http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30368 Woody Allen used the hotel in his film Manhattan Murder Mystery and the hotel claims that Madonna has stayed there at some point, though I have no idea if this latter fact is true or, indeed, if anyone could care less.
There are shared bathrooms on every floor and these are cleaned regularly and always in a decent state. The rooms, depending on size, have a wash basin and a TV.
Very comfortable all round and, although a fair way out of the centre of New York, the hotel is very close to the Union Square/14th Street subway station, which is the intersection of a number of subway lines, effectively making it very easy to reach anywhere in the city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30368 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28471 Outside, picture postcard families shuffle by, towing rosy cheeked children in galoshes and ear muffs carrying imperfectly formed snow balls.
Later, you wander the unusually quiet streets around Soho. There is no traffic. Warm orange light glows out of the festively decorated shops making it feel as though you've stumbled into the Christmas village on your mantel piece. Warm air and smells of cinnamon and orange hit you as you enter, along with animated welcomes "How you all doin' today? Cold isn't it"
Later still and you're in Central Park watching ice skaters glide effortlessly by, framed by New York city skyscrapers. The smell of roasting chestnuts fills the air. What sounds there are are muffled by the snow, but somehow not the echoing sounds of the tourist laden horse drawn carriages passing by and the jingle of the bells of the many jolly rotund Father Christmases collecting for charity at every street corner.
And as you pass through a snowy Washington Square on the way back to your hotel that evening, you stumble upon the local residents choir singing carols by candlelight. You can't help but join in, despite being cold and eager to get back to your hotel to sit by the cosy lobby fire with a hot coffee and warm cookie.
The perfect end to a perfect day in an unexpected winterland.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28192 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28192 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25973 Would class it as a three/three-star plus hotel and maybe a little tired around edges. However at £70 a night, this was great value for NY.

Look around at the various accommodation websites and you'll see a big difference in price for this hotel from £140 to £70 per night.
We used Expedia as it was the cheapest.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25973 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21971 Great value for your money.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21971 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19830 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19830 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19829 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19829 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19828 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19828 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19821 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19821 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19818 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19818 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19809
It's one of those cities that on your first visit can be pretty daunting, so I thought I'd pop together a couple of tips that can help you on your first visit.

Leaving or Departing the City
JFK is normally my airport of choice but there's really not much in it. The easiest way into the city is to jump in a yellow cab, it costs a $45 flat rate, plus tips and tolls. Upon making your way to the taxi line you'll be offered all sorts of bus and limo services, ignore them, it's only the cabs that are properly licenced for this. You can of course also book your own car, I do this for the return back to the airport using Dial 7 who charge a decent rate and use fairly new sedans.

Accommodation
New York has so many hotels, so find one that's close to where you're going to be based. I normally use The London, which is well located on West 54th street, not far from the park and Times Square. It's a lovely new hotel with one of the best concierges in town. It's also home to Gordon Ramsey's restaurant, which is perfect for that dinner on expenses... But if you're paying yourself, go at lunch time, same food, half the price. Yum yum.

Foodies
You could write a book on the places to eat in New York… in fact, hundreds of books are already out there, but for my money the top places for a business lunch or dinner are: Gordon Ramsey at The London, The River Café in Brooklyn, Prune for Brunch in The East Village and The Spotted Pig in the West Village. The Spotted Pig is probably the best Gastro Pub in New York, and a perfect places for fans of meat! The River Café has a simple but beautiful menu and offers incredible views over the river to downtown NYC… ask for a window table. Gordon Ramsey I've mentioned above and Prune is a delightful little local place that does THE best brunch in the city in my view... Complete with a huge menu of Bloody Marys. Get there early though or be prepared to wait an hour or so. Just down the road from Prune is Katz Deli which is always rammed and a classic NY food experience - give it a go.

Off Time
If you're not too busy then why not pick up a jogging map from your hotel concierge and take a run round the park to stay in shape. I also love going to the Top Of The Rock at the Rockefeller Building, giving you stunning views of the city and especially usefully in getting to know it in your head if you’re a first time visitor. You can see where everything is and get a rough idea of distances. 5th Avenue is probably your best place for shopping with plenty of places to visit, including the maddening Abercrombie and Fitch which will give you a headache. But you can get your stuff much cheaper from there than in the UK. Department store-wise I find Bloomingdales always serves me best. Don't forget to go shopping in the village as well, Spring Street has some classic locations where you can find the most random of things. If you get a chance to see a Broadway show, rock up to the TKTS half price booth in Times Square and get into a show on the cheap. Spring Awakening seems to be one of the best shows on at the moment. And if you're there on a Friday you can pop into many of the big museums for free, MoMA being a great one to kill a few hours in.

The best thing about New York is that there is always something new, and it's the one place I've never got bored in despite many trips. So make the most of it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19809 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18677
The smell of pot from across the hall and the scrum for breakfast (think British Bulldogs with bagels) can be put up with too.

I stayed there as part of my travels:
writeronthestorm.wordpress.com]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18677 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17038 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17038 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15686
Do we regret it? Well, yes and no. It's a bit sad and needs updating so if you are after a bit of luxury, it's not the place for you. Other than that, the staff are helpful and efficient and security is very tight. The rooms, although dated, were clean and tidy.

We were out of the hotel 12- 14 hours a day so even if it was all-singing, all-dancing we wouldn't have used such facilities. Cheap and cheerful sums it up. It was very busy with guests and we weren't aware of anyone making any complaints so I guess most people were of the same mindset that it was simply a bed for the night and nothing more. We've paid more for much worse accommodation and service in the UK and other countries.

It's a great location on 8th and 45th, with so much on its doorstep. I would expect if it gets an expensive makeover in the next couple of years then the room rates will go up accordingly. Get it booked while it's still reasonable value.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15686 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12974 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12974 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11714 Some hotels are featured with an additional hotel page where pictures, special offers and last minute deals are posted.
It is quite good to know that a hotel directory of this kind actually exists and that you can refer to it when tired of looking at hotel reservation services and not finding the hotel contacts!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10378 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10378 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/895 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/895