Gary Lewis

Thanks! thereuare Wouldn't mind just asking a couple of questions:- 1. Flying in to / out of JFK. I'm planning to get the fixed rate airport taxi service to the WTC station where I can then connect to the PATH which will drop me just outside the hotel. Is this the way to go in your opinion for a reasonably painless transfer? I know I could get the taxi all the way there, but I guess that would be a lot more expensive. Might consider it for the way back to the Airport as there's no fixed taxi fee from Manhattan to JFK, right? 2. I'm planning to use the PATH to get to and from Manhattan. I'm there for 5 days and so it will be at least 10 journeys each for me and my partner to and from the hotel. Is the Octopus card the cheapest way to go? Any restrictions on its use? 3. If I'm heading downtown then Exchange Place > WTC is surely the way to go. What about midtown and uptown? Do I still go to WTC and then transfer to the subway, or is there a better way - eg another PATH route directly to midtown from Jersey City? 4. Had a great Steak at Keane's (although the D'arenberg Ironstone Pressings really 'made' the meal) in midtown last time I was in New York. Should I risk somewhere else this time, I take the safe bet at Keane's again? Thanks in advance! Gary

Hi... Left it later than I wanted, but just wanted to say a big thanks to all at this site! Managed to get the excellent Hyatt Regency Jersey City for $71. Thought I'd have to split my bid as it was for 5 nights, but I'm well happy with this result! Tried $69 with no luck... added another district and rebid successfully at $71. Booked using the PRICELINE link from this site. Thanks again..... Gary

Hey Zanshin.... Looks like a good price you got at the Westin. How are you planning to get in to the city from there? PATH from Exchange Place or is there a better/quicker way? I'd like to know how far it is to walk and if it's safe to do so late at night. PATH still runs 24 hours a day I presume? I'm sure we'd be good to meet up. Cheers, Gaz

Thanks AaronJB.... I take your point regarding a place in NYC itself and it's certainly something I'd consider, but to be honest, having had such a good experience at the Hyatt Regency, I wouldn't hesitate to book it again if I had high confidence via Hotwire or Priceline (through the links provided of course) that it was indeed that particular hotel. Regarding the bed situation.... if I book a room for 2 people, what's the standard in America.... I can't remember from last time? Is it two double size beds or one king size? Thanks again. Gary

Hi everyone... I used this site a few years ago to help me secure an excellent price for the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson for a visit to New York City. A great location as the PATH was right outside. We had such a great time, that we're coming back and I would really like to stay at the Hudson again although I am open to alternatives. At the time, due to a combination of area, features and star rating, I was almost able to guarantee that it was indeed the Hudson that I was booking... However, I notice now that the Westin Jersey City seems to have the same features. Does this mean that it's pot luck as to which I'd get?.... From the map, it appears not to far away from the PATH at Exchange Place. Is it a long walk? If not, I guess it's a good alternative? We arrive 5/28/2009 for 5 nights. I would appreciate advice on the best time to start searching (probably a bit early now?). I remember paying about $75 a night 2 years ago, I guess it's going to be more now. Would $100 a night be about right? One last thing... this time I'm bringing a friend and to keep costs down we would like to share a room. Is it possible to specify a twin room instead of a double? Thanks in advance for your thoughts, Gary (England, UK)

