Trip to Manhattan
Hi everybody,
I am looking at going to NYC for 1-2 weeks next month, and am looking at places to stay. A hotel in Manhattan is pretty much out of the question, as I'm not looking to pay that much. I've found a hotel in Secaucus NJ, the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, for a good rate. Does anyone know how the commute into Manhattan is from there? What about the cost? Thanks! |
dude. its not that outrageous depending on what part of town you stay. check out this site. they have good rates.
www.manhattanaccommodations.com |
The problem with Secaucus is most of the transport is by bus which can take forever. From this review, I gather there's a hotel shuttle that takes you to a train but it sounds like the shuttle can take a while.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...owlands_Plaza_ See if you can find something affordable at the Hyatt Regency or Doubletree Club in Jersey City. Both of those are near the PATH train(like a subway) that only costs $1.50 each way and is quick and not subject to traffic. Both of those hotels are also 3* Priceline hotels but I doubt you'd get a PL win for that length of time. If you don't need business services and daily maid, you might contact nyhabitat.com or oakwood.com and see if they have an apartment. I'd also try Murray Hill East Suites in Manhattan. |
Have you checked to see if Radio City Apartments have a vacancy? Possibly not, because they fill up quickly (and I booked our room 10 months in advance!) - but the price is reasonable, the reviews are mainly favourable and the location cannot be beat.
http://www.radiocityapartments.com/ |
Metallicat, What's your budget per night for a hotel? Are you opposed to hostels? Not every hotel is the Ritz-Carlton.
You can afford to stay in Manhattan, somewhere, I bet. The convenience of staying in Manhattan versus the money you think you'd save in Secaucus, NJ, is not the lopsided choice you think it is. Going from Secaucus to Manhattan for 14 days would get really tiresome, I think. Maybe not. |
What about a one or two week sublet through Craigslist, or from New York Habitat?
Or are you open to a bedroom and possible private bath in an apartment "share" situation? I see a lot of those on Craigslist. |
Many New Jersey hotels that were bargains in the past are no longer. So adding up the commute time and cost, you will not save any money at any of the convenient locations and the inconvenient ones will suck the life out of you.
Check out The Pod Hotel, The Park South, The Milford Plaza, The Travel Inn. |
Agree to look harder in NYC - have you tried travelzoo and all the other discounters?
IF you must stay in Jersey Meadowlands is not good - since bus transit can take an hour or more in each direction. Stay in Jersey City in a hotel close enough to walk to the train or the ferry or you'll be spending half your vacation sitting in traffic. (And I'm not sure that will really save you money over a budget place in Manhattan - do look at the Pod hotel - once you take into account the cost of the ferry - esp for more than one person.) |
If you can't take a PATH train from NJ into Manhattan, you'll generally pay somewhere between $6 and $10 each way for transport into Manhattan. Consider that in your costs.
If you're staying for a week, look at a hotel in Queens (such as Comfort Inn Long Island City). If you are staying for 2 weeks, you really should look into an apartment; that's really the only cost-effective way to stay that long in NYC. |
Thanks for all the help people. I'll definitely look harder before making a final decision.
I've always been a little iffy on the shared bathroom places. Are there really not that bad? If I can avoid the actual 'hostel' type places, I'll look more into the shared bath accommodations. |
bookmarking
|
don't stay in jersey - if you are coming here...you have to stay here. there are affordable options if you look hard enough. check out craigslist.
|
Some of the shared bathroom places are very nice and often nicer than hotels with private bath. Some places with private baths are real dumps. Some placed with shared bath are dumps too. You just have to do your homework.
Here are some well reviwed, very inexpensive (for NYC), Manhatten hotels covering the full range of prices, amenities, locations, etc. http://www.eurocheapo.com/newyork/ |
i always get blasted for this, but I have stayed in Secaucus and loved it. I have also stayed in Manhattan, and for me personally Secaucus was great! You can check out the website for NJ transit, and get there fares and schedules. I am very much the odd man out on this issue, but if you want to hear more from me, just ask and I will be glad to discuss my experiences.
|
What hotel in Secaucus did you stay at? As I said, I am looking at the Meadowlands Plaza.
|
I have stayed at Embassy Suites in Secaucus and Fairfield Inn. Both very nice...I know Fairfield has the NJ bus stop right in front. I think it took us about 20 minutes to get in and out of the city. When I stayed at Embassy...I was leading a tour group, so I think I had a private bus (due to large group) arranged.
|
did you mention what your budget was per night? I say you have to stay in the city to really enjoy it. but thats easy for me to say, i live here. I would almost cut my trip down to the week to make the time in the city better spent.
|
I check hotel reviews quite often on frommers - they are easy to read. They list several in NYC that might be in your price range. You might try their website
|
20 minutes from Seacus to Manhattan? How? By private helicopter?
|
No I flew by my own wings.
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:31 AM. |