New York

[AlanMac]

Off to New York for the first time for 3 nights end of August with the Mrs . Will be using my Amex for everything, hotels trips shows etc for the hotels I have minimal points on IHG, Hilton and Marriott. I use Expedia linked to my Amex and they are much cheaper than booking direct with the hotel. Does anyone have any tips on nice hotels around Times Square, with Amex and Expedia?

[Richie]

What have you found so far that are possibilities?

[AlanMac]

Thanks Richie, im after a deal/ Amex offer that we get over here, but for New York. Like the Fine Hotels thread today but for New York. Does that make sense?

[CarpalTravel]

When you say “using my Amex for everything”, do you mean all your FX spends too? It sounds like you are which makes me think you may not know about the 2.99% currency conversion fee? Do weigh up your options there, if so. There are fee free options E.g. Chase debit card, Halifax Clarity credit card

As a regular visitor I would also recommend looking a tad further away than Times Square. It is so busy there and it gets extremely tiresome fighting through people to get to or from your hotel each time.

I also encourage you to read through this brilliant post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/bj3tnn/ultimate_visitors_guide_to_nyc/

[AlanMac]

Thanks CarpalTravel, for the hotel, trips, shows I’m booking before I go with Amex. When there Revolut for meals etc. what I’m after is a hotel deal using Amex say at a certain Hilton hotel ( or IHG) and you get this this and this as a perk. Otherwise I’ll take a punt at an Expedia non brand hotel. Thanks for the tip, south of Times Square.

[HampshireHog]

Tbh Times Square not the best location, full of bed factories and lacking character. I’d do a bit more research and think about somewhere further downtown

[Annie]

My favourite is the Archer on W 38th st. Central for everything but far enough away from the Times Square crowds. They have Empire State views in some rooms, providing you lie on your bed and look up!

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Given the comprehensive public transport in NYc don’t restrict yourself to TS

In August you’ll likely get some good deals in lower Manhatten / financial district.

My hotel of choice Mint House on Pine Street (next to Wall Street) is excellent

[Points Hound]

I’m just back from a week in the Kimpton Eventi, about 10 mins walk south of Times Square. To mirror Annie’s comments, central for everything, 5 mins from the subway and the hotel itself I found more than adequate. HFP reviewed it previously.

[DeanW]

Just come back from NY. Stayed at The Beacon Hotel on the UWS where we’ve stayed previously. There’s an express subway from 72 St, which is right next to the hotel, to Times Square and you can use the 2 or 3 train down to Brooklyn as well. Right next to Amsterdam Avenue & Columbus Circle where there are loads of bars & restaurants for evening entertainment. Recommend Jacob’s Pickles. 2 block walk to Central Park. The hotel has a kitchenette in each room and there’s also a Starbucks next door. Prices for 6 nights were reasonable.

[Roberto]

@AlanMac , plenty of people will say stay away from Times Square. The two posts above me allude to that but they were staying for 6 or 7 days and you’re looking at just 3 and it’s you’re first time in the big apple..

So yeah , stay in the center of it. Stay where the atmosphere is and where the tourists throng to.. NYC is a big place but for your first visit you should step slap bang into the mayhem of Manhatten that is Times Square. Next time you can choose downtown, the upper east, Queens or wherever. But your first time I would reccomend somewhere in or about TS.

There are plenty of Hotels from all the big brands and it won’t really matter which you choose, they are all near the action and you won’t be there too much anyway. Take some comfortable shoes because there is plenty to do and see in NYC for the three short days you will be there. Be led by price and availability, Hiltons abound and there is not really a bad one so I am sure you will be happy with your choice.

Have a great trip.

[RStokes]

We came back from a 3 night stay last Monday. We stayed in the Renaissance Chelsea, which I thought was a fantastic location (I’d definitely suggest looking in the Chelsea or Flat Iron district)

As said above, you will probably walk the soles off your shoes. I would suggest using the public transport as much as you can. On the second day (even as an active walker) I wanted to sit down at every opportunity given we’d done 25k steps on the first day!

Have a good one and report back how you get on.

[AlanMac]

Booked using ba reward hotels. Staying at the Evelyn hotel. It was £100 cheaper than Expedia. Got 8k avios as it was a reward deal and by using my BA Amex with get some more avios. Just don’t see how these buying direct with say Hilton is worth it

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

AlanMac wrote:

Booked using ba reward hotels. Staying at the Evelyn hotel. It was £100 cheaper than Expedia. Got 8k avios as it was a reward deal and by using my BA Amex with get some more avios. Just don’t see how these buying direct with say Hilton is worth it

The people booking direct may want the points / nights and to get the benefits status brings.

The hotel I stay in in NYC is rarely cheaper via an OTA and if it is the T&Cs are usually worse such as pay upfront for even a cancelable rate.