First timers to NY - advice please

Hi

Have just decided to %26#39;do%26#39; NY with my husband to celebrate his 50th birthday. We are tied to 19 -24 July and would like some pointers on what to book. We have been advised to book flights and hotel separately - best flights seem to be Delta for times -

Is this a good airline choice?

Is it better to fly into JFK or Newark for central NYC?

Any recommendations for a good quality 4/5 star hotel central to attractions?

All comments appreciated!!! Thanks

First timers to NY - advice please

Delta is a world renowned airline!

It%26#39;s best to fly where the airline you choose lands!

JFK has more transportation options than Newark, IMO.

The Pierre Hotel in NYC is located adjacent to Central Park and Fifth Avenue, right in the thick of things, and is used by many TV shows to house their guests, if it is good enough for them.....I%26#39;m sure you would find it satisfactory.

Poppa

First timers to NY - advice please

Hi Stone - what a fun trip you will have. I know it seems daunting at first to pick hotels, etc but perhaps you should narrow down the kind of neighborhood you want to stay in. Personally I would advise against staying in Times Square. A good option would be either the W hotel in Union Square (good location, close to subway lines, can walk to various restaurants and do-able walks to East %26amp; West Village, Grammarcy Park, Chelsea). OR stay at the Soho Grand and you are right in Soho with lots of shopping and restaurant options.

1) Most important imo is getting a non-stop flight. I always feel whatever you save on a flight with a change or plane will be used up on aggro and possible lost luggage. After that, all the airlines are more or less the same although some think the extra legroom on AA (American) is much more comfortable, esp. if you%26#39;re large and/or tall. Use kayak.com to check prices. Kayak will also have a chart to show which dates around yours are cheapest to fly if you%26#39;re a bit flexible.

2) Doesn%26#39;t really matter b/w JFK or EWR. Pick best flights/times. If you search on kayak.com you can search all NYC area airports vs. having to chose one.

3) Not always true that flight and hotel separately is better. It%26#39;s always worth checking both ways, especially if the airline you chose has air/hotel pkgs. After you know what airfare will be, then check pkgs. from the airline you like the best for flights and also Expedia.

4) I like kayak.com and quikbook.com for hotel shopping. There are really too many good hotels to pick w/o an idea of budget or taste from you. On quikbook, the Michelangelo is $295/night plus tax which is ~15%( -US websites don%26#39;t include tax on price quotes) which is good value. The Elysee and the Casablanca both owned by the same co. are $317/$319, also good. The London is a lovely all suite hotel in great location with Gordon Ramsay%26#39;s rest. inside. Didn%26#39;t check the price but their vista suites with views of Central Park are wonderful. If you really want to splash out, the Four Seasons, the Trump or Mandarin Oriental are all great.

Btw, I assumed you%26#39;re talking about flying coach when I said they%26#39;re all about the same.

Here are some threads from the FAQ that might be helpful in planning your trip:

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? Neighborhoods in Manhattan:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-s204/New-York-鈥?/a>

MUST-SEE%26#39;S AND MUST-DO%26#39;S! WHAT SHOULD A FIRST-TIMER ABSOLUTELY NOT MISS? This list could go on forever, but here%26#39;s a ';Top 21'; that sums up the Big Apple%26#39;s best features.

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-s409/New-York-鈥?/a>

TRIP REPORTS:

Couples:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k472956-鈥?/a>

Flown with Delta a few times into Atlanta and they have been Ok, on time on all occasions and staff friendly. Flew with BA to JFK in Jan this year, they were ok going out, but coming back they were good. On time to JFK and early coming back. It is so so easy to get from JFK into Manhatten

Check e-bookers.com as i booked with them for flight and hotel and always get a good deal and with hotel. I always fly Virgin!

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