Getting a deal on a nice hotel in NYC

[dr&momto2boys]

Keep us posted on the hotel! The Intercontinental is new...hmmm

You had me excited for a minute, but I don't think this is the hotel I got. My reservation said "Queen room" and the Intercontinental doesn't seem to have any.

I'm kind of regretting this choice already and I don't even know what it is! I settled for a Queen bed when DH and I would have slept much better in a King! Man, the one chance we have of sleeping through the night (without kids) and I blow it!

 

[bamor]

Dinner suggestions for your DH's 40th:

21 Club
Bar Americain
Joe Allen's
Le Bernadin
Balthazar
Otto
Buddakan

 

[5forDiz]

DH & I & family are often in NYC work or school related & for entertainment; we usually take our car because it is just more convenient to do so from our home here in southernmost boro but parking can be very expensive; a bus tour is probably a more sensible way to tour or of course you can get around easily on public transportation.



TS area it is easy to walk to a number of places of interest. Highly recommend Top of The Rock, especially at sunset or after dark; you can make reservation for time frame online, last admission is usually around 11pm. Also there is art of Rock Center tour too ( haven't done it, but it looks interesting ). Channel Gardens, St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Radio City has behind the scenes tour. Try this link for info on all

http://www.rockefellercenter.com/index.php/section/2

Uptown MOMA, Guggenheim, Central Park and if you really want to venture way up city north The Cloisters is very impressive/beautiful.

Statue of Liberty is easy enough to do without a guided tour; would recommend getting there first thing in morning as it tends to get very crowded as day goes on. Or you can take round trip on Staten Island ferry & get a look at Liberty as it sails past ( Staten Isl. is our home town but unfortunately at its ferry landing there really isn't anything of interest unless you want to catch a game of the minor league Class A team of the NY Yankees.

Broadway shows : never pay full price unless you are set on seeing a particular show; we've gotten amazing seats at 50% discount via TKTS ( TS booth is for same day tickets only; if you plan to visit South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan/financial district the TKTS booth at Seaport has tickets for same evening AND tickets for the next day's matinee performance )

http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56


Eats: omg where to begin ? We love Little Italy Puglia's, Benito's & Ferrara's for pastries but you really can't go wrong with any sidewalk cafe for dessert; in Greenwich Village well, as most places in GV these are small / crowded but that's the charm of GV - Panchito's for Mexican & Rincon De Espana & La Lanterna di Vittorio (they serve a light menu of Italian & pizza, panini but we go for cappucino & dessert) steaks Old Homestead, Palm or if you can get over to Brooklyn the famous Peter Luger's; we are also huge fans of Bobby Flay's places Bar Americain and Mesa Grill. In TS John's Pizzeria (theyre in GV too) and although we haven't been there in awhile we very much enjoyed The View Restaurant atop Marriott Marquis, it rotates full 360 each hour & it's lounge too if you're just interested in desserts or drinks

http://www.theviewny.com/#

HTH a bit, feel free to pm me if you've got any questions.
Sounds like a wonderful adventure, enjoy
~laura

 

[Freyja]

I´m wandering whether the hotel you got might be the Roommate Grace?

 

[aboveH20]

Since you're into "touristy" I second the vote for The View at the Marriott Marquis. Food is good, the "ride around NY" is fun.

Sadly, Tavern on the Green closed last year (fortunately after we went there for my son's birthday) otherwise that was a great touristy one. I assume it will eventually be reopened by someone.

I usually take the train to NYC and would love to stay overnight, but it's cheaper for me to take the train home and go back again the next day. I'm making notes about some of the places people are recommending and may splurge and stay overnight. When I went for my son's college graduation we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express near Grand Central. Price was okay, it included breakfast bar, and I really racked up hotel points after a three night stay at NYC prices.

 

[krcit]

You should take your hubby to see Rock of Ages. 40 is the perfect age for the show. They usually have it at TKTS

 

[bamor]

OP
I hope you come back and tell us what you got!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks for ALL the suggestions! I love all the help!

The hotel I got was................ Distrikt Hotel

I guess it was a good rate. ($159) But not great. I could have booked it outright on a a couple of sites for $179 to $199. They quote $279 on their website. I'm going to ask for a room upgrade when we get there. *fingers crossed* Overall I'm happy with my decision I guess. I was stressing over my choices and I'm sure I would have booked something around $279 if I hadn't done this! I haven't really researched the hotel a lot, but the few reviews out there look mostly good. Now I can spend the money I saved on entertainment and food.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Has anyone stayed at the Distrikt Hotel? I'd love the inside scoop!

