Better to arrive at EWR or JFK?
Apr 6, 2010, 3:19 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
It may not be fashionable any more but the rooms are comfortable (if a bit small), it's not too expensive, the gym is above average for a hotel, the location is great and the nearby restaurants are terrific.
Apr 6, 2010, 6:00 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,303
Go into EWR. When it's good, it's really good. Keep in mind the JFK runway closure leads to more air traffic in the NY area (so it could affect EWR-bound flights too), but JFK into Manhattan can get nasty and (as stated above), the Holland Tunnel is better for your (very nice) hotel destination. [on a side note, Bumble & Bumble nearby do great haircuts, and the Standard Grill - not the bar - is decent. Spice Market was just fine last weekend too].
Apr 6, 2010, 9:02 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,885
EWR, definitely. I've made it off the 185, through immigration, checked bags, collected, into a town car, through the tunnel and straight up Hudson to to member's club over the road from your destination in 50 minutes from wheels down.
I like the 185 and you're on the right side of town for it.
I like the 185 and you're on the right side of town for it.
Apr 7, 2010, 3:18 am
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
AFAIK, it's the best hotel in that neighbourhood, with perhaps one exception (see below). My friends tend to live and hang out around Chelsea and thereabouts, so somewhere that isn't an easy walk from, let's say, 17th and 8th, is out of the question.
I have plenty of New Yorkers to advise me. Some of them now live in London so perhaps even know the hotels better than those who still live in New York. They generally choose to stay at the Gansevoort.
Not all rooms are the same size, you know. 
And even the smallest rooms (absurdly called "Superior" - as in so many places) are not so small by New York standards.
Three years ago the cheapest rooms would often cost $550-600 (+tax). Fortunately, the recession and I think more importantely local competition (notably the Standard) have brought the prices down to earth somewhat, while the rooms have been well-maintained and aren't looking tired at all.
Ooooh, how mysterious. Where could you possibly be talking about? 
Are you a member? The generally available prices are around 50% more than the Gansevoort - although a comparison isn't straightforward because the range of room sizes is different, with yours being generally larger. Is it worth the extra?
I rather like the fact that our pool looks down on your pool.
And take that from a New Yorker.
And even the smallest rooms (absurdly called "Superior" - as in so many places) are not so small by New York standards.
it's not too expensive, the gym is above average for a hotel, the location is great and the nearby restaurants are terrific.
Are you a member? The generally available prices are around 50% more than the Gansevoort - although a comparison isn't straightforward because the range of room sizes is different, with yours being generally larger. Is it worth the extra?
I rather like the fact that our pool looks down on your pool.
Last edited by LeisureFirst; Apr 7, 2010 at 3:27 am
Apr 7, 2010, 4:28 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,885
Ooooh, how mysterious. Where could you possibly be talking about?
Are you a member? The generally available prices are around 50% more than the Gansevoort - although a comparison isn't straightforward because the range of room sizes is different, with yours being generally larger. Is it worth the extra?
I rather like the fact that our pool looks down on your pool.
Are you a member? The generally available prices are around 50% more than the Gansevoort - although a comparison isn't straightforward because the range of room sizes is different, with yours being generally larger. Is it worth the extra?
I rather like the fact that our pool looks down on your pool.
The whole neighbourhood has turned into a B&T wonderland of an evening. Yogi Berra's "That place is so crowded, nobody goes there anymore" is sort of appropriate.
Apr 7, 2010, 4:52 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
Too true. I'd be equally happy over in the relative quiet of, say, 7th and 18th, but tell me a decent hotel there. You either have to head North to midtown proper, or south to SoHo, all too far from where my friends live and most of the clubs/restaurants/parties where I tend to spend my time.
Apr 7, 2010, 5:04 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
That IB codeshare must be on AA metal.
Last edited by KenJohn; Apr 7, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Apr 7, 2010, 5:26 pm
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
Makes sense. I was just searching (at that point) for IB flights arriving at JFK and it wasn't apparent to me at that point it wasn't on IB metal. In any case, the problematic flight seems to be the CX one, arriving shortly after the BA one.
Although the majority view here seems to favour EWR, a New Yorker friend and neighbour in London, who hops back and forth almost monthly (and stays at the same hotels as me - in fact he'll be arriving at the Gansevoort via BA3 on the very same day in June) is strongly advising otherwise. He says the cab fare from EWR is significantly more, and the runway issues at JFK are nothing to worry about.
And I do greatly prefer a 747, especially for a daytime flight, - whether in 2K or slumming it in 62K. Decisions, decisions....
Although the majority view here seems to favour EWR, a New Yorker friend and neighbour in London, who hops back and forth almost monthly (and stays at the same hotels as me - in fact he'll be arriving at the Gansevoort via BA3 on the very same day in June) is strongly advising otherwise. He says the cab fare from EWR is significantly more, and the runway issues at JFK are nothing to worry about.
And I do greatly prefer a 747, especially for a daytime flight, - whether in 2K or slumming it in 62K. Decisions, decisions....
Apr 7, 2010, 5:39 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA/HH/Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,467
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/ewr-t...n-service.html
Last edited by Calcifer; Apr 7, 2010 at 5:42 pm Reason: $50 for the west side below 23rd St.
Apr 7, 2010, 6:00 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: The Hague, NL
Programs: GMLFL, Life 2.0 - Mucci Premiere Classe & des Chevaliers Toulousiens
Posts: 22,911
www.dial7.com - same rate to go to EWR or JFK ($48 sedan or $53 luxury). $2 cheaper going from EWR/JFK to Manhattan. Tolls are $9 for both routes.
I always use them and they are perfectly fine (as well as on time!).
I always use them and they are perfectly fine (as well as on time!).
Last edited by henkybaby; Apr 8, 2010 at 2:18 am
Apr 7, 2010, 6:02 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,885
Too true. I'd be equally happy over in the relative quiet of, say, 7th and 18th, but tell me a decent hotel there. You either have to head North to midtown proper, or south to SoHo, all too far from where my friends live and most of the clubs/restaurants/parties where I tend to spend my time.
http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/
I hear it's quite nice and I fancy would make a reasonable compromise between uptown and downtown.
Apr 8, 2010, 5:51 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
www.dial7.com - same rate to go to EWR or JFK ($48 sedan or $53 luxury). $2 cheaper going from EWR/JFK to Manhattan. Tolls are $9 for both routes.