Where to stay for NYC Marathon.
April 27, 2012 4:42 AM Subscribe
Recommendations needed for best lodging for a runner and family spectators for the 2012 New York City Marathon.
My sister in law just found out that she is going to be in the NYC marathon. Can you recommend a great place to stay? Other tips, tricks, and restaurant advice are also appreciated.
My sister in law just found out that she is going to be in the NYC marathon. Can you recommend a great place to stay? Other tips, tricks, and restaurant advice are also appreciated.
I made my reservation really late last year for the marathon and ended up staying at the Gershwin Hotel. It was $280. It is not bad, but a bit of a walk from the end of the marathon. I think the walk helped even tho I was really hoping for a cab, because the next day I wasn't sore at all.
it's not fancy, and there's no coffee makers in the rooms, but there is a coffee shop in the lobby. it has a lot of mod art hanging about.
posted by katinka-katinka at 5:37 AM on April 27, 2012
it's not fancy, and there's no coffee makers in the rooms, but there is a coffee shop in the lobby. it has a lot of mod art hanging about.
posted by katinka-katinka at 5:37 AM on April 27, 2012
Set up a few meeting places where you'll be able to see her, based upon her pace. Bring whatever runner's goo she may want. We have met up friends just after they crossed back into Manhattan, around 59th St, and that was really fun.
It can be hard to get close to the finish line on the Upper West Side and Central Park's paths aren't always the easiest to navigate.
Afterwards, it's very crowded and nearly impossible to grab a cab. Rely on the subway if you're going anywhere.
You might want to stay on the west side but further downtown (like Chelsea) to save money. Anywhere off the 1 or C lines should be OK. (The B doesn't run on weekends.)
Try to get a room with a bathtub and not just a shower? I've heard an ice bath afterwards can feel nice.
Same for a massage. My place is Haven Spa in Soho, but you might want to find somewhere closer to your hotel.
posted by kathryn at 6:15 AM on April 27, 2012
It can be hard to get close to the finish line on the Upper West Side and Central Park's paths aren't always the easiest to navigate.
Afterwards, it's very crowded and nearly impossible to grab a cab. Rely on the subway if you're going anywhere.
You might want to stay on the west side but further downtown (like Chelsea) to save money. Anywhere off the 1 or C lines should be OK. (The B doesn't run on weekends.)
Try to get a room with a bathtub and not just a shower? I've heard an ice bath afterwards can feel nice.
Same for a massage. My place is Haven Spa in Soho, but you might want to find somewhere closer to your hotel.
posted by kathryn at 6:15 AM on April 27, 2012
Also you may be able to find a decent deal using Quikbook, but you're looking pretty far in advance.
posted by kathryn at 6:17 AM on April 27, 2012
posted by kathryn at 6:17 AM on April 27, 2012
Have her pack a bunch of warm throwaway clothes. The wait for the race in Staten Island can be quite a few FREEZING cold hours, depending on her transportation.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:06 AM on April 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:06 AM on April 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm doing it again this year, and will probably stay at the Gershwin again. They have rooms right now for about $159. Depending on how big your family is and how close they want to stay, they also have dorm rooms. You could rent the dorm room thing out. It seems pretty popular with European tourists.
If you do end up staying there and hate it, feel fee to yell at me. How long are you going to be in town for? I've also stayed at the Nu Hotel in Brooklyn and LOVE it. I think there are shuttles from the Marriott in Brooklyn to the start. I'd stay at the nu hotel if I was staying the night after the marathon, but I'm taking the train back to New Jersey.
posted by katinka-katinka at 5:35 PM on April 27, 2012
If you do end up staying there and hate it, feel fee to yell at me. How long are you going to be in town for? I've also stayed at the Nu Hotel in Brooklyn and LOVE it. I think there are shuttles from the Marriott in Brooklyn to the start. I'd stay at the nu hotel if I was staying the night after the marathon, but I'm taking the train back to New Jersey.
posted by katinka-katinka at 5:35 PM on April 27, 2012
Last year, the NYRR sent out an email looking for people to be behind the media broadcast at the start. If she gets that email, she should do it. They put you on a bus and drive you over and you get to hang out in a heated tent in between segments.
posted by katinka-katinka at 6:24 PM on April 27, 2012
posted by katinka-katinka at 6:24 PM on April 27, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Hotels in NYC are expensive, so I wouldn't expect to find anything much cheaper.
I would assume that your sister-in-law will want a hotel close(r) to the end of the race (Central Park) than the beginning of the race (Staten Island).
posted by dfriedman at 5:27 AM on April 27, 2012 [1 favorite]