Hotel Pennsylvania

Hi going to be staying in the above hotel for 6 nights in August, was just wondering has the hotel improve lately as was talking to the reception to request renovated rooms and she said all rooms were renovated.

Also just thinking whats the best trips to do ie sightseeing to get the best out of new york

thanks

Hotel Pennsylvania

Hiya Redchick remember me from the Livigno Forum Dont know anything about the Hotel Pennsylvania as I have never stayed there have been to NY twice so can give you the benefit of my experience have cut and pasted some info that I have put together for friends of mine who went which you may find helpful.

New York

Probably the best way to travel into Manhattan after your long flight is by taxi. There are plenty of yellow cabs available the rank is just outside the door in the arrivals hall at JFK it is well sign posted. The price is fixed ( from memory $55 dollars not including tip) but the taxi controller will tell you. A tip is expected.

You may be approached to travel in an unlicensed taxi these are cheaper but do not be tempted they are unregulated and it can be dangerous to travel in them.

Getting around New York City

New York is very easy to get around. Taxi’s are very cheap, the subway is also an excellent system although be careful if travelling at night. Its probably best not to.

You will do a lot of walking. Advisable to take a couple of bottles of water with you. The grid system is easy to follow. The Avenues run vertically 1 to 9 from East to West and the streets run horizontally.

Tipping

You are expected to tip in restaurants bars hotels standard is 10/15%

Tours

It is very worthwhile to do the red bus tour. The tour departs from Times Square and has plenty of pick up drop off points along the way. There are plenty of agents in times square selling the tickets they will most likely approach you!. There are three tours the Uptown Loop, Downtown Loop and The Brooklyn Loop. You can do one or all three, however you will see everything of interest in the downtown loop. We bought the ticket for the 3 tours but only managed to do the Downtown and Brooklyn Loop. There was very little to see in Brooklyn – it is just another neighbourhood.

Chinatown and Little Italy are worth seeing – Chinatown is very crowded and a bit seedy mind your belongings best avoided at night. Little Italy is beside Chinatown and is full of Italian restaurants and shops.

Liberty Island / Ellis Island

This is also well worth doing we did not stop on Liberty Island as it is really just a small park. You can no longer climb the Statue of Liberty – the only way to do this is to apply on the website as you need security clearance. Ellis Island is well worth a visit you can do an audio tour or there are also free guided tours. The ferry departs from Battery Park you will pass this on your Red Bus Tour. There are excellent views of the harbour from the ferry.

For a free trip on the harbour take the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park it takes about 40 minutes each way to cross and is Free, the views of Manhattan at night are really good from the ferry

S and the City Tour – We did’nt do it but spoke to some people who did it is a good laugh and very enjoyable. You will get details on the Internet or in the Times Square visitor centre.

Empire State Building – On 34th Street just down from Macys

Get there Early as it gets very crowded as the day goes on. The viewing gallery is open until Midnight.

Rockerfeller Centre.

You can climb this also – by Lift! It is less busy than the Empire State and is not as high but still gives excellent views of NY you can see as far as Jersey. It is $17 to go to the top. There is an outdoor skating rink in the centre of it you can hire skates if you are not too tired from walking!

St Patricks Cathederal

On 5th Ave and well worth a visit particularly on Sunday Morning

Times Square

Probably best viewed at night although it never gets dark here with all the neon. Well worth going to the top of the Marriot which has a revolving bar and offers spectacular views of NYC. It is expensive but worth the experience. All of the major networks have studios on times square and if you are down there early you will see the breakfast show on ABC. The TKTS booth is also located adjacent to Times Square on W46th St where you can get half price tickets to Broadway shows. Tickets can be bought for that days performances only and they will not have tickets for every show but will have a list up of the shows they are selling tickets for. The booth opens at 10 am for tickets for the Matinees afternoon opening times vary some days it is 2pm and others it is 3. Don’t be put off by the long queues as the queue moves quickly also if the show you want to see is running longer than 6 months you will more than likely get a ticket. It is cash only no credit cards accepted..

Times Square Visitor Centre

Located on Times Square the visitor centre will give details of all the events and places to visit while you are in New York. You can get discount vouchers for theatre tickets with between 25%-40% off the price might be useful if there is a particular show you would really like to see and cant get tickets from the TKTS booth . You can have your photo taken here free of charge and if you go out onto times square within 5 minutes of your photo being taken you will see yourself on the billboard outside!.

