New York Marathon Advise

Help Needed!

1) Hotel - I am arriving in New York on the 3rd November (evening) but have no accomodation for this night, for the following two nights I have booked in at the Embassy Suites. I am looking for good value accomodation, could even be at JFK airport. I have heard of the priceline website, would I be able to secure a good deal for this night?

2) Food - Has anyone any recommendations for a couple of Italian restaurants serving good pasta, portions need to be large. This would preferably be near the Embassy Suite Hotel although somewhere between here and Central park will be fine.

Thanks

Richard

New York Marathon Advise

2) Food - the NY Marathon hosts a giant pasta dinner every year at Tavern on the Green

ingnycmarathon.org/schedule/marathoneve.php

Near the Embassy Suites, there a few Italian pasta options:

Spaghetti Western - cheap and decent, very casual, friendly bar. Nothing spectacular, but a nice ';plan B';.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

Il Giglio - Excellent! Very expensive and very good. I go here very infrequently, but over the years, it has always impressed me. I don%26#39;t usually recommend it here because I think it is very expensive and not ';cool'; enough for tourists.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

http://www.ilgiglionyc.com/index2.htm

Giginos on Greenwich Street - I see the reviews are going downhill on Menupages, but I used to think it was pretty good. My department used to go there for office dinners for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

http://www.gigino-trattoria.com/

I see there is a new Gigino%26#39;s closer to your hotel, but I haven%26#39;t been there.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

http://www.gigino-wagnerpark.com/

Good luck!!

New York Marathon Advise

More Food

If you like Asian noodles, here are couple of ideas:

Lili%26#39;s Noodles - right below your hotel. Good food, good prices. Nice atmo.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

http://www.lilisnoodle.com/

Pac Rim - Also, right below your hotel. Costs a little more than Lili%26#39;s, but on the whole, the same. Fancier atmo.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

You can try bidding on Priceline for the one night but I don%26#39;t know how successful you%26#39;ll be b/c of the marathon. Make sure you know the rules and read betterbiddding.com or biddingfortravel.com Make sure you know what a free re-bid is.

The Pan American is a budget hotel with free shuttle service from both JFK and LGA (it%26#39;s closer to the city than other JFK hotels which are mostly terrible and too far.)

panamhotel.com

Thanks for your help - secured a hotel on hotwire. Went on betterbidding.com, very useful and good advice on there as well!

hotels.com also has some good deals. Try the Washington Square Hotel in Greenwich VIllage. Often booked but a favorite among European travelers. Comfort Inn on 36th St is basic, clean, centrally located.

Go to the New York Road Runners website for marathon info and the pasta dinner. Meet runners from everywhere.

GOod luck

Carmines do HUGE portions to share. Have been to the one in times sq, but i beleive there are other locations as well.