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Post by Anne on Feb 11, 2011 8:33:37 GMT -5
 I am in my first stages of planning a big family vacation in Washington and NYC next ... Christmas. I know that it is still very early, but some of you guys plan their Paris vacations even earlier than that  ! Eldest daughter will be a student at John Hopkins, Baltimore, next year, so our plan is to rent a vacation appartment/house in Washington where we can all stay together for a week or so, and after that go to New York City and spend 2 or 3 nights in a hotel before flying back home. So I have two questions (so far  ) : - I have already been looking at Washington rentals on vrbo and Homeaway and I'm confident that I can find something convenient there, although many rentals have no customers' feedback at all and I'd rather avoid these. However, I haven't been able to find any company of the type of Vacation in Paris, Perfectly Paris, etc ... that you guys like to use for Paris. I'd be very willing to pay some higher fees but deal with a reputable company. Aren't there any in the USA ? Or maybe not in Washington ? - I'd love recommendations for good hotel(s) in Manhattan, conveniently located (would that be near Time Square ?), middle or upper-middle range since I know that hotel prices go up the roof during the holidays season. The only time I've been to NYC was in 1990 and we stayed at the Hilton on avenue of the Americas because at that time the reputation of middle-range NYC hotels (or at least their reputation in France) was that they typically had beautiful lobbies (for the pictures on the travel agents' catalogues !) and then very shabby if not dirty bedrooms. But I hope that I can now find a good value hotel, well, apart from the holidays factor. Any suggestion ? Thank you in advance !
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Post by holger on Feb 11, 2011 9:10:56 GMT -5
I would strongly recommend any of the Kimpton Hotels. They have several in New York, all with distinct ambience. Whenever I travel in the U.S. I try to stay at a Kimpton as they are comfortable and interesting. They have a web site and you can look at it and see information of the several they have in NYC and their locations. They are reliable and what you see is what you get. There are also some smaller hotels a bit out of the more central areas that TA lists. But I really like the Kimpton for quality. We have stayed at the Muse in NYC. I love the hotel but actually do not like the Times Square area.
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Post by Jody on Feb 11, 2011 9:59:59 GMT -5
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 11, 2011 10:44:12 GMT -5
Hi Anne,
I agree with Jody...Dupont Circle is a great location (It's where I work).
There is no vacation rental company that I know of, but I have rented through VRBO and HomeAway in other cities and have been fine.
Let me know if you find a promising place...I can go look at it at lunchtime for you!!
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Post by PariS on Feb 11, 2011 11:49:54 GMT -5
Anne, sounds like a wonderful trip! I agree with the recommendation of the Dupont Circle area--it's very pretty and convenient to the sights. When we were in DC a few years ago we stayed a few nights downtown before moving to a hotel on Dupont Circle, and I much preferred that area. Sis, you have a gorgeous neighborhood to work in! |
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Post by Jody on Feb 11, 2011 11:54:50 GMT -5
It's where I work).
Oh good that means you might have lunch one day!
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Post by Anne on Feb 11, 2011 11:57:20 GMT -5
Thank you girls  . Jody, I hadn't mentionned it but we will most certainly be 7, something which quite reduces the rental opportunities. Actually, between the number of us, plus the fact that I'd rather avoid rentals with no customers' reviews (that's if I stick to vrbo or homeaway which are not rental companies that would control the rentals they advertise), plus of course the location criteria, rental opportunities reduce seriously, that's the main reason why I start looking so early. Holger, I've been looking at the Kimpton hotels. I choked when discovering their rates between Xmas and the New Year : Eventi which is the cheapest one (but looks perfect) is 419+taxes per night for a 4 people bedroom when booking with no special rates. I have long since lost track of NYC hotels fares, but I'd like to try and find something a little cheaper. If I cannot find some cheaper and good value place at that time of the year, then I may splurge on the Eventi. BTW, I love the fact that 3- or 4- people bedrooms are so easy to get in the USA, finding a hotel in Paris with two bedrooms for 3 or 4 adults each would be a lot more difficult ! |
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Post by Sandy M on Feb 11, 2011 13:04:51 GMT -5
Anne - so glad that you are making a visit to the USA! You'll love Washington, DC and I also agree about staying in the Dupont Circle area - the Phillips Collection Museum is very close to the Metro station and the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" hangs there. There are also streets where many Embassy's are located which are interesting to see. On one visit several years ago, we stayed at the Holiday Inn near the Metro and I don't really remember anything about the hotel other than it was acceptable. I liked the area so well that where we were staying didn't enter into the picture.
I also like the Phoenix Park Hotel which is very close to Union Station, the Capitol and lots of good restaurants. Tim used to attend meetings in DC every December and we usually stayed at the Phoenix Park - just checked TA and it still receives good reviews. How long will you be in DC?
When I was in NYC two summers ago for the OPF GTG, I stayed at the Amsterdam Court Hotel - on 50th right off Broadway which was a great location for me. The hotel was okay - in need of a face lift but the bathroom was clean and I see from TA reviews that they are in the process of a complete renovation. Not sure how many nights you will be there but the rates could be a bit less than some of the big name hotels. However, you might not be happy with the hotel unless they would guarantee you that you would have a remodeled room
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Post by sunshine817 on Feb 11, 2011 13:20:16 GMT -5
Anne, there's a hotel chain called a Residence Inn, one of several chains of self-catering hotels...those might work out better for you than finding an apartment.