Hey everyone.... I'm Gary from England. Discovered this site a few years ago whilst planning a trip to NYC, December 2006. You guys saved me a wedge back then by helping me book the Hudson Hyatt via Hotwire for an absurdly cheap price! We had such a fantastic time, that we're coming over again next year between 28th May and 2nd June. I hope to be lucky enough to get another great deal via Hotwire for the Hudson Hyatt closer to the time, and of course, I'll be using the links from this site to make my booking. The reason for this particular post however.... is baseball. During our last visit we managed to get some tickets to see the Knicks at Madison Square Garden (the game where everyone got sent off!)... we had a great night! Anyway... this time I'd love to see some baseball. My first choice would have been to see the Yankees (they seem to be the best known baseball team over here in the UK, sorry if that's offended anyone), but unfortunately they seem to be playing away games during our stay. So, I also read that New York has another baseball team called the Mets that do appear to be playing home games during our stay. Again, not wishing to offend anyone, but are they worth going to see? What I mean is.... are they at the highest level of baseball (like a premierhsip football team would be in England). If so, could anyone advise the best way to secure tickets at reasonable prices? What would be fair price to pay do you think? I'm not looking for the best seats in the house, but I also don't want to be seated where I can't see what's going on. Also, if anyone reading this is really into baseball and knows who the Mets are playing during the period of my stay, I'd really appreicate your advice as to which game is likely to provide the best spectacle, as it were? Thanks everyone. Gary

Hi everyone.... Just thought I'd post to say I've finally secured the final two dates (12/13 and 12/14) for my trip. I originally wanted 6 nights at the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson, but having 12/13 and 12/14 pushed the price up considerably. So decided to take 4 nights (12/15 through to 12/18) at the Hudson (see my other Jersey City Hyatt thread for info), and take my chances on looking for another hotel for the first two nights. Couldn't find anything suitable, but kept an eye on the Hyatt Regency 'just in case'. It was running around $323 per night for about the last 10 days, but finally it dropped to $144 yesterday. I didn't want to risk waiting any longer, and booked! It's great that I've got all six nights in the one location. Just need to mail the hotel now to see if they will let us keep the same room for the entire duration. Many thanks for everyone's help and suggestions..... couldn't have done it without you. On a side note.... we're flying into Newark International airport at about midday. I am researching the best price/covenience of getting to the Hyatt Regency, but not doing very well. Given that the PATH sits right outside the hotel, is there a connection between the Airtrain and PATH that might make a cheap and convenient jouney? Or is it just a whole lot less hassle to get a cab? Should I make a new post for this request for help? On the way back home to the UK, we're flying from JFK. I'm thinking I should just get a taxi. Any idea what I should expect to pay? I could live with $60? Gary

I'm still considering the Courtyard, but has the Hudson Hyatt New Jersey been re-rated to a 4* now? I've had a look today, and can see a 4* recommendation for $147 per night for the 12/13/2006 and 12/14/2006. If this is a newly classified Hudson, I'll go for it at this rate. Gary

I've not heard of the term 'Courtyard property' before. Could you explain what that means please? Many thanks Gary

Hello again... and thanks for the response... Sorry about not adding to my old thread. Should have done that in the first place. First things, first. After posting yesterday, I quickly realised from reading some other threads that the general concensus seems to be that $300 is about the minimum I could expect to pay. I thought it best to have a rethink and cast my net out as far as the Hoboken area. To cut a long story short I've managed to secure 12/15 to 12/19 in the Regency Hyatt on the Hudson for $108 per night plus taxes (incredibly, it was $316 per night to include 12/13 and 12/14), which I'm over the moon about. I wouldn't have even known that this hotel was a realisitc proposition for tourism in Manhattan without the help of this site, so a big thank you to all the contributors. Of course, I used betterbidding's HOTWIRE link. So... now I just need two more nights covering 12/13 and 12/14. Because I've saved so much on the Regency Hyatt, I can now afford up to $450 per night for the other two nights. I have stayed in New York once before to see in the new 2005 new year . I stayed at the Mariott Marquis on Times Square. I was really happy there with the exception of the lifts which, frankly, were a bit of a joke. I appreciate it was just about the busiest time of year, but to wait 30 minutes for a lift was just unacceptable. I wouldn't stay there again. To be honest, I'm not fussed what area I stay in as long as it's reasonably easy to get to the main area. I chose the upper east/west sides because I didn't get the opportunity to see much of those areas on my last visit, and I chose the Central Park area beacuase, well, it's pretty. I seem to remember reading somewhere on this forum that the times square area (midtown central?) pehaps was not the best area to stay in due to being packed in like sardines, so that's why I didn't choose that area, coupled of course with the fact that I've already stayed there and thought it would be nice to stay in another area. So that leaves Midtown East and West and the Lower Manhattan area, right? My preference would be either of the Midtown areas over Lower Manhattan. If there's no 3.5* rating on priceline, then given my increase in budget, I'll try for 4* hotels. In fact.... If you are aware of ANY zone that has a 4* hotel that seems to be offering good savings through Priceline at the moment, that would be more important than the particular zone. If I can't find anything, I'll simply keep checking the Regency Hyatt ($316 per night currently), to see if it comes down a bit. What do you think the chances are? Many thanks again... Gary Lewis

