So excited that it's Friday & we have a loooong weekend, aren't you? Any plans??
The past few days we've been trying to schedule our trip to NYC using Expedia, which was a NIGHTMARE. It seems that when we selected our flight + hotel package, they would give us a discount during checkout only to take it back when you finally hit enter!! MAKES NO SENSE. We did that about 5 times & still the same thing happened!!
We even called customer service only to have the guy tell us the same thing, but with no real explanation why it was happening. So, I finally tweeted about it & thanks to jewelry designer, Elsa Corsi who referred me to Last Minute Travel , our trip is now booked! I have to say, booking with Last Minute Travel was very smooth & the price you got was the price you paid.
Originally we were looking for apt. rentals in NYC for 10 days - and visited sites like VRBO & Homeaway.
After writing to about 5 property owners & getting NO RESPONSE, we decided these sites weren't for us! It made no sense to me... So, on we went & booked our trip!
After all this back & forth, we'll be staying at the Marcel at Gramercy. Any of you stay there before??
This will be in October- so I'll have to tell you what our experience was with this hotel at that point. In fact, I'll blog while I'm there! Can't wait to visit my family as well!
So, please share where you stay when you travel to NYC? Did you rent an apt. or a hotel? Did you use sites like VRBO? What was your experience like??
I'd love for all of YOU to share your experience!!
-images via Marcel at Gramercy
wow that looks like a million dollar hotel! Very nice :-)
ReplyDeletewow:) it's soo beautiful, love your blog and follow u :)
ReplyDeletehttp://shu84.blogspot.com/
Ahh so sorry about all the trip issues! When I go to NYC (which is quite frequently), I stay at the Trump SoHo hotel or Trump International (near Columbus Circle).
ReplyDeleteYou must try airbnb.com. I have heard only great things about it, not to mention I think you will love their website!
ReplyDeleteWe rented an apartment for our trip to Venice and loved it. But that hotel is so beautiful I'd choose it any day! I'm so jealous, I'd love to be going to NYC!
ReplyDeleteI've stayed at the Marcel and it's a LOVELY hotel. Great staff, and in a really unique location. aka there aren't as many tourists as midtown. hope you have a great trip!!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely, enjoy! and have a great long weekend.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the marcel. I stayed there last year with a group and we had a great time. I was very impressed, and i went into it expecting it to look better on paper.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the hotel in which I stayed last time I was there but it was beautiful. Now I am always in Harlem or Brooklyn with friends.
ReplyDeletePeace, Love and Chocolate,
Tiffany
Gramercy is such a nice neighborhood it has very nice buildings you'll enjoy it! (I live in New York)
ReplyDeletethat hotel looks great!! the hotel I stay is not that great but its excellent value.. its the holiday inn 2 blocks away from the red stairs at Union Square.. AND If you love sushi as much as I do you can't miss Yazuda suhi!
ReplyDeleteMy parents stayed there when they cam to visit. The rooms are a little small (everywhere in NYC) but it's really nice and they loved it. Try the pizza at Posto on 18th and 2nd, which is very close by.
ReplyDeleteThis hotel looks absolutely chic and beautiful! Great choice, Jen!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
I absolutely SWEAR by Tablet Hotels (http://www.tablethotels.com/). There selections in NYC are great and you can get some amazing deals.
ReplyDeleteI almost always stay with friends, but I've also stayed at Gild Hall when traveling with a group. It was super inexpensive, in a fantastic location if you're spending most of your time below 14th Street, and high design.
Hope you have an amazing trip and I cannot wait to hear how the hotel turns out!
Ive never had great luck with Expedia or VRBO.. but I know that a lot of people do- so keep trying. Also, I know its a huge risk but booking RIGHT BEFORE you go will save you money... that much I do know. WHen I go to NYC (which is quite often) I stay at the Bowery Hotel. Its a gem! The staff there is great, and Gemma (restaurant located in the hotel) is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you finally found a place that's going to work for you!
ReplyDeletei tend to mix it up while in nyc, so either the marriot or the jane and others depending on the rates and who's paying ;-)
ReplyDeletere your price issue, i had something similar happen with me from expedia but once i cleared my cookies, i was able to get to most current discounted rate.
The hotel looks great. When we were looking for somewhere to stay in NYC last summer we looked at apartments but they just seemed like too much hassle. We stayed at the Ace Hotel which I would definitely recommend, along with their coffee at Stumptown!
