Where to stay, part II

Yep, I%26#39;m looking around again.

Still love the Pod, even if recent reviews are stressing the young-and-noisy-guests factor.

But just now I%26#39;ve been looking into the Belleclaire Hotel, Broadway, Upper West.

Sounds like it%26#39;s a nice neighbourhood? Close to CP, that would be nice.

The 2 bedroom suite, although not the total budget option, would seem perfect to share a room with my nephew and still have privacy....

I absolutely love the pictures of the outside building, and inside looks nice enough as well.

Please bear with me and share some thoughts on this..., yet again ^_^

Where to stay, part II

I like this latest idea of yours -- the Belleclaire is not luxurious, but perfectly fine and gives you more of ';classic'; NYC hotel experience. The 2 BR set-up is far superior to a Pod%26#39;s teeny bunk-bedded room, especially for an intergenerational duo traveling together. You won%26#39;t have a separate living room [lounge] because these suites at the Belleclaire are literally 2 bedrooms, and there%26#39;s no door between the 2 bedchambers. But unlike the Pod, you won%26#39;t be on top of each other, will have more space, a private bathroom %26amp; a refrigerator for snacks %26amp; beverages.

The proximity to Central Park is indeed a big plus, especially in the heat of summer. And the largely residential Upper West Side is one of my favorite Manhattan neighborhoods. Lots of shops %26amp; restaurants; the Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society (a gem of a museum) are also in the neighborhood.

Where to stay, part II

Thanks for your reassuring words, CC, just what I needed! Actually, they more or less echo my thoughts as well. I was mostly concerned about the area, as it seems so away from %26#39;everything%26#39; on the map, but like you pointed out, it%26#39;s supposed to be pretty nice. Certainly enough places around for a simple meal an%26#39;all.

I%26#39;m fully aware it%26#39;s not a real suite, but that%26#39;s not what I%26#39;m looking for anyway. Just something we can share without being on top of each other all the time. It%26#39;s not as hip as the Pod, but it seems to have it%26#39;s own kind of funkyness.... and it%26#39;s probably way more comfortable.

And I totally fell in love with the building, right up my alley. You%26#39;re right, it will be a more classic NY-hotel experience!

Reading all the reviews, I understand there is quite some discrepancy between the various rooms, so I%26#39;m thinking of mailing the hotel (I%26#39;ve booked through expedia, as the euro-dollar rate was still fairly favourable, but the euro is about to drop, it seems),

telling them this is a %26#39;graduation and belated 18th birthday%26#39; present for my nephew, who has never been abroad yet. Pulling out the cards...

When would be the right moment to do this?

And should I do this by phone or by mail? My English is fluent enough for a phone call, but my accent is British English. Also, my social skills are nothing to write home about. I tend to be way too matter-of-factly when I want to sort things out.

what would you suggest?

O, and I will give that museum of Historical Society a go! Looks really interesting.

I would pull out all the stops twice: now, as part of an e-mail to the hotel asking them to confirm that they have received the reservation via Expedia, and then again, a week before your arrival.

Although I haven%26#39;t been in the Belleclaire recently, I would predict none of the 2 BR suites are amongst their lower-end rooms. But it certainly doesn%26#39;t hurt to ask... and while you%26#39;re at it, ask if it%26#39;s possible to be given a corner suite or one on an upper floor with a view.

I don%26#39;t often make special requests, but when I have, I%26#39;ve always done it by e-mail -- and been very pleased with the outcome. So, it seems to me you could save yourself the expense of a trans-Atlantic phone call.

Slavery in New York is a particularly fascinating exhibition at the New York Historical Society (4th floor)

https://www.nyhistory.org/web/default.php鈥?/a>

And there will be a special exhibition, Landmarks of New York, still on view at the time of your visit.

https://www.nyhistory.org/web/default.php鈥?/a>