Where to stay for Brooklyn departure

[sempronialou]

I'm rather overwhelmed with hotel searching. My husband and I are going on the Caribbean Princess 6/20/09 for 9 days. After much hemming hawing on my part (I really didn't want to take an extra day off), we're flying in the day before 6/19 into Laguardia and staying overnight.

 

I've been looking at hotel prices and reviews around Brooklyn. I gather that the neighborhood is not so great around Brooklyn near the Red Hook terminal, but the hotels themselves seem fine. I was considering Holiday Inn Express Downtown Brooklyn (I love getting free breakfast), but the reviews about the area around it are sound not so good. I looked at the Brooklyn bridge Marriot, but the price is too high for me no matter what website I look at. I want something reasonably priced (under $200 or much less).

 

We're not doing the downtown tourist thing since we'll arrive around dinner time and probably just settle in after eating. I figured it would be easiest logistics wise to stay closer to the terminal, but maybe it doesn't matter. Would it be best to stay closer to the terminal or stay near the airport or somewhere in between?

[smeyer418]

try the Nu Hotel at the corner of Smith Street and Atlantic Avenue...

 

good location except for the closed House of Detention across the street. You want a room in the back..

 

http://www.nuhotelbrooklyn.com/

 

don't pay more than $150 call them and tell them that.

[sempronialou]

I found what seems to be a good deal at the Club Quarters downtown. It's in the financial district and is about 2 miles from the cruise terminal. The reviews seem to be good. Anyone know anything about that hotel or the area?

[138east]

Downtown NY would be a much better choice than Brooklyn. If you got a good price, I'd grab it. Club Quarters are a small chain of hotels that provide more reasonable accommodations for business travelers in large cities that are expensive. The rooms are clean, but can be small. this is a no frills hotel - someone compared it to staying in a smaller European hotel. There is no restaurant, no room service, no bell hop, and no large public areas. However, there will probably be a fitness area. You may have self check-in via credit card. The reviews are good.

 

The downtown location is fantastic. You are right by Wall St. and can walk to Battery Park, take the Staten Island ferry ride (free), and walk to South Street Seaport. If you want to go to midtown (Times Square, Empire State, etc.), all the subways are right there to take you to your destination. This area is also safe to walk around at night.

[138east]

Here's a review with pictures that I found.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d217623-r16943497-Club_Quarters_Downtown-New_York_City_New_York.html

[mking8288]

FYI - just more useful ideas: there's a relatively new Days Inn in Brooklyn (neighborhood known as Sunset Park) just off 4th Avenue @ 39th Street (major north/south alternate to the highway 1 block away known as the "BQE" that's always busy - that millions coming to city via JFK typically use. Checkout DI's website & call the inn directly to see if they offer any special deals or discounts or I doubt they do priceline thing.

 

Relatives from ORD (Chicago) came into town for a wedding & stayed there recently and were happy, it's small but clean, inexpensive & they're street-smart to begin with. Rates around $100 for a Friday night stay for those on a tight budget. The Inn is less than 15 mintues taxi/black car away from the Red Hook Terminal on local streets, no freeway/highway traffic surprises vs. coming over the bridges and tunnels from Manhattan (a/k/a "city") on a metered run. I'm sure the front desk will be happy to call & get you a TLC licensed car service to pickup & drop you off at the pier (there's an Ikea nearby too) for $15 or less.

 

For an inexpensive meal, consider exploring nearby Chinatown, DI is about 20 blocks away from Brooklyn's - smaller/non-historic - Chinatown (#3 in NYC) for inexpensive meals. The nearest subway station is just 3 blocks away and you are 3 express stops on the "N" train to lower Manhattan. There's a McDonald, KFC nearby in walking distance and you can pickup water/soda/etc. at many local deli/stores in the morning for your cruise. Area is safe even after dark, just follow common sense as an out-of-town visitor/traveler if venturing out. Plenty of Latino/Mexican food around along with Arabic meals, and everybody do food deliveries. (I worked nearby in this area for 7+ years)

 

Flying into LGA, you can probably check SuperShuttle (yes, they are in NY area) for fare quotes - a taxi run to Bklyn area during rush hours could get expensive since our traffic jams are just a bit better than LAX, or use a car service to get from airport to whatever Brooklyn hotel you end in using.

