The Avalon

Have booked a suite at the Avalon. Has anyone any good or bad things to say about the hotel? Also, what about the location - is it a nice area %26amp; can you advise where the nearest subway, drugstore etc is please?

This site is so wonderful, I%26#39;ve picked up some very useful info from you guys. Thank you!

The Avalon

I%26#39;ve never heard of it, but it certainly looks nice and gets good reviews on this site.

Nearest subway is the #6 local that you get at 33rd St. and Park Avenue. Pay attention to the signs, as the entrance closest to you is for Downtown only; uptown trains are on the other side of Park Avenue. From that station (33rd St.), it%26#39;s one stop up to Grand Central (42nd St.), where you can make connections to the 4/5 express trains, the #7 (if it%26#39;s running!) and the Shuttle, that goes directly to Times Square. From the downtown side, it%26#39;s 3 stops to Union Square (14th St.) where you can connect with the 4/5 express trains, plus the L and the N/R/W. (The N/R/W is the closest thing our system as to your Circle Line, as these lines will connect with both eastside and westside lines.)

You%26#39;re right near the famous bistro Artisanal, known for their incredible cheese selection, and great fondues! 2 Park Ave., bet. Madison-Park), 1-212-725-8585.

There%26#39;s a nice, old-fashioned neighborhood Italian called Villa Berulia, on 34th St. bet. Park %26amp; Lexington, 1-212-689-1970.

I have a favorite neighborhood restaurant not far from you. Giorgio%26#39;s of Gramercy is on E. 21st St., and is a lot-key place with very good American cuisine. www.giorgiosofgramercy.com.

Have a great time!

The Avalon

We stated at the Avalon last Christmas. Very large, georgous marble oversized tub. Very attractive room with double beds and seperate seating area. 12 dollar cashews from the minibar! Yummy though. Tiny lobby with a little reading room. Typical 35 dollar 24 hour no retrieval vallet and they will charge you if you are a minute over. Skip the restaurant attached to the hotel, very crowed and nothing wow about it. Nice location, especially handy for Macy%26#39;s.

I think you%26#39;ll like the hotel. The area is not the most exciting but it%26#39;s certainly convenient. You%26#39;re just a few blocks from the Empire State building. Trio is another good rest. (33 st b/w 3rd %26amp; Lexington). The largest chain of drugstores in Manhattan is Duane Reade and there%26#39;s sure to be one nearby. 34 st is a big wide 2 way ave. with a crosstown bus that you may find convenient.

By going to menupages.com and looking at the east 30s listings you can see restaurants in the area. There are also a lot of trendy restaurants in the 20s on and just off Park Ave. South.

If you%26#39;ve got any pets at home, Doggie Do and Pussy Cats too is a fun shop nearby on 3rd ave. %26amp; ~ 36-37 st.

Stayed there over Thanksgiving and it really is ideal. Its in a part of town known as ';Koreatown'; so there is an abundance of Korean food if you are so inclined. The rooms are very nice and spacious for the money. The only complaint I had was the lack of water pressure in the shower. Maybe they%26#39;ve taken care of that by now. There is a little grocery store right on the corner of 32nd and 5th which came in handy. Have a great time!

Thanks so much for all the info%26#39;. It%26#39;s really great to get tips from people %26#39;in the know%26#39;, especially Bettina who seems to be the font of all knowledge! I live in London so if I can be of any assistance to any of you guys thinking of visiting the UK, just ask.