Need some help from all you Long Islanders

[Kitts21]

My daughter has a gymnastics meet coming up the first weekend of June. It is being held in Deer Park. We are going to be driving down from western NY and staying a couple of nights at a hotel. We had booked at the Windgate in Brentwood to start with, but we had heard this is not the best area. So we switched over to the Hampton Inn located in Commack. Any insite to either of these hotels or others that might be good. We would like to keep it under $150/night, and be in a decent area. Thanks

 

[KATHINOWA]

I would also look into the Marriott or Hilton in Melville. They are a little further than Commack but have pools. There is probably more food options nearby as well.

 

[Kitts21]

Wow, really thought we had some more Diser's from Long Island on the boards. Guess I was wrong. Thanks Kathi for your advice. Anyone else feel free to chime in.

 

[fraggle551]

I agree with the other poster, the Hilton or the Mariott in Melville. I would definitely stay away from Brentwood.

We have a Long Island thread here, try posting there for some more opinions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2537703

 

[LexiC123]

I grew up in Deer Park and the out of town guests who attended my wedding stayed at the Hampton Inn, since it is the closest hotel property to DP. *Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that the wedding was 20 years ago, LOL.*

That said, I can't comment personally on the conditions of the rooms, but from what I can see, the reviews on TripAdvisor, Travelocity and Expedia are decent, giving it 3 out of 5 stars. Not spectacular, but not a dump, either. I can tell you that the hotel is in an area that I am very familiar with and consider to be quite safe. The hotel itself is just off exit 52 (Commack Road) of the Long Island Expressway, so it's convenient in that you won't have to navigate all sorts of ancillary roads to find it. The property is across the street from a residential area and adjacent to a large shopping area that contains stores such as Costco, Target, Marshalls, Home Goods, Wal-Mart and Kohls. There is also a Starbucks and a diner within the immediate area, as well.

I'm not sure where your gymnastics meet is, but from the street the hotel sits on - Commack Road - it's a straight shot to Deer Park, about 4 miles south. *There's also a Tanger Outlet Center located on this same road, in Deer Park, in case you have some down time. There are restaurants and a movie theater in the complex, as well as the shops.*

The other hotels mentioned - the Marriott and the Hilton - are also nice properties, located along a more commercial route that is dotted with lots of businesses and retail stores. It's a little bit further away (about 8 miles west of Deer Park, at Exit 49 of the Long Island Expressway), but would only add about 10 minutes to your travel time. Their ratings are also in the 3-star range, and their room prices are about $30 more per night...although I did see a special on Expedia for the Marriott that includes breakfast for 2 in the price. Definitely food for thought!

If you need any more specific information about the area or directions, I'd be happy to help.

 

[crazyme5kids]

The Marriott and Hilton, both of which are located on Rt. 110, can be a little hard to find, at least in my opinion. I don't remember what is right around the Hilton, but I do know the Marriott isn't the best location as far as restaurants or things to do go.

There is a Marriott Courtyard and a Fairfield Inn also on Rt 110. If either of them get good reviews, they might be a good option. Right next door is a Hoolihan's, Chipolte, Panera Breads and a Chili's. I was just over there today, and if memory serves, a Walmart is right there too (I wasn't paying attention I guess). Across the street is a movie theater. A one minute drive down the road there is another movie theater. Where this theater is, you will find an Italian restaurant and a Dave and Buster's. Across the street is a diner. Down the road is an amusement park.

There is also a movie theater not far from the Hampton Inn. It is near where the Costco and Target that was mentioned is.

 

[collegejunkie]

there is also a four points by sheraton in plainview, which is the exit right after melville i believe (48?).

 

[Jennasis]

The Island has changed so much since I moved away 8 years ago, but yes STAY AWAY FROM BRENTWOOD.

Good luck to your DD at the competition! Very exciting!

 

[crazyme5kids]

there is also a four points by sheraton in plainview, which is the exit right after melville i believe (48?).

That exit is west of Melville (just so the OP has a reference point), but I think that wouldn't work as well for them.

I wanted to add, the village of Farmingdale is very close to where the hotels I mentioned are, maybe a five minute drive (turn where the diner is). There is a train station there if you want to get into the city. There are also a bunch of restaurants in the village.