 

Good luck & welcome to the Big Apple - Bklyn has 2 million people in the county .... wow !!!

[sempronialou]

Thanks for the information and help. I really appreciate it. I had a couple of bad experiences with Days Inn in different locations and states, so I avoid it like the plague but I appreciate the information especially about the taxi/shuttle. That's my next hurdle.

 

I did end up booking with the Club Quarters. I think we'll be happy. We're not looking for fancy accommodations. We just need a place to sleep and shower before our cruise. I'm very excited. I've never been to New York City or on a cruise.

[mking8288]

We tried to avoid booking DI, Red Roof, Econo, etc. whenever we travel unless we have no choices or simply need a bed to rest for a few hours (that was years ago when we didn't mind spending hours driving on the road) - getting too old for it these days.

 

CQ is one of the many downtown converted commercial building in the finance district (address reminded me faintly of an insurance company address of years ago). Post 9/11 - many downtown office building got grants to continue/resume converting them to condo / rentals & some became hotels. This whole section of town is nearly deserted after 6 p.m. on weeknights/weekends as people head out for homes and "uptown" so your choice of quality restaurants will be limited. There is the famous South Street Seaport nearby & best bet, walking toward the East River (it's an easy 10-15 minutes walk - shops, restaurants & food court & open until 10 p.m.) Also, there are outdoor cafe & restaurants in the outdoor mall heading towards the Seaport & another building with bars & restaurants inside, pricing is typical of NYC - good place to spend the evening, take a few pictures of the skyline and there's evening "river" cruise at the waterfront - depending on your arrival. Google for map info for CQ and the seaport, and ask the front desk to show you which way to walk - no need for a taxi, it's qute at night but perfectly safe to walk around. (Oh, the now ever famous AIG headquarter building is nearby on Water St)

 

There's no flat rate for yellow taxi from LGA to downtown CQ so it will be metered, check & compare prices for using car service or shared van shuttle, etc. From CQ going to the pier, unless you use the tunnel, there's no toll, and the view from the famous Brooklyn Bridge (photo ops) is great as you will most likely use it taking a car service.

[138east]

If you've never been in NY before, there's no reason to limit yourselves to staying downtown. The Wall St. station for the 7th Avenue subway is right there. The #2 or #3 train will whisk you uptown to Times Square where you can walk to all the sights in midtown. No matter where you end up, almost any downtown subway will take you back to the Wall St. area. Just get a good map and go for it. The subway is perfectly safe throughout the day and evening. For the vast majority of New Yorkers, it is the only way to get around.

[luv1another4ever]

We are booked on the CB in Sept. - I just booked the Holiday Inn Express DT Brooklyn for 2 nights pre-cruise. We usually stay in Manhattan, but since we are leaving out of Red Hook on Sat. morning we decided to give the Holiday Inn a shot. I called the hotel and they said that the taxi to the pier should be about $10. We will just buy a metro card for getting to the city on Friday.

 

If you decide to stay in Manhattan - we have stayed at a couple different Hiltons and several Hilton Garden Inns and they have all been wonderful (didn't care for the Double Tree in Time Square).

 

Have a great cruise

[smeyer418]

Have you stayed here before?

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60827-d656248-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Express_Brooklyn_Downtown-Brooklyn_New_York.html

 

stay somewhere else. This is a "transitional neighborhood" in Brooklyn its dead and dangerous at night.

 

Its right off 3rd and 4th avenues. Its an industrial neighborhood. 3rd avenue is where the LOW class hookers hang out. The high class hookers are call girls/escorts.

 

There is a difference between pinching pennies and taking a risk.

Stay in the wall Street area and spend the $25 for the cab.

[Solara]

Stay in the wall Street area and spend the $25 for the cab.

In the Wall street area is there a liquor store or someplace where we can buy wine before we board the ship? Thanks.