Hi everyone.... I would really appreciate your recommendations for a bidding strategy for securing a Manhattan hotel for 6 nights checking in on 12/13/06 and checking out on 12/19/06 please. I'm looking to pay in the order of $300 per night and would be prepared to change hotels once during the stay to obtaina better rate (is there a reasonable chance that rates are likely to drop from 16/12/06 onwards?). 3.5* minimum. Only 'must have' is a private bathroom. Would prefer to stay in the Central Park, Upper East or Upper West Side area. Thanks in advance.

Just to clarify.... We're looking for a 6 night stay, checking in 12/13/2006 and checking out 12/19/2006. Location and hotel quality I would say are on a par. I'm happy to be a bit further out location wise as long as it's near a subway so that I can get to the sights easily. However, I'm happy to forgo a star if it's in a really good location. My ideal would obviously be something like a 4 star in the areas between the Empire State Building and the Mid Central Park area for $250 per night (I could stretch this a little if it was for something special). I've taken your advice, thereuare, and booked a fully refundable stay at the Hyatt Regency, so that's my banker, I guess. Point taken, blindman, about it being to early for PL. Does anyone have any experience of whether hotel prices are likely to go up, down or stay the same in the run up to Christmas? I don't mind a gamble and would be prepared to leave it until the last minute in order to get a good deal now that I have my banker hotel. Thanks again. Gary

Thanks for the advice so far.... After following your recommendation regarding BetterChecker, I'm starting to think I need to dig deeper into my pockets and maybe look further afield into New Jersey City perhaps? The Hyatt Regency on the Hudson looks fantastic. Any chance on getting that for around $250 a night perhaps in December? I did a search using hotwire in Zone E (Hoboken) that came up with a 4 star in Hoboken - New Jersey for $264 per night (Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant(s), business center, High Speed Internet Access) - "This upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service." Could this be the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson? What else might it be perhaps? I could go for it at $264 per night, but would want to be reasonably confident (I know there's no way to be sure) that it is ineed the Hyatt and not somewhere else. Failing that, a strategy to get me something nice for around $250 a night (4 or 3 stars) anywhere that's reasonably quickly and cheaply commutable to the main sights would be really appreciated. At the end of the day, we just want somewhere to crash out at the end of the day that's safe and gettable to after a few beers. Thanks in advance Gary

Hi.... New to all this but have been reading up quite a lot recently. One question I can't seem to find the answer. Does anyone have a rough idea as what would be a good deal on a hotel anywhere in central park / upper/west or even mid town areas of New York would be please? I'm looking for 6 nights between 13th and 18th December. I was at the Marriott Marquis for New Years two years ago for about $200 per night and although the room was fine, the lifts were an absolute nightmare. Any recommendations and rough price expectations? Just needs to be clean and tidy and not too far from a subway. Somewhere just to get our heads down at night, after all, we'll be we won't be spending too much time in the room, what with all the sightseeing... Thanks in advance :) Gary UK

I'm from the UK and looking to get 6 nights between 12/13/06 and 12/18/06 in Manhattan for my good lady and myself. I'm new to all this, but my basic question is.... book now or will I get a better deal later? I don't really mind where we stay location wise as the subway is cheap enough isn't it? I'd like as good accomodation as I can find for $150 max per night. I know it's not much, but I'm looking to do the right thing on top of the empire state if you know what I mean.... Cheers everyone :)