NYC Gayla II 9/12-14 2008
Jul 17, 2008, 3:44 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
Hope you can join us! I just did another attendee update, dividing people into those who have confirmed accommodations and people still working on arrangements or schedule. Just let me know if I have you in the wrong list.
Jul 18, 2008, 12:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Ok-booked my flight!
Red eye arriving early Friday.
Unfortunately have to leave Sunday am-work on monday
Now I just have to book a room.
Booked two rooms-splitting stay.
Red eye arriving early Friday.
Unfortunately have to leave Sunday am-work on monday
Now I just have to book a room.
Booked two rooms-splitting stay.
Last edited by bigguyinpasadena; Jul 19, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Jul 19, 2008, 5:18 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Jul 21, 2008, 2:45 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,159
Very sorry. I must withdraw. Going to Vegas for a LGBT tennis tournament.
Jul 21, 2008, 2:51 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
So sorry to hear
Jul 22, 2008, 8:04 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA EXP, DL Plat, US Chairman, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IC RA
Posts: 1,436
OK, I've booked flight and hotel (IC Barclay - y'all are welcome to raid my minibar), but put me in as 80%.
Sep 12-14 is when I ramp up for the busiest time of my year, so I reserve the right to cancel if work dictates that I must.
This is gonna be just like Senior Year, but FUNNER!
Sep 12-14 is when I ramp up for the busiest time of my year, so I reserve the right to cancel if work dictates that I must.
This is gonna be just like Senior Year, but FUNNER!
Jul 22, 2008, 8:11 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
YIPPEE!!!!1!!!
But you're in now. No withdrawal. If work beckons, just let your clients know that you have scads of resourceful men at your fingertips who would be only too happy to perform fluffing duties or other tasks.
No, there's no need to thank me, really.
But you're in now. No withdrawal. If work beckons, just let your clients know that you have scads of resourceful men at your fingertips who would be only too happy to perform fluffing duties or other tasks.
No, there's no need to thank me, really.
Jul 22, 2008, 9:18 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA EXP, DL Plat, US Chairman, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IC RA
Posts: 1,436
Jul 23, 2008, 11:45 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
Jul 23, 2008, 3:29 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE, OnePass Elite, HH GOLD, MR, SPG Corp Plat
Posts: 13
I am also a new Ft'er - I would love to join but I am also out of the country.
If you could let me know the next event, that would be great.
Thxs
-PK
If you could let me know the next event, that would be great.
Thxs
-PK
Jul 24, 2008, 8:37 am
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
PK - There's a sticky with all up coming dates at the top of the forum - it's not up yet, but I think after NY the next full-blown Gayla will be SF at the end of January. Wireless organizes it, so watch for his post.
-----
Gayla update.
I am so sorry folks. Hotel rates continue to suck. When we picked this weekend, I tried to pick a weekend with rates that weren't through the roof, but obviously that's changed. There's almost nothing on Manhattan proper under $300 except the Pod Hotel on Quikbook. $159 in Manhattan is cheap for that weekend and the rate is fully cancelable, BUT you're assumedly talking a miniscule room with one twin bed and shared bathroom. The RED ROOF INN (!!!!) is charging more than the Marriott or the Sheraton. Getting outside Manhattan drops the prices, but you have to go pretty far, and my reservation about hotels in NJ as opposed to Brooklyn or Queens is that it will take longer to get back across the Hudson late at night depending on the bus schedules or your proximity to PATH. Before you commit to any hotel, check transit schedules for late night weekends (depending on how late you'd like to stay out)
If people want to consider splitting the hotel cost with a roommate it would be a significant savings.
This is also a good weekend to consider an award stay if at all possible.
Things may still get better on Hotwire/Priceline closer to the date proper, but to sound like a broken record, please make a cancelable backup booking pronto.
Another thought, because we're doing something fun on Sunday night and Sunday hotel rates in NYC are always lowest, consider coming Sat am to Monday rather than Friday to Sunday if you only have two nights in your hotel budget.
Saturday dinner - I talked to Timmy at Pam Real Thai. I haven't inked the contract, but what we're looking at is something more expensive, but we're also getting more (if humanly possible). We're looking at a later dinner (about 8:30-9pm) - we will have appetizers and drinks at that time (part of the restaurant will be reserved for us and drinks - beer, wine and sake - will be reserved by drink tickets). After cocktails and appetizers, we will sit down to a meal - salads first (two kinds) then entrees (five varied ones). The cost all inclusive including alcoholic drinks (I'm not sure yet if it's one or two, sorry) will be about $43. I realize that's more than last year, but my problem with last year is that the moment we sit at tables, people only talk to their immediate neighbors. Hence the cocktail hour but that raises the price. It's still a very good deal (welcome to Manhattan) and I hope people will understand my thinking (not that you really have a choice . . .
)
Sunday night - it looks like I've negotiated a group rate of around $22-23 for the Wau Wau Sisters - it's a $5 discount (ticket cost is $20 + fees)
I'll keep working on stuff. Y'all come.
-----
Gayla update.
I am so sorry folks. Hotel rates continue to suck. When we picked this weekend, I tried to pick a weekend with rates that weren't through the roof, but obviously that's changed. There's almost nothing on Manhattan proper under $300 except the Pod Hotel on Quikbook. $159 in Manhattan is cheap for that weekend and the rate is fully cancelable, BUT you're assumedly talking a miniscule room with one twin bed and shared bathroom. The RED ROOF INN (!!!!) is charging more than the Marriott or the Sheraton. Getting outside Manhattan drops the prices, but you have to go pretty far, and my reservation about hotels in NJ as opposed to Brooklyn or Queens is that it will take longer to get back across the Hudson late at night depending on the bus schedules or your proximity to PATH. Before you commit to any hotel, check transit schedules for late night weekends (depending on how late you'd like to stay out)
If people want to consider splitting the hotel cost with a roommate it would be a significant savings.
