Hey, LisaP and all you other New Yorkers. I'm coming up for a quickie cruise on the Gem in Dec. Gonna stay a couple of days prior and don't like your hotel choices too well. The ones I'd like to stay at are more than I want to spend for a couple of days of sightseeing since I'm just gonna use the room to crash at night. The ones that are in great locations and priced right don't exactly look too appealing. Shared bathrooms? Have to crawl to the end of the bed to get up because they're so tiny? Not encouraged by the reviews.

Would I be making a big mistake to get a room in Jersey City or North Bergen and taking the train or hiring a car? It gives me the option of a great room at a great price and a short commute. What's your best recommendation?

Thanks, Neil

Neil,

Look at Secaucus, NJ. There is a Hampton Inn by the Meadowlands for around $150 per night and it is only 4 or 5 miles to The City via the Lincoln Tunnel.

Thanks Dave, I'll do that!

We're coming over to NY/NJ next week, sailing on the Explorer and we've managed to tag on a few extra days staying at the Penn Station Hilton NJ. According to a few site it's only a 20 min trip on subway into the heart of NY.
For 5 of us in 2 rooms for 4 days it's just over £600. It might seem a lot but compared to staying in NY it's cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by TrvlPro:
Thanks Dave, I'll do that!

I stayed in a Hampton Inn in Tarrytown a couple of times when I visited my daughter at SUNY Purchase. We took the train into the city, It was $5 one way back in 2002 and not a bad ride. We took several times to go sight seeing in the City (The "City" is always New York to me) You could try this one, it was nice and not to bad for price.

Hi Neil. Although I grew up in NYC, I'm not all that familiar with New Jersey. I do like mps69's suggestion, as you can easily take the PATH train into the City. I see that the Hampton Inn Dave recommended provides public transportation to Manhattan, according to the Hilton Web site. I wouldn't stay anywhere that requires you to take a car or taxi as those costs can nearly offset the savings of staying out of town.

I am more familiar with Westchester, and have stayed several times at the Hampton Inn that CruiseDad mentioned, as well as the Springhill Suites down the road, also in Tarrytown. There are also some hotels in White Plains that are near a MetroNorth commuter station, although they may be pricier.

December in NYC is tough as the City is packed for the pre-Christmas season. I've been wanting to go there myself, but weekends in my favorite Manhattan hotels are sold out.

There is a lot to be said for taking the train into Grand Central from the north. Once you are at Grand Central you are so close to so many things - walking distance for many.

Neil,

Wherever you end up staying, just please make sure you eat at least one meal at a genuine NY deli! I can't go to NYC without getting a mile high corned beef on rye someplace.

We just stayed at the new Econo Lodge on West 47th and 8th. Nice basic hotel. Very clean and well located. Rooms are quite small, but price is right.

Thanks to everyone for all the great tips. Got busy after I posted this and haven't had time to check any of these options out yet. I intend to tonght when I get off work, if I ever get finished, lol.

Cheers, Neil