New York Visit - Loved it!

This August I managed to take a week out of this very busy time of year to be treated to a trip to New York to view the Celebrity Summit and see the cruise terminals first hand as well as sample the delights of New York. The last time I was in NYC was about 30 years ago and the city as changed significantly - for the better. There is not enough space for me to detail all New York has to offer here as there is so much to see and do no matter what your interests are. From sightseeing all the main iconic land marks, the vast shopping options (favourable current exchange rates help), museums, galleries and movie tours to name just a few. Highlights on my trip were cycling round Central Park, visiting Ground Zero, browsing round the shops and sampling top rated restaurants and bars. Myself and my other travelling companions from other agencies stayed at the Hotel Beacon on 75th and Broadway on the historic Upper West Side and we were all impressed. This was a perfect location if you don’t want to be on top of the hustle and noise of Times Square but still be within walking distance (30 minutes) or short subway journey. It is set amid tree-lined streets and landmark buildings and has wonderful views of Central Park, the Hudson River and Midtown Manhattan. The area itself is a great place to stay for people looking for a local neighbourhood filled with great restaurants and bars. The hotel is within walking distance of Central Park, the Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts, Museum of American Folk Art, Children's Museum of Manhattan, and the Riverside Park. The Beacon offers very good value and is recommended for its kitchenette facilities and spacious accommodation. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and is a non-smoking hotel. The hotel does not have a restaurant, but there is a 24 hour coffee shop next door, providing delivery service in place of room service. Beacon Bar has opened at the hotel for that relaxing drink after a busy day. Also the rooms have a kitchenette and there is a supermarket across the street. The rooms are large and kept in good condition. The standard room includes either two double beds or one king-sized bed, a marble bathroom and fully-equipped kitchenette with microwave, coffeemaker, tea kettle and complimentary coffee and tea. A One-Bedroom Suite features one King bed in the bedroom, a separate living room with a pull-out sofa bed, a luxurious marble bathroom, and fully-equipped kitchenette. Maximum occupancy is 4 people. There are 2 Bedroom Suites featuring a master bedroom with one king bed, and a second bedroom with two double beds. Two luxurious marble bathrooms, a separate living room with a pull-out sofa bed and a fully equipped kitchenette. Maximum occupancy is six people. There are three ports in New York (times are approximate and vary depending on time of day). – Manhattan Terminal is the busiest most central at 55th Street and 12th Avenue (Times Square is 42nd street so very close). JFK airport approximately 90 minutes away and Newark is 60 minutes away. - Cape Liberty at Bayonne, New Jersey (Celebrity and Royal Caribbean use this terminal) is close to the Jersey Gardens shopping mall (20 minutes’ drive). JFK is 90 minutes away and Newark is 20 minutes. 60 minutes to Manhattan. - Brooklyn Terminal is used by Princess and Cunard (although this use Manhattan too) and JFK is 45 minutes and Newark 35 minutes away. 45 minutes to Manhattan.