This is also a good weekend to consider an award stay if at all possible.
Things may still get better on Hotwire/Priceline closer to the date proper, but to sound like a broken record, please make a cancelable backup booking pronto.
Another thought, because we're doing something fun on Sunday night and Sunday hotel rates in NYC are always lowest, consider coming Sat am to Monday rather than Friday to Sunday if you only have two nights in your hotel budget.
Saturday dinner - I talked to Timmy at Pam Real Thai. I haven't inked the contract, but what we're looking at is something more expensive, but we're also getting more (if humanly possible). We're looking at a later dinner (about 8:30-9pm) - we will have appetizers and drinks at that time (part of the restaurant will be reserved for us and drinks - beer, wine and sake - will be reserved by drink tickets). After cocktails and appetizers, we will sit down to a meal - salads first (two kinds) then entrees (five varied ones). The cost all inclusive including alcoholic drinks (I'm not sure yet if it's one or two, sorry) will be about $43. I realize that's more than last year, but my problem with last year is that the moment we sit at tables, people only talk to their immediate neighbors. Hence the cocktail hour but that raises the price. It's still a very good deal (welcome to Manhattan) and I hope people will understand my thinking (not that you really have a choice . . .
)Sunday night - it looks like I've negotiated a group rate of around $22-23 for the Wau Wau Sisters - it's a $5 discount (ticket cost is $20 + fees)
I'll keep working on stuff. Y'all come.
Jul 26, 2008, 1:52 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: CLE/CAK
Programs: UA 2MM 1K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Premier
Posts: 1,408
Unfortunately, I won't be able to make this one. September is turning out to be a real busy month for me! Work always get in the way!
September is turning out to be a real busy month for me! Work always get in the way!
Jul 26, 2008, 3:50 pm
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
Folks, I just talked to another attendee - he just booked the next to the last award stay possible at the Sheraton Four Points - it sounds like places are filling up. I once again strongly suggest booking a cancelable backup - maybe something that can be shared to keep the cost in control? If budget is an issue, consider Saturday to Monday - the rates are better (and we're doing something Sunday night)
In about a week to ten days I'm going to ask for a preliminary headcount on events so I can figure out who's going to what.
Jul 26, 2008, 4:36 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PPSP. Yeah, I'm the bartender at that fancy 5-Star that forgot you said no salt on your freakin' frozen margarita. Listen up people! NO FROZEN DRINKS!
Posts: 2,022
Well, don't forget the Carlton Arms on 25th at Lexington.
The pros:
Inexpensive. $80 (tax incl) for one person shared bath/ $110 for private bath.
It is in a GREAT neighborhood (sort of rejuvanated Garmercy Park).
Very funky non-profit sort of hotel where every doorknob, windowsill, wall, and everything else you can think of is painted by an artist (see site). One time I picked a room with an India-style relaxing area under the raised bed (New indoor/outdoor purple carpeting.... who knew such a thing existed?!) and when I climbed up and into the bed and laid down there were sheep with numbers on them jumping over a fence painted on the ceiling above my head.
Also, the shared toilet rooms and shower rooms are very clean.
The cons: the hotel, while the rooms are very private, has a bit of a hostel feeling to it. There are no public spaces, phones in the rooms or tvs. (There is an ooooold tv in the small lobby that has been painted and filled with goldfish!).
Dirty linen will be in the hallway during the day as check-outs are serviced.
No wifi though I think I got some in the neighborhood??
AND: when the NYC rates have just been too prohibitive, I have stayed at the Meadowland area hotels. There is a super convenient express bus into the Port Authority that is, like, $2 OW and stops in front of the hotel(s) (at least the one I stayed in).
The pros:
Inexpensive. $80 (tax incl) for one person shared bath/ $110 for private bath.
It is in a GREAT neighborhood (sort of rejuvanated Garmercy Park).
Very funky non-profit sort of hotel where every doorknob, windowsill, wall, and everything else you can think of is painted by an artist (see site). One time I picked a room with an India-style relaxing area under the raised bed (New indoor/outdoor purple carpeting.... who knew such a thing existed?!) and when I climbed up and into the bed and laid down there were sheep with numbers on them jumping over a fence painted on the ceiling above my head.
Also, the shared toilet rooms and shower rooms are very clean.
The cons: the hotel, while the rooms are very private, has a bit of a hostel feeling to it. There are no public spaces, phones in the rooms or tvs. (There is an ooooold tv in the small lobby that has been painted and filled with goldfish!).
Dirty linen will be in the hallway during the day as check-outs are serviced.
No wifi though I think I got some in the neighborhood??
AND: when the NYC rates have just been too prohibitive, I have stayed at the Meadowland area hotels. There is a super convenient express bus into the Port Authority that is, like, $2 OW and stops in front of the hotel(s) (at least the one I stayed in).
Last edited by GoodKarmaGuy; Jul 26, 2008 at 10:32 pm Reason: to make better sense
Jul 26, 2008, 4:50 pm
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Priceline Titanium
Posts: 1,402
Here's the tripadvisor review. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html
It sounds like an experience - I just suggest people realize that one gets character in a heaping portion and service in a thimble. Read the description of services on the main page (no maid service, no phones, etc) But that is one hell of a price (I'm less of a princess than I sound - I'd stay there! Just want people to realize what they're getting)
It sounds like an experience - I just suggest people realize that one gets character in a heaping portion and service in a thimble. Read the description of services on the main page (no maid service, no phones, etc) But that is one hell of a price (I'm less of a princess than I sound - I'd stay there! Just want people to realize what they're getting)