Destination information
New York City isn't one place, it's a hundred different places, all jostling for your attention. From the uptown Glitz of the Upper West Side to the downtown bohemian chic of the West Village, from Chinatown to Little Italy, from Murray Hill to Midtown, you are presented with entirely different sights, sounds and even smells in each neighbourhood. As if this weren't enough, interesting new areas keep on springing up with their trendy acronyms. The latest is DUMBO (we kid you not - it stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass!). Make a vague plan of what you want to see, but beware - the fizzing energy of Manhattan is bewitching, and it could carry you completely off course. Never mind - adventures are always guaranteed in this amazing international metropolis. Just make sure you see the best sights, like the Empire State with its amazing views, and leave plenty of time for the fabulous shopping!
Eats & drinks
There are thousands of restaurants in this city representing every type of
cooking possible. 21 Club is a New York institute, as is Diner, a converted
dining car with a loyal clientele. Chat ’n’ Chew, just off Union Square, is a
heartland eatery where people chat as they wait to chew on gooey, piping hot macaroni cheese or a mountainous Holy Cow burger!
Getting around
The fastest way to get from A to B in Manhattan is by subway, although
for sheer street-level stimulation, you can’t beat walking!
Postcards from... Top ideas from our travel experts
Our Top 5 hotels
This hotel is located in Midtown Manhattan with the Empire State Building close by. If shopping is more your cup of tea, Macy's is just a short walk away. Lunch might see you at Anesis Café, which offers great snacks and head-spinningly strong Manhattan-style coffees. Rooms are well equipped and the Comfort Inn's award-winning service is welcoming after a day in the Big Apple.
Oozing with Art Deco chic, this well-priced hotel is just a short walk from the Empire State Building and Macy's department store. In warmer months, the rooftop terrace is a great place to view the Empire State Building. The hotel's attractive, blonde wood restaurant is on the New York Times' list of 'Good Dining Places in the Area'.
The Westin New York at Times Square is an exhilarating achievement of art and architecture. Connected to the hotel is a 200,000sq ft multiplex, housing 13 cinema screens, shops, bars and restaurants. As you would expect from the Big Apple's latest gem, all rooms are beautifully furnished with an excellent range of amenities.
This 1920s hotel enjoys a superb location on New York's Upper West Side and has been recently renovated to bring you the highest standards of comfort. Amenities include a fabulous rooftop pool with panoramic views of your stunning surrounds. There's also a rooftop lounge, the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink.
NYC rooms are often rather, shall we say, 'compact'. However, the Salisbury's rooms are substantially bigger, as they used to be apartments! For a supplement, you can upgrade to a huge suite with 2 double beds and separate living room with sleeper sofa. The location is wonderfully central - how about a jog in the park or a bit of shopping down 5th Avenue?
Weather and climate