 

[mking8288]

Wine & Liquor stores closest to Club Quarters at William Street -

 

6 Maiden Lane (212)267-8530, M-F, 8 AM - 9 PM, Sat 11:30 AM - 8 PM

 

110 Fulton Street (212) 571-2480, M-F, 9 AM - 8 PM, Sat 10:30 AM -7:30 PM

 

The Downtown Alliance website www.downtownny.com has interactive map showing points of interest, useful for self-walking tour to the 9/11 site, SouthStreet Seaport and other nearby places.

 

For sodas, sports drinks, etc. - Associated Supermarket @ 77 Fulton St. near Gold St. M-S, 7 AM - 9 PM, Sun 9 AM - 8 PM

[Solara]

Wine & Liquor stores closest to Club Quarters at William Street -

 

6 Maiden Lane (212)267-8530, M-F, 8 AM - 9 PM, Sat 11:30 AM - 8 PM

 

110 Fulton Street (212) 571-2480, M-F, 9 AM - 8 PM, Sat 10:30 AM -7:30 PM

 

The Downtown Alliance website www.downtownny.com has interactive map showing points of interest, useful for self-walking tour to the 9/11 site, SouthStreet Seaport and other nearby places.

 

For sodas, sports drinks, etc. - Associated Supermarket @ 77 Fulton St. near Gold St. M-S, 7 AM - 9 PM, Sun 9 AM - 8 PM

 

Thanks for the info. Are those within walking distance?

[138east]

Yes - Maiden Lane is closest. Fulton Street is a little further. Club Quarters is in the middle of the financial district. Everything is walkable.

[Solara]

Yes - Maiden Lane is closest. Fulton Street is a little further. Club Quarters is in the middle of the financial district. Everything is walkable.

Thanks again!:)

[dahammer]

We are booked on the CB in Sept. - I just booked the Holiday Inn Express DT Brooklyn for 2 nights pre-cruise. We usually stay in Manhattan, but since we are leaving out of Red Hook on Sat. morning we decided to give the Holiday Inn a shot. I called the hotel and they said that the taxi to the pier should be about $10. We will just buy a metro card for getting to the city on Friday.

 

I stayed here about a year ago and it was fine, this hotel is in an industrial area that clears out around 6:00 PM, its right on the edge of Park Slope and there are several trendy bars and restaurants a few blocks away. I was going to go to Juniors for a heart attack on a plate: Cheeseburger, fries, cheesecake, but decided to walk over to a Spanish Restaurant on 5th street which was decent. The hotel is kind of between two subway stops and I did not use this either.

 

With regards to the Days Inn near Sunset Park, again, this is in a semi-industrial area that gets desserted after work, I felt fine there as well. I walked up towards Sunset Park and had some really great Tacos al Pastor, crispy pork that gets shaved off kind of like a gyro, it was the real thing.

[BlueHerons]

I prefer to stay in the Financial District/Downtown when I'm in Manhattan. I love the Club Quarters and have never found my accommodations too small.

 

Bring your running shoes and walk/run the Brooklyn Bridge in the morning. It is quite stunning with the sun coming up over the Statue of Liberty!

[luv1another4ever]

I stayed here about a year ago and it was fine, this hotel is in an industrial area that clears out around 6:00 PM, its right on the edge of Park Slope and there are several trendy bars and restaurants a few blocks away. I was going to go to Juniors for a heart attack on a plate: Cheeseburger, fries, cheesecake, but decided to walk over to a Spanish Restaurant on 5th street which was decent. The hotel is kind of between two subway stops and I did not use this either.

 

With regards to the Days Inn near Sunset Park, again, this is in a semi-industrial area that gets desserted after work, I felt fine there as well. I walked up towards Sunset Park and had some really great Tacos al Pastor, crispy pork that gets shaved off kind of like a gyro, it was the real thing.

 

Thanks for the note about the HIE - I have noticed that there are mixed reviews. We weren't looking for a 5 star hotel, just a clean place to rest our weary heads! Thanks for making us feel better about our choice.

[smeyer418]

Thanks for the note about the HIE - I have noticed that there are mixed reviews. We weren't looking for a 5 star hotel, just a clean place to rest our weary heads! Thanks for making us feel better about our choice.

I am headed over that way to do some shopping pictures are worth a thousand words....

[138east]

Luv1 - how much are you paying for the Holiday Inn Express? I see you are from Kansas. It seems a shame to come all the way to NY and stay in Brooklyn (no offense Smeyer).

