Sheraton on Hudson - Weehawken
 

I am hoping someone can help me. My step-mother and I are planning a trip to NYC in early December and we are thinking about staying at this hotel. Our question is how hard it will be to get around to various tourist attractions from there? I know they have a ferry right outside the hotel that goes to W 38th St - what is the best thing to do after that? Do the Waterway buses run regularly to Times Square, Statue of Liberty, etc? If so, how much do they cost? Also, which airport is most conveneint to this hotel?

My father passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago and we know the holidays are going to be hard so we decided we needed something to look forward to and this trip sounded like a good idea. BUT we are nervous about getting around. Any other hotel suggestions would be appreciated too. I know it will be a busy and expensive time to visit.

Mom4Payton, don't worry, the busses from the NY Waterway Ferry terminal at 38th street run frequently and are easy to take to get to many points of interest in NYC. Here's the link to the bus info at the NY Waterway site http://www.nywaterway.com/commuter_bus.html for more detailed info.

There are shuttle busses that run throughout Weehawken on the NJ side as well, although I believe your hotel is only a short walk to the ferry.

Newark Liberty International Airport is the most convenient by far. Laguardia or JFK would be a hassle, as both are on the opposite side of NYC.

If I'm not mistaken the ferry in front of the Sheraton does not run on the weekends-you will have to take a hotel shuttle bus to the NJ ferry terminal a mile away that does run weekends. I'm not sure I would want to shuttle-ferry-bus-taxi around in the cold. Even with the easy 38th St. ferry terminal buses.
If NYC tourist sites are your focus you may want to reconsider and stay in NYC, flying into JFK or Laguardia. Yes, it is an expensive and busy time but there are so many beautiful things to see and do in NYC, perfect solace for a sad heart. Consider the Fitzpatrick Manhatten hotel-good location, friendly staff. Or try the Mayflower hotel by Central Park.

Before you book that hotel, check with www.hotels.com for prices on hotels in the city. There are some deals available that you might find interesting, that way you will spend more time siteseeing and less time traveling.

If you are going to be here over a weekend, I would be happy to play tour guide if you would like to see some of the city, please let me know.

I lost my Mother not long ago, she actually lived with us here in NYC, moved up from Florida and we had a great time showing her the city.

My opinion only, but when I want NYC Manhatten activities- that is where I stay, not in NJ with the hassel of communting- added expense and time. I went 4 times last year and it is far more convenient for me especially with my theater priorities. If looking for basic lodging consider HOJO and Days Inn on 8th or the Super 8. Keep track of pricing trends as they change frequently - easy to cancel and rebook. Then easy access to subways and only a long block from Times Square, walkable to most theaters etc. endless meal options. Just better overall all for me.

The first two weeks in December are the busiest for NY hotels, so book now if you want to stay in NY. You can expect to pay around $400 per night for a standard room in the better hotels. The Sheraton in Weehawken is all suite and their ferry runs on weekdays every 10 or 15 minutes beginning around 6 a.m. until 9:30 at night. The Port Imperial ferry runs until around 1 a.m. & the Sheraton bus meets every ferry on weekends. I think it would be easier to get around NY by staying there as you can get the (free) bus at the terminal & they will drop you whereever you plan to begin your day. For the return, you can pick up the bus on any of several cross-streets.

Whatever you do, have a good holiday. It's a great time to be in NY.

While I normally wouldn't endorse staying outside the city, I think this doesn't sound like a bad idea. That will be a very expensive time to stay in Manhattan. You will likely have wonderful views of the skyline from Weekhawken and it sounds like the bus service should work fine, but you should read the reviews on tripadvisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ew_Jersey.html

Thre is mention of the ferry costing $5 each way and it was unclear to me whether that was all the time or just for the weekend ferry. I guess the only issue to think about, not knowing how old your step-mother is, is what happens if you want to rest during the day? It won't be so easy to go back to the hotel for a nap or a rest and then come back for the evening. I'm not sure what, if anything, there might be within walking distance from the hotel for dinner if you decided not to go back to the city.

I would just suggest checking prices for some of the hotels downtown NYC maybe near the South St. Seaport and the financial area to see if there are any deals. Make sure to check for seniors (assuming she qualifies) and/or AAA or whatever discounts you can. At least if you're in town you could get in a cab or a bus.

Good luck and condolences to both of you on your loss.

mclaurie - The ferry is the NY Waterway Commuter Ferry. The fare is $5.50 each way all the time. It's a quick, efficient way to get to the city, and the free busses on either side are convenient as well. www.nywaterway.com
(are you coming to Budman's GTG on 10/30?)

