Hi all

I realise that there have probably been numerous posts on this subject, but this is of quite a specific nature. I'm of to New York City in September with my boyfriend for 6 days. We'll be staying with my friend in the Upper West Side for all but the first night. We're arriving at JFK at 10.30pm so with possible delays, nightmarishly long queues at customs (took me 2 hours to get through immigration last time at Newark) and alll the rest it's too late to stay at my friend's on a work night as we'd be unlikely to get there before 2am.

So ... we're looking for a budget place to stay for the first night (though had a bad experience last time in a cheap place so don't want rats or cockroaches nearby this time!), somewhere that's preferably easy to access on the subway from JFK airport (can't remember which line that is) ... doesn't have to be glam or in a fab location but I guess somewhere we can leave our bags and then pick them up late pm before heading over to my friend's place would be ideal so we can maximise our time sightseeing and shopping on the first day.

Does anyone know NYC enough to be able to recommend an area that would be convenient taking into account the above and maybe even some budget hotels (have been shocked at prices so far).

Also - I don't want to get one of those NY visitor day cards as really didn't get my money's worth from one last time (can't be bothered to tramp around museums, plenty of free ones in London I never visit), does any one know of any good ways for getting discount coupons on tourist attractions, bars, restaurants etc.?

okay. if you are not familiar with the lay of the land, id take a moment to look at a map of nyc online real quick. also note the scale,its a pretty vast place.

here's a thought...
i think that what i would do is go on hotels.com
and search by "landmarks" after plugging in new york city. this allows you to indicate jfk airport as your landmark and gives you options around there.

yes, its expensive as hell.

i saw one for $90.
if you can get there for free from the airport (if the hotel has a shuttle or whatever) then i'd say, suck it up and go for it. its no super bargain, but if you are able to stay free the rewst of the week, maybe you can justify the extra expense for the sake of

-having a place to crash as soon as you get through customs

you are likely gonna wanna sleep a lot i'm sure, and for this reason, i would find a place that will let you do a late check out (typical check out time is 11am, but some hoteels let you extend for free or for a small fee)

i just know that when im tired and jetlagged, i am a real bear and the last thing i wanna do is galavant all day. if you are able to stash your stuff at the hotel for the day, then i would recommend not going into manhattan whee your pal lives until you are ready to meet up with your friend. this frees you up to explore stuff most tourists dont bother with:

queens!
brooklyn!
long island!

i would recommend you go to coney island which is the BEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and you can ride rides, eat hot dogs, walk on teh boardwalk chill on the beach and more for cheap. you can see a freakshow there too.

or take a long island railroad out to

fire island
(google it)

or the far eastern tip of the island wher the rich and famous hang out...the hamptons.

then after your excellent day seeing stuff besides manhatten, you wil be ready to get your stuff from the hotel and you will be energized and refreshed to meet your friend.


just my opinion.

Cheers for that, $90 isn't too bad compared to what I was looking at. We'll pay up to $120 for somewhere clean/ conveniently located. Very good point about check in, was assuming hotels checked out for 12pm as in the UK, need at least that to get a decent night's kip.

Also great thought re staying out of Manhatten as I stayed there last time and will be there at my friend's place. I fancy going to Coney Island, was already thinking of that, as didn't make it last time, boyf isn't keen but if it's a nice day I'm sure he'll go along with it...

okay girl, check this out:

http://www.coneyisland.com/

it is heaven on earth. i have been to 18 plus countries and my favorite spot on earth is coney island.

-----------
re: the quality of a hotel near jfk...since queens aint exactly midtown manhattan, i can make no promises as to how nice your hotel will be. try out:


www.tripadvisor.com to see if the hotel you are interested in has been reviewed.

--------------
i had a big fokup last time i needed a ride to jfk from manattan and instead of the $20 supershuttle (who was like 1.5 hours late getting me) i hopeed in a cab and paid something like $65 one way for an afternoon fare. at night, it might even cost you more. plus, im just imagining be zonked exhausted and trying to get around nyc in the middle of the night...not a fun scenario...i think a hotel near the airport will be your best bet. probably the more you search around the beetter off you'll be...but something with either a free shuttle, or somthing on the airport grounds itslef might be best (otherwise a supershuttle van trip-if they run that late...might not be bad option) cuz if something is 2.4 or 5.3 miles form the airport, then in nyc, that is a pain in the ass under these circumstances.



HOWEVER, having said all of that, if you DO decide to go to manhattan that night, there are lots of threads taling about lodging there. my favorite is the seafarers and international house.

pickwick arms is alright too and they are on hotels.com

but, again, i'd say try something differnet and enjoy a day in brooklyn..


http://www.visitbrooklyn.org/

hell, that site may help you find a hotel. btw jfk is in brooklyn, not queens as i may have mis-said earlier.

zopa

http://www.akwaaba.com/about_akwaaba/availability_rates.html

there's your digs for the night. found this on page one of brooklyn tourism's accomodations listing.

cool.

You can also try hotwire. I think staying near the hotel is a great idea, just make sure, once you make your reservation, you confirm late check in. If you don't confirm that, you run the risk of them tagging you as a no-show.

Good cheap place is called central park hostel. It's near the tube (sorry the subway)station and is less than $30 a night. Very clean but only downside was that quite a few people got food stolen from the communal kitchens. However i found eating very reasonable and good in NYC so didnt bother with hostel cooking. Hope this helps.