ReplyDeleteThe hotel you got looks really nice, I'm sure you'll have a great trip! When I lived in NYC, I used a site called homelink to swap apartments a couple times, and it was great experience. Some of the homes available are also for rent. Good luck if you try again!
ReplyDeleteNothing worse than trip blunders but that's a beautiful hotel! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWow, love those headboards, enjoy your trip
ReplyDeleteThe room is fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteI always recommend Morgans Hotel Group. It's a small group that owns 3 boutique hotels in NYC(Morgans Hotel, Royalton Hotel and Hudson Hotel) they have all you need in great locations.
If you looking for a funky - fun bar, go to the Hudson Bar at the Hudson Hotel.
Oh my, that looks amazing! Can't wait to see the photos from your trip!
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip on LMT...I just booked a flight to NYC and they were right on the money.
ReplyDeleteI would not ever stay at an apartment in NYC. My friend booked one and when we got there the place smelled like cat pee and there was a soaking wet rolled up rug in the downstairs bedroom. There were huge cockroaches in the closet as well. My understanding from the neighbors is that it is illegal to rent an apartment out like that. This place had people coming in constantly as they overbooked them. They also have a pretty hefty cancellation fee. Some don't have elevators so you could be towing luggage up huge flights of stairs. We ended up leaving and staying at a hotel right near times square. I actually was just there. I was there during the earthquake but decided to get home early when I saw the hurricane coming. It pretty much halted transportation. I'm sure things are pretty much back to normal but I sure wouldn't want to head there now.
ReplyDeleteI live two blocks away from the Marcel Hotel! It's not the chicest of locations but the hotel looks very nice and I doubt you'll be hanging out much in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteIf you do:
-Check out Bluebell Cafe on 3rd and 22nd. Delicious brunch food. Cute decor with southern charm.
-Walk to Madison Sq Park then go wander around Eataly (Italian market opened by Mario Batali). If you want to try the rooftop beergarden go on the website and make a reservation a few days in advance. I'm going this Tuesday.
-'Inoteca on the corner below the hotel is pretty good. Looks like a nice place to grab a late-afternoon glass of wine.
Enjoy your stay in grammercy.
The brick columns look amazing in the lounge area! Have so much fun! Oct is the best time of year in NYC!
ReplyDeletethat place looks fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteLast time I went to NYC we stayed at The Royalton and LOVED it!! I thought it was cool when I saw you stayed there as well before. This new place looks so cool. Can't wait for you to share the details about it!!
ReplyDeletePRISCILLA PETERS DECOR: Yes, I know Morgans hotLe group. My guy used to work for them several years ago when we lived in NYC. Thank you for the tips! :)))
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful hotel! Much better than the one we stayed in when we were in NYC in July. I won't even bother sharing the name - not that it was bad, it just wasn't great and nothing like the Marcel that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI've used VRBO for renting an apartment in Chelsea that ended up being AMAZING...but I've also tried using it for other trips and it's been a total let down. Owners that never wrote back or those that never updated their availability calendar so the info was incorrect...it can be very frustrating :( That being said, the hotel you are staying at looking freaking fabulous! <3
ReplyDeleteThe hotel looks fabulous! I stayed at the Soho Grand last time I was in New York. I loved the hotel and the location was perfect. We ate at Mercer Kitchen a few times as the food there is delicious
ReplyDeleteW-O-W -- how could you resist?! Have you tried AirBNB? They were even on NPR this morning (or was that yesterday...) Check them out if you haven't!
ReplyDeleteOh take me with you! I love Ny! Hubby and I went last year for thanksgiving. Flights were hassle, we ended up using a travel agent & we stayed in a teeny tiny apt with a friend. I'd go the hotel route next time. Have fun, can't wait to read your posts!
ReplyDeleteDanya from PinkPeonyStyle.com
great hotel!
ReplyDeletehttp://anmarkdesign.blogspot.com/
I've stayed there!!! It's great!! But those photos are very generous, the rooms are tiny, even the "suites". But its new york, you don't spend much time in them. My one beef with the hotel and most hotels is that there were no full length mirrors anywhere. A girl needs to make sure her shoes match her outfit! But you'll love it - the bistro on the corner (which I think is attached) makes an amazing prosecco & aperol cocktail.
ReplyDeletejust fyi, most people don't know that short term apt rentals in nyc are actually illegal.
ReplyDeleteStick with the amazing hotels!:)