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Thursday, September 27, 2007Travel is one of my greatest passions and I believe all globetrotters or even occasional adventurers must venture to the Capitol of the World....the one and only New York City! The energy, the absolutely endless myriad of activities and world famous icons and landmarks that stand as a testament to the celebrity status of this beloved city. When you need a break from the electric energy of New York and when it's time to hit the bed, where to stay? New York has numerous options though there are few that cater to young people and have great bang for the buck. This past Christmas & New Years 2007 when I headed down to see friends in Connecticut before attending the legendary New Years bash in Times Square with my brother. My parents wanted as most do to find a good deal, yet we wanted to be in midtown near to Times Square. This is the enduring question, some people answer this by staying further afield in more remote parts of the city or across the river in New Jersey coming in and out each day. The answer is The Pod Hotel. Below is my full review of the hotel inclusive of both stays both for New Years 2007 & in July 2007 as it appears on my Trip Advisor profile along with pictures. I travelled with family to New York with visits to Connecticut last New Years & then again on my own while visiting surrounding states this summer. I have included below reviews from both stays for more information. New Years: Scanning around as we were late in the game of booking a room prior to New Years I was elated when I called up the Pick Wick Arms (Now the Pod Hotel) which had not only space but appeared to be a vibrant young and modern hotel with a great price tag. My family member whose first time it was in the city and my 2nd stayed there for our 2 nights/3 days in the city. Within walking distance of many landmarks, within a 25 minute walking radius of the hotel we visited: * Central Park * Rockefeller Center * Nintendo World store * NBA store * Times Square * The world's largest toy store- Toys'R Us Times Square * 5th Avenue * Avenue of the Americas The rooms are very reasonably priced and actually amazing price tags when you think that this is in Midtown East, sporting some of the highest room rates on earth typically ranging anywhere from $400-600. The Pod Hotel for 2 nights including extravagantly popular night of December 31st was $179 for the double room with private bathroom. The room was very comfortable and modern with a spacious desk, flat screen LCD television, a marble shower & bathroom with nifty holders. A note on the public bathrooms for the single & bunk bed room guests, they are also pristine and even have music in the shower and plenty of shampoo & soap in dispensers. We actually used one of these bathrooms also in the morning so we could shower faster which I suggest as they are usually mostly empty. It saves time so you have more time to get out into this magnificent city! Beautiful British bath products are provided in abundance by the maids whom are very friendly and clean the rooms spotlessly. We had a question about whether we could turn the television so went out into the hall and asked a maid there, she happily came in and showed us how. A small interesting note, they are in the traditional French maid outfits, not something you often see! Summer 2007: I returned to the Pod Hotel in July for a 2 night stay again and had an equally wonderful experience with them. Now that the renovations are complete with the hotel, there is a concierge desk that is staffed most of the day, a cozy lounging area with modern furniture and a rooftop garden, however I didn't get a chance to go up there, next time for sure. There is also a outdoor deck area which I did go out on and enjoyed. This time I had several requests of the front desk and each call or whenever I went up to the desk I was greeted with friendly staff who cater to you. I stayed in the double room again, and though the same as the summer I did notice that there are now two glass doors for the bathroom which makes it easier for privacy. Also I read in an earlier review of The Pod Hotel that there was this beautiful quaint park down the street (East 51st Street) that the Pod Hotel is on. I found it just across the street down a 2 minute walk from the hotel. It's called Greenacre Park and was built by a wealthy New Yorker for the simple purpose of proving a paradise in the middle of bustling midtown Manhattan. Just a few blocks from Times Square as a New Yorker whom I sat beside said and yet such serenity. The park has a raised terrace covered eating area, a spacious stone patio with modern wire cafe style chairs & tables. A snack bar offers a wide variety of gourmet food not just snacks freshly prepared by the friendly Asian owner. I enjoyed a delicious croissant & fruit salad in front of the crowning feature a large waterfall at the back of the park! A visit to this park is a must! To add to the list of nearby attractions and places this time from the hotel I walked to: * Top of The Rock observation deck at the GE Building (also contains the NBC store & tour, Rainbow Room) * Theater District * Maddame Tussuad's (also a ticket office for CitySightsNY Hop on Off buses & the start for their downtown tour) * The world's largest toy store- Toys'R Us Times Square & other theme stores * Grand Central Station & its shoppes I readily recommend the Pod Hotel to friends and family and will surely be returning! - Trip Advisor a dynamic interactive travel site, I am now a member on will get a full review in the next few days on here- Labels: New York City tourism Teague Neal blogged on 10:27 AM
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Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Josh Strickland right as Tarzan alongside Jenn Gamabatese as Jane in Tarzan Josh Strickland who played Tarzan in the stunning musical of the same name that I have been writing about that was on Broadway, now in The Netherlands and Germany in 2008 has a upcoming one day show! He will be at the Staples Center Highschool in Westport, Connecticut on October 1st. The Staples Center as part of the highschool is home to The Staples Players a dynamic drama and theatre group that teaches young aspiring actors bound for Broadway and other acting all there is to know about theatre in an intergrated program. The tickets are only $20 for children and $30 for adults. He will be joining other Broadway actors alongside the Broadway Boys whom impersonate and perform Broadway hit songs and skits. The ticket sales generated act as a fundraiser towards this worthwhile theatre program. Check out the article about the concert on Playbill. Labels: Broadway Teague Neal blogged on 11:54 AM
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