Ground Zero

Its really just a building site now. The church behind it is well worth a visit, it is a museum to 9/11 this is where the rescue workers were fed and slept during the rescue operation. The scorch marks from the firefighters boots can still be seen on the seats

Century 21 department store is next door.

Central Park

Well worth taking a tour around it the buggy ride is $40 for 15 minutes and is a rip off as you only see a tiny portion of the park you can take a tour with a guide on a bike (rickshaw principle!) for $40 for an hour much better value – probably best to do this on Sunday as no traffic is allowed into the park and it is quieter

South Ferry Sea Port

Very nice harbour area with lots of restaurants and some markets

Phoning Home.

Hotel prices are expensive International phone cards can be bought at newsstands. They are also useful for phoning to book restaurants etc.

Shopping:

5th Avenue is full of shops although they are expensive – best value is in the sales

Macy’s

You will need a day at least to get around Macy’s it has 9 floors and takes an entire block. When you get there go to the visitor centre with your passport and you will get a discount card which will give you 11% off your purchases. The visitor centre is on the 1st floor.

It is advisable to take a couple of bottles of water with you when you go shopping. The shops are air conditioned and are very hot.

Century 21 – Located at Ground Zero they call this new yorks best kept secret! Clothes are heavily discounted with up to 75% off in some cases. They have an excellent shoe department. Go early as it gets very busy – no matter what time you go you will need to root to find what you want!!. Although the shoe dept is well organised

The shop is directly opposite the World Trade Centre- worth a look for historical value. To go to the area take the N or R subway(yellow line) and get off at Cortlandt Street subway stop which comes up directly at the store!

There are good discount shops located around Union Square, Filenes basement is worth a look good value but again you will need to root! There is a good Filenes on W79th - Get the subway to W72nd street and it is about 4 blocks down, there is also one around Union Square

Outlets

Jersey Gardens – Located approx 45 minutes outside NY on the bus It is open 10 to 9 daily and 11 to 7 on Sundays. You get the bus from the Port Authority Bus Station, tickets must be purchased prior to boarding the bus. Show your passport at the customer service desk located at the entrance to the Mall and get a discount book which will mean even more savings There is great value here particularly in Hilfiger, Gap, Ralf Lauren Polo, Nautica, American Outfitters, Clarks Shoes, Saks Fifth Ave, Nike, Reebok, Samsonite. I would’nt bother with the non designer shops as there is a lot of rubbish in most of them. Beware of the Pickpockets – Quite a lot of teenage groups hanging around they wont bother you but you will be aware of their presence.

Woodbury Common

You can get a bus from The Port Authority (check times online) I would rate Jersey Gardens much better than Woodbury – also you have to pay sales tax in Woodbury as it is in New York State there is no tax payable in Jersey and also no tax payable or in the city (provided your purchase is less than €130)

Bring a suit case with wheels with you if you are going to the outlets it is great for holding all your shopping – don’t worry you will see plenty of people with them!!

Eating and Drinking

Diners are very good value – avoid area around times square for eating as it is expensive. Good restaurants on 8th and 9th Avenue between 46th and 57th streets . Try citysearch.com and you will get good restaurant recommendations around the area you are staying.

Greenwich Village is an excellent place for eating and drinking - nice to walk around too - we eat here 2 of the nights and it is very reasonable much more so than downtown manhattan. Take a taxi it should cost no more than €10 or take the subway and get off at Christopher Street The Pesce Trattoria on Bleecker Street (cross street Christopher St) is probably the best Italian food I have tasted anywhere. There are lots of small restaurants pubs and jazz clubs in this area.

Novelty value - visit the Magnolia Bakery (S and the City!!).....fab fab cupcakes... ...have to be tasted to be believed....wonderful....its in Greenwich Village - 401 Bleecker Street - and the area around the shop is a nice place for a walk round....

Hotel Pennsylvania

Hi Red Chick..

I stayed there about 12 months ago and I can honestly say I will never ever stay in that Sh*t Pit again... I was told the rooms were renovated also.. It has a great location alright if thats what your looking for..

Best way of seeing NYC is to walk it! Get the subway down to the where your going and walk back up.. I lived there for a little while and I loved to walk the different areas of the city..

to see the statue of liberty and Ellis island etc the Circle Line ferries are good.. You get those at battery park..