OP I'm not trying to stear you to those hotels, I must sound like a salesperson, just trying to give you as much jnformation as I can. I was over there yesterday, so it"s all freash in my mind.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Another vote for staying closer to 110. It's enough activity that you'll be able to pop out for dinner and the like.

Where's the meet in Deer Park? I could probably get you totally lost with shortcuts to get there quicker.

 

[woodkins]

You would be fine at the Wingate. Yes, Brentwood is not a "great" neighborhood, but that hotel is right off the service road of the LI Expressway and is not IN a neighborhood so to speak, it is practically in Commack also to give you some perspective. You literally get off the main road and pull into the parking lot.

I am guessing you are competing at New Image in the Heartland complex. Both my parents work in that office complex and my daughter went to that gym for a while. Both hotel and gym are off of main roads and you would not be driving through any shady areas as you get right on and off the expressway or Sagtikos parkway.

The Tanger Outlets in Deer Park are a few blocks away from both and have gorgeous shops and lots of restaurants (both quick service/fast food and sit down). Deer Park Avenue and Commack Road are also close and offer a variety of food choices in safe areas.

The Wingate is much closer to the gym than the hotels in Farmingdale and Commack, so I would stick with that.

 

[njmom47]

We stayed at the Hampton Inn off LIE exit 57 for a baseball tournament. That might be a little farfor you but it was reallly nice (as are all the Hamptons we've stayed in). There is a Dave and Buster's as well as a Walmart and movie theatres.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

The Wingate will be fine-it is right off the service road - I guess the address is technically Brentwood, but it is not really considered Brentwood. Hampton in in Commack is fine as well-just a little older. Commack is a very nice upscale community.

 

[Kitts21]

You would be fine at the Wingate. Yes, Brentwood is not a "great" neighborhood, but that hotel is right off the service road of the LI Expressway and is not IN a neighborhood so to speak, it is practically in Commack also to give you some perspective. You literally get off the main road and pull into the parking lot.

I am guessing you are competing at New Image in the Heartland complex. Both my parents work in that office complex and my daughter went to that gym for a while. Both hotel and gym are off of main roads and you would not be driving through any shady areas as you get right on and off the expressway or Sagtikos parkway.

The Tanger Outlets in Deer Park are a few blocks away from both and have gorgeous shops and lots of restaurants (both quick service/fast food and sit down). Deer Park Avenue and Commack Road are also close and offer a variety of food choices in safe areas.

The Wingate is much closer to the gym than the hotels in Farmingdale and Commack, so I would stick with that.

Yes we are competing at New Image.

I have another question if I may. Is Old Bethpage Village worth a stop? It looks like it could be an interesting stop.

 

[2girls4me]

Yes we are competing at New Image.

I have another question if I may. Is Old Bethpage Village worth a stop? It looks like it could be an interesting stop.

. Honestly, no. Not worth it. If you want to take a drive, go down to the nautical mile in Freeport. Tons of great seafood restaurants.

 

[woodkins]

Yes we are competing at New Image.

I have another question if I may. Is Old Bethpage Village worth a stop? It looks like it could be an interesting stop.

My dd8 LOVES Old Bethpage Village. It is a restoration village that uses actual buildings that were located all over Long Island in the 17 & 1800's. The great part is the workers in the village dress and take on the roles of the villagers at that time. When your kids visit the general store they can see items that were there at the time and purchase period toys and candy. If they go to one of the houses, the "mother" living there will give them a broom and tell them to sweep the porch as this was a chore the children would have.

There is a one room schoolhouse and you will be given a lesson, a slate to write on etc.

We visit at least once a year & I highly recommend it.

As for the Nautical mile...to me it is a very crowded row of restaurants and loud bars. Fun for a night out with my friends of husband, but not really a place to hang with your kids for the day. My dd would be over it within an hour & Freeport is as bad a neighborhood as Brentwood LOL.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Another vote for Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Another place I like to go is the Carriage Museum of Stony Brook. You could go there and then head over to Port Jeff. (Port Jefferson village) for shopping/browsing and have a bite to eat. Also, if you go over that direction, visit the Saint James General Store.