ISO NYC -area hotel

[memartha]

My SIL and I are planning on taking our girls (ages 6 and 9) to NYC in early December to see the new American Girl Place and maybe the Rockettes (though the tickets are VERY expensive). We're looking for a hotel for one night, near NYC. SIL found a Ramada in Jersey City but DH fears it might be in a bad section of town. How do we know what sections are "bad" or not when we're surfing the web for hotel info? All the nice hotels in Manhattan are either sold out, have a two-night minimum or are WAY over our price range ($300-400 a night). Any help is appreciated. Martha

[Kayla]

Hi Martha,

You're smart to think of staying in Jersey - hotels are a LOT less expensive, and it can still be real easy to get right into downtown Manhattan.

My uncle travels a lot, and just recently (two weekends ago) was in NYC with his three girls. He stayed in Jersey City, at I think a Courtyard something hotel - he's quite a stickler and watches his money (not a bad thing at all), so I know this hotel must have been a really good deal. He also didn't mention anything about the area being sketchy at all.

He said the trainstop, to boot, to get into Manhattan was a hop skip and a jump from the hotel doors.

I'll give him a call this evening and post which hotel it was :)

Kayla

just editing to say I found the hotel online:

Courtyard by Marriott
540 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

I don't think it's high class, but looking at a map on the hotel's website, it's really close to the tunnel taking you into the city... I don't know how easily you can beat that ;)

[slknight]

Martha, I have stayed at both the Renaissance and the Courtyard near the Meadowlands. They're not really in a good or bad "area," because they aren't near too much but the highway. But they are both nice hotels and I would recommend them. The Courtyard actually used to be some dumpy hotel that they totally renovated, so it's almost brand new.

[memartha]

Ooooh thanks very much! I like the Courtyards; we stay in them a lot when we travel. I will check out the one in Jersey City. I appreciate it. Martha