Recommended hotel in Manhattan/NY and place(s) to see TP's?

[Johan]

Yipee!!! I am going to New York on vacation! For a full week; from May 2-9, and I am looking very, very much forward to it, wauw!!

In this connection, I wonder if any forum members would perhaps happen to know/want to recommend any ”tourist-class” place to stay at Manhattan? While I certainly wouldn’t mind to stay at e.g. "The New York Plaza" or at the "Waldorf-Astoria", I guess that less can (and also will have to) do... Although there are a (very!) large number of hotels at Manhattan, I would appreciated very much if anyone could suggest/recommend place(s) which are known to be ”nice” in the sense convenient, clean, comfortable etc. and at average tourist cost (guess something like up to maximum $150-200 per night – for us two persons; a girlfriend and I). Preferably not too extremely far away from midtown Manhattan… we want to experience the core of the The Big Apple!!

Then, next: Does anybody know if there are any ThinkPad-shops (preferably) at Manhattan where the newer ThinkPad-models actually are on public display, and perhaps even can be tried? I would like to see ”live” the X200/X300’s, the T400/T500’s and the W500’s – is that possible anywhere? No such shops exist in my part of the World; here we are restricted to buy, receive and then see for the first time upon receipt of the item. A bit unsatisfactory.

Thanks very much in advance for any hints/recommendations!

Johan

[RealBlackStuff]

For accommodation try www.hotwire.com where you can get 4 **** hotels at 2 ** prices.

[spuddog]

My son went to college at NYU located in Greenwich Village. We stayed at the Gramercey Park Hotel. It is very difficult to locate a nice hotel in Manhattan for $200 a night. I don't know if you've been to New York City before, but the area around Greenwich Village has some smaller hotels and seems to be more European in nature. The subway provides easy transportation to the other parts of the city. Contrary to popular belief, I found the people of New York to be quite friendly and helpful.

Scott

[basketb]

Many hotels have so called corporate rates; that is, if you are affiliated with a (big) corporation, you get special rates (when staying on a corporate rate, I've never been ask for proof that I actually am affiliated with that company).
Also, many hotels have special rates for members of automobile associations (AAA in the US - but many foreign automobile associations qualify as well - check with yours if you are a member; when staying with the AAA rate, I've been asked for my AAA membership card many times).
A few years ago (fall 2004) I stayed at the Crowne Plaza at Times Square, which is probably as central as anything gets in Manhattan. I just checked and, unfortunately, their rates aren't even close to $200/night.

[ajkula66]

First of all, drop me a PM when you arrive so we can meet for drinks/lunch/dinner/whatever...I'm in the city five days a week...

The only place that you can see newer ThinkPads is Lenovo's store on (I think) Madison Avenue.

I'll be back later with hopefully some hotel info...

[pianowizard]

Hey, Johan, I happen to be in NYC from May 4th through the 10th. Please PM me a few days before the 4th so that you, George and I can meet up!

[killer]

Sounds like a party is starting.

[Johan]

For accommodation try http://www.hotwire.com where you can get 4 **** hotels at 2 ** prices.

@ RealBlackStuff: Thanks very much for this tip, Dominic! (it almost sounds too good to be true?!). I just played a bit around on this site, but it turns out that it is impossible to see what specific hotel you book, until after you have completed the booking and have paid for the complete stay (”You save big because you agree to learn the hotel name after you book.”). This is unfortunately not quite up to my liking… as I really want to know what I get/where I ”end”. So, perhaps a good deal, but.. Thanks, anyway!

@ spuddog: Thanks to you too, Scott, but the Gramercy Park Hotel unfortunately is a luxury hotel intended for people belonging to a somewhat higher ”social class” than mine (as I am a very comman, average man, nothing special, really!). Sounds/seems very nice, though! Maybe in my next life…

@ basketb: Thanks for this tip, too. The (Danish) company I work for is ”medium sized”, and although there are quite some international travel, I doubt that there exist hotel agreements worldwide. What’s more, I very much want to get the travel arrangements settled before too long (preferably during this weekend), and as we’re just in the midst of the Easter Holidays here it won’t be until Tuesday next week that the travel-people at my work will be back… and as mentioned, I’d rather not postpone the arrangements until then.

@ ajkula66: My absolute pleasure hopefully having an occation to meet you live, George!! However, we’re potentially facing some serious difficulties here (yeps, start prepare for an international crises, if you don’t do as I say!): I would certainly be obliged to meet you for drinks/lunch/dinner/whatever… but… I’m the one who is inviting! If you fail to immediately accept this command (!!), then… lemme see… ooh, yes, then I will start weeping right away, and also I will be entirely unhappy, for the rest of my life!! OK, agreement, Sir?! Yes? Good!

Thanks about the info about Lenovo's store on (you think) Madison Avenue… I will Google to see where it is more precisely. I’ll get back with suggestions/options for time/place to meet, once we’re a bit closer. Again, thanks very much for your kind suggestion, George! I am looking more and more forward to this trip!

@ pianowizard: Thanks very much, you too, Kwoon; I’d be happy to meet with you too! My only ”fear” is how tiny I might come to feel being amongst this company of the highest-ranking true ThinkPad-guru’s! Ooh, well, after a few beers I will probably relax a bit… Please allow me to get back to you as well, once things have become a bit more clear. Party time coming up!!

Thanks again, everyone. Should anybody have any specific hotel suggestions, then still: Feel free! Nothing decided or arranged yet, but I hope to have things settled this weekend… to focus entirely on looking forward to be in ol’ mighty US! Ooh, yes, I forgot to reply to Scott: I have had the great pleasure of visiting New York three times earlier, but it is more than 10 years ago last time.

Happy Easter all of you!

Johan

[GomJabbar]

I use Orbitz to make my travel arrangements. http://www.orbitz.com/

[Harryc]

George and Johan, if you make plans let me know. I'll take a ride to the city to meet up with you guys.

[pianowizard]

I'll take a ride to the city to meet up with you guys.

It would be great if you can join us! Perhaps we can meet at that Lenovo store.

[ajkula66]

@Harry:

You got it. Seems funny that it takes for Johan to come all the way from Denmark for us to meet in person, don't you think so...

@PW:

We might go and take a peak at the store (never been there myself) but there are, as I'm sure you'll agree, much nicer places in the city to celebrate this meeting...

@killer:

Care to join? We could always use "an Englishman in New York" as Sting would put it...

@Johan:

We might allow you to buy one round...but that's it...

Really looking forward to this guys...

[killer]

@ajkula66: Thanks for the invite, George. The last time I was in NYC I travelled back to Southampton on the liner Queen Elizabeth II. Harry Nilsson and I had a few drinks in the bar during the 5 night journey. Elton John was on board too. He was married to a woman then. Blimey, that was in 1984!

[pianowizard]

Hey Johan, George, Harry and Brad,

I sent you all an email earlier today regarding this gathering. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your "spam" mailbox because sometimes my messages get misidentified as spam. Look for a message from Kwoon.

[Harryc]

PW, thanks. I won't be able to make this gathering due to work commitments this week. Have a great time everyone.