Budget "romantical" NYC honeymoon

[barbarabini]

My DS is getting married on Dec 9 up here in NYC. They don't have the time or the funds to do a traveling honeymoon. So, as their gift me and my other sis would like to give them a great NYC honeymoon. They will probably stay 3 days after the wedding and we are going to front about 2000 of it. I want it to be a great romantic NYC honeymoon.

But, I need to see NYC through the eyes of people who don't look out their window and see it everyday. What would you like to do there during Christmastime? Wht would be romantic to you? and What would you save on and what would you scrimp on? any other budget tips for them - that you might have used?

For me, I am there every other day, so its hard to isolate what is great for a honeymoon.

 

[prncess674]

Well a lot depends on if that is 3 days /2 nights or 4 days/3 nights. Thanksgiving through New Year's is high season and hotels are regularly sold out. I would plan on $300 per night with taxes for hotels. If it is 3/2 then you have only spent $600 of your budget, but if it is 4/3 then you have spent almost half your budget on accomodations without stepping a foot out the door.

What is considered romantic is a personal decision. Do they like shows? Are they big foodies and would love the tasting menu at Per Se Restaurant? Are they spa people and an afternoon getting spa treatments at Bliss Spa would be their thing?

 

[disykat]

That is a generous gift. However, if it were me, I'd want my MIL to book the place, maybe make ONE evening reservation for a show, and then hand me some spending money and stay out of it! The idea of my MIL planning my honeymoon is decidedly NOT romantic!

 

[Lewisc]

Broadway show and carriage ride through central park are the obvious choices. Romantic dinner.

2K budget won't go as far as you think.

 

[shoney]

Romance is so subjective. Look at how many people honeymoon in Disney....not a the place I would want for my honeymoon, but for many, many people it is!

It could mean ice skating in central park, walking down the street looking at the window displays, taking the pic in front of the tree, etc...

I would like it if someone bought me the www.newyorkpass.com

You could get a 2 day and then they could pic what they want to do....top of the rock, ESB, musuem of s e x (LOL), food tours, etc....


My husband and I enjoy doing things together, not sitting in a Broadway show next to each other. But others love that!

We also prefer more casual dining over upscale. sitting in a window seat having a great bottle of wine with cheese and small plates is what we prefer.

Just ate at http://www.boquerianyc.com/flatiron.html last week.

and in December we went to http://www.casellula.com/menus.html

Only you know them and what their interest may be. I think a flexible schedule and a great hotel would be important to me. We live on Long Island so I haven't stayed at many hotels in the city...Marriott Marquis (Large and way too crowded for me, but nice) Tribeca Grand (small, funky and perfect for a honeymoon, IMO) are the 2 that stand out...

It is really nice of you to do something so special for them, congrats and have fun planning!

 

[barbarabini]

Edit --

I thought DS meant dear sister. She is my little sister. - we (sisters) are her maid of honor and bridesmaid. (not her MIL ). She has her house put together and doesnt really need or want a shower up here- so we thought we would roll the shower $ into a honeymoon gift.

I couldn't figure out the MIL comment --until just now. I wouldnt want my MIL to do it either.

The budget part comes in on food and tickets/activities -- my guess is around 480-595 per night for their room. I want them to stay somewhere nice. Either Ritz battery park, Waldorf Tower or maybe the NY Palace. I have stayed at all three for a romantic night out.
I think the RC Central park will be totally out of reach.

So, we were thinking appx 1500 on the room and 500 in play $ for them -- or play tickets/ nyc pass something? We are looking for deals on the food or activities.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Cruises leave from the NY area right? For $2K a week long cruise might be possible.

 

[shoney]

Ahhh...sister...LOL!

This is what I would do:

New York pass - 2 days (this will give them access to entertainment for 2 days vs. 1 broadway show)

Metro card with subway map

Visa gift card with the rest of your budget
Make up a book of restaurant recommendations with menus and street addresses for all different types of restaurants...expensive to cheap.

This way they can pick how they want to spend their budget...blow it all on an upscale dinner or scatter it throughout the trip.

Happy Planning!

 

[cornflake]

Agree it depends on what they find romantic.

I think you can find great hotels cheaper than that (I prefer boutique hotels) and would much rather spend the money on other stuff, even if it's $100-150 more a day for other stuff.

But.. yeah, what's romantic to them?

Do they have a fave NYC movie? They can go visit some places it was filmed or that it features.

Are they foodies? They could be people who'd rather spend $500 a day on restaurants (and yes, this is strikingly easy to do), and sleep in a budget hotel they bring good wine and cheese back to.

Do they like theatre? Museums? Boat tours? Little shops, flea markets, late-night coffee shops or wine bars, 'classic' things, etc....?

Please, though, no carriage horses.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Please, though, no carriage horses.

Anyone remember this Seinfeld episode?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rye

 

[rigs32]

Cruises leave from the NY area right? For $2K a week long cruise might be possible.

You are correct.

Are they really getting married on the 9th? That's a Sunday. There are 7 night cruises leaving New York and going to the bahamas for $400 per person (plus taxes and fees probably make it $550 - 600 each) on 12/9.

If they are getting married on Sunday, then that option is out as they only leave on weekends.

 

[prncess674]

While the Ritz Battery Park is a lovely hotel, it is not what I would consider a romantic location. The RCBP caters to business traveler who are working down on Wall Street. I would not stay there for a romantic weekend. Now the RC-Central Park is a lovely location and even the bottom tier rooms are wonderful.