Elvira

the Clarion on 5th and the Clarion on Park Ave are very nice and reasonably priced.

Englishmum

These are reasonably priced too:

http://www.applecorehotels.com/

You can even have your own New York City apartment for the weekend.....there are special rates for January at $99 per night (which is amazing for NYC)

http://www.metro-home.com/

Bob

well late, so probably pointless...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...highlight=free

there's a link there for free venues that you might find interesting...no one else did though *l*

Englishmum

Forgot to mention:

A great way to get from JFK (or Newark) to Manhatten is to use a car service....it actually works out cheaper in most cases than using a taxi and the cars are those nice black limos.

For example, I do voluntary work at Newark and the taxi rate from EWR to Manhatten by taxi is $60-$70 (depending on which part of Manhatten) + toll (approx $9 or $10) + tip.

The car service has a fixed price to anywhere in Manhatten ($40) + toll + tip for the car - it's not charged per person:

http://carmelcarservice.com/ (I've used Carmel myself and recommend them)

also Dial 7 (owned by the same parent company):

http://www.dial7.com/

You can book with both online so there will be a car waiting for you when you arrive at JFK. * I have some coupons for $6 off the fixed price which I can mail to you if you wish - just send me a PM*.

On the other hand you could take the minibus shuttle service at $17 each + tip, or the trains....but it will be longer (the vans call in at various hotels to drop off) and you will obviously be tight on time....how nice to arrive in style, eh?

For 'ground transportation' options to/from JFK:

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jgtsfram.htm

Hope this helps!

Englishmum

Hey Bob - that site

http://www.myopenbar.com

is a great find! I do enjoy having a Sunday brunch with Bloody Mary's, Mimosa's etc... will have to look it up next time I'm going into town. Thanks!

Bob

I wish

Bob

No probs...it's a pretty cool site, been trying to find something similar for Mass, but not really finding the same thing.

AvromShalom

I hd dinner at the Brick Lane curry house last month and let me say it was great..

tonrob

I'm going there this weekend for the lunch buffet - can't wait! (slobber)

Englishmum

So am I LOL! I was talking about it with my Aussie girlfriend (also a curry lover) so we're going on Sunday


Is anyone a chocoholic? You can actually get 'shots' of hot liquid chocolate (approx $1 a shot) at City Bakery near Union Square (just off Fifth Ave at 18th Street).

The chocolate shots are amazing. City Bakery is well-known as it's been featured on 'Sex in the City'.

http://thecitybakery.com/index2.htm

I like going to 'Republic' (a couple of blocks away from City Bakery) at Union Square for a quick, cheap tasty eat costing about $6-$10; it's mainly SE Asian food, mostly noodle dishes (Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian etc.) where everyone just sits casually along long tables - the sort of place where you end up chatting with your neighbour about the food....

http://gonyc.about.com/od/atozindex/gr/republic.htm

http://www.thinknoodles.com/

Partystar

Sorry it took so long to reply, but it's been hectic with Mum here. Thanx for all the info, I've cancelled our booking with this hotel & booked another one, we will now be staying near Central Park (The NY Helmsley), it's a bit more expensive, but I'd rather not risk getting bed bugs.

Are you still able to meet up with us? I'm really looking forward to it!

Partystar

You're absolutely right, but I've heard stories of bed bugs getting into people's suitcases & then being taken home & infesting their houses. Even if this is a bit far fetched, it's not something I'm willing to chance, with our luck, it would happen to us!

Partystar

We arrive Friday, January 26th at lunch time & leave Sunday night (28th). Will you be there then? I'd love to meet up!

I had a superb birthday, a long weekend of crazy partying debauchery!

Partystar

I called about the apartments, but with 3 of us, it came out to be quite expensive, it would have been perfect if it were just the 2 of us, so maybe next time. Thanx for the info.

gruffbrown

If that's the Midtown Helmsley, it's a nice hotel.