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Post by pjynx on Aug 28, 2014 18:35:24 GMT
I'm torn about a decision and need some advice from people who know the areas of LaGuardia and Rockefeller Center.
I've never been to NYC. I'll be heading there for a weekend in October, to meet with a group of about 10 friends from all over the country. My flight arrives Thursday around 7pm (LaGuardia). The rest of the group arrives at various times on Friday. I have arranged to share a hotel room on Fri & Sat with one of the friends, to reduce costs. That particular hotel is out of my budget for me staying alone Thursday night. So I'm trying to figure out where to stay for the first night.
I've narrowed it down to 2 options (both of which I'm happy with the hotel rating & reviews):
Option 1: Hotel very close to LaGuardia. I'm familiar with the hotel chain/brand and very happy with them. Reviews indicate that airport noise was not too bad but even if it's loud, I'm a heavy sleeper so this doesn't bother me. However in the reviews, several people mention that there really aren't any restaurants within walking distance. At 7pm, I will definitely be ready for a meal (bigger than snacks that I brought on the plane). I'm sure there'll be something or maybe even delivery, but I just don't know. Maybe the area right in front of the airport really is void of anything decent? I'd like to avoid any cab fares other than to/from the airport. Plus, is there anything to do/see within walking distance? With so little time in NYC, I'd hate to waste any of it sitting in my hotel room the first night just because there's nothing close. Keep in mind, it'll be evening and I'm by myself. Is this area safe?
Option 2: Hotel near Rockefeller Center, about 2 blocks from the one I'll be going to on Friday. Lots of nearby dinner options. I'm guessing that even in the evening, I can still safely walk around the area by myself and do a little sight-seeing? The drawback is that it's $70 more than option 1.
Will I really have to scrape to pay that extra $70? No. Would I like to avoid spending it? Of course. So if I find that there really aren't dinner options and/or things to spend my time doing (safely) near LaGuardia, then I'll book the Rockefeller Center one. But if the consensus is that even near Rockefeller Center, I shouldn't be alone outside in the evening, then I'd be stuck inside anyway and may as well save some money.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance!
Pam
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peppermintpatty
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Post by peppermintpatty on Aug 28, 2014 18:40:45 GMT
There isn't anything around LaGuardia. You probably will just be sitting in your room waiting for Friday to come. BUT that being said, if your flight arrives at 7 it will be pretty late getting to the hotel in Rockefeller center. If it were me, I would call the one at the airport and ask them about restaurants. I would go there, get some food, go to sleep, get up early and head into the city. Store your baggage at your hotel and then go explore/meet up with friends. Save the $70 for something fun.
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Post by joyfromny on Aug 28, 2014 18:40:58 GMT
Pam,
I live 15 mins from there and can say there is nothing near the airport to walk around or do. I would likely order up room service but there goes some of your $70 savings. The area is not safe for by yourself.
I would spend the money and go into the city.
Anyone else?
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LeaP
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Post by LeaP on Aug 28, 2014 18:48:04 GMT
I would go with the cheaper option near LaGuardia and look on Yelp.com for some tasty food to be delivered. My yelp search
ETA: Ask at the reception/concierge desk. I am sure that the employees have favorite places where they order food. And, of course, there is always pizza. |
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 28, 2014 18:54:20 GMT
I would go into the city. It doesn't matter what time you get into Manhattan - there will always be a restaurant open.
No way would I waste a night sitting in a hotel near LGA.
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Aug 28, 2014 18:56:39 GMT
I would stay at the Rockefeller Center hotel. There's nothing by the airport. Personally, I can't see arriving in NYC and then basically sitting in the hotel until the next day.
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scrappyesq
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You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
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Post by scrappyesq on Aug 28, 2014 19:01:00 GMT
Spend the extra $70 and stay in the City. I live 20 minutes from LGA and unless you're familiar with the area (because there are tons of places on Austin st in Forest Hills) you'll end up holed up in your hotel waiting for room service and not enjoying the first night at all.
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 28, 2014 19:05:16 GMT
I have only flown into Newark and JFK, but there is no way I would stay near the airport over going into Manhattan  |
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Post by anniefb on Aug 28, 2014 19:12:45 GMT
I'm not a local  but I've been to NYC by myself a couple of times and had no qualms about arriving at my hotel late at night and going out to get something to eat and find my bearings etc. There's always something to see and do. I agree you definitely don't want to be stuck in a hotel room near the airport. |
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Post by peasapie on Aug 28, 2014 19:15:46 GMT
I live in NYC. I wouldn't stay near LAG - go to New York and start enjoying the very best season Manhattan has to offer! Also, do not go to NY with the guys who stand around near the luggage area and offer "taxi" rides. They charge a fortune. Walk outside to the taxi stand and take a yellow cab to Manhattan. That is the cheapest private option.
I live very close to Rockefeller Center. If you like singing waitresses, go to Ellen's Stardust diner for a 50's vibe and lots of happiness. Have a GREAT time!!
