I've recently come across some excellent deals in accomodations and those will be included and updated.

Self-walking tours, fun, good value restaurants, well-scheduled museum visits, smart shopping, these are all ways to make highlights in each trip.

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The website A Hospitality Company gives precise pricing information for daily and weekly rates and multiple photos and virtual tours of the apartments. Some companies make you email them for rates, but Hospitality is upfront and gives low rates to everyone. I was impressed with the quality of the apartments and the reasonable prices.

I reserved a studio apartment in the East Village, on East 3rd Street and Second Avenue. David, in reservations, was professional and nice. The price was $135 per night, plus 8.25% sales tax (less than hotel tax.) I made a full payment with my credit card over the phone.

One inconvenience-if you reserve less than a week on weekend days, they will not take a reservation until the week before. The company holds apartments for potential extended stay customers. There is a $35 penalty if you cancel 5 days or more in advance, or a two-night fee if you cancel within 5 days of arrival.

I picked up the keys at the office on West 35th Street. You can also arrange to pick up keys at the doorman of your apartment or a nearby property with a doorman if your apartment is a walk-up. The apartment was in a good neighborhood and close to many restaurants, bars, shops and subway and bus lines. Several restaurants in my Eating Well in New York journal are nearby.

The apartment was in immaculate condition, very spacious for a studio in New York. (Apt 3B, facing the rear.) A hallway with space for hanging coats and shelves with extra sheets and blankets, ample closet space with iron and ironing board, extremely clean bathroom with hairdryer and extra towels, well-stocked kitchen with plates, pots, dish towels, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, and microwave. There is a dining room set, a queen size bed, and a futon sofa, TV with video and cable, as well as phone and answering machine. Tourist information was laid out on a side table. With brick walls on each side, tasteful prints hang from the walls and many windows give good circulation. Air conditioning is included, as well as a mailbox. Overall, very cosy, modern and extremely well-kept.

There are larger, more luxurious apartments for those with bigger budgets. However, for $135 or less per night, this is an excellent deal for 2 or 3 friends. There is a current promotion for 25% off prices for November and December 2001.

I was able to get my friends a price of $155 per night (plus the usual 13.25% hotel tax) for a room with a king size bed. The internet quoted a lower rate of $149, but I was told the promotion was only for the summer and ended in September.

The hotel is in a renovated prewar building. The entrance is on 77th Street, next to the Fishs Eddy store at the corner. Through the glass revolving doors is a stylish interior with a relaxed feel. The reception desk and the lobby seating area is like those of trendy boutique hotels. Decorated in neutral browns and beiges with a white orchid, we felt it was a bargain at well under $200 per night.

The room was wonderful, very modern with a sleek dark wood "Calvin Klein" style bed and cool stainless steel sink, shelves and marble shower. My friends were on the 11th floor, facing 77th Street which meant the room was nice and quiet. From the wide windows, we could see over the rooftops of nearby buildings and peek into the beautiful penthouses and terraces. The room size was decent, with enough space for a chair and a side table. Ample closet space aligned one wall and there was even an iron and ironing board. The entertainment system was state of the art and there are two telephone lines per room.

The hotel has no restaurant or bar. However, across the street is the happening Ruby Foo’s, a basic diner, and there are many kinds of restaurants along Broadway, Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues. There are also several rental car companies on the street. The subway lines 1 and 9 are two blocks away at 79th Street and the express lines 2 and 3 are at 72nd Street.

I know there are penthouse suites for more money on the top floors, with balconies and commanding views of the city and Central Park. All in all, this is a good bet.

Website: www.ontheave-nyc.com

Website for hotel chain: www.stayinnewyork.com

Despite these new changes, here is the old copy for Sant Ambroeus. Just like the beloved French pastry shop Bonte that gave way to Ann Taylor a few years ago, Sant Ambroeus will always have a special place in New Yorker's hearts.

This is the closest to a real-Italian coffee bar as you’ll get in New York. There is even a barista in a tux! Word has it that Isabella Rosellini frequents this place when she is in town. However, stay out of the restaurant at the back and hang out at the standing room-only café bar or buy a cup of the best gelato on this side of the Atlantic.

For $2.50, you get 2 flavors in a cup. I opt for passion fruit and crocantino (hazelnut and liqueur). For the same price, you get a good cup of cappuccino. Stay away from their pricey cakes and pastries-they are excellent but not worth the price.

This is just what you need after those hours of window-shopping up and down Madison Avenue or after visiting the Whitney Museum on their Friday pay-as-you-wish night.

The website for the ferry routes and times is: http://www.panynj.gov/ferry/ferframe.HTM

The old text:

Here’s something that few people know…you can get the best view of lower Manhattan from Jersey City. I personally think it beats the view from Brooklyn Height’s Promenade.

Take the PATH train (subway-like trains linking Manhattan and New Jersey) to Exchange Place. You can either get on at the World Trade Center, which is only one stop away, or take it from any PATH station on the West side (33rd Street onwards, consult their website for a detailed map PATH train routes). Note that you would have to change trains at Pavonia if you come from the west side.

When you come out of the station at Exchange Place, you will be greeted with huge office buildings, and then when you turn your head, the most beautiful skyline of Manhattan. There is a walkway by the coast line.

If the weather permits, pack a small picnic lunch and enjoy the view from the small benches provided in the public viewing area. Check out my photo for the view. And the cost of this view…$1 each way on the PATH train.