Ask me anything about New York and Manhattan (NYC)

[fugazi11]

it's a crazy day at work today but i'll try and get to this before the weekend
I wouldn't mind doing some research on this topic anyway

if you wanna look in the meantime, this is a FANTASTIC resto blog for 'NYC
http://eater.com/

great thanks. I have been on chowhound a lot but will check this out as well.

[geronimo]

This is your best resource for cheap hotels, travelling, etc.The admin lives right there in Hoboken, NJ, has stayed at many hotels in the area, and knows everything!

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=250& (New Jersey)
http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=254& (New York)

[CoffeeAddict]

for fine dining I recommend reading up on the NYT food blog which Frank Bruni contributes to. Frank Bruni's stars are considered more important in NYC right now than the vaunted Michelin stars. The Michelin one star list in NYC is pretty arbitrary it seems and the 3-star list hasn't changed in at least 3-4 years i think.

One place I can recommend that sort of uses Asian ingredients is the Michelin 3-starred Le Bernardin. It's a seafood driven, classically French technique resto but to leave it at that wouldn't be doing the resto justice.

You can spend a small mint there but you can also get the City Harvest menu which is only $40 and proceeds go to charity. Here's what it looks like as of today:

CITY HARVEST MENU
($40 per person - $5 donated to City Harvest)
FLUKE
Slivers of Fluke; Chinese Chive Buds, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lemon
***************
COD
Sautéed Cod; Broccoli Rabe, Chorizo Oil and Roasted Garlic Cream
***************
MILK CHOCOLATE
Light Milk Chocolate Mousse; 'Cinnamon Toast' Ice Cream, Maple Crème Anglaise, Honey Wheat Tuile

[fastmiele]

This is your best resource for cheap hotels, travelling, etc.The admin lives right there in Hoboken, NJ, has stayed at many hotels in the area, and knows everything!

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=250& (New Jersey)
http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=254& (New York)

going down on May 20-23, but not really having much luck on priceline. Tried originally at $130 and ended at $170 for 3*
Also tried 2* up to $150.

Don't really want to go any higher, after all the taxes and such its more than $500. Is there anything better I should be doing ? I have no idea how these people get 4* for something like $164 a night. I don't think I can sit on the computer everyday and hope to eventually get lucky. Any tips/advice ?

[CoffeeAddict]

you're basically no going to get a better price at this point until May 14th-19th.
either that or you're gonna have to stay in jersey
NYC books up fast... you have to book EARLY to get a guaranteed good price

[cs942008]

I will go to "Flushing Queens" New York in May 24 ~ 27 Long Weekend ..

Could anyone told me any reasonable hotels for 5 ppls? (2 rooms)

Thanks

My budgets should be around $150 or less per night per room.

Please suggest

[fastmiele]

you're basically no going to get a better price at this point until May 14th-19th.
either that or you're gonna have to stay in jersey
NYC books up fast... you have to book EARLY to get a guaranteed good price

darn, that's what's I was afraid of.

Do you think I can get a 2* in the $150 range ? I don't know if its wise for me to hold out and try to snag a deal in the last minute and risk me going to NY with no hotel/residence reservation.

I just need a shower and decent/clean place to nap at night. The rest of the day I will be out exploring the city.

[access]

Hi, I'm wanting to see the show "Wicked the Musical" in New York. All the tickets on ticketmaster seem too expensive for my student budget. I went to the tkts website and its says that this show has never been listed with them which means it's a real popular show I guess.

Would anyone know of any discount codes or promotions I can take advantage of?

Thanks!

[geronimo]

going down on May 20-23, but not really having much luck on priceline. Tried originally at $130 and ended at $170 for 3*
Also tried 2* up to $150.

Don't really want to go any higher, after all the taxes and such its more than $500. Is there anything better I should be doing ? I have no idea how these people get 4* for something like $164 a night. I don't think I can sit on the computer everyday and hope to eventually get lucky. Any tips/advice ?

