Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn and Staten Island… here is our pick of New York’s hippest hotels and B&Bs

When it comes to finding a boutique hotel or B&B in New York, many visitors look no further than central Manhattan. But if they venture out of the city centre they will discover little-known and up-and-coming neighbourhoods filled with character, and home to some of the city’s most charming boutique hotels and guesthouses. Here, local experts give us their lowdown on the best bolt holes in the city’s most colourful neighbourhoods.

1. At Home in Brooklyn, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Recently named the best neighbourhood in New York City (out of 60) by New York magazine, Park Slope boasts streets of handsome brownstones, trendy shops and great restaurants. This B&B on Prospect Park West is in the middle of it all. Occupying a landmark row house, the inn has four bedrooms, an extensive library and a living room filled with DVDs, board games and puzzles. Host Don Matteson serves a bountiful breakfast, and the rooftop deck offers sweeping views of the neighbourhood, Grand Army Plaza and its 500-acre park.

Book it Doubles from $155 per night, including breakfast (00 1 718 622 5292; athomeinbrooklyn.com).

Don’t miss The Clay Pot (clay-pot.com), which features ceramics and jewellery made by regional artisans. The Community Bookstore (communitybookstore.net), one of Brooklyn’s oldest, has a comfortable area in which to read, and a garden. For tea and pastries head to the Tea Lounge (tealoungeny.com).

Recommended by Rena Grossfield, Big Apple Greeter (bigapplegreeter.org)

2. Akwaaba Mansion, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Once an abandoned ruin, this 1860s Italianate villa has been converted into a B&B. Inside you’ll find four guest rooms and elegant decor featuring ornate fireplaces, Victorian furnishings, antiques and African-American artifacts. Kick back in the guest library or shaded courtyard. The hotel is located in the historic part of Bedford-Stuyvesant, one of New York’s most iconic black neighbourhoods. It was, until recently, considered a no-go zone for visitors, but has undergone a renaissance with the opening of hotels and restaurants.

Book it Doubles from $175 per night, including breakfast (00 1 718 455 5958; akwaaba.com).

Don’t miss Saraghina (saraghina brooklyn.com), a top-notch pizzeria by night and rustic-chic café by day; the back garden is one of the finest outdoor spaces in Brooklyn. The Market at Bedford Village (bedfordvillagemarket.com) is a new venture held at weekends, showcasing local art and artisanry.

David Landel, travel editor, New York Post

3. Fort Place B&B, St George, Staten Island

Historic St George at the tip of Staten Island provides a rare mix of small-town charm and big-city accessibility. On the low-key side, settle into Fort Place, a gracious Victorian home with water views. Owned by an industrial designer, it has four bedrooms, each decorated in vintage furnishings.

Book it Doubles from $120 per night, including breakfast (00 1 718 772 2112; fortplace.com).

Don’t miss Live music at the ornate St George Theatre (stgeorgetheatre.com), and some of the best tapas in town at Beso Restaurant (besonyc.com). When you’re ready to go up in scale, the free Staten Island Ferry is just a five-minute walk away.

Ethan Wolff, author of Frommer’s NYC Free & Dirt Cheap (frommers.com).

4. The Ravel Hotel, Long Island City, Queens

Long Island City is fast becoming a hip neighbourhood. And this hotel makes for a great base: lavishly decorated rooms with knock-out bathrooms, stylish public spaces and a rooftop restaurant with some of the best cityscape views in town.

Book it Doubles from $129 per night, room only (00 1 718 289 6101; ravelhotel.com).

Don’t miss PS 1 (ps1.org), the sister to the Museum of Modern Art, and be sure to attend a Saturday Warm Up – a critically acclaimed music series that has become one of NYC’s most popular events. For dining try Water’s Edge (watersedgenyc.com); request a table outdoors – you’ll sit just inches from the East River with a dramatic view of the Manhattan skyline.

Chris Heywood, NYC & Company, official tourist board guide

5. Jumel Terrace Books B&B, Hamilton Heights, Manhattan

Literature lovers will adore this quirky B&B linked to Uptown New York’s only antiquarian bookshop. There’s a garden apartment which sleeps three and has a full-size kitchen, plus a separate double ensuite bedroom upstairs. Run by academic and font of all local knowledge Kurt Thometz, it’s the launch pad to the area’s cobbled streets and majestic brownstones.

