NYC Neighbourhoods
 

Can anyone suggest an area to stay in NYC for families? Looking at apartments on VRBO. Prefer Manhattan as that's where we will be most of the time doing the typical tourist things. Quiet would be good with inexpensive places to eat ( I know it won't be cheap but inexpensive for NY would be good!) And easy access to subways. Hope I'm not asking too much. Thanks

There is a currently active thread tagged New York which explains why your apt. idea is a bad one. Where to stay is discussed a lot so other past threads will also be helpful.

If you look at a subway map of Manhattan, you'll see that most areas are pretty easily accessible via the subway, except some of the extreme east and extreme west neighborhoods. I'd say most neighborhoods anywhere from the 80's or so on down to the southern tip of Manhattan would probably be to your liking. Just look for areas that have a subway station within a reasonable distance.

Also, there are restaurants everywhere, and many are very reasonably priced. If you run into expensive prices, it's much more likely to be lodging than restaurants.

Subletting apartments in Manhattan is illegal unless the legal tenant of the apartment is staying there at the same time you - the "guests" - are there. Someone simply leaving their apartment and renting it to someone else for less than 30 days is against city and state laws. It is also legal if the building is a house owned by a single family in which they rent rooms - but this is very rare in Manhattan.

Now, quite a few people do sublet short term. And it's unlikely you will be caught - unless a neighbor makes an official complaint to the landlord or the co-op/condo board.

Also - some of these offers are not legitimate - the apartments simply don't exist.

Only you can decide how risk averse you are.

I would stay in a hotel.

The first post is trying to subtlety say -- short term (less than 30 days) rental are illegal.

There are hotels that have kitchen facilities - this one is often recommended here:
http://www.radiocityapts.com

The Beacon is another one recommended here -

http://www.beaconhotel.com

I like the Salisbury - can't beat the location and rates are very reasonable. Rooms are very large to NYC standards. I stayed in a suite a few years ago (with a few girlfriends) - huge bedroom and huge main room with pull out couch. We also requested a cot and there was loads of space for that.

http://www.nycsalisbury.com/

<<Also - some of these offers are not legitimate - the apartments simply don't exist.

Only you can decide how risk averse you are.>>

There are two issues NYtrav is getting at here. First, as she explicitly states, some of the offers are bovine excrement. Second, what she does not explicitly state is the legal ramifications - you have NO recourse. There is no remedy for enforcement of an illegal contract. If the VRBO person takes your money and doesn't give you access to the apartment, you cannot sue for the money and recover it (what the city can do as a criminal matter is different).

Thanks I did see the post about airbnb and being illegal after I posted this. What a nuisance as they seem so nuch more affordable! Would somewhere like east village or soho be ok with kids or is it better nearer to central park?

just look at a map and see how close it is to subways. I think being near Central Park would be nice, myself.

Does any one know much about the excelsior hotel in upper west side? Is that a good area? Room rates don't seem to bad. Is that easy to get transport from to see the city sights?

I find it strange that the USA appears not to have apartment chains like most of the rest of the western world, global chains like Citadines and we have Mantra, Meriton and several others in Australia - specifically for tourists.

The USA has a lot of "all suite hotels" which are similar to the apartment chains you refer to. However, they are not found that often in large cities - since they are aimed at families traveling on lower budgets and city costs often don't allow for that much space. If you look at other parts of the country - or even business parks an hour or more from the city those chains are frequently found. There are a few in the city (doubletree etc - but prices are not that low).

Naturally there are many hotels in the city that offer suites - the Affinia group has a number of all suite hotels and Radio City Apartments and the Beacon have a lot of suites. But except for Radio City (which sells out very early) they are mostly moderate and not budget.

The Excelsior is on the upper west side which is a GREAT area. This is moderate to upscale residential area with all of the major avenues lined with shops and restaurants (many child friendly) of all possible ethnicities - many modest/moderate - as well as several large gourmet shops if you want to bring premade food into the room/suite.

You are only a couple of blocks from Central Park and in the same neighborhood as many of the city's major museums - lining the east and west sides of the park. (Natural History is a huge hit with kids as are parts of the Met.)

There are 2 subway lines on the west side so easy access to the rest of the city. Just two stops on the express to times Square if that's important to you. Definitely a great area to stay with kids.

Meggsy76:

Take a look at The Milburn Hotel located on the upper west side. Suites with small kitchen and breakfast included. Very nice for families. Close to subway and many places to eat.

Sandy

Here is the link to the Milburn Hotel http://www.milburnhotel.com

We have a LOT of apartment-style hotels in the U.S. We even have Residence Inns in Manhattan, but not at the price range of the OP. There's a brand-new one near my office, but it's going to average well over $400 per night. Most other cities have these as well, but in NYC in particular hotels are just particularly expensive.

I'll check out the Milburn thank you. Also what about that Manhattan Broadway? Any thoughts? That's another that looks ok and not too expensive and central.

Woops wasn't manhattan broadway I was looking at. I can't remember which hotel I saw. Was broadway though. Once I remember I will add an other comment

It was the Manhattan at times square that I looked at!

Our kids just stayed in NYC and got their hotel with hotel.com or booking.com.