They usually have a kitchenette and considerably more "room to roam" than even some flats might have...and might be competitive pricewise, too.
(They're similar to a Citadines -- business hotel for people staying longer-term)
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Post by Sandy M on Feb 11, 2011 13:54:28 GMT -5
Good idea Sunshine - and there is a Residence Inn located near Dupont Circle!
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Post by travelluver on Feb 11, 2011 19:22:56 GMT -5
Anne, I love the Hotel Giraffe in NYC. My husband and I stay there at least 6 times a year, and have been doing so for at least 5 -6 years. Small, boutique hotel in the Gramercy area of the city. Always highly rated on tripadvisor. 70 rooms, 12 floors, complimentary continental plus b'fast and evening wine and cheese. PM me if you want more details, you can use my name. The ENTIRE staff knows me!
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Post by Anne on Feb 12, 2011 10:32:35 GMT -5
Thanks again everyone. I know that Dupont Circle is a very desirable area in DC, only I cannot seem to find accomodation for more than 6 people there, even the Residence Inn appartments are 6 persons max. I should know very soon how many we will be exactly (between 5 and 7), but if we are 7 indeed then I guess that we will have to pick a rental in Capitol Hill (several large rentals there), Downtown or Columbia Heights. Anyway, I've made some homeworks and know that I should be looking for rentals with a SW or NW address rather than a SE or NE. Hotel in NYC should be easier to find although I guess that I may have to stretch my budget here. Sandy, Amsterdam Court rooms are either "not available" or "sold out" when I make a research for our approximate dates. Travelluver, I'll wait to see whether the Giraffe extends its Best Rates Best Dates program till end of December, in which case I would consider them especially since breakfast is included. I've also seen that there is a Residence Inn near Time Square, and even though we only need hotel rooms in NYC (as opposed to a residence with kitchen and all amenities), their rates are quite competitive compared to "normal" hotel rooms (and they offer breakfast too). This is sooo exciting ;D ! Although hubby keeps reminding me that we won't know for sure whether we are going (and coming back !) until the latest moment if the weather next December is similar to what it used to be in Europe and then the USA during last holidays  ... |
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Post by suzanne on Feb 12, 2011 10:58:33 GMT -5
When we travel with kids we look for Embassy Suites. They have kitchettes. Two queen beds in the bedroom and sofa sleeper in the living room. They have free breakfast and happy hour.
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Post by mez on Feb 12, 2011 17:12:43 GMT -5
Anne, I've got several reservations for NYC hotels for my upcoming visit - I am still undecided - but one that might suit you is the Beacon Hotel on the Upper West Side. Also check out the Affinia group of hotels - see www.affinia.comThere are loads of hotels and it will seriously do your head in trying to decide. One thing that might impact where you stay is how many people do you want to fit in the room. I am not a fan of staying in Times Square...it's just too busy. And yes, you are right about the price. December is expensive. The prices dip a little in the week before Christmas but from Thanksgiving (late Nov) until New Years Eve the prices are high. |
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Post by Anne on Feb 13, 2011 10:50:01 GMT -5
Thank you Suzanne and Mez. Unfortunately Embassy suites are not in NYC. Two of the Affinia hotels, the Affinia Manhattan and the Eastgate Tower have reasonable rates, and they are also the first hotels that I see which have 2-bedrooms 2-bathrooms junior suites for 6 adults (most of the places which can sleep 6 only accept 4 adults+2 children). Mez, I quite agree about Times Square, only we are going to NYC on special request of the twins, and as you can guess those 16 years old couldn't care less about New York cultural life or such things. They want animation, noise and lights, oh and also shopping for cool clothes and accessories  ... |
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Post by mez on Feb 13, 2011 17:36:24 GMT -5
Mez, I quite agree about Times Square, only we are going to NYC on special request of the twins, and as you can guess those 16 years old couldn't care less about New York cultural life or such things. They want animation, noise and lights, oh and also shopping for cool clothes and accessories ... Well that's fair enough.  I spend quite a lot of time around Times Square myself because I go to the theatre a lot when I am in NYC. I do see the appeal but I am not sure I coudl take an entire trip of being in that heaving mass of people and lights. In exchange for staying in Times Square, tell your kids a trip to the Phillips Collection in Washington DC is a must. This gallery is the proud owner of Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party. I have seen this painting hundres of times in print but seeing it in real life was a privilege. The colours leap off the canvas. Renoir has done an amazing job of capturing a moment in time. See www.phillipscollection.org/collection/boating/index.aspx |
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Post by suzanne on Feb 14, 2011 13:53:57 GMT -5
There is a chain called Extended Stay. I think they have NY locations.
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Post by Anne on Feb 19, 2011 9:46:09 GMT -5
Planes booked, I feel SO excited ! Frankfurt to Dulles on Dec 18 (United) JFK to Frankfurt on Dec 29, arrival Dec 30 (Lufthansa) 737 euros . Times 6 . Now researching Washington rentals  |
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Post by denise on Feb 19, 2011 12:06:58 GMT -5
:DIt's always a good feeling when a trip is booked.
........then you can start planning the next one ;D ;D ;D ;D
denise
Love from England
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Post by Shoesy on Feb 19, 2011 22:56:03 GMT -5
Congratulations, Anne ! Good luck with the remainder of your bookings !
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! 
) :
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...
...
I spend quite a lot of time around Times Square myself because I go to the theatre a lot when I am in NYC. I do see the appeal but I am not sure I coudl take an entire trip of being in that heaving mass of people and lights.
hahahha