Book it Apartment from $250 per night; double room from $200 per night, both including breakfast (00 1 212 928 9525; jtbandb.wordpress.com).

Don’t miss The Morris-Jumel Mansion (morrisjumel.org), Manhattan’s oldest surviving house, which was George Washington’s headquarters during 1776’s Battle of Harlem Heights. Take a stroll through Riverbank State Park (nysparks.state.ny.us), and head to St Nick’s Pub (stnicksjazzpub.net) for some of the best live jazz in the city.

Ondine Cohane, New York expert for Simonseeks.com (simonseeks.com/newyork)

6. Victorian B&B, New Brighton, Staten Island

This Italianate guesthouse is a good reason to step off the free Staten Island ferry and explore the city’s “forgotten borough”. It is a tranquil sanctuary of spacious rooms, decked out with 1860s decor (the house dates from 1846). The breakfasts are stupendous, as are Danuta’s homemade cakes.

Book it Doubles from $115 per night, including breakfast (00 1 718 273 9861; victorianbedandbreakfast.net).

Don’t miss Snug Harbor Cultural Center (snug-harbor.org), one of New York’s lesser-visited gems, with museums, gardens, artists’ studios and galleries spread over 83 acres. For midday refreshments, the Everything Goes Book Café (etgstores.com) is a great alternative café and bookstore.

Stephen Keeling is co-author of The Rough Guide to New York City (roughguides.com)

7. Mi Casa Tu Casa Guesthouse, South Bronx

The words “bed and breakfast” might seem out of place in the South Bronx, an area known for being rough around the edges. Yet Liz Figueroa and Julio Pabón, friendly and knowledgeable long-time Bronx residents, have been running their cosy guesthouse here since 2006. Housed in a weathered 19th-century clapboard house, it has four comfy rooms; one room is dedicated to the Yankees baseball team, while the other three have Latino themes . There are three shared bathrooms, a shared kitchen and a tranquil backyard garden.

Book it Twins from $85 per night, including breakfast (00 1 718 402 9310; micasatucasa150.com).

Don’t miss The 149th Street-Grand Concourse subway station. The South Bronx gave birth to hip-hop in the 1970s – and much of the graffiti art that went with it – and this was one of the favourite meeting places of aerosol artists. The Bronx Arts Space (bronxartspace.com) hosts various art, experimental film, dance, music and theatre events. Berzet’s Soul Food offers some of the best and cheapest Southern home-cooking in the city – you can get two-piece fried chicken sets with candied yams, collard greens and corn bread for around $8.50.

Stephen Keeling is co-author of The Rough Guide to New York City (roughguides.com)

8. Nu Hotel, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

This boutique hotel manages to be minimalist (cork floors, sleek wood furnishings, white walls), quirky (bike rack in the lobby, hemp hammocks to laze in on hot afternoons) and welcoming (free breakfast) all at once. The best rooms overlook busy Smith Street, full of chic coffee shops and mom-and-pop restaurants, and have views of nearby Brooklyn Bridge.

Book it Doubles from $199 per night, including breakfast (00 1 718 852 8585; nuhotelbrooklyn.com).

Don’t miss Henry Street – a more relaxed alternative to Smith Street. Grab some Italian aperitivos at Bocca Luppo. For a real foodie adventure, check out Brooklyn Fare (brooklyn fare.com), a bodega turned high-end restaurant where the chef turns out nightly tasting menus inside his glass-enclosed kitchen. Boerum Hill is mostly residential, but nearby is the Waterfront Museum Barge (waterfrontmuseum.org).

Ginger Otis, author of Lonely Planet’s New York City Guide (lonelyplanet.com)

9. The Blue Moon Hotel, Lower East Side, Manhattan

This 22-room hotel is housed in a restored 19th-century tenement, but you’d never know it – the rooms are huge for New York City and some have balconies with city views. A sense of the neighbourhood’s history is everywhere – a lot of salvaged material has been used in the hotel.

Book it Doubles from $199 per night, including breakfast (00 1 212 533 9080; bluemoon-nyc.com).

Don’t miss The Tenement Museum (tenement.org) and the Museum at Eldridge Street (eldridgestreet.org) for a look at how immigrants lived in the 19th century. Walk down East Broadway to experience the culture of the Lower East Side’s newest immigrants, the Fujianese Chinese, and stroll through the Essex Street Market (essexstreetmarket.com).