[luv1another4ever]

Luv1 - how much are you paying for the Holiday Inn Express? I see you are from Kansas. It seems a shame to come all the way to NY and stay in Brooklyn (no offense Smeyer).

 

We have points for this trip - so no out of pocket. We usually come to the city once a year - this is our first time staying in Brooklyn, just thought that it would be easier for Saturday morning - we really like staying in Chelsea at the Hampton or the Hilton Garden Inn. We fly into Islip, so Brooklyn looks like it will just be a train change at Jamaica. We will spend Friday in Manhattan (we get the Metro card). The HIE can't be that bad - is it?

 

Thanks for any thoughts, as we still have time to change.

 

Shelly

[smeyer418]

We have points for this trip - so no out of pocket. We usually come to the city once a year - this is our first time staying in Brooklyn, just thought that it would be easier for Saturday morning - we really like staying in Chelsea at the Hampton or the Hilton Garden Inn. We fly into Islip, so Brooklyn looks like it will just be a train change at Jamaica. We will spend Friday in Manhattan (we get the Metro card). The HIE can't be that bad - is it?

 

Thanks for any thoughts, as we still have time to change.

 

Shelly

 

 

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsWrRu1ctGns

 

this is the area. the first pictures show where I live the balance show were this holiday inn is. there have been two murders within a block(yes one block) in a year. That's more than the entire precinct I live in in 2008. No offense taken I am trying to get them into Manhattan. The two murders were the night guard at the public pool where the night guard got into a beef with someone at the corner store. The other was someone caught in the cross fire of the druggies at the Wyckoff Housing project.

 

The closest subway station is at 4th and pacific(its also the Atlantic Avenue stop). There is also one at 4th and Union. I wouldn't walk to the hotel from either after 10 pm.

 

It between Nevins and 3rd on its street.

 

I drove. During the day its fine. At night its another story. It is better than it was but it is still in transition.

 

The next to last picture shows a cop car turning down the block...

 

http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2008/10/15/brooklyn/brooklynpoolslaybu10102008.txt

 

 

the other murder

 

As police search for a killer, the tiny newborn reportedly delivered by emergency C-section after his mother was hit by a stray bullet in Brooklyn Saturday is clinging to life.

 

Published reports say the 2-pound baby was delivered 10 weeks premature at Long Island College hospital moments after his mother died.

 

Nicole Sutton, 33, was sitting outside her home on Wyckoff Street in Boerum Hill to escape the heat when she was shot in the neck just before 1 a.m. Saturday.

 

Police say Sutton was just an innocent bystander and was not the intended target.

 

Sutton was sitting with a group of people, including the baby's

father, when the shooting occurred.

 

Police are looking for the shooter.

[smeyer418]

finally I am NOT an alarmist. I have taken people to task for saying that the Red Hook pier area is unsafe- it isn't. It is much safer than this area. My last post on the Bermuda board disagreed with a friend of mine who said that the buses are unsafe in Bermuda late at night. I would frankly feel remiss if I didn't post this and tell you about the area honestly and then if something happened to you I would be upset(I would probably be upset anyway). So now you know better about the area. If you stay here take a cab back late at night. Yes it costs more but your personal safety should be important to you....

 

 

BTW the Wykoff Houses are the big white house to the left on the piture looking down third north. Its takes up the whole block between Nevins and Third and Wykoff and the next two street down(Warren and something else) it ends one block from the back of the Holiday Inn.

 

The Douglass Pool is off Nevins and Douglass one block south of the Hotel....

[greatam]

luv1another4ever,

 

I own a transportation company with an office in the South Bronx. We do a lot of pickups/deliveries in the area of the HIE. My drivers won't go down in that area very often after about 6:00PM. We have one customer who starts unloading at 2:00AM. The only drivers I can get to go down there INSIST on taking a friend or another driver. Not a nice area. You need to be EXTREMELY careful taking the subway after rush hour. I sure wouldn't stay there and I am in the South Bronx at least once a month and out and about at all kinds of warehouses in the area at all kinds of weird hours. MUCH safer areas to stay-even Long Island City HIE beats this area and that area still in "transition".