Inexpensive NYC stay for 5 people (3 teens)

[Anonymous]

Pick a hotel with a kitchenette in Jersey City, near the Path, like the Sonesta Simply Suites. It's a 2 block walk to the PATH or ferry that takes you under the river directly to WTC. Parking is now about $20/day. There is a grocery store (Whole Foods) one or two blocks away in case you need anything. A full size fridge is included, for those hungry teenagers. We've been staying in Jersey City for years, it's safe, convenient and easy to drive in. Walk to Carlos' bakery one of the mornings to get breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is truly hard to find any time of year. Christmas will be harder.

The PATH option is not bad, and Hoboken and Jersey City are nice.

I don't really want them traveling out of the way. It was just an idea for a trip but that'll be a no. Thank you all!

Instead of saying “no” to the trip completely, why not compromise on the location, size of the lodging, or duration? 3 nights should be plenty to have a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see an AirBnB in Brooklyn right now for $343/night before taxes with 2BR and 6 beds.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1002825899474348002?adults=5&location=New%20York%20City%2C%20New%20York%2C%20United%20States&search_mode=regular_search&check_in=2024-12-23&check_out=2024-12-27&source_impression_id=p3_1731081539_P3awKax1304fiYcW&previous_page_section_name=1001

Short-term rentals are illegal in NYC, so booking an Airbnb is a risk. I’d be worried about the risk of it suddenly being pulled offline a few days before arrival. You’d have to scramble and probably pay a lot more at short notice if that happened.

Not the op. I've done Airbnb in Brooklyn a few times but that's not in a neighborhood I'd choose to stay in. I guess ymmv.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see an AirBnB in Brooklyn right now for $343/night before taxes with 2BR and 6 beds.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1002825899474348002?adults=5&location=New%20York%20City%2C%20New%20York%2C%20United%20States&search_mode=regular_search&check_in=2024-12-23&check_out=2024-12-27&source_impression_id=p3_1731081539_P3awKax1304fiYcW&previous_page_section_name=1001

Short-term rentals are illegal in NYC, so booking an Airbnb is a risk. I’d be worried about the risk of it suddenly being pulled offline a few days before arrival. You’d have to scramble and probably pay a lot more at short notice if that happened.

Not the op. I've done Airbnb in Brooklyn a few times but that's not in a neighborhood I'd choose to stay in. I guess ymmv.

Crown Heights is a great neighborhood, but it would definitely be a more “living like a local” trip than the typical Manhattan tourist trip that OP seems to be looking for.

[Anonymous]

So when I take our fam with 2 teens of opposite genders I stay in manhattan even though it's pricy. The reason is when you figure the time you need to commute to the attraction you're going to it's worth the money to just get there quicker and easier. For us time is money. I mean if you know you're spending a full day at the Met or somewhere it makes sense but if we wanted to do a few places I'd rather just stay in that general area. I'm also the kind of person who isn't cooking when I'm on holiday. If I'm on vacation, it has to be easy. If not I'm staying home and just doing something fun because it's the same stress level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So when I take our fam with 2 teens of opposite genders I stay in manhattan even though it's pricy. The reason is when you figure the time you need to commute to the attraction you're going to it's worth the money to just get there quicker and easier. For us time is money. I mean if you know you're spending a full day at the Met or somewhere it makes sense but if we wanted to do a few places I'd rather just stay in that general area. I'm also the kind of person who isn't cooking when I'm on holiday. If I'm on vacation, it has to be easy. If not I'm staying home and just doing something fun because it's the same stress level.

OP here and this is how I feel. I don't want anything complicated or potentially aggravating, especially since it'll be cold. I want teens to have a good time, autonomously. So I think we just won't do it. We've been before and they can go once in college on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pick a hotel with a kitchenette in Jersey City, near the Path, like the Sonesta Simply Suites. It's a 2 block walk to the PATH or ferry that takes you under the river directly to WTC. Parking is now about $20/day. There is a grocery store (Whole Foods) one or two blocks away in case you need anything. A full size fridge is included, for those hungry teenagers. We've been staying in Jersey City for years, it's safe, convenient and easy to drive in. Walk to Carlos' bakery one of the mornings to get breakfast.

Sam AM is closer and better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That would be $500 per night if you did 4 nights. You’re not gonna find 2 rooms for that in NYC. You could stay in NJ and ferry across.

Yes, but surely PATH is going to be best transit option, not ferry.

If they stay at Hoboken or Exchange Place in Jersey City, the ferry will have more limited hours and be more expensive but be prettier and more fun.

Read the ferry schedule carefully and use it when it’s available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That would be $500 per night if you did 4 nights. You’re not gonna find 2 rooms for that in NYC. You could stay in NJ and ferry across.

Yes, but surely PATH is going to be best transit option, not ferry.

If they stay at Hoboken or Exchange Place in Jersey City, the ferry will have more limited hours and be more expensive but be prettier and more fun.

Read the ferry schedule carefully and use it when it’s available.

Also a lot more time consuming, both the ride, waiting, and the extra 10 minutes walking on the Manhattan side. Sure it's fine to do once for the views, but makes no sense to me to use consistently on a short visit.

[Anonymous]

Hoboken also has amazing food, honestly. Probably way more enjoyable to go into Manhattan for the day then come back to Hoboken for dinner, etc

[Anonymous]

Look at Mint House at 70 Pine, near Wall Street. You can get a suite with a king in the bedroom and a pull out sofa in the living area, plus a kitchenette, for 400-500 per night. Some of them even have a second bathroom. Wall Street isn’t at the center of things but it’s an easy trip uptown on the subway.

[Anonymous]

DO - Who the hell wants to cook in NYC on vacation? Who are you all? I mean you're in NYC if you can't find some good food at all price ranges there you need to stay home! Lol

[Anonymous]

Not cooking on vacay, just breakfast and storing drinks and snacks. Teenagers are hungry 24/7. NJ to WTC is a couple minutes, just offering a more economical option that includes not driving in the city. You do you. Stay home? Not a chance, there is a whole world out there to see. Don't have to travel just like you to enjoy and experience a destination. Actually, I don't want your experience, and I'd venture to say I'm more open to new experiences, people, and destinations.

[Anonymous]

In actual Manhattan? Nonexistent at this stage.

Unless you as Santa?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not cooking on vacay, just breakfast and storing drinks and snacks. Teenagers are hungry 24/7. NJ to WTC is a couple minutes, just offering a more economical option that includes not driving in the city. You do you. Stay home? Not a chance, there is a whole world out there to see. Don't have to travel just like you to enjoy and experience a destination. Actually, I don't want your experience, and I'd venture to say I'm more open to new experiences, people, and destinations.

For someone asking strangers for help, you sound rather nasty.