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 28, 2014 19:18:33 GMT
She gets in at 7:00, by the time she actually gets out of the airport and to the city what time will it actually be?
I never felt unsafe in NYC, but that may have been because last time there I was in my 20's and probably feeling fancy and invincible! I personally would try to decide how tired You would be (not sure where you are traveling from) and what time you could realistically get into the city and decide if there is something you would do or would you just be in the hotel anyway? If you feel like you wouldn't really do anything I would stay at the airport hotel, get to bed early and get up bright and early in the am and hie myself to NYC in the am.
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 28, 2014 19:20:27 GMT
She gets in at 7:00, by the time she actually gets out of the airport and to the city what time will it actually be? I never felt unsafe in NYC, but that may have been because last time there I was in my 20's and probably feeling fancy and invincible! I personally would try to decide how tired You would be (not sure where you are traveling from) and what time you could realistically get into the city and decide if there is something you would do or would you just be in the hotel anyway? If you feel like you wouldn't really do anything I would stay at the airport hotel, get to bed early and get up bright and early in the am and hie myself to NYC in the am. 9? 9:30? People are just going out to dinner at that point. There will be a million places to go at that time. Rockefeller Center is a ridiculously safe area with a plethora of restaurants. She'll be fine. |
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Aug 28, 2014 19:22:39 GMT
She gets in at 7:00, by the time she actually gets out of the airport and to the city what time will it actually be? I never felt unsafe in NYC, but that may have been because last time there I was in my 20's and probably feeling fancy and invincible! I personally would try to decide how tired You would be (not sure where you are traveling from) and what time you could realistically get into the city and decide if there is something you would do or would you just be in the hotel anyway? If you feel like you wouldn't really do anything I would stay at the airport hotel, get to bed early and get up bright and early in the am and hie myself to NYC in the am. It really shouldn't take more than hour-an hour and a half if the OP has to go to bag check, less if it's just carry on. |
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 28, 2014 19:29:27 GMT
Not an expert, but I have been in your shoes a couple of times. Last week I flew into JFK and my flight landed at 5:00. Took a cab to Soho, checked in at my hotel and then walked to a nearby restaurant and was eating dinner at 8:30. Felt very safe the entire trip.
I would go into the city.
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 28, 2014 20:00:04 GMT
Coming back with another thought. All hotel room rates vary wildly depending on day of the week, time of the year, % of hotel booked. I would call the hotel you are booked in for the weekend and ask nicely if there is any flexibility on the room rate for Thurs night. I would (nicely) make it clear that I will be staying in Manhattan that night, but not able to pay more than $xx and ask if they can accommodate that. Tell them you have another room available at that rate, but would prefer to stay with them. Hotels hate empty rooms and they may be willing to work with you.
Call the front desk of the hotel not their reservation line.
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Post by joyfromny on Aug 28, 2014 20:20:30 GMT
Spend the extra $70 and stay in the City. I live 20 minutes from LGA and unless you're familiar with the area (because there are tons of places on Austin st in Forest Hills) you'll end up holed up in your hotel waiting for room service and not enjoying the first night at all. Scrappyesq, Where abouts do you live? I'm in Rego Park. |
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scrappyesq
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Post by scrappyesq on Aug 28, 2014 20:30:26 GMT
Spend the extra $70 and stay in the City. I live 20 minutes from LGA and unless you're familiar with the area (because there are tons of places on Austin st in Forest Hills) you'll end up holed up in your hotel waiting for room service and not enjoying the first night at all. Scrappyesq, Where abouts do you live? I'm in Rego Park. Jamaica Estates. |
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Post by annabella on Aug 28, 2014 20:32:51 GMT
Try airbnb.com, I've found nice rooms on there for $100 in the city.