I'm not familiar with the hotel other than it's location, but I'm sure it is a cost savings over staying in Manhattan, especially at such a popular time of year.

Just thought of another good feature..there are several restaurants nearby including one in the hotel (I think it's the Spirito Grill); a Ruth's Chris and Houlihan's a few steps away; and a Chart House and PF Chang a short (cab/shuttle) ride away. There is also a restaurant, Arthur's Landing, steps from the Port Imperial ferry. Just a few suggestions if you decide to return to the hotel before dinner. I've stayed at the hotel- all suites, very spacious and free breakfast in the a.m.

t- I was under the impression, obviously wrong :), that the weekday ferry right at the hotel was a courtesy thing and thought the weekend ferry that requires a shuttle bus from the hotel might be the one that cost $5. As I understand what you're saying, there's a commuter ferry M-F that happens to be right at the hotel and then the Port Imperial ferry works for weekends and BOTH have a $5 fare.

No I'm sorry I won't be able to make the GTG on the 30th. :((

Aha - Have no idea about a courtesy ferry. I just assumed OP meant the NY Waterway.

Will miss you at the GTG...all other local Fodorites - Please try to come!

The Imperatore's (family who own NYW) don't extend any courtesies - all their ferries are $5.50 each way! They also own several of the neighboring restaurants.

But that Lincoln Harbor ferry is very convenient if you're a guest in the hotel. Another (cheaper) alternative is the NJ Transit bus, stops right outside the hotel & goes directly through the Lincoln Tunnel. 15 min or less into Port Authority.

Mom4payton,

I've stayed at the Sheraton and it will be a truly "no hassle" way to stay close to things. I've also stayed in Times Square and that it also easy. The ferry info is correct and in fact even when I stay in Manhattan or just visit for the day, I always park and take the ferry over. It's that conveneint. The buses are parked right outside the ferry building and are free.

The NY subway is also VERY conveneint once you get familiar with the routes you want. Have a blast!

First of all, thanks to everyone for all of your help!

I neglected to mention in my original post that I have stayed at this hotel before but I was with a tour group on a bus so I didn't have to worry about transportation. So the hotel itself is not an issue - just "getting around" by ourselves.

I looked at the NY Waterway site but I'm still not sure if I understand. Let me see if this is right....On weekends we will have to take a shuttle bus (provided by the hotel) to the ferry terminal about a mile away because the hotel's terminal is closed. The ferry costs $5.50 each way and will take us to 38th street where we can catch the Waterway buses to points of interest in the city. Then on the return to the hotel everything will be reversed. Is that correct?

If so, do the Waterway buses cost money too or are they free? How do I know where and when I can catch them at the various locations?

Thanks again!

I believe all of NY Waterway's shuttle buses are part of the cost of a ticket. While there are some public bus routes that connect to the Ferry that do charge, I don't believe this to be the case with your hotel.

You do have other options, btw, with that hotel. If you walk about five minutes from the hotel towards's Blvd. East, you can catch one of several buses that run into the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The stop next to the Exxon station (and caddycorner on your return) is the last/first stop on the NJ side for bus route 126 or the Academy Bus to Hoboken.

Regarding Hoboken, should you find yourself downtown NY and you want to return to your hotel from there, you can take the PATH to the Hoboken terminal and either take that 126 Bus, or a cab. The cab will probably run no more than $6 for the two of you.

Yes you've got it! The waterway buses are free, you just jump on coming straight off the ferry. There are stops all over Manhattan the bus driver will giv you a few suggestions of where to catch a bus coming back. We normally just catch one across the street from where we got off. I think they run every 10 or 15 minutes, it's never been a very long wait anyway.

All the NY buses are free, included in the cost of the ferry. The buses run along 34/42/50/57th Sts, west to east & back east to west all day, every 15 minutes. There is also a downtown bus; or from the Port Imperial terminal, a downtown ferry.

Again, thanks to everyone for all of your help! We have booked this hotel for December 2-6. We will be flying in to Newark. How much should we expect to pay for transportation to the hotel and how long will it take to get there from the airport?

I live in Hoboken about 5 minutes from the Sheraton and have usually paid about $38 to $40 (which includes tip) from Newark Airport.

However, the rate can differ depending on the number of bags/passengers. It is a flat fee set by the Port Authority so you will know the cost before you set foot in the cab. Using a taxi from the airport is usually the easiest way.

In terms of time, it really depends on the time of day you arrive and your drivers familiarity with some of the ways around traffic and the routes they know. As you're arriving on a Thursday, you might hit some traffic into the city if you arrive during the evening rush. With moderate traffic, figure 30-40 minutes. With heavy traffic, it could be up to or longer then an hour.