Kate Stober, Lower East Side Tenement Museum (tenement.org)

10. Bubba & Bean, East Harlem, Manhattan

Two townhouses have been combined into one friendly B&B in up-and-coming East Harlem. Owners Jonathan and Clement have turned each suite into a mini-apartment with French doors between sleeping and living spaces. There’s a small garden out back – usually the territory of their two terrier pups, Bubba and Bean.

Book it From $250 per night, sleeping two (00 1 917 345 7914; bblodges.com).

Don’t miss El Museo del Barrio (elmuseo.org), dedicated to local artists. At 103rd and Lexington is a vibrant community garden, open from noon to 4pm. Around the corner grab some great Mexican eats at El Paso Taqueria (elpasotaqueria.com).

Ginger Otis, author of Lonely Planet’s New York City guide (lonelyplanet.com)

A ranking of 20 cities renowned for being popular tourist destinations has placed Lisbon at the top. Surprisingly New York slipped down the ranking to 17th place, indicating that tourists are losing interest in its bargain shopping and TV show themed tours. In the survey Portugal's capital was hailed as an "undiscovered" hotspot.

Rating cities across the world for their value for money and accommodation costs, New York's expense in addition to increased security checks and lengthy flight time caused it to slump in the ratings. However Lisbon, only a two hour flight away, was hailed as one of the best destinations based on its value for money. With art galleries, festivals all year round, and an attractive new Design and Fashion Museum, YouGov found that Lisbon fits many of the criteria on tourist's wish lists.

It was noted that while destinations including Paris and New York would continue to lure tourists, city escapes within Europe were becoming increasingly popular. And although it may not be as widely renowned as other cities, Lisbon's value for money, short travel time, and good climate makes it perfect for short breaks and extended vacations.

Additionally, Stirling University's Professor Paul Freathy, explained that those working increasingly long hours generally wanted to get to their holiday destination as quickly as possible, without having to deal with jet lag at either end. And with flights for the Portuguese capital departing from both Manchester and London airports, a quick escape is more than possible.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

City council approves plans for tower only metres shorter than iconic landmark

New York’s skyline, already immortalised by King Kong and Woody Allen is set to sprout another skyscraper after the city council approved plans for a tower only 18 metres (60ft) shorter than the Empire State Building.

New York city council yesterday shrugged off objections from the owners of the 102-storey Empire State Building and gave the go-ahead for the construction of 15 Penn Plaza, a 67-storey building proposed by Vornado Realty Trust.

The new skyscraper, described by Vornado as “an outstanding addition to New York’s skyline”, will be built two blocks away from the Empire State Building, which has stood largely unobstructed in midtown Manhattan since 1931.

Building work on 15 Penn Plaza is unlikely to begin until it finds an anchor tenant.

Malkin Holdings, co-owners of the Empire State Building, said they respected the decision of the council, which approved the construction by a vote of 47-1.

“As the current stewards of the Empire State Building, the most iconic image on the skyline of New York, we thought that 15 Penn Plaza was too close to the Empire State Building for its height and design,” said the company president, Anthony Malkin.

New York’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, had dismissed objections to the building.

“Anybody that builds a building in New York City changes its skyline. We don’t have to run around to every other owner and apologise,” he told a news conference on Tuesday.

“One guy owns a building and he’d like to have it be the only tall building. I’m sorry, that’s not the real world.”

David Greenbaum, the project developer for 15 Penn Plaza, told New York city council’s zoning committee that the tower’s height was determined by the needs of potential tenants – such as financial services firms that need large, uninterrupted floors to accommodate trading activities – as well as the additional space needed for “green” office design.

Vornado said the project would bring transport improvements, including a concourse linking Penn station to subways and commuter trains, new subway entrances and an expanded subway platform.

Penn Plaza will be 363 metres (1,190ft) tall. The Empire State Building’s main structure is 381 metres but it has a 62 metre antenna that puts its total height at 443 metres.

Mitchell Moss, a New York University urban policy professor and an informal adviser to the mayor, told the New York Times that the city had long cherished its soaring towers.

“People don’t come to New York to visit caves,” Moss said. “They want the views, the height, the experience of tall buildings. Skyscrapers allow us to make the best use of a limited amount of land.”

The Empire State Building won its place in popular culture in the 1933 film King Kong, when a giant, love-sick gorilla climbed the skyscraper, Fay Wray clutched in his paw, only to fall to earth in a hail of bullets from a bi-plane.

