The "Hotel" Marrakech is notorious. Not really a hotel and not really a hostel. It was used as single room occupancy for down and outs paid for by the city - then bought and illegally "rehabbed". If a website has anything to do with this property stay as far away as you can.

Also - train travel in the US is not prctical except in the NE corridor (from DC up to Boston). In other parts of the country trains go few places, run very rarely (1 or 2 a day), are usually very late (freight trains own the tracks and take priority over passenger trains) and move at the speed of a snail. (From Chicago to NYC take 1.5 DAYS by train - and about 2 hours by air. Driving is much faster than train.)

Thanks again, I will start a new thread on train travel when we have more concrete plans. I am not concerned about how long it takes, just thought it would be a nice way to see some of the country side.

Bwino, if you want a dog-walking gig...

Check NeoPatrick's posts about apartment rental at Worldwide Plaza -
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...m#last-comment

I'll try to find his trip report too, but his links should be very helpful

Here's his trip report -
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-york-2008.cfm

Bwino, check Denihan directly for the best deals on Affinia hotels in Manhattan:
http://www.denihan.com/
They operate the Affinia hotels, which are all suites.
I have stayed at most of them and really think they are ideal for your needs.

Starrs, are you looking for a dog walker?

Thanks Tx

Checkout www.apartacus.com

First of all, this is a roommate or sublet service - not for vacationers.

Second - advertising isn't allowed - and that's what this looks like to me.

The editors have been notified.

Ah, Bwino. Train travel in the US is expensive, often disrupted, goes to few places, and doesn't make connections. Please believe us; we wouldn't lie to you. If there were decent (or any) trains here, we would all be taking them.

Regarding the links to my posts about Worldwide Plaza, I'm not sure how that helps. The studio I rent there is only available by a full month (and is pretty much fully booked for the next year -- including next May for my next full month stay there).