Pinoy Traveler

New York Accommodations Cheaper Than Boracay?!

2010-03-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

You bet you! You think the title is there to just catch your attention? Hell no! It's for real!

There's just no city like New York City. Think Audrey Hepburn having Breakfast at Tiffany's or buying cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. Style, culture, sophistication!!!

Many Pinoys think that a visit to New York City is just way too expensive, especially finding accommodations in the city. Well, I'll share a little secret with you. Do you know that you can get room accommodations at B&B:NYC for rates cheaper than those at Boracay? Yes you can! For more details, click B&B:NYC.

Beware: "Front Desk" scam

2010-03-22T05:09:00.001-07:00

My good friend, Nelson, sent this email warning which he thinks can happen too often, so beware.

You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking
in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your
room). You get to your room and settle in.

Someone calls the front desk and asks, for example, Room 620 (which
happens to be your room). Your phone rings in your room. You answer and
the person on the other end says the following, 'This is the front
desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge
card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify
the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.'

Not thinking anything, you might give this person your information, since
the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of
someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random
room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address
information. Sounding so professional, you do think you are talking
to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that
you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems... Then, go
to the front desk and ask if there is a problem. If there is none,
inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of
your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.

Overweight + Oversized = Long queue at NAIA

2010-03-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

NAIA's answer to the Pinoy's irresistible urge to over-pack and over-stuff their luggage is to do an initial weigh-in of all suitcases and an inspection of carry-on bags to ensure that these bags are within the allowable weight and dimensions. This is a really good idea but it still hasn't deterred the Pinoys from trying to get away with heavy suitcases. We never learn, do we? Well, because of our stubborness, all check-in passengers have to queue twice: once for the weight/dimension inspection and again for the actual check-in procedure. To avoid this hassle, the NAIA porter told that the next time I travel, do an ONLINE check-in.

By presenting your home-printed boarding pass, you skip the long queues. You bags are whisked right through and tagged for check-in.

After Thanksgiving Sale at the Commons

2009-11-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

Now is a good time to visit New York. The Chelsea Premium Outlets just announced the coming After-Thanksgiving Midnight Sale. You know what this means... Woodbury Commons will be a shopper's paradise!

Now remember for you Pinoys who just landed in NYC. If you must drive to Woodbury Commons on your own, remember that typing "Woodbury, NY" into the GPS does not take you to Woodbury Commons. The exact address is 498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley, NY 10917.

Better yet, if you're booked at B&B:NY, then you can arrange for a day-trip to Woodbury Commons in a chauffeur-driven van and you won't have to worry about driving and parking, just like in Manila!

Cheaps Eats in NYC

2009-10-31T10:23:00.001-07:00

So you're in NYC. Most likely, you're staying with relatives or you're fortunate enough to find affordable accomodations such as B&B:NY (http://pinoytraveler-bunny.blogspot.com/?spref=fb). Now where do you go to get decent meals under $10? Here's a few that I tried from an article I read at Time Out New York (http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/38681/35-best-new-cheap-eats):

Ballaro Caffe Prosciuteria on 77 Second Ave between 4th and 5th Streets (nearest subway station: V). This is an Italian café that offers espresso & panini. Its top picks: Mortadella with artichokes on spongy focaccia ($8), caffe macchiato ($1.50). For the constantly wired, Baralla offers free wi-fi.

Bouley Bakery on 120 West Broadway at Duane Street (nearest subway station:
Chambers Street). New Yorkers call this the "Poor man's Bouley", but hey at least you can say you've tried David Bouley! When you reach the corner of W. Broadway and Duane Street, the Bouley eateries occupy 2 corners of this intersection so make sure you go to David Bouley's casual cafe and market. If you enjoy Terry's in Salcedo Village, you will also enjoy this place. Everything is self-service (no tip!). Order the freshly made sandwiches like the chicken-avocado sandwich served on a crusty baguette ($7.50) and sample their dessert.

Of course there were another 33 restaurants in the Time Out NY article but I just did not have the time and the courage to eat sooo much. So if you happen to be in NYC, please try to explore the other restaurants and let me know what you think.

Bed and Breakfast NYC

2009-10-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

Vacationing in New York? Consider this 13-room Bed and Breakfast just 20 minutes away from Manhattan. Owned and managed by a gracious Filipina, this can be your home away from home.

A Standard Room can accommodate 2 adults while the Superior Room can sleep 4 adults. Rates start at US$50/room/night and include a choice of Continental or Filipino breakfast.

Transportation to Manhattan is literally just 57 steps away from B&B:NYC's driveway. Take NJ Transit bus no. 156R and you're at Port Authority (42nd & 8th Avenue) in 45 minutes. Bus fare is $3.40 per adult, one way.

Airport transfers to and from JFK International Airport or Newark International Airport can be arranged.

Book a flight and email: juanitageronimo@gmail.com.

Now, let's talk about strutting down 5th Avenue or watching the latest play in Broadway!