you need a little dessert break in the neighborhood.
One of my favorite places for a breakfast pastry or soup & takeout lunch is Yura on Madison and 92nd. It's not cheap (especially their prepared foods) but everything is delicious. The store is light-filled with little tables and benches. There's another Yura on Third, with a section with waiter service but it's darker and I don't like it as much.
Across 92nd from Yura is a wonderful ice cream store - Ciao Bella - if you need a little dessert break in the neighborhood.
Mar 8th, 2003, 10:34 AM
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Great info thank you.
The reason I have reserved this accommodation is that it looks a lot better quality and not much pricier than some of the cheaper hotels I looked at.
I have booked most other hotels for our trip via Priceline but I am worried that I could book something in New York that only takes two. We have one of our children with us. Has anyone had any luck getting a room for 3 in NYC via Priceline?
How much hassle would it be to take the subway to mid-town or further down? It doesn't look like a very long journey on the map.
The reason I have reserved this accommodation is that it looks a lot better quality and not much pricier than some of the cheaper hotels I looked at.
I have booked most other hotels for our trip via Priceline but I am worried that I could book something in New York that only takes two. We have one of our children with us. Has anyone had any luck getting a room for 3 in NYC via Priceline?
How much hassle would it be to take the subway to mid-town or further down? It doesn't look like a very long journey on the map.
Mar 8th, 2003, 12:04 PM
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Tell us what you want to see & do Rickus. If you're not interested in anything uptown it's an unnecessary hassle for 2 days. Do you want one room with 2 queen beds, a pull out, 2 bedrooms? What rate did you get? What are they offering?
Mar 9th, 2003, 12:42 AM
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The third bed in the apartment is a rolloway. However the apartment seems to be pretty spacious. I would be worried that a Priceline room might not be even be able to take a rolloway.
The rate I am paying is only $115, which I think includes the tax, so you can see why I am quite keen on it. So the bottom line is we will stay there unless there is a major hassle factor with this location.
We are there two full days. I imagine that we will probably go out for most of each day, return to the apartment and then look for an evening meal locally. During the days I think we would do the main tourist trail, I guess from the south end of Central Park southwards. I did briefly visit on an organised trip a few years ago but only did one short subway journey. I am assuming if we needed to move a mile or two we could get on the subway and be there in 10 or so minutes. Is this realistic?
The rate I am paying is only $115, which I think includes the tax, so you can see why I am quite keen on it. So the bottom line is we will stay there unless there is a major hassle factor with this location.
We are there two full days. I imagine that we will probably go out for most of each day, return to the apartment and then look for an evening meal locally. During the days I think we would do the main tourist trail, I guess from the south end of Central Park southwards. I did briefly visit on an organised trip a few years ago but only did one short subway journey. I am assuming if we needed to move a mile or two we could get on the subway and be there in 10 or so minutes. Is this realistic?
Mar 9th, 2003, 05:57 AM
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You are five blocks from the subway at 96th and Lexington. Obviously, your 10-minute estimate for a subway is close for some destinations (i.e., Rockefeller Center, the Grand Central area or the Empire State Building). However, any sites on the West Side will require more subway time or more walking time!
To judge distances, keep in mind that 20 north/south blocks equal one mile. Thus, Rockefeller Center is a little over 2 miles away. It's a beautiful walk there via Fifth Avenue.
As for your hotel price, usually the quoted price does not include the taxes. Thus, you might be adding $15-20 to the total for each night.
To judge distances, keep in mind that 20 north/south blocks equal one mile. Thus, Rockefeller Center is a little over 2 miles away. It's a beautiful walk there via Fifth Avenue.
As for your hotel price, usually the quoted price does not include the taxes. Thus, you might be adding $15-20 to the total for each night.
Mar 9th, 2003, 06:30 AM
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Although I love the neighborhood you would be in, I would go with Priceline for a midtown hotel. We always go through Priceline and have never had any trouble getting a rollaway for our son. We got the Grand Hyatt for May and called and asked for two beds and they said fine.
Mar 9th, 2003, 08:42 AM
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My two cents. If you are worred about getting a priceline room with only one bed, I'd stay where you are. The Upper East Side is lovely. You can walk to the subway and be in Midtown in a couple of minutes. Just take the Lex to Grand Central and then the shuttle to Times Square.
Mar 9th, 2003, 09:19 AM
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Rick,
I have been feeling a bit guilty about my last reply being a bit strident. Let me add some more input for your decision. Now that I know you're English (from your post on the Europe board) you're probably a good walker & perhaps used to small rooms. (I've had a look at the hotel website & in the Cecilia room with a roll away bed open, there won't be much walking space, IMO.) But, it's only 2 nights and $115 IF it includes taxes (which are steep) is very good. The neighborhood is elegant (think a bit like Kensington). It sounds like you could have breakfast in your room (fridge, tea/coffee maker, microwave).
-In terms of what you will spend on transportation, subway & bus fare is currently $1.50 per person, per trip & is scheduled to go up to $2.00 soon (don't know when you're coming). There are passes you can buy but I'm not familiar with them & whether it makes sense for 2 days. Do a search here on subway fares. A cab from 93th st. to Rockefeller Center would be about $5-7 (for all of you).
I had a look at the website Hotels.com & while I don't know if they're as cheap as priceline, there is a definite place to put in number of people in the room AND you know what hotel you're getting. There seemed to be some decent options in the midtown area for around $140. Is an extra $60 worth some convenience to you? Maybe not. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great trip.
I have been feeling a bit guilty about my last reply being a bit strident. Let me add some more input for your decision. Now that I know you're English (from your post on the Europe board) you're probably a good walker & perhaps used to small rooms. (I've had a look at the hotel website & in the Cecilia room with a roll away bed open, there won't be much walking space, IMO.) But, it's only 2 nights and $115 IF it includes taxes (which are steep) is very good. The neighborhood is elegant (think a bit like Kensington). It sounds like you could have breakfast in your room (fridge, tea/coffee maker, microwave).
-In terms of what you will spend on transportation, subway & bus fare is currently $1.50 per person, per trip & is scheduled to go up to $2.00 soon (don't know when you're coming). There are passes you can buy but I'm not familiar with them & whether it makes sense for 2 days. Do a search here on subway fares. A cab from 93th st. to Rockefeller Center would be about $5-7 (for all of you).
I had a look at the website Hotels.com & while I don't know if they're as cheap as priceline, there is a definite place to put in number of people in the room AND you know what hotel you're getting. There seemed to be some decent options in the midtown area for around $140. Is an extra $60 worth some convenience to you? Maybe not. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great trip.
Mar 12th, 2003, 07:26 PM
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Rickus... I'm also searching for a place to stay in NY and think we've just runned into the same one!... so, this post has been very helpful to me too.
Hope you have a great time there, and please post back your experiences... will love to take some notes!
-thanks pattynyc-
Hope you have a great time there, and please post back your experiences... will love to take some notes!
-thanks pattynyc-
Mar 15th, 2003, 11:57 PM
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Amy_g - It is looking very likely that we will use our reservation - for a brief while it seemed possible that one of our other childen would be in New York at the same time and we would need to book something bigger, but she will probably not now be going out until May. Our reservation is in mid-April but we do not return home until late April. When do you need to make a decision?
Rick
Rick
