Chelsea Center Hostel: Chelsea Center Hostel, Hostel NYC New York City

i stayed here for 4 nights back in april 2005. it was fine but the hostel is just a couple of divisions full of bunk beds. staff is ok, they are visitors that get free bed for working. at the time i was there there were 2 spanish and 1 irish girl.

bath rooms are clean and the shower is big. you can use internet for $1 dolar hour.

Unique Qualities: this hostel is well located and you can easily get to downtown. this is located on 12th street.
The Chelsea Center is the smallest and one of the oldest hostels in New York.

taken from their website:
“The Chelsea Center offers a unique hostel experience in New York. We provide a relaxed and open atmosphere for people to meet and share their experiences. Because we are small, it is easy to get to know the other guests - around the breakfast table or when you come home in the evening and relax with a cup of tea in the common-room.

Since the Chelsea Center opened in 1981, it has constantly been owner-operated. The two owners Heidi and Hanna as well as their friendly multi-lingual staff are easy approachable and open for all your questions and inquiries. We have a lot of experience in what we do and use it to make your stay in New York as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Our shared rooms are spacious and quiet. Each bed has it’s own little night lamp so that you can read or write at night without disturbing the others. We don’t have a curfew and think you should enjoy what New York has to offer as long as you want to - but once you get back home to the hostel the people who want to sleep have the priority. A good night’s sleep is what you pay for and we do everything necessary to make sure that you get what you pay for.”

Rates

March 1 - October 31 $33 per night
November 1 - February 28 $30 per night
(payable in cash on arrival)

on the picture you have the door of the place. there is no sign so you have to look better for it.

Theme: Hostel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$20-40
Phone: 1 (212) 643-0214
Address: Chelsea Center 313 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001
Directions: Walking distance to

* Greenwich Village (10 min.)
* Soho, Chinatown and Little Italy (15 min.)
* United Nations (20 min.)
* Empire State Building (30 min.)
Website: www.chelseacenterhostel.com
Other Contact: chelcenter@aol.com

Chelsea International Hostel: Chelsea International Hostel, NYC New York City Hostel

Ok so i stayed 11 days on this hostel. this is a very known hostel and its always packed up with tourists coming from all over the world. i had to change room 2 times. this hostel is divided in many independent building aside eachother and youll have both keyes to go inside your building and your flat.
the bunk bed style rooms are small and always have lockers (bring your own lock) and has a place where you can wash your hand and teeth.

showers and toilettes are for the same building flight, usually they are clean.

Unique Qualities: you can choose from air conditioner rooms and ones without. the price is $28 and $30. you also have individual rooms for $70.
There is a $10.00 CASH key deposit required at Check In which will be refunded upon Check Out.
No Same Day Reservations - Just Walk In - First Come First Served. i didnt exchange all my money so i could only pay for my first 4 days and i had to leave the room as other reservations got my room. i was almost in position of having to stay in town cos they had no more rooms left, but somehow someone checked out and i got a bed. so pay in full and this way you can get a bed for the entire time you are there.

the picture is from the entrance of the building 255.

Theme: Hostel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40
Phone: 2126470010
Address: 251 West 20th Street, , New York City, New York St
Directions: From Penn. Station (AMTRAK Train):
Walk down 8th Avenue to 20th Street turn left, House Number 251 (8 minutes), Reception area on first floor.
The best should be to get the blue line to the 23rd street and walk down 3 streets until the 20th and turn left.
Website: www.chelseahostel.com/

Jazz on the Park Hostel: Jazz on the Park Hostel, NYC New York City Hostel

well, i stayed 4 days here. This hostel has 2 different locations to work. one near central park and another a bit more down. one is jazz on the park and the other is jazz on the town hostel. this jazz on the park has 2 different buildings. the main and another one just 2 blocks away on Central Park West 106 Street.

i find this hostel a bit farway from downtown and midtown. i guess your hostel location in nyc is very important and you should take in consideration what you want to visit in town. as in this trip i made to the city i wanted to stay and see some stuff in uptown and the area of central park i choose this one to its locations.