Still researching things to do in New York. I like the idea of eating at The View. It just seems cool that DH won't even know he's going to New York on the morning of his birthday and then actualloy be sitting in a revolving restaurant overlooking NYC that night. I'll keep looking at other options though. Planning is half the fun! It's killing me that I can't mention any of this to him!

 

[bamor]

The Distrikt is pretty new, check out trip advisor.
How about the iconic 21 Club for dinner, Top of the Rock to view the city then onto The View for dessert?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

The Distrikt is pretty new, check out trip advisor.
How about the iconic 21 Club for dinner, Top of the Rock to view the city then onto The View for dessert?

Wow! That sounds awesome! You have great ideas!

What should we do the afternoon we get in? We are supposed to arrive at 1:10pm. I figure we check-in first. I don't know what we'll have time for? We'll need some time to get ready before dinner too.

I'm thinking about taking a five hour tour at 8:30am on our full day there. The one I'm looking at has a tour guide that gets off the bus at each stop and including a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty.
Tour

I'll look into a show, maybe Rock of Ages. DH is NOT a theater lover, but maybe he'd like that?

We'll have to pick another restaurant for that night too.

That's about it I guess!

 

[bamor]

I am living vicariously through you as my 40th quickly approaches, LOL

If it were me, we would grab lunch along 9th Ave (Hell's Kitchen) or a quick snack or slice of pizza, then walk....
Walk around Times Sq, Bryant park, the NY Public Library, 5th ave, St Patrick's Cathedral back around Rockefeller ctr (whatever you have time for) then back to hotel to get ready (plan on a later dinner)

The tour sounds like a good plan but early
We've never done a tour, so I can't help you there. www.tripadvisor.com has great suggestions, especially the NYC forum. You might have some luck on finding the right tour on there.
Best of luck

 

[krcit]

Wow! That sounds awesome! You have great ideas!

What should we do the afternoon we get in? We are supposed to arrive at 1:10pm. I figure we check-in first. I don't know what we'll have time for? We'll need some time to get ready before dinner too.

I'm thinking about taking a five hour tour at 8:30am on our full day there. The one I'm looking at has a tour guide that gets off the bus at each stop and including a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty.
Tour

I'll look into a show, maybe Rock of Ages. DH is NOT a theater lover, but maybe he'd like that?

We'll have to pick another restaurant for that night too.

That's about it I guess!

Rock of Ages is all 80's rock. It is not your typical Broadway show...check out the website or even youtube to see what you think. I loved it and have seen it twice so far and will go back. Jersey Boys is by far my favorite show ever. If your DH likes Frankie Valli music, he will like it. It's kind of like Goodfellas the musical Another idea is a comedy club, they are always a great time. Have a great time. I'm excited for you!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I am living vicariously through you as my 40th quickly approaches, LOL

If it were me, we would grab lunch along 9th Ave (Hell's Kitchen) or a quick snack or slice of pizza, then walk....
Walk around Times Sq, Bryant park, the NY Public Library, 5th ave, St Patrick's Cathedral back around Rockefeller ctr (whatever you have time for) then back to hotel to get ready (plan on a later dinner)

The tour sounds like a good plan but early
We've never done a tour, so I can't help you there. www.tripadvisor.com has great suggestions, especially the NYC forum. You might have some luck on finding the right tour on there.
Best of luck

I appreciate the help because I'm clueless on the planning!

I was thinking of the 8:30 tour because we're early to bed (usually--though we'll stay up later to have a good time on his birthday) so we won't stay up partying too late or anything plus want to make the most of our time in NYC!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Rock of Ages is all 80's rock. It is not your typical Broadway show...check out the website or even youtube to see what you think. I loved it and have seen it twice so far and will go back. Jersey Boys is by far my favorite show ever. If your DH likes Frankie Valli music, he will like it. It's kind of like Goodfellas the musical Another idea is a comedy club, they are always a great time. Have a great time. I'm excited for you!

I'll wait until we get there and give DH the choice of Rock of Ages or a comedy club. Good idea! Thanks!

 

[Robinrs]

I'm joining in because I'm looking for a nice midtown hotel to take my son to for his 18th bday. I was born and raised there but never did the tourist or hotel thing so this is all new for me!

Oh how I DREAD being the tourist I used to HATE!

