New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [269]
On the Ave Hotel.
$ | This tranquil Upper West Side property is also home to the Upper West Side branch of the beloved Fatty Crab; inside, the hotel is tasteful and modern, with the occasional swath of color from a red chair or green drapes. Rooms aren’t especially big in relative terms—they start at 240 square feet—but for the price, they are quite spacious. Plus, they’re outfitted with Aeron chairs, flat-screen TVs, and Trump-style black-marble bathrooms. Nickel-and-dime charges for Internet, valet parking, and the use of a mini-refrigerator are a bit frustrating, however. Suites and lofts have impressive views of Central Park, and the proximity to Lincoln Center is another plus. Pros: great dining options; excellent value. Cons: small charges add up; location not ideal for all N.Y.C. visitors. TripAdvisor: “wonderful location,” “good value,” “very clean.” | 2178 Broadway, at W. 77th St., Upper West Side | 10024 | 800/509–7598 | www.ontheave-nyc.com | 250 rooms, 32 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, parking (paid) | AE, MC, V | Subway: 1 to 79th St.
Trump International Hotel and Towers.
$$$$ | This iconic New York’s property recently underwent a massive renovation, bringing the room’s interior design and decor—much conceived with the help of The Donald’s equally famous daughter, Ivanka, in line with the rest of the property’s stellar standards for personalized service and attention to detail. The inconspicuous lobby immediately introduces you to the hotel’s fine service, which continues throughout your stay with personal assistant and concierge services. The building, a black skyscraper jutting high above Columbus Circle, presents unobstructed views of Central Park from floor-to-ceiling windows. Suites that corner the park and circle have some of the most compelling urban views in the world. Rooms and suites resemble mini-apartments, with 51-inch flat-screen TVs and Sub-Zero fridges. Personalized stationery and business cards are provided on request. The restaurant, Jean Georges, is one of the city’s finest, and for a price a Jean Georges sous-chef will prepare a meal in your kitchenette. That’s luxury. Pros: fine service; stellar views; discerning treatment. Cons: expensive; lobby could use a renovation. TripAdvisor: “prompt room service,” “wonderful hotel,” “great fitness center.” | 1 Central Park W, between W. 59th and W. 60th Sts., Upper West Side | 10023 | 212/299–1000 or 888/448–7867 | www.trumpintl.com | 37 rooms, 130 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, kitchen, refrigerator, DVD, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, pool, gym, spa, laundry service, parking (paid) | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St./Columbus Circle.
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Main Table of Contents
Getting Oriented
Top Touring Experiences
Brooklyn Heights
Dumbo
Williamsburg
Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill
Fort Greene
Prospect Park/Prospect Heights/Park Slope
Coney Island and Brighton Beach
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Making the Most of Your Time | Getting Here | Fodor’s Choice | Top Experiences | Best for Kids | Nearby Museums
Updated by Anja Mutic
To put it mildly, Brooklyn is exploding. Hardly Manhattan’s wimpy sidekick, this is the largest and most populous of all the boroughs, with more than 2.5 million residents. If it were an independent city, it would be the fourth largest in the country.
Brooklyn was in fact its own city until the end of the 19th century, with its own widely circulated newspaper, the Brooklyn Eagle, its own expansive park, Prospect Park, and its own baseball team that would eventually be called the Brooklyn Dodgers.