OMG! Planning this trip is a TRIP in itself. NY has 3 airports to consider and over 400 hotel JUST in midtown. OK, so here is the plan – fly from Oakland/SFO to NYC (which flippin’ airport?), stay in the city for 4 days, then take the train to Washington DC for 4 days for the Smithsonian African American Museum. Hell, I can’t even get out of Oakland!!
I’ve got to find which airport is best in NYC. Which airport is going to be less time (less money)to get to the hotel? I want to stay in the theater district close to the Ed Sullivan theater where the Steven Colbert show is taped. Online the rates for first choice hotel is $276 per night. When I call it’s $562 per night. AND, you better know to ask about ALL the different per night charges – taxes, room fee (I thought that $562 is my damn room fee), portage fee , bag storage fee and miscellaneous. WHAT A MESS!!
Then, what to do while there? I want to do a Harlem tour and see a show at the apollo Theater. It seems they have some sort of show there most every night – good. The Steven Colbert, The Daily Show, Wendy William all tape Monday thru Thursday only. AND, there are restrictions on how many tickets you can get, when and where you can get them. GGGuuuurrrrlllll! When we get to NYC my peeps will be on there own but, I do want to have a plan IF they want to participate – NOT mandatory!
Ok, so I have received only 1 contract for a group rate at a hotel. They want a decision in 4 days 0 WOW that ain’t happening. While looking at hotels I found a “hotel bedbug review” site. mmmmmmmmmmmm New York City and Toronto in North Ameica worst bedbug infestations. Damn!! Can’t get away from it. Ok, so , I’ve scoped what to do when you FIRST get into your hotel room. Hell, even the Ritz Carlton has had bedbugs! If you check out the bedbug review site make sure to look at the dates. It seems in and around 2013 – 15 was the WORST infestation time. Doesn’t mean they haven’t had them since but, that was one of the ugliest times. I must say, I have been truly blessed. I haven’t had them, yet, and will be diligent about searching them out. Just thinking about them makes me itch.
Anyway, I am leaning toward going with what I know – Hilton. They offer many amenities that work for me – free wifi more for more than 2 devices, a REAL coffee pot in the room, refrig, good service and railings in the tubs (not ADA rooms, too). There are other pluses but, these are the ones that mean something to me. Zerveral of my clients feel like it’s too expensive but, so is New York. AND many of the hotels I have checked out are still cheaper than the hotels in Catalina for the 4 day jazz festival. So, buckle up people WE GOING TO NEW YORK CITY!!!
MarshaAgogo- gone!
