Moderne Hotel New York

[SuzanneE17]

Has anyone stayed in this Hotel and could tell me what its like?

Also the Edison?

When arriving late at JFK - 23h - is it best to get a taxi, subway or bus to the Hotel.

Thanks for your help.

[VillageVicar]

The moderne is an average lower priced hotel in Manhattan. The address certainly isn�t in the best of locations (you might have to fight off a few hookers and homeless), once you get past them, you�re just above Times Square. The rooms are acceptably clean and I�m not aware of any complaints from Britain. (some Americans won�t stay there�but I think that�s more of an �american thing�.

The Edison is an ancient old labyrinth of a hotel that is in the theatre district. It has an acceptable reputation in catering for the British and is acceptable to pretty much everywhere. In its heyday it catered to hundreds of transient theatre stars.

In looking that those prices, you might also consider one of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotels, which are not too far from either of these�the prices may be slightly lower�book direct through Marriott�s reservation system.

http://www.marriott.com

I highly recommend that you use TelAviv cars for sedan services into Manhattan. This way, you will have a view as well as a more comfortable ride. The NY taxis invariably leave you locked in a cage, a bit like being in a police car. It can claustrophobic and often intimidating.

TelAviv cars can be booked direct on 001 800 222 9888 . If have any reason not to use TelAviv, I also recommend Boston Coach Company.

I hope you have a great trip!

Fr Bill

[SuzanneE17]

Thanks for your help - am now considering:-

The Skyline Hotel
and
Best Western in Brooklyn

ANY ideas on these two please?

[VillageVicar]

Do NOT stay at either of these! If this is your first trip to New York, please stick with staying in Manhattan. If you find that you are severely challenged with budget, there is nothing wrong with the YMCA at Lincoln Centre. It's nothing more than a room with a steel bed, public showers/toilets, etc. But it's clean...they have a fantastic pool and an even better steam room. And as I recall, you 'can' pay for an upgraded style room as well...but do check.

Best of luck...

Fr Bill

[SuzanneE17]

Wow - thanks. No wonder these hotel options are cheap!!

You have been a great help.

[jno]

stick to Manhattan, where all the sights are, unless you have some good reason to see Brooklyn. Taxis from JFK have a fixed fare - it was $45 when I last did it, last year (plus tip, everything's plus tip); if you're hiring some sort of limo, get a quote first. But there's no fixed fare on the way back to JFK, and it could come out higher.

[jno]

I meant to add that at that time of night trains and busews won't get you to your hotel door, which is where you'd want to be. Get a car of some sort.

[VillageVicar]

Thanks jno, you reminded me to add that TelAviv, just like other licensed livery services have fixed prices for destinations. You'll do fine by them and the larger boot will help with carrying your luggage.

By the way...you're just a couple of blocks from the famous Gallagher's Steak house...I actively recommend it!

Enjoy

Fr Bill

[JonnoGenie]

jno
Quote:
But there's no fixed fare on the way back to JFK, and it could come out higher.
Unquote:

There certainly is now jno, it must have come in around March /April. I've done that trip many many times, and last time in July I was ready to half-kill the driver for not switching on his meter. He said that it was now flat fare, and I called my missus back home in midtown and got her to call '311' (state services) and confirm whether he was trying to have a go.

The problem for me, was that none of the posters and stickers in the back of the cab had been updated to detail this flat fare *TO* the airport, and I simply had not heard anything about it.

Anyway, my missus called me back and said - yes, it's new, and the driver is right.

When we got to JFK the driver pulled up by some police officers and invited me to ask them if this was true. But by then I could apologise and say 'sorry, I've checked already, you're right mate'.

So, categorically it is now flat-fare to and from JFK to/from anywhere in Manhattan, and it is $45, plus toll (for bridge or tunnel into town) which is $4, plus tip. Tip is $8, though $10 is decent for a good driver.

Unfortunately the English have a reputation for being lousy tippers in the US, which is a shame, as tips are how a lot of people in the US earn just about their entire living (wait staff, taxi drivers, bar staff etc)

[VillageVicar]

Thanks for that. I'm surprised as I've known about the fixed fare for years actually. In any event, with livery services, the prices are less. The base fare is circa $40 plus plus, etc. Keep in mind that the yanks are suffering from the same oil costs as we are, but at present, it's still being advertised at $40 from JFK.

as I shared earlier in the thread, you can't go wrong with TelAviv. I've used them for over 20 years. Safe, clean, polite and knowledgeable

Feel free to ask if you have any other questions. I escort people to new York regularly.

Fr Bill

[JonnoGenie]

Thanks Fr Bill, interesting to see the Tel-Aviv website. Historically I've just wanted to go in under the radar, pick up a yellow-cab and go. I don't want to worry about some guy waiting for me holding a sign (while I go through secondary inspecton lol). It's 30 minutes into town with a fair breeze, I don't really care about the amenities of the journey... Though if I did, your link looks well priced.

[VillageVicar]

Thanks Jonno...actually TA don't hold a sign..that's more for limo services. When you land, you dial a local number telling them that you're there and the driver pulls out of the 'livery parking/waiting' area. It's quite efficient. It also eliminates standing in queues waiting for taxis..which often happens during the afternoon transatlantic arrivals.

For me, I think it's the freedom to slide around in the back seat, to look ahead, and to feel a degree of freedom, rather than those awful caged taxis. There are times when you notice your driver, through the perspex screen, smudged with angry releases from previous sneezing passengers, that you can feel as if you're in the beginning of a Steven Spielberg film!

Best of luck everyone!

Fr Bill

[jno]

thanks for that, JonnoGenie, I hadn't heard about the fixed fare back. No reason not to have one, of course, but I don't know why it was initially one-way only. For preference I go to Newark anyway, which (depending exactly where you're going) is usually quicker and closer.

[JonnoGenie]

Hi jno, God I hate EWR, but then I used to live just on the Queens Tunnel exit in midtown, hence JFK was an easy option.
Take care!