Planning a NYC trip

[Martin]

I'm planning a trip to Nueva York this fall - my first to NYC, and my first to America (America!). I'm currently browsing around for good flight rates, and decent (inexpensive, clean, and so on) hotels. I'll probably be there around October 10, for about a week. The NY Film Festival is on then, which gives me a legitimate reason to go. I'm flying solo.

Rather than bumping Richard's thread (too late!), I guess this is as good a place as any to ask for advice - hotel-wise, food-wise, to do-wise, etc. I'm obviously not completely in the dark, but if anyone's got something to share, please do.

Cheers

[Gregory]

I don't know know much about hotels, but I would shake your hand

[buffcoat]

Crimestick,

I don't know about the hotels in Sweden, but if you are used to standard European hotels in Germany, France, etc., prepare for a treat.  American hotel rooms (even in NYC, where they tend to be smaller) are ENORMOUS compared to typical European hotels, and even American-style European hotels.

One such "American-style hotel" I stayed in was the Achat in Monheim-on-Rhein, Germany.  Any room where I can touch both side walls at once is NOT an American-style hotel, baby.  On the other hand, the late-shift desk clerk was absolutely beautiful.

[Richard_From_CHI]

Clearly you haven't visited NYC's not so finest hotels where being able to touch all 4 wall easily is not so difficult.

[Laurie]

Ouch. The Flatotel hiked their rates again. Okay, next time, I'm staying at the Library Hotel... for $489 per night. OUCH.

[buffcoat]

Richard,

Clearly, baby!  First class all the way.  Or second.  Or whatever.

In NYC I've always stayed on the client's dime.  But American hotels in general - I mean, a $30 room in Omaha or Tucumcari or a $100 room in Jacksonville or Memphis is a freaking palace (space-wise) compared to even the nice hotels I've stayed in in Europe.

[erika]

Crimestick -- I highly recommend the following food-type activities:

- Endulge in Fondue (or a "Chocolate Syringe" or Chocolate Sandwich) at Chocolate and the Bald Man (you can get this late night. I had it at 1AM after the Galifianakis show in Feb.)

- Eat a peanut-butter filled jalapeno at El Parador in the Village

- Get Tea and Mac N Cheese (or Scones if you want to go more traditional) at Tea and Sympathy

- Check out the noodles at Republic by Union Square

Also -- of all the museums, my favorite is the Whitney. Definitely check it out.

[Martin]

Thanks guys, keep em coming.

Buffcoat - Sweden has way better standard of living than England, Germany and most of continental Europe (ie plumbing, bathrooms, isolation, "fresh & clean", etc). Size don't bother me much, but I need things to be fairly clean. No rats or roaches, preferrably.

With any luck I'll trick a friend to come along, which will radically change my hotel plans, as I'll be able to move up a notch - I hate the fact that double rooms are about the same rates as singles.

[buffcoat]

Thanks guys, keep em coming.

Buffcoat - Sweden has way better standard of living than England, Germany and most of continental Europe (ie plumbing, bathrooms, isolation, "fresh & clean", etc). Size don't bother me much, but I need things to be fairly clean. No rats or roaches, preferrably.

With any luck I'll trick a friend to come along, which will radically change my hotel plans, as I'll be able to move up a notch - I hate the fact that double rooms are about the same rates as singles.

Yet another reason to visit Sweden.  It's on my list!

[Jason]

I had some good luck sub-letting apartments on craigslist. I got a dingy room in an apt block on like 12th and Ave A (I think), the owner was some crazy French soprano but it was only. For about 80 a night I got a nice studio apt all to myself with cable and a stereo, on 8th between B and C.
However my dad got a pretty shit deal when he tried to do the same.

These seem like a pretty good deal, especially if there are two of you.
http://www.furnishedquarters.com/location_list.php?region=New%20York%20City

I'll meet up and hang out with you if I am free. Bring me Swedish punk 7"s.

[jed]

Yet another reason to visit Sweden.  It's on my list!

My wife and I just got back from a short vacation in Stockholm and we loved it. It is an amazing city, supper clean, beautiful, really good food and affordable. Oh, and everyone was happy to accommodate  my American hubris in not knowing a lick of their language.

[Martin]

It's on! I just bought my plane tickets, and made some hotel reservations. Three nights at Park 79, two nights at the Pod Hotel, and two nights with friends.

[Laurie]

By the by, The Flatotel's rates mysteriously went down again. It ranges from $300-something to $420 a night, which is cheaper than the Library Hotel. The Flatotel, therefore, wins. Bigger rooms, in walking distance to MOMA, and the R train is a short block away. Winner.

[LostInReno]

I went to New York once to sing and I stayed at the Hyatt on 42nd it was huge

[Emily]

By the by, The Flatotel's rates mysteriously went down again. It ranges from $300-something to $420 a night, which is cheaper than the Library Hotel. The Flatotel, therefore, wins. Bigger rooms, in walking distance to MOMA, and the R train is a short block away. Winner.

and if you're going to the MOMA, you'll need those extra $