Did you try the Princeline bidding tips on those forums? There is a certain strategy that you should use, adding "zones" after each attempt, and changing your bid price. Also, sometimes some dates and bad and just won't yield any good results. That happened to me last year when I only had reading week off during the summer and no matter what I tried I just couldn't get anything for a reasonable price on Priceline. If Princeline doesn't work, I would suggest you try Hotwire.com

[socrates84]

What's the cheapest way to get to New York from Toronto for two people? Flight? Driving? Bus?

[fastmiele]

Did you try the Princeline bidding tips on those forums? There is a certain strategy that you should use, adding "zones" after each attempt, and changing your bid price. Also, sometimes some dates and bad and just won't yield any good results. That happened to me last year when I only had reading week off during the summer and no matter what I tried I just couldn't get anything for a reasonable price on Priceline. If Princeline doesn't work, I would suggest you try Hotwire.com

I did the reviews betterbidding.com of how to add zones and lower the star rating. It didn't really work out too well, I was still boxed out in my price range of $150-$200.

For Hotwire.com, a lot of people recommend it and that the price is really cheap but when I go on there it seems the prices are fixed and pretty high (in Manhatten).

[CoffeeAddict]

I tried looking for deals o nthis as well and this was like 6 months ago or something. I don't think you're gonna find many deals
on the plus side, wicked might make another appearance in toronto! well you can always hope anyway :P

edit: except i see you're in van so that doesn't help you much

Hi, I'm wanting to see the show "Wicked the Musical" in New York. All the tickets on ticketmaster seem too expensive for my student budget. I went to the tkts website and its says that this show has never been listed with them which means it's a real popular show I guess.

Would anyone know of any discount codes or promotions I can take advantage of?

Thanks!

[CoffeeAddict]

I'm gonna suggest three things
1) typing "manhattan hostel" brings up quite a few decent looking places for you to stay in manhattan for less than $50 if you're willing to go dorm style. You can get reviews of many many hostels here: http://www.hostelworld.com/

2) stay in Jersey. Anywhere in jersey that's 4* will put you within striking distance of manhattan and within reasonable distance to public transport

3) check craigslist.

I did the reviews betterbidding.com of how to add zones and lower the star rating. It didn't really work out too well, I was still boxed out in my price range of $150-$200.

For Hotwire.com, a lot of people recommend it and that the price is really cheap but when I go on there it seems the prices are fixed and pretty high (in Manhatten).

[fastmiele]

What's the cheapest way to get to New York from Toronto for two people? Flight? Driving? Bus?

Cheapest may not be so cut and dry, it depends on what you value more (convenience, time or money) ?

If you value convenience the most then car may be the way to go.
If you value time the most then airplane may be the way to go.
If you value money the most then bus may be the way to go.

If you are talking pure dollar amount then take those Tai Pan or Safeway bus tour to New York.

[fastmiele]

I'm gonna suggest three things
1) typing "manhattan hostel" brings up quite a few decent looking places for you to stay in manhattan for less than $50 if you're willing to go dorm style. You can get reviews of many many hostels here: http://www.hostelworld.com/

2) stay in Jersey. Anywhere in jersey that's 4* will put you within striking distance of manhattan and within reasonable distance to public transport

3) check craigslist.

Thanks for the tips. I don't mind dorms, but I am bit concerned because I will bringing my camera gear and camcorder stuff. I don't want to have to keep my head on a swivel.

I am considering staying in jersey, but I think i will only go that route if I cannot get a decent deal in Manhatten. I will be visiting some relatives in Manhatten and planning to go to a Yankees game so I don't want to be travelling back around Jersey late at night.

Its too bad, what I am ideally looking for is a hotel coupon/discount/code for Manhatten. I don't really care too much about ameneties. All I really need is a safe and clean place to sleep at night. So if I can get a 2 or 3 star hotel in Manhatten in the $150 range then I will just suck up the bill. There is a time to save and there is a time to spend.