Reply
Fri 15 Apr, 2011 05:04 am
I'm about to leave with the family to do spring break in NYC. My typical plan is to find a vacation rental in town where all of us can stay that feels like being in the city instead of a hotel and this year is no different. What is different is that for the last week I have not been able to contact the owner to arrange to pick up the key and get into the room and we leave tomorrow. (The owner mentioned that they travel overseas a lot in the winter.) I'm not too worried about being scammed out of the deposit since we used PayPal and I'm well inside the window to file a dispute, but I am worried about showing up in NYC with my family on a Saturday night with no place to stay. If I make hotel reservations I will probably be out for one night's fee if I don't use it since the plan is we wouldn't arrive until 6:00 PM. Anyone have an idea of how easy it is to get a room on short notice in NY or do I just suck up the $300 in hotel fees as a reasonable insurance policy?
@engineer,
More info: the building where the room is in a
co-op on 23rd and 8th. If I could find the number for the co-op or the doorman, I could see if the leasor has made arrangements for our arrival, but I can't find the number for the co-op, only the residents.
@engineer,
Try
http://www.airbnb.com/ or is that where you already got it?
@dlowan,
They have a standby list and some places available tomorrow, for example...but they are in the $200 and something a night range.
@engineer,
Any possibility of calling a resident and asking for a way to contact the doorman?
Looks like an amazing place to stay!
@dlowan,
Thanks for that website! $200/night is not an issue for the apartment type places. I'll have to look around the site some. I'm still hoping the owner I have been working with will come through, but time is running out.
@sozobe,
I could randomly call a resident. I reverse searched on the address and have lots of numbers. If I get further into the day I might try that and just expect to get a few hang-ups.
@engineer,
Call a resident or two and ask who the Management Company is. They are in charge of the doormen. They would also need to be informed of anyone staying in the building.
Joe(up in the Heights)Nation
@engineer,
just guessing from your link but these people might know (or be) the management company -
cityrealty.com
@Joe Nation,
OK, I randomly called people in the building and got the property management company (Douglas Elliman). I've left a message with the property manager.
@engineer,
Oh, good - now for a callback..
@engineer,
Be cautious about what you say to the property managers. Say you're a cousin or something. A lot of co-ops don't allow rentals.
eh(cousin of several people on 86th)Beth
@engineer,
Spoke to the doorman and there is no key left, so I better make other plans - fast.
@engineer,
Oboy.
Glad you were able to find that out for sure now rather than at 6:00 PM tomorrow.
Good luck with your backup plans!
@sozobe,
Not much luck. Every apartment is booked and most hotels are not child friendly. I found something in Brooklyn near a subway line that's not too bad.
@engineer,
Oh man.....so you're ok?
What a jerk your original contact is...unless something has happened to him!
@dlowan,
At this point I'm going to be ok I think. My blood pressure is dropping back to normal and my wife had the perfect response: "Isn't the best pizza in Brooklyn?" It's a little more money and a little less ambiance, but we don't plan on spending a lot of time in the room so it seems like it will all work out. I'll post back next week with details. Thanks for the help!
@engineer,
Did you officially cancel with the kumquat? Er, the person you had contacted? I figure you have made the right moves in that regard, whatever they are.
@ossobuco,
No email contact from him at all so no. If he called right now, I could probably switch everything back, but somehow I don't think that is happening. I think I will have to consider it part of my NY adventure.
@engineer,
Have a Brooklyn adventure (if you have some time in your New York adventure)
There are quite a few Brooklyn sights/sounds on my short list for my next trip
http://nymag.com/listings/attraction/brooklyn-museum-of-art/
I really want to see this
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/mummy_chamber/
then ...
http://brooklynicecreamfactory.com/
Quote:Production is done only at our two Brooklyn locations in small batches.
The original location, in a landmark fireboat house on
the Fulton Ferry Pier, features one of most sweeping views in America,
the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan skyline & Statue of Liberty.
and Cherry Blossom Season at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
http://www.bbg.org/discover/cherries/
too many pizza choices ...
http://www.brooklyns.com/
http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm
brooklyn children's museum
http://www.brooklynkids.org/
Quote:A pioneer in education, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum was the first museum created expressly for children when it was founded in 1899. Its success sparked the creation of similar institutions around the globe, and today the Museum continues as a world-class institution with community roots. With a recent expansion, all-new exhibits, and all-new programs, the Museum is now both the world’s oldest and the world’s newest children’s museum.
http://www.brooklynkids.org/index.php/comingup
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace