the gracie inn 502 East 81st Street - information needed !

hi

i will be coming to New York for the first time in May and am thinking of booking a suite at the Gracie inn for me and 5 single girlfriends.

we are all fairly well travelled but have not spent any time in New York before and would appreciate any info on the inn and the surrounding area.

woudl you recommend this for first time visitors , does it have good links to transport i.e subway ?

and is it safe as we are girls on our own so would love some more info from people who know ?

thanks

wendy

the gracie inn 502 East 81st Street - information needed !

I live close to there, buyt can%26#39;t comment on the place directtly. But as for the neighborhood:

Plusses: Very safe, not too touristy (see how people in New York live), some very good restaurants, decent enough bars in the area, near Carl Schulz Park (lovely park overlooking the East River, also home of Gracie Mansion, mayor%26#39;s mansion), not too far from Central Park, the Met, etc.

Minuses: Sort or a long walk to the subway, though you can get the crosstown bus that drops you off there, sort of a hike downtown (though the 4 and 5 trains (express) are available from 86th street, not in the glitz of Times Square (I personally consider that a positive, but most visitors like Times Square for whatever reason), might be too ';quiet'; if you are party girls.

I personally would recommend the area as it gives you a New York experience many others will not have, but others can comment. If you have specific questions about the area (bars, restaurants, shopping, etc.) please post.

the gracie inn 502 East 81st Street - information needed !

The Upper East Side is New York%26#39;s most affluent neighborhood. You will see alot of people on the streets with their very expensive dogs. You won%26#39;t see very many mutts and you won%26#39;t see very many dogs who have spent less time at the spa and beauty salon than Ivana Trump (it is just an assumption that Ivana Trump goes to the spa and salon)

It is a 10 - 12 minute walk from the subway (maybe 15). 86th and Lexington is full of big stores, Best Buy, Barnes %26amp; Noble, everything, its a fun area to explore and see high-rise residential New York.

Gracie Mansion is interesting to see. Enjoy.

I%26#39;m a big fan of staying in residential neighborhoods over the tourist meccas of midtown. But though I live on the upper east side, I think the Gracie Inn (which I don%26#39;t know) is too far a schlep to the subway. I%26#39;d suggest you look on the west side instead. Daisiegee%26#39;s favorite, Jack %26amp; Judy%26#39;s B%26amp;B (www.jacksbandb.com) always gets great reviews, and it%26#39;s on a wonderful block on West 81st St. Much closer to the park and museums, and much better transit links. Particularly if you%26#39;re planning to see a show on Broadway, I%26#39;d stick to the west side.

Agree with previous posts, but your original question includes the comment, ';booking a suite at the Gracie inn for me and 5 single girlfriends.'; I sincerely hope you%26#39;re not thinking about one bathroom for 6 women! I can think of few worse nightmares on a trip to NYC (or anywhere).

What is it about the Gracie Inn that leads you to enquire about it? Others are correct about public transport in that part of the city, it will be lots of walking and very inconvenient if you have rainy weather.

People could advise you better if you would indicate your per person per night budget. Are there 6 traveling? I would think you need a minimum of 2 rooms or suites, or perhaps a 2 bedroom suite with 2 bathrooms.

hi

thanks so much to everyone who replied for all the info.

we are planning to book a two bedroom two bathroom suite otherwise will see nothing of new york whilst we queue for the bathroom !

i dont mind a 15 minute walk to the subway or a bus ride as long as its a safe neighbourhood so that doesnt concern me too much .

the gracie seems quite good value as we dont want to spend more than $90 per night per person so if anyone knows somewhere in a better location that can accomadate 6 singles preferably with a kitchenette so we can eat breakfast or make a snack too.

we are girls aged 30- 33 so like to party maybe not every night but it is my best friend%26#39;s final week of freedom before she gets married so we plan to fit as much fun as possible.

are there any recommended restaurants bars clubs etc that we should definetely try ?

thanks again

A nice, laid back bar in the area is Ryan%26#39;s Daughter on 85th, close to 1st Ave (between 1st and 2nd, but much closer to 1st). Good place for drinks before heading downtown or after getting back from downtown (or the entire night, whatever the case may be)