Great ideas in this thread so far. I'm looking at the Marriott and the Manhattan Centre Hotel. If anyone's stayed there, let me know!

I can't wait to show my kid that there is actually a WHOLE town of people like ME!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

So here's what I'm thinking so far...

Get in early afternoon. Check-in and try for an upgraded room. Explore Times Square and possibly grab a snack. Get ready for Dinner. Even though the 21 Club sounds cool, the menu wasn't much to my liking (mostly seafood.) Would I be making a mistake to go to Bar Americain instead? The menu looks great! Then Top of the Rock, then The View for dessert and a drink? (I don't need reservations for the lounge, right?)

Sounds like a cool 40th birthday to me!

The next morning early tour (8:30am.) Gotta make the most of our time here!
This will be a 5 hour or so guided tour...

Getting out at all of the following stops:
•Times Square
•World Trade Center Site
•New York Stock Exchange
•Wall Street
•Trinity Church
•World Financial Center
•Federal Hall
•Madison Square Park
•Flatiron Building
•South Street Seaport
•US Customs Building
•5th Avenue
•Rockefeller Center
•NBC’s Today Show Set
•St. Patrick’s Cathedral
•Central Park
•Strawberry Fields
•Dakota Building
We also see the STATUE OF LIBERTY up close from the Zephyr boat cruise. The stop at Madison Square Park gives you the best photo opportunity in the city for the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.
See the following attractions from the comfort of the shuttle (we do not stop at these):
•Ellis Island
•Central Park Zoo
•Tiffany’s
•Brooklyn Bridge
•St. Paul’s Chapel
•Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
•Hudson River
•East River
•FAO Schwarz
•Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
•Chrysler Building
•Woolworth Building
•Met Life Building
•Trump Tower
•Plaza Hotel
•City Hall
•Washington Square Park
•New York Public Library
•Greenwich Village
•SOHO/Tribeca
•Macy’s
•Herald Square

At some point we need to go to TKTS and get tickets to Rock of Ages or decide to go to a comedy club this night.

We can pick one more place for dinner. I'm still researching that. We may have some time in the afternoon after the tour to spend more time somewhere. I'm thinking we'll figure out what we want to do while we're taking the tour.

Is there anything I'm forgetting?

We leave early the next morning so It'll be breakfast (maybe a bagel at a nearby deli?) and go to the airport.

Still open to suggestions/comments.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I saw your itinerary for your husband's bday. The restaurant you picked is nice, but very expensive. Have you looked into any in Hell's Kitchen area or this one, (we really enjoy it a lot, never had bad service or food - the cheese platter and gelato's are too die for!!)

OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria
1 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY
Phone: 212-995-9559
www.ottopizzeria.com

 

[bamor]

Sounds like a great plan!!! Bar Americain should be great!
I really do not think you have time to stand in line at the TKTS booth.

Try www.broadwaybox.com for discounts to purchase tickets ahead of time if you really want to see a show.
If not just wing, it. Ask at the hotel for a rec.
How about Becco for dinner? All you can eat pasta trio?
Lots of good places in Hell's Kitchen along 9th near your hotel.
Pizza? John's Pizzeria is good.

www.menupages.com in the west 40's and 50's to look at menus near your hotel.

Have a great time!!!

 

[5forDiz]

So here's what I'm thinking so far...

Get in early afternoon. Check-in and try for an upgraded room. Explore Times Square and possibly grab a snack. Get ready for Dinner. Even though the 21 Club sounds cool, the menu wasn't much to my liking (mostly seafood.) Would I be making a mistake to go to Bar Americain instead? The menu looks great! Then Top of the Rock, then The View for dessert and a drink? (I don't need reservations for the lounge, right?)...

I'd go with Bar Americain, don't think you can go wrong with it & it has great city vibe/ambiance, also it puts you in close proximity to Top of the Rock & The View. This area overall tends to be busy even during evening hours so do call for reservation at Bar Americain and Top of the Rock too. I don't recall a reservation being needed for lounge at The View but you might want to give them a call just to be sure. If you find you need to eliminate either Top of the Rock or The View because of time constraints then I'd skip Top of the Rock and go with The View for dessert & drinks. The View would be better choice for celebrating and you'll still have a good look at the city at night ( in fact, going to both Top of the Rock AND The View may be redundant ).

I don't think you will have time to wait the line at TKTS so I agree with previous poster who recommends broadwaybox and you might want to check out theatermania or playbill too for discounted seats.

Best wishes and enjoy