Unique Qualities: the place is celan ans big. the bathrooms are kind if ok for youth hostels. one of the nights someone was being beeten just 3 rooms from me. for half an hours some one was being puched and kicked until i called the police. the area of this hostel is not very good altough is also not very bad hehe.

staff at the hostel are nice, at the time, all latinas girls.

you can check the internet at the main building for a couple of dollars and you have free breakfast until 10am. i payed $33 for each night.

information i took from their website on how to get there:

“Once at Columbus Circle (59th Street) Station in Manhattan transfer from the “A” train to the uptown “B” or “C” train. Exit the subway at 103rd Street and Central Park. Walk north on Central Park West to 106 Street. Turn left, the hostel is the second building from the corner. “

(picture taken from their website)

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$20-40
Phone: 212.932.1600
Address: 36 West 106th Street, , New York City, New York St
Website: www.jazzonthepark.com

Gershwin Hotel: Gershwin Hotel, NYC New York CIty Hotel Accommodation

The Gershwin experience begins as soon as you walk into the Pop Art-bedecked lobby, a museum space unto itself that contains an actual Campbell’s Soup Can by Andy Warhol, signed by the artist himself. The welcome continues at the front desk, where our guests are greeted by the friendly, multinational staff, who between them boast a formidable array of languages-and smiles!
A veritable arts festival unto itself, the Gershwin also boasts The Living Room, a separate performance space that features regular music, comedy, and theater performances.

Unique Qualities: Conference Facilities
2 Bedroom Suite
Meeting Facilities
1 Bedroom Suite
Gift Shop
Lounge
Business Or Meeting
Elevators
Suite
Banquet Facility

- Preferred Access To Upscale Duomo Gym Club On
26th Street. Daily Pass 15.00. Guest Id And Room
Key Requested For Access.
- Madison Square Park On 26th Street

-Family Plan- There Is No Room Charge For One Child 10 Years Or Under, When Sharing Accommodation With 2 Paying Adults And Using Existing Beds. Maximum 4 Persons Per Room Allowed
-Pet Policy- Pets Allowed
- Travel Agency Commission Policy -
- Tax Policy - 1. 13.25 Percent Tax Per Room 2. 2.00 Usd Per Room Per Night
Guarantee Policy: For All Reservations- Guarantee To Valid Form Of Payment Is Required At Booking.
Cancellation Policy: For All Reservations- Cancel 2 Days Prior To Arrival Date To Avoid Penalty Of 1 Nights Room Charge.

Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80
Phone: 212-545-8000
Address: 7 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016
Directions: -Subway Stations The N R Trains Stops At 28th Street And Broadway, The 6 Train Stops At 28th Street And Park AvenueIs Located on 27th Street Between Madison Fifth Avenue.
Website: http://www.gershwinhotel.com/

Curry Express: Curry Express-Vegetarian Indian food, NYC New York City

Restaurant Name: Curry Express

Indian restaurant. altough its not a 100% vegetarian restaurant, vegetarian dishes stand for more than 50% of the restaurant’s choice.

this is a local street usually full with taxi drivers. good food good ambiance with indian TV on a big screen hehe.

open from 10AM - 3 AM

Favorite Dish: try the mango Lassi, the Naan. theres at least 9 different curries: Navratan Curry; Matar Paneer; Alu Gobi; Alu Matar; Malaei Kofta; Brinjal Bartha; Sag Paneer; Fried Dal and Shahi Paneer. Each dish form $4.50 to $4.95.

Theme: Indian
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10
Phone: 212 251-0202/1099
Address: 130 East 29th street
Directions: between 3rd & Lexington Avenue

Chez le Chef: Frederic Chez le Chef, New York City Pastry European NYC

Restaurant Name: Chez le Chef

This is a fantastic place in the heart of manhattan. you feel like almost in europe. nice music and great cakes and fantastic cfood made by a famous chef, Frederik Le Chef.

Favorite Dish: Taken from the website:

“BIOGRAPHY

His manner is charming. His anecdotes priceless. And of course, his baking tips are consummate. It’s no wonder women love him. It’s no wonder celebrities flock to him. His talent lies not only in creating world famous culinary delights, but in his ability to make baking easy and fun. It is the personality he brings to his craft that has made him one of the most desired pastry chefs in the world. It is his gift for one-of-a-kind creations that has caused him on more than one occasion to be whisked away on the spur of the moment to answer the call from the most famous people in the world. And Frederic’s irresistible personality is guaranteed to make anyone smile.

