Just got back from a great trip - I thought I would post a few observations and comments.

Arrived at JFK around 2.30pm on Dec 29. Lucky to be upgraded! Cleared immigration pretty quickly and then into a cab - no queues. 45 minutes to Greenwich Village. We stayed at the Abingdon House Guest House. Really quiet location given it actually faces onto 8th Avenue and very comfortable. No meals but we had breakfast at the Bus Stop Diner 2 minutes walk away.

Dinner that night was at Grano Trattoria. Fun family atmosphere and great lingunine alla vognole. Early to bed as jet lagged.

On Thursday were awake early so after breakfast took the subway up to Upper West Side to browse around Zabars. Subway worked really well. From advice on this board we bought a MetroCard (easy) and with the aid of a plastic pop up map navigated our way round the subway with ease. It also felt much safer than we were last in NYC about 10 years ago - no beggars and all very unthreatening.

we then walked across Central Park to the Met. Were in at 11.00am - no queues but by the time we left there was a big queue to collect coats - is there no better system than this? We only did the Impressionist art which was great splendid collection of Van Goghs in particular. Had a quick peek at the tree and left for lunch at a neighbourhood cafe.

We then hit the 5th avanue big shops and had a frustrating time buying nothing. I have a theory about shopping - you identify target, parachute in, acquire and leave. Barneys had some nice stuff in the sale but not my size. Begdorffs layout I found spectacularly frustrating. Later in the week we did Saks - just right!

Dinner at Gotham Bar and Grill - exceptional. Food well prepared, immaculately presented and we were looked after well.

Friday we went to Loehmans on 7th (?) Avenue. Loads of bargains and quiet - no tourists like us! The onto Century 21 - loads of bargains and tourists! Suitably drained by all this we did the Staten Island ferry trip around sunset - wonderful views and completely free.

Dinner was a disappointing meal at Paradou. Indifferent food, staff who didn't care, temperature either too hot or too cold and extraordinarly uncomfortable seats. Hey ho. My partner had come down with a cold so no extravagant New Year's Eve celebrations.

Beautiful mild morning next day. Got to Moma around 10.30. No queues (but same vexatious time collecting coats at end!). What a fantastic place. Started at the top which was probably right as the more accessible Picassos, Matisses etc are up there. Wonderfully designed building - a work of art in its own right. Had lunch at Cafe on second floor. Only a small queue and food arived quickly - we were impressed.

Subwayed up to the Ralph lauren place on 5th (?). What are they trying to achive there? English country house meets gentlemen's club? From my earlier comments it may ne no surprise that I bought nothing. Then Had a lovely walk down 5th Avenue in the sunshine doing a bit of shopping. Thought we might try the Empire State Building so took a cab - huge queue. Gave up and went to Soho instead. It was closing up for the afternoon but still a great vibe.

Dinner at a tiny Spanish place called El Charro Espagnol - great seafood tapas and paella.

Last day. Went to Empire State Building for 11.00. Had pre-purchased tickets so joined line. Didn't realise most of the line was inside. Kept thinking "let's quit" when the line moved. Stuck with it and got there after almost 2 hours. Great views but unforunately had clouded over.

Took subway down to Soho for another browse then brunch at Mesa Grill. Loved the food and beautifully presented but indifferent service - maybe because we were late in.

Finished off with a walk around West Village then back for cab pickup at 5.00pm Took an hour back to the airport.

Upgraded again - truly a miracle!

Home - jet lagged - zzzzzzz

Hope this helps someone - apologies if I've waffled.

Very nice report Diz. Would you say more about Abingdon Guest House for the record? What was your room like? How was the service? Did you have daily maid service etc? Nice furnishings or dusty/musty? Did it feel like a hotel, inn, someone's home? Would you go there again?

Diz01 - Nice report.

Where did your flight originate from and any reason given for the upgrades?

I also would like to hear a bit more about the Abingdon Guest House - which room were you in? Any comments on the Brewbar Coffee Bar that is on this premises. Would you stay there again?

Thanks for posting and sharing your thoughts.

Sandy

Thanks Mclaurie and SandyBrit.

Abingdon gets daily maid service although none on New Year's Day - they left us extra towels in anticipation. Was clean and smelt fresh with comfortable furnishings, large bed, TV, telephone, good heating and bath with shower. It did feel that a redecoration may be due and house keeping wasn't perfect (eg broken bulb in bathroom light). Our room looked out on a very small patio area but as there are other buildings close behind you had to stick your head out of the window to see the sky!

There isn't really a reception as such and no concierge. Didn't see much of the management - probably a combination of us being out most of the day and it being holiday season. However they are on the end of a phone and when we had a problem one evening they turned up within 15 minutes. They will look after your bags on the day you leave.

Forgot to mention the cockroach (v small I'm told) that came out of the bath tap and diappeared down the plug hole one evening! I gather roaches are an endemic issue in NY.

Would we go again? Maybe. We spotted a couple of other places on our travels around the area that we might investigate but for the price it suited us fine. We always struggle with city hotels; NY in particular seemed expensive for what you get and I don't like large impersonal hotels with lots of facilities I never use.

The Brewbar Cafe is 3 doors down from the guest house. It is your typical coffee bar with cakes/muffins etc and seating for 8-10. It was closed New Year's Eve and Day and we were up before it opens (8.00am) on our 1st day so we never used it other than to check in.

Upgrades? Serendipity I guess! One was an emptyish flight; the return was allegedly due to a mess up on seat allocations.

Thanks Diz. Would you share what price you paid?

Diz01

Appreciate the detailed response. We go to NYC often because our son lives there and we try different places. Love The Inn on 23rd Street where we stayed last time.

May I ask where you are from?

Thanks again.
Sandy

Mclaurie - I can't recall the price - they have details on their website - www.abingdonguesthouse.com

SandyBrit - we looked at the Inn on 23rd but decided we preferred the West Village as a location especially for restaurants within walking distance which proved to be the case. I live in the UK as is probably evident from time of posting!