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Post by joyfromny on Aug 28, 2014 23:10:30 GMT
Scrappyesq, Where abouts do you live? I'm in Rego Park. Jamaica Estates. Neighbors |
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 29, 2014 1:58:58 GMT
She gets in at 7:00, by the time she actually gets out of the airport and to the city what time will it actually be? I never felt unsafe in NYC, but that may have been because last time there I was in my 20's and probably feeling fancy and invincible! I personally would try to decide how tired You would be (not sure where you are traveling from) and what time you could realistically get into the city and decide if there is something you would do or would you just be in the hotel anyway? If you feel like you wouldn't really do anything I would stay at the airport hotel, get to bed early and get up bright and early in the am and hie myself to NYC in the am. 9? 9:30? People are just going out to dinner at that point. There will be a million places to go at that time. Rockefeller Center is a ridiculously safe area with a plethora of restaurants. She'll be fine. I didn't imply she should feel unsafe or that there wouldn't be anything to do, I said she should think about how tired she might be (not knowing where she is flying from with the time difference it get have been a very long day for her) and decide if she would actually want to go out or if she would just want to eat and go to bed. I know NYC is busy late at night, as are most cities, and there will be things to do, but some people just like to relax after a long trip. If it were me flying there, with an arrival time of 7 PM I would have likely had to leave my house at 500 am to get to the airport. |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Aug 29, 2014 2:04:13 GMT
Coming back with another thought. All hotel room rates vary wildly depending on day of the week, time of the year, % of hotel booked. I would call the hotel you are booked in for the weekend and ask nicely if there is any flexibility on the room rate for Thurs night. I would (nicely) make it clear that I will be staying in Manhattan that night, but not able to pay more than $xx and ask if they can accommodate that. Tell them you have another room available at that rate, but would prefer to stay with them. Hotels hate empty rooms and they may be willing to work with you. Call the front desk of the hotel not their reservation line. Great idea!!!! Definitely do this!!! |
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bklyngal62
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Post by bklyngal62 on Aug 29, 2014 2:22:48 GMT
I live in NY and I suggest that if you're not going to be too tired when you arrive then you should go to the city. Go have dinner and enjoy NYC. If you are going to be too tired to do anything then take a shuttle to your hotel ( most hotels around there have shuttles) order in dinner and relax for the night. You can always wake up early and refreshed to enjoy the day in the city.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Aug 29, 2014 2:26:24 GMT
I would go into the city, no question.
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Post by mnmloveli on Aug 29, 2014 2:27:41 GMT
Definitely stay in the city. The city is totally "ALIVE" til the wee hours of the morning. Worth the extra $70 unless you want to sit in the hotel room at LaGuardia Airport.
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Post by pjynx on Aug 29, 2014 3:05:06 GMT
Thank you so much for all the input! I was very happy to hear that I'll be fine walking around by myself near Rockefeller. I didn't want to spend the extra money and still feel like I was stuck in my room. I'm definitely a late-night person, so that time of night I won't need to go to bed for awhile. I'd rather sleep in on Friday morning rather than sit in morning traffic transferring locations. I won't check any bags on the plane, so I won't have to wait for that to come through.
Thanks also for the tip about the cab drivers and the suggestion to ask the weekend hotel if there's any way to get me a lower price. I hadn't thought of that but it's worth a try!
I am sooooo looking forward to this trip! One, because I've never been to NY and two, it's 16 years in the making. This group of friends have been corresponding online for 16 years (since we were all pg and due in the same month) and we've staying in daily contact all this time. There have been smaller regional gatherings over the years, but this one is the biggest and we're flying in from all over the country (and 2 from other countries). 
Pam |
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Post by peasapie on Aug 29, 2014 3:12:22 GMT
She gets in at 7:00, by the time she actually gets out of the airport and to the city what time will it actually be? I never felt unsafe in NYC, but that may have been because last time there I was in my 20's and probably feeling fancy and invincible! I personally would try to decide how tired You would be (not sure where you are traveling from) and what time you could realistically get into the city and decide if there is something you would do or would you just be in the hotel anyway? If you feel like you wouldn't really do anything I would stay at the airport hotel, get to bed early and get up bright and early in the am and hie myself to NYC in the am. It's a 20- min ride to NYC. After baggage, catching cab and travel, she'll be in by 8:15. Ny is just warming up at that time. :-) |
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Post by peasapie on Aug 29, 2014 3:14:10 GMT
I live in midtown. Nice to know there are several peas nearby. |
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Post by smokey2471 on Aug 29, 2014 4:31:38 GMT
I vote go to the city. I am usually wound up after being on a plane all day and excited about being at my destination. Have fun! It sounds like an amazing trip!
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Aug 29, 2014 4:35:32 GMT
I live in midtown. Nice to know there are several peas nearby. Hi neighbors!! I work in midtown and live in bayside |
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Aug 29, 2014 4:38:49 GMT
Thank you so much for all the input! I was very happy to hear that I'll be fine walking around by myself near Rockefeller. I didn't want to spend the extra money and still feel like I was stuck in my room. I'm definitely a late-night person, so that time of night I won't need to go to bed for awhile. I'd rather sleep in on Friday morning rather than sit in morning traffic transferring locations. I won't check any bags on the plane, so I won't have to wait for that to come through.
Thanks also for the tip about the cab drivers and the suggestion to ask the weekend hotel if there's any way to get me a lower price. I hadn't thought of that but it's worth a try!
I am sooooo looking forward to this trip! One, because I've never been to NY and two, it's 16 years in the making. This group of friends have been corresponding online for 16 years (since we were all pg and due in the same month) and we've staying in daily contact all this time. There have been smaller regional gatherings over the years, but this one is the biggest and we're flying in from all over the country (and 2 from other countries).
Pam Yay!! I am so glad you decided to stay in Manhattan! What an amazing weekend you have in store! You are all going to have such an amazing time together! |
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but I've been to NYC by myself a couple of times and had no qualms about arriving at my hotel late at night and going out to get something to eat and find my bearings etc. There's always something to see and do. I agree you definitely don't want to be stuck in a hotel room near the airport. 
