I'm looking into a short term apt vacation rental for a few nights in NYC in early Dec. I found one that is a 2000 square foot loft which says it is located in the Soho/Nolita district. Can anyone tell me about this area? I'm traveling with my mom and elderly aunt. We have no problem taking cabs, etc. but I don't want to stay in a lousy neighborhood. Any advice would be great

That's a young, hip area with a lot of bars & restaurants. I don't think it's best for you & your mom & elderly aunt.

I strongly suggest you find an apartment on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, or the Sutton Place area. Those neighborhoods are more residential and better for your group.

www.craigslist.com

Good luck!

I think it could be fine although it may not have an elevator. 2000 is very large by NYC standards. The area is young and trendy but so what? What website did you see it on and why does it appeal to you?

According to the website, which is urbanlegendny.com it said it had 3 real bedrooms with real beds. Trendy and young is fine with us (I'm not that old and my mom/aunt are pretty hip - from san francisco) so all in all it sounded quite nice. It was also advertised on craislist which is where my cousin originally found it. Also, it did say it had an elevator. Have you ever known anyone that has dealt with this vacation rental company? That is the only thing that concerns me other than that, I like that it is in trendy part of town.

I have never seen this website before (and I've seen a lot of them). Further, I don't see a 3 bedroom apt. at all in Soho/Nolita. I agree that if you're coming for typical tourist stuff you may find getting around inconvenient from there, but I'm more concerned about the renting co. Do you want to provide the exact link? What's your budget?

Do you really need 3 bedrooms? I'd rather stay more centrally located and give up space. I'd also rather have 2 bathrooms, but that's me.

Ask the street address: it could be on the periphery of the neighborhood, and some of those streets are still a bit deserted at night. If you don't mind not being within easy walking distance from a lot of the typical tourist attractions, it's all in all a vibrant neighborhood to stay in, for people of any age! If the weather doesn't cooperate, though, I agree it will be a pain to get around. The apartment looks quite nice, although I too would try to find one with two full baths, instead of the bath and a half this one has. What in particular appealed to you about the apartment. I ask because it is a lot of space that you will not likely utilize that much, assuming you will be out and about most of the day and evening.

I would definitely find out the cross streets and then post here again so we know exactly where the place is and can give a better assesment.

John

Now I'm concerned. What vacation rental companies would you recommend? The website I found was www.urbanlegendnyc.com. I'm not that concerned about location, I'm really looking for a decent 3 bedroom, is that really hard to find? Budget isn't a huge concern, I'm looking for roughly $600 a night.

Whatever you do, stay away from any apartment with the name "woogo" in it:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34811510

When I go to www.urbanlegendnyc.com I just get one of those stupid "link consolidator" pages with random garbage links all over it. It's not an apartment listing site at all. Maybe double check your link? Do you have a link to the exact listing?

Yes, 3 bedroom apts. are rare and not usually available as vacation rentals in decent areas. I was concerned that that website MIGHT be associated with Woogo which has been famously ripping off tourists. But more importantly, imo, that place is not convenient enough for you.

With that kind of budget, I would try to get a suite at a decent hotel where you'll have daily maid service, a front desk, concierge etc. It will be easier for you with an elderly Aunt. You can certainly find connecting rooms if not a 3 bedroom suite.

Try the Regency hotel. They have a family suite.
The Waldorf Towers has 3 bedroom suites (but they're likely pricey but perhaps you can negotiate).
There are a number of suite hotels. Check with the Benjamin. They might be able to put 2 suites together for you.

Another idea is try one of the nicer
b & bs in a townhouse. These 2 are very nice
1871house.com (near Bloomingdales)
wymanhouse.com (upper westside)


Just check on the stairs situation.

I have since seen the apt. you posted about on another website so I feel a bit better about it.
http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...als/11603.html

I'd still want to know more about the location and still question whether this is the best option for you.

I would contact this apt. and see if they would consider renting it short term.
http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...als/23293.html

Here are 2 others I found
http://www.vrbo.com/54031#morephotos

http://www.vrbo.com/91916

$600 a night? Definitely stay in a great midtown hotel.

Enjoy!

Thank you so much, it is good to know what to stay away from. I really appreciate the insight.

I live in NYC and that apartment sounds fishy to me. Stay in a real hotel. You might look into any of the "Suite" hotels and take 2 rooms.

I'm a bit suspicious as this 2000 sqft loft sounds too good to be true. I live in a loft in Soho and know this area quite well. If it truly is in a decent/convenient area, in good condition, a 3-bdrm, with elevator, etc it would cost at least $1,200 a night. I would ask for specifics e.g. address, etc. but I think your best bet is to stay in a hotel. If this is your first trip and you want to do a lot of sightseeing, stay midtown or at least no lower than Union Square.

Enjoy!

Follow up report - this rental was on the edge of SoHo very close to Little Italy. Ir really was a great 3 bedroom, 2000 sq ft plus apt. Highly recommend this website, it was a great location and really nice for the price.

Thanks so much for the follow-up, it's great information and certain to be helpful to others looking for a vacation rental.

Hey, I too have come upon urbanlegendny.com for renting an apt. for 4days.Found it on Craigslist. They also go under the name athomeus.com

this is the place we are looking at
www.athomeus.com/m9_view_item.html

anyway, I've never rented an apt for a vacation and I'm trying to find out if this place is legit.anyone out ther know?

It sounds like jamrave had a good experience, but just double checking to make sure. see if there is anyone else out there with an experience