Maudie, we are leaning that way as well. MaiTai Tom should earn reward points from them:):)

That hotel (the Pines) has a fantastic location. Looks like a great choice. Have fun!

Just see if you can stay away from the Fat Witch brownies at Chelsea Market!

http://www.fatwitch.com/

Maudie: You will enjoy Chelsea Pines! The Wellington? meh, not so much.

Hii guys, thanks so much for all your positive posts!! I really appreciate it.

willowjane, go for it! I really like the idea of a more intimate place to stay with personal service, love sitting around at breakfast chatting with people from all over the world. I think it's one of the bonuses of travelling. We booked a deluxe rooms and still came in under budget. I hope you have read Maitai Toms trip report and look for the link to his blog with photo's - it's a great read.

eks, the location seems to be a winner for many of the things we want to do. Oh boy those brownies could be very dangerous, it's only around the corner too!! Yikes, I can see a few good walks on the Highline to work them off - love the website too! Any more interesting suggestions for the area would be appreciated.

Bowsprit, thanks for your help. Yes, the Wellington just didn't do it for me, all they have is a small double room, no fridge, no breakfast no nothing. We paid $300 more overall and are very happy. They had to pay their's in full, we have only paid one nights deposit too.

There is just so much within an easy walk of the hotel.

I will add more as I think of ideas, but for now, this restaurant is a short walk away and they offer a good lunch deal as well as an "early bird" dinner deal. It is on the ground floor of an iconic contemporary condo building and the walk there from the hotel takes you through some of the most handsome areas of the West Village.

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/perry-street/

This is another reliable restaurant for dinner; also an easy walk from the hotel:

http://www.isodinyc.com/

But really, there are just so many options. I can offer more food advice if you give me an idea of your tastes, price range, etc.

Will you please come back and tell us how you liked your hotel, and your trip in general?

There's a 'Manager's Special' available at the Chelsea Pines Inn through Trip Advisor. It's only valid through March (I know you're going to be in NYC in November) but check back there periodically to see if there's another discount or call them and see if they'll extend this offer. Check on the Chelsea Pines Inn hotel review page on TA.

So glad you chose that Maudie. I am sure you will not be disappointed. Let us know how it turns out. Give Charlie Chaplin a pat for me!

Hi again eks, we like all sorts of food. Indian, Italian, Thai, Turkish you name it. As for price I am really not sure what the prices are like in the US but we certainly won't be doing high end fine dining, we do enjoy mum & dad cafe/local places.

PeaceOut & greynomad, yes I will most definitely do a trip report and report back. Though it's going to be a strange one and which forum to post it on will be the next question. We fly from Perth to Venice for 5 nights then we are on a 19 day transatlantic cruise, Naples, Rome, Florence, Cannes, Barcelona, Casablanca, Azores to Ft. Lauderdale. Then staying on the ship for a week in the Caribbean, back to Ft.Lauderdale, fly to Washington DC for 4 nights, train to NY for 5 nights - very long flight to Singapore so we are having an overnight to sleep and chill out before flying the 5 hours back home.

I have a little black and white kitty too, I will be missing her like crazy by then so I am sure Charlie Chaplin will get plenty of love from me.

Thanks for the heads up Bowsprit, I will check that out right now.

I'm so happy - found Cafe Grumpy a few blocks away for our coffee and a couple of patchwork quilting shops nearby as well. YAY!

I think the couple at the Wellington will be disapoointed. It's HUGE, old, gets lots of tour groups and lots of kids. Location is great but that's about it imo.

Maudie, go to this store if you like fun, funky stuff -
http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,153.html

My favorite store in NYC. I go (and buy something) every time I'm in the city :-)

My umbrella is their skyline umbrella. I'm still checking out those polka dot glasses...

starrs...are you the one who has recommended Fishs Eddy before? If so, thank you! It looks like such a fun store and we have it on our "list" for our trip in May. I just hope I don't find too much to buy and have a problem getting it home!

Probably :-)

They will ship. In fact, it may be better to ship. I think (double check) that you'll save on the taxes on your purchase if you ship to an out of state location. NYC sales tax = pretty high.

Thanks for that tip! Will definitely keep it in mind!

starrs, just love those polda dot glasses but I LOVE the cats even better and those little trays - I can see I will be doing some early Christmas shopping there. Wonder if they ship overseas, as visitors is there any way we can claim the sales tax back? I know we have been able to do this in other places.

mclaurie, yes I totally agree but it was their choice at the end of the day. $$$ ruled their thinking, where as I had $$$ in mind but still like to stay in something that I get a "feel" for, if that makes sense.