Has anyone stayed at Affina Manhatta in NY?

[CJ2001]

Hi

We are looking at spending 4 nights in New York and have been looking at accommodation & its so expensive. I have found 4 nights at the Affia Manhattan for around $1100. Was going to book it as I havent seen anything cheaper than this in this location. The special requires payment straight away and cannot be cancelled or changed.

My question is has anyone stayed here before and should I wait until I have booked our flight before I book accommodation? We have booked our flights to the US and back but not internal ones.

 

[FireflyFi]

I haven't stayed at the Affinia Manhattan but I did stay at the Affinia 50 two years ago. I loved it. I booked a one bedroom for me and two girlfriends and it was very comfortable. The room was huge (I've lived in smaller one bedroom units in Australia!) the beds were very comfortable and the friend who slept on the sofa bed was happy. The bathroom was small (for three early 30's women) but manageable and the kitchen was pretty ancient (the plate in the bottom of the microwave didn't even turn) but from memory it had a full sized fridge and basic cutlery to get us by for breakfast and the odd leftovers. The staff were really friendly and helpful. We loved the location. It wasn't in a touristy area, so was pretty quiet, but there was a subway at the end of the block and a couple of supermarkets just around the corner.

I can't comment on whether you should book now or not. I don't know what dates you're looking at, but I'm guessing you're getting a discount for booking early..? Only you would know how likely it is your plans have to change - but if you're worried about flights, have a look at how many options you have to getting into NY from where you're coming from (I would assume plenty..?)

 

[bswift]

I stayed there but it was in 2010 before they renovated. We loved the location, there were lots of great restaurants around. We had a 1 bedroom unit and we liked having a kitchen to make breakfast/snacks. Can't comment on what the rooms are like now but they do look nice in the photos. From memory we had to pay for internet which is always annoying. Odd how cheap motels have free wifi but the expensive ones charge for it!

We've also stayed in the Liason Capitol Hill in DC which is run by the same chain and we really liked it there too.

 

[FireflyFi]

We've also stayed in the Liason Capitol Hill in DC which is run by the same chain and we really liked it there too.

This is good to hear, I'm planning on staying there in November

 

[CJ2001]

I haven't stayed at the Affinia Manhattan but I did stay at the Affinia 50 two years ago. I loved it. I booked a one bedroom for me and two girlfriends and it was very comfortable. The room was huge (I've lived in smaller one bedroom units in Australia!) the beds were very comfortable and the friend who slept on the sofa bed was happy. The bathroom was small (for three early 30's women) but manageable and the kitchen was pretty ancient (the plate in the bottom of the microwave didn't even turn) but from memory it had a full sized fridge and basic cutlery to get us by for breakfast and the odd leftovers. The staff were really friendly and helpful. We loved the location. It wasn't in a touristy area, so was pretty quiet, but there was a subway at the end of the block and a couple of supermarkets just around the corner.

I can't comment on whether you should book now or not. I don't know what dates you're looking at, but I'm guessing you're getting a discount for booking early..? Only you would know how likely it is your plans have to change - but if you're worried about flights, have a look at how many options you have to getting into NY from where you're coming from (I would assume plenty..?)

Thanks, the Affina 50 sounds good will check it out like the idea of it not being too noisy.

Is it better to fly into Newark airport or JFK? Sorry another question - do you know of any good transfers from airport to hotel?

 

[CJ2001]

I stayed there but it was in 2010 before they renovated. We loved the location, there were lots of great restaurants around. We had a 1 bedroom unit and we liked having a kitchen to make breakfast/snacks. Can't comment on what the rooms are like now but they do look nice in the photos. From memory we had to pay for internet which is always annoying. Odd how cheap motels have free wifi but the expensive ones charge for it!

We've also stayed in the Liason Capitol Hill in DC which is run by the same chain and we really liked it there too.

Thanks good to know you were happy with it, the website atm says if you book on Affina website you will receive free wi-fi and $50 credit for wine - sounds good to me!

 

[bswift]

This is good to hear, I'm planning on staying there in November

If you're only staying a couple of days in DC, I recommend looking into the hop on/hop off bus. Normally I would just use public transport or walk to get around but in DC it really was worth it. Also the hotel is walking distance to Union Station, which has some really nice restaurants. Diagonally across from the hotel is a little deli which has sandwiches, sushi and I think pasta as well. We just grabbed milk and cereal from there for breakfast.

 

[bswift]

Is it better to fly into Newark airport or JFK? Sorry another question - do you know of any good transfers from airport to hotel?

Airport will probably depend on who you fly with and where you're coming from. Southwest flies into EWR and LGA. Both LGA and JFK have bus services into Grand Central (and onto Penn Station which is closest to the Affinia but I believe you have to transfer to another bus to get there). I think LGA is the cheaper shuttle, it's around $25 return. Depending on how many of you there are, it might be easier just to take a cab. If you take a shuttle, remember you need to tip the driver when he gets your suitcase for you at Grand Central. I have flown from EWR but I was staying in NJ and got a lift so I'm not sure about the shuttle options there.

 

[CJ2001]

Airport will probably depend on who you fly with and where you're coming from. Southwest flies into EWR and LGA. Both LGA and JFK have bus services into Grand Central (and onto Penn Station which is closest to the Affinia but I believe you have to transfer to another bus to get there). I think LGA is the cheaper shuttle, it's around $25 return. Depending on how many of you there are, it might be easier just to take a cab. If you take a shuttle, remember you need to tip the driver when he gets your suitcase for you at Grand Central. I have flown from EWR but I was staying in NJ and got a lift so I'm not sure about the shuttle options there.

Thanks, yeah we didn't tip the shuttle we paid for in San Francisco we were trying to locate where our wallets were he got impatient & took off!