Director John Huston had Frederic flown to the set of “Night of the Iguana” in Mexico City to whip up his specialties for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Frederic was also sent to create fantasy pastry delights for 5,000 VIPs and 74 Kings and royal guests including Prince Charles of England at the Independence celebration. Princess Grace, Coco Channel and scores of other celebrities are included on his always growing list of devoted admirers and fans.

His international awards include: Gold and Silver Medals, at the Saudi Food Exhibition Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Golden Whisk Award, Swiss Hotel Group Zurich and Winner of the title of Best Pastry Chef in West Germany.

His affiliations include Patissier, Hotel Ritz, Paris; International Vice President and Worldwide Food Consultant of Les Toque Blanches (a professional chefs association based in Paris); President and Founder (1981-8 of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of Les Toques Blanches; Member of the Chaine Des Rotisseurs; President Saudi Arabian Chapter (1982-86) World Association of Cook Societies; Verband Der Koeche Deutschlands (The German Pastry Chefs and Cooks Association).”

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40
Phone: (212) 685-1888
Address: 129 lexington avenue, 10016 nyc
Directions: between 28th and 29th on lexington.
Website: www.chezlechef.com

Apple, Restaurant & Bom Bar: Apple, Restaurant & Bom Bar, New York City NYC

Apple, Restaurant & Bom Bar

Restaurant & Bom Bar
Vegetarian, Vietnamese

very nice food indeed. i ate for entrance a salad and 2nd entrance tofu spring rools with soy sauce. they i had stuffed tofu with mushrooms. very tasty indeed.

i went with a group of friends so we end up staying in the private room of the restaurant.

Favorite Dish: stuffed tofu with mushrooms were delicious.

Vegan/Vegetarian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40
Phone: 212-473-8888
Address: 17 Waverly Pl, New York 10003
Directions: Btwn Greene & Mercer St
Other Contact: fax 212-982-7751

Bamyian Afghan Restaurant: Bamyian Afghan Restaurant: New York City NYC

Restaurant Name: Bamyian Afghan Restaurant

Bamyian Afghan Restaurant is one of the places i prefer eating in nyc. this is an amazing place where you can forget for a while you’re in nyc. choose the area of the restaurant where you have to take you shoes out and eat in this central asia look alike tables close to the floor just relazing in it pillows. just great. the food is just an amazing blend of central asia and afghan food.

Favorite Dish: i already tasted many of their vegetarian dishes. i usually ask for one entry, one salad and a first meal dish, dessert and dont forget to ask for the strawbery airan or local yogurt drink.

Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30
Phone: 212-481-3232
Address: 358 3rd Ave, New York 10010
Directions: Corner of 26th St
Other Contact: fax 212-481-5507

New York City - United States of America - USA

Ah New York City… what can I say about this amazing place. New York City is a place suitable for all kinds of people all where all your needs will be fulfiled.

My trips to New York City:

October 2000
JanuaryFebruary/March/April 2001
August 2001
March 2005
April 2005
June 2005

I can say I got a bit of this world inside the World. New York city is indeed a place where you’ll need a couple of weeks just to understand its street maps for good, altough is not that difficult but is a bit big.

As I came back to New York a few times, I was fortunate to enjoy it during the Summer and during the Winter. I still remember one of the biggest snow storms East US got in years, January 2001. Snow with 1meter on the streets. Amazing.

During all my time I lived in Lexington Avenue between 28th and 29th street, and in August 2001 I lived one week in Manhattan (same place) and the rest of the time in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This last times i went, i explored a few youth hostels in town which i write my review on.

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Why is New York City called “The Big Apple?”

“Morning Telegraph reporter, John J. Fitz Gerald, first made common use of the term during the 1920s in reference to the city’s racetracks. He apparently first heard it used by African American stable hands in New Orleans in 1921. The term was popularized among African American jazz musicians in the 1930s, who regarded New York, and particularly Harlem, as the capital city of jazz. It’s modern use derives largely from a publicity campaign developed in 1971 by the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau.”taken from this website