We (self/spouse/daughter)are planning a 4-night trip to NYC this summer. I am intrigued by the Pod Hotel, especially the "veranda" accommodation. If anyone has stayed there, we'd love to hear your impressions. They are quoting $299/night, which sounds reasonable...sort of...

If not the Pod, then where would folks recommend?

Thanks!

-msm4

Have a look at what's on travelzoo (just make sure the rooms will accommodate more than 2 - and what the price for 3 is). Also consider looking at kayak.

How old is the daughter? If a child I would reco the upper west side - to be near Central Park and the Museum of Natural History - and lots of family friendly restaurants.

If she's more than 11 or 12 - you can look at midtown east or west or central park south areas.

Hi

For reviews you should check out http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

If you are looking for a hotel then you should look outside Manhattan for the best deals. I stayed at Quality Inn in Long Island City in December and that was much cheaper than Manhattan hotels at the time. And it was only 2 stops to Manhattan from the hotel on the subway. Here is my trip report with pictures http://gardkarlsen.com/NYC_travelogue_2007.htm

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

I haven't looked at photos of the veranda room, but $299 for a room during summer sounds pretty pricey to me for a budget hotel. If you're enamoured at the idea of a veranda, the Ivy Terrace is a "b & b" (the term is used loosely in NYC and often means a small building which rents several apts. for short stays) that has at least one apt. with a terrace.

1871house.com is another more upscale b & b that has a room/suite with a patio.

The Affinia 50 (www.affinia.com) and the Kimberly are both suite hotels in midtown (these are all in midtown east including the Pod) that have some rooms with balconies or terraces.

Bottom line, while your dates might be pricey depending on exactly when you plan to visit, the summer is usually a cheap time to come to NYC and you shouldn't have to pay $299 to stay in a nice place.

If you're just looking for a nice place where the 3 of you would be comfortable, the Courtyard Marriott Midtown East often has good prices and has some rooms with 2 queen beds and a sofabed bed (where most rooms with 2 beds have doubles). The Affinia Dumont is another place with 2 queen beds in some of their suites.

I haven't looked at photos of the veranda room, but $299 for a room during summer sounds pretty pricey to me for a budget hotel. If you're enamoured of the idea of a veranda, the Ivy Terrace is a "b & b" (the term is used loosely in NYC and often means a small building which rents several apts. for short stays) that has at least one apt. with a terrace.

1871house.com is another more upscale b & b that has a room/suite with a patio.

The Affinia 50 (www.affinia.com) and the Kimberly are both suite hotels in midtown (these are all in midtown east including the Pod) that have some rooms with balconies or terraces.

Bottom line, while your dates might be pricey depending on exactly when you plan to visit, the summer is usually a cheap time to come to NYC and you shouldn't have to pay $299 to stay in a nice place.

If you're just looking for a nice place where the 3 of you would be comfortable, the Courtyard Marriott Midtown East often has good prices and has some rooms with 2 queen beds and a sofabed bed (where most rooms with 2 beds have doubles). The Affinia Dumont is another place with 2 queen beds in some of their suites.

Hi,

Thank you so much for the input - I will get busy investigating hotels mentioned above.

-msm4