I have 6 people coming in from Mexico for Christmas, and they all want to go to NYC for a couple of days. So, we will arrive there early on Monday 12/27 and depart late on 12/28. One night in a hotel, there will be 8 or 9 of us. Three rooms will work since one (or two) is my daughter, one is my brother-inlaw and sister-in-laws daughter, and their two boyfriends.
When my wife and I went in May we stayed at Times Square (a Saturday night), but found that there were cheaper specials available that night at good hotels due to not selling all of the rooms.
So, I wanted to ask-being the monday after christmas, I would imagine that there would be plenty of rooms available throughout Manhattan. We will all buy subway passes, so we can pretty much go anywhere. Any recommendations? Should we reserve now or wait until we get there and see what is availabel? I reckon we will al,k be traveling light. Times Square would probably be best, but not if it is going to be overpriced.
Christmas Week in New York
I wouldn't count on hotels being either available or cheap during the holidays, but you could luck out. Christmas time in NYC is a big tourist draw, and you could get locked out of any good hotels.
I have noticed the "Comfort Inn Theater District", 343 W. 44th Street, which is between Ninth and Eighth Avenues, which opened last year....I haven't stayed or been inside, but it looks clean and it's convenient. One block to the subway, two blocks to Times Square.
Marseille restaurant right on the corner for a good French bistro meal, 5 Napkin Burger around the corner for, well, burgers, sushi and more.
We stayed at the "Milburn" on West 76th Street off Broadway recently (a friend won a contest including a night's stay, dinner and a show)....a bit far to Times Square (quick subway ride), not first class, but serviceable.
Lots of the mid-range chains (Hilton Garden Inn, Four Points, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn etc.) have spots in the Garment District and Flatiron District, if you can be a bit away from Times Square.
Bedbugs?
Are they really a concern or is the problem overblown?
Bedbugs?
Bedbugs are everywhere, not just in the Big Apple.
Chances are if you have an old mattress in your house, you too have bedbugs. Just because they haven't taken a bite out of you doesn't mean they are not there.
Change your sheets often enough and you won't have any problems.
If you want real pizza though..get on the metro-north train (New Haven Line)..get off in New Haven..quick taxi ride down to Wooster Street...heaven.
Bedbugs?
For what it's worth, the "bedbug problem" has become the crisis de jour in the NY Metro area.
Scarcely a day goes by without some mention of it in the media. There are entire branches of extermination businesses popping up, with specially trained sniffing dogs, heat treatments, cold treatments, etc., etc.
How much of a problem this really is (as opposed to a chance to make a quick buck here and there) is anybody's guess. There have been bed bug scares in Toronto, San Francisco, New Hampshire, Milwaukee, Paris and dozens of other cities this year. Almost every college town has it's stories (they always did, but this year they are a bit more believable).
They apparently found bedbugs at the Waldorf-Astoria (a woman is suing for several million dollars), so I it doesn't matter so much about what grade of hotel you wind up in.
Nahhh, Save the Fare.......
Just take the R train down to Whitehall Street. Get off at the front of the train (Stone Street), head east to Adrienne's, 54 Stone.
Order the "Old Fashioned", maybe with sausage and onions if you want to jazz it up.
(Although, for comparison purposes, Frank Pepe from New Haven, has opened what is reportedly a faithful recreation up in Yonkers, just north of the City line. Sally's is staying put, down on Wooster Street, for the time being.)
Bedbugs?
A local exterminator here told me that he has seen a huge increase in bedbug infestations in the last few years, particularly in apartment buildings. I don't recall that he mentioned hotels, but it would make sense.
Wikipedia: bedbugs says
In the developed world, bedbugs were largely
eradicated as pests in the early 1940s, but
they have seen a resurgence since about 1995.
[Due to] DDT in the 1940s, bedbugs almost
disappeared in western countries
[causes of the resurgence] complacency, increased
resistance, and increased international travel
being seen as contributing factors.
Bedbugs?
I have a fool proof bedbug prevention plan. I just stay away from the $H!t eating ones and I am OK 😉
Nahhh, Save the Fare.......
Wow! You guys are really into pizza!
It's the Perfect Food
It contains all the major food and nutritional groups in the food pyramid..
Pizza has grain, i.e., the crust. This is a rich source of carbohydrates which the body uses as fuel for its everyday function. The grain food group is also a good source of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for maintaining normal body processes. The pizza crust is also a source fiber, which is very necessary for maintaining the function of the digestive system.
Pizza has protein, i.e., the meat in the toppings. Pizza can have pepperoni, Italian sausages, ground beef, ham and other meats. Some pizzas can even have chicken, veal, or lamb. These are rich in protein, iron, and vitamin D, among many other vitamins and minerals.
Pizza has dairy, i.e. the cheese. While mozzarella is the norm, some pizzas have cheddar, feta, gouda, or other varieties.Cheese, is rich in calcium and protein.
Pizza has fruit, i.e., the tomato. Like many nutritious fruits, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and other minerals. It is also a good source of lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent cancer. Greek-style pizza has olives; Hawaiian-style has pineapple, another good source of vitamin C. Some Asian style pizzas have mandarin orange. There are even pizzas with avocado, which is a good source of essential fatty acids that increase the level of good cholesterol in the blood.
Pizza has veggies, i.e., more toppings. A pizza can have garlic, green peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, cabbage, lettuce, and other greens (bell peppers, zucchini and eggplant, which are actually fruits).Vegetables are rich in calcium, beta carotene, iron, and other vitamins and minerals.
Pizza has essential oils. Pizzas usually have olive oil, which is known to be very good to the heart. Other types of oils may also be present depending on the type of pizza.
If you are looking for a quick meal that is complete and healthy, then you may as well be eating a slice or two of pizza.
