IHG properties in New York

[Dannyism]

Hi All,

I am considering purchasing points to redeem for a 4 or 5 night stay in New York, potentially at a Times Square hotel, in May 2017. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations?

On a separate note the hotels are not great value, with the Intercon being 60k points or 360USD. HI and HI express are 40k points and 250-300 USD. Does anyone have any tips wrt points redemption?

Thanks for your help!

 

[get me outta here]

My advice is to not stay at TS! Have you been there - it's a zoo with a million overseas visitors clogging every bit of footpath. By all means visit to check it out, but stay a bit away from the epicentre.

 

[Dannyism]

My advice is to not stay at TS!

Thanks for the reply. Seems to be a common piece of feedback on tripadvisor. I have not been, it will be my first time to the East Coast.

My question to your feedback would be, how far away from the epicentre is far enough?

 

[Nug300]

We stayed at the Times Square Intercon and loved it, was looking to stay at the Barclay Intercon on E 48th & Park Ave because of cost but they were doing renovations in Sept 14 so that may be a fresher hotel.

I wouldnt hesitate to stay in TS again, but at the same time i wouldnt hesitate to stay in a different location.

We didnt have any trouble seeing what we wanted to see from TS but NYC is so accessible it doesnt really matter where you stay. Find the right hotel to match your budget and sightseeing plans!

 

[get me outta here]

The most useful place to be is anywhere very close to a subway station because there are shops and restaurants all over. I stayed on 6th Ave and 39th St last time opposite Bryant Park - about a 6 min walk to TS and the theatres, and 10 mtrs from a subway station. The destination experts on TripAdvisor and very useful if you give them dates and USD approx prices and they will tirelessly advise you.

On your map above, I'd look at whatever that is on 5th in Midtown East. That will be close to Grand Central Terminal etc. Ease of getting from the airport is important if you don't want to spend USD100 on a taxi one way.

 

[dajop]

For some general AFF advice on NYC, there's a lengthy thread in the Travel Resources section ... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tion-guide/ten-days-new-york-too-60408-5.html

Long read, but there's plenty of good info about where to stay, what to do etc.

As for stays, unless you are hung up on IHG particularly for helping to retain status, a lot of the chain hotels in New York are what I call "cookie cutter" hotels, at least in the budget-mid level range of most chains, very similar design, layout and level of service, whether they be IHG (HI, HI Express etc), Sheraton (Four Points, Sheraton), Hilton (Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton, Doubletree), Marriott (Courtyard ) etc. Also, if you are a member of the RACV, look at the "Auto Association" rates, these are often quite good, and come with flexiblity such that if prices go down closer to your travel date you can cancel them without penalty and rebook at lower rate (that also applies to points awards as well). One thing New York hotel pricing is very dynamic and moves a lot - not only up, but also down in price, at times.

 

[Paddy55]

Have stayed at IC Barclay several times before refurb - love it! Especially the location a bit away from Times Square - just a nice walk.

 

[Rigs]

As a former resident of NY I would recommend something near Columbus Circle. You will be one 3 train stop from the square and on the park. It is quiet enough for you to get around but also really accessible. If you are looking to stay in NY, ensure you are close to a 3 train stop. It makes life so much easier. If you want to save yourself some money go around 96th. That might seem like a way out but you are really only two stops on the 3 train to get to mid town. Hotels around 42nd street have their appeal but it is a bit of a tourist trap. They also make getting out of the square to go anywhere else a bit more of a challenge.

 

[Rigs]

On your map above, I'd look at whatever that is on 5th in Midtown East. That will be close to Grand Central Terminal etc. Ease of getting from the airport is important if you don't want to spend USD100 on a taxi one way.

That is not accurate. The cab fare to JFK from Manhattan is flat which I remember being about $55 (including tolls). You can get to Newark for less than $100. Getting to JFK via public transport is quite annoying. You can get a train out to Queens and then take the airport loop. Either that or you can take the special train from Midtown. Both entail using transport options that do not let you use a metrocard. The cab is much easier.

 

[get me outta here]

The subway is easily available to join up to the Airtrain to JFK from midtown or Chelsea. The metro card takes you up to the Airtrain which is then about $5/6 to JFK. From Newark, I got a car pick up and it was close to $100. For specific transport options, suggest TripAdvisor.

That is not accurate. The cab fare to JFK from Manhattan is flat which I remember being about $55 (including tolls). You can get to Newark for less than $100. Getting to JFK via public transport is quite annoying. You can get a train out to Queens and then take the airport loop. Either that or you can take the special train from Midtown. Both entail using transport options that do not let you use a metrocard. The cab is much easier.

 

[get me outta here]

Also, have a look at the best rate guarantee threads on AFF where if you can find a cheaper rate on a booking site you will get a big discount off the direct hotel booking. I saved a lot off my last visit in May. Although if you are looking at using points, this may not be appropriate.

 

[get me outta here]

Here is some good advice on arriving and transport into the city : https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-s301/New-York-City:New-York:Arriving.And.Departing.html

 

[Dannyism]

Wow! Thanks for all the feedback y'all.

I've got some reading to do. Not much work will get done today...

 

[Rigs]

The subway is easily available to join up to the Airtrain to JFK from midtown or Chelsea. The metro card takes you up to the Airtrain which is then about $5/6 to JFK. From Newark, I got a car pick up and it was close to $100. For specific transport options, suggest TripAdvisor.

The cabs have a flat rate to JFK from Manhattan. They cannot overcharge you unless you get stung and allow them to rip you off. NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission - RATE OF FARE

As for Newark, there is no metrocard option to get you there so you are comparing apples to oranges. A $100 cab fare from Newark would get you to JFK on the other side of NY city! The suggested fare, which matches my own experience from living there for three years is that a cab to midtown Manhattan from Newark would cost around $60, maybe $75 if you really push it (Taxi, Car and Van Service - Ground Transportation - Newark Liberty International Airport - Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Getting To And From Newark Airport (EWR) from Manhattan).

For the subway, you can get a train out to Queens but only on the East side or from 42nd (through the LIRR). You can take the E train to JFK but a) it takes a VERY long time if you are coming from the west side and b) you are better off on the LIRR. I did it once without bags from my home on west side and had to take a 3 to 42nd, an E train to Queens and then the air train to the terminals. It sucked and takes a long time. To be honest, I always found a flat fare cab to JFK the easiest option as you don't have to drag your bags along the subway (or through the underground crazy that is 42nd st station transferring from the west lines to the east lines). LaGuardia is super easy and accessible by the subway but even then I would recommend a cab/uber if you have bags.

 

[Dannyism]

Also, have a look at the best rate guarantee threads on AFF where if you can find a cheaper rate on a booking site you will get a big discount off the direct hotel booking. I saved a lot off my last visit in May. Although if you are looking at using points, this may not be appropriate.

Good tip! I've booked IC Barclay and got the BRG claim approved in 30 minutes. Got the rate reduced from about 1400 to 1000 USD incl tax.

I'll use my points in Washington DC or Chicago.

 

[Nug300]

We stayed at the CP The Hamilton is DC and was very happy with this. Not too far to walk to see all the museums/monuments etc.

In Chicago we stayed at the CP Metro Downtown. Again the rooms were great but was a bit of a walk to get into Chicago Central but if you dont mind a good walk in the morning certainly an option.

We did IHG hotels around the USA in 2014, cant say we were disappointed with any property we stayed at.