Petri
Reged: 01/19/04
Posts: 1297
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
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I'm looking into returning from the Caribbean through JFK instead of MIA and we could spend a few days shopping around (basic things such as US/CA brand clothes).
We would be flying in and out of JFK, what would be the most recommended neighbourhood/place to stay for such a short visit and very little interest in sightseeing, when Manhattan would be the obvious place?
Petri
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15725
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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I dont know if you know this or not...if you do..disregard....but JFK is pretty far from Manhattan...you can actually get to Manhattan faster from EWR or even LGA then JFK.....I would stay in mid town Manhattan around the holidays..this way you are a short walk from Rockefeller Center and the Christmas Tree and the ice skating rink, all of which are very festive and well decorated...also a walk through FAO Schwartz is very cool around Christmas time as well...a toy store of which none can compare..
cant tell you where to stay though..I have family all over the island so we never stay in a hotel
Edited by Mike R (11/29/05 12:22 PM)
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Petri
Reged: 01/19/04
Posts: 1297
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
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The christmas deco's are a good point for the central area, thanks. Should one expect problems with the weather or does the city function just like nothing happened if it's snowing?
The AA flight from SXM goes to JFK, so cannot change that. The return flight to LHR could be either EWR or JFK, I don't really have a preference. I guess the only think I care about is that we wouldn't get stuck in the traffic on the way to the airport..
Petri
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15725
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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you have far less chance getting stuck in traffic going to EWR from Manhattan then you do going to JFK...you re asking someone about weather and functioning, who lives in a place where 2 feet of snow doesnt even cancel school......so from my perspective they totally freak out when they get a bit of snow and yes everything usually shuts down if it is in excess of 6 inches
-------------------- karma is a beautiful thing at times
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KevinS
Reged: 07/23/03
Posts: 3413
Loc: Boston
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Hotel rooms in midtown Manhattan can be very expensive during December. Expect rates of $400-$700/night at the major hotels. I visit NY on business, and tend to stay at the Hilton NY, which is on Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave) up around 54th St. That would put you reasonably close to many of the stores, Rockefeller Plaza, etc. Another option would be to stay at the Millenium Hilton in lower Manhattan (across from the World Trade Center site) and shop at Century 21 - the prices are much better. There are a number of boutique hotels just below Greenwich Village that come to mind too - the Soho Grand, the Mercer, and the Tribeca Grand are three.
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ashtangi
Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 482
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Going through NYC via JFK beats Miami any day. Don't forget about the JFK AIR TRAIN. Traffic shuts down during snow-not the trains and subways. I would stay in SOHO-the restaurants, cafes, boutiques, insane shopping-tremendous fun. You could stay in SOHO away from CROWDED midtown-take an easy subway ride up to the tree,etc if you want-but I bet you'll love it so much in SOHO-you'll have plenty to see and do. If the traffic is a mess-the train is always there! I agree the SOHO Grand would be well, grand.
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jugghead23
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Lehigh Valley PA
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I highly suggest the Bryant Park Hotel. A few blocks off times square, in a quiet area, overlooking Bryant Park (ice skating rink currently set up). Walking distance to lots of good holiday sights. The rooms are awesome, the bar downstairs is hip and fun and the restaurant/room service is delicious.
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Petri
Reged: 01/19/04
Posts: 1297
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
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Thanks, Bryant Park looks very interesting.
We just returned from the trip last night, the luggage is still on it's way as the flight was delayed in Miami and we were a bit in a hurry at Heathrow -- at 11:05 we left the just landed plane in Terminal 3 and at 11:15 we were sitting on our seats on the connecting flight at Terminal 1. The 10 minutes included a direct car transfer from T3 to T1, escort through the security and ~5 minutes of running to the gate.
If they would have been able to get the luggage on board as well, I would have sent British Airways a personal Thank You letter ;-) You don't really expect such a service in one of the busiest airports in the world.
We skipped Los Angeles (and NYC) this time but flew to San Francisco and visit Las Vegas, Anguilla, St. Barth and Orlando (through Miami). Returning through NYC is an option for the winter trip next year, we will see..
Petri
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