It was the city’s tallest building until the construction of the World Trade Centre in 1970. After the twin towers were destroyed in the September 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again held the title of New York’s tallest building, but will lose it when One World Trade Centre is completed.

Whilst New York remains one of the most popular destinations in the world, hotels in the Big Apple continue to create attractive and innovative options to lure guests. And with competition so high in the city that never sleeps, it has been revealed that TV themed incentives are on the rise.

With New York playing a staring role for some of the most popular and acclaimed TV series around the world, it is no surprise that companies are cashing in on the enormous hype surrounding some of the shows. Sex and the City continues to have a huge following after the television series spawned two movies, a fact that the meatpacking districts' Hotel Gansevoort has taken note of. The hotel is currently offering a package that includes nightclub passes, series related DVD or book, Cosmopolitans by the pool and overnight stays. But it isn't just Sex and the City that is luring the masses.

The Empire Hotel, a regular location in Gossip Girl provides a themed drinks list in its bar. Meanwhile the Upper West Side's 'A Mad Affair at the Pierre' offers guests the opportunity to recreate Mad Men's scene between Peggy and Duck with a box set of the series, a night in a suite, champagne and $150 worth of bar dining or room service. In addition, the Algonquin Hotel's Blue Bar, which has featured in Mad Men on several occasions, has created an innovative cocktail list based on the shows characters.

Flights to New York are available from a multitude of UK airports, including Manchester, London Gatwick, and Belfast International.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

Whilst New York remains one of the most popular destinations in the world, hotels in the Big Apple continue to create attractive and innovative options to lure guests. And with competition so high in the city that never sleeps, it has been revealed that TV themed incentives are on the rise.

With New York playing a staring role for some of the most popular and acclaimed TV series around the world, it is no surprise that companies are cashing in on the enormous hype surrounding some of the shows. Sex and the City continues to have a huge following after the television series spawned two movies, a fact that the meatpacking districts' Hotel Gansevoort has taken note of. The hotel is currently offering a package that includes nightclub passes, series related DVD or book, Cosmopolitans by the pool and overnight stays. But it isn't just Sex and the City that is luring the masses.

The Empire Hotel, a regular location in Gossip Girl provides a themed drinks list in its bar. Meanwhile the Upper West Side's 'A Mad Affair at the Pierre' offers guests the opportunity to recreate Mad Men's scene between Peggy and Duck with a box set of the series, a night in a suite, champagne and $150 worth of bar dining or room service. In addition, the Algonquin Hotel's Blue Bar, which has featured in Mad Men on several occasions, has created an innovative cocktail list based on the shows characters.

Flights to New York are available from a multitude of UK airports, including Manchester, London Gatwick, and Belfast International.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

It has been revealed by popular American airline Delta that they are to increase services between a number of U.S cities and London Heathrow. Looking to provide greater access for business and tourist travellers flying between the two countries, both Detroit and Atlanta will have additional flights added to their schedules.

Announcing that the primary aim behind the increase was to offer additional options for those flying across the Atlantic for business reasons, Delta said that the new flights would be on sale from 21st September. With all flights departing London Heathrow, a second flight to Atlanta will be added four times a week while an additional flight will be added to the thrice weekly services to Detroit.

Onboard Delta's Boeing 767 aircraft, 36 seats will be offered in BusinessElite, whilst a further 180 economy seats will also be available. Starting from the 1st November, additional flights to Atlanta will depart London on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, whilst those to Detroit will leave on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The announcement marks an increasing number of flights provided by Delta with the business traveller in mind. In addition to these new services, they have previously revealed additional flights to JFK, beginning on September 20th. And with the U.S remaining a popular holiday destination, it is likely that tourists and business flyers will take advantage of the increased services.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

It has been revealed by popular American airline Delta that they are to increase services between a number of U.S cities and London Heathrow. Looking to provide greater access for business and tourist travellers flying between the two countries, both Detroit and Atlanta will have additional flights added to their schedules.

Announcing that the primary aim behind the increase was to offer additional options for those flying across the Atlantic for business reasons, Delta said that the new flights would be on sale from 21st September. With all flights departing London Heathrow, a second flight to Atlanta will be added four times a week while an additional flight will be added to the thrice weekly services to Detroit.

Onboard Delta's Boeing 767 aircraft, 36 seats will be offered in BusinessElite, whilst a further 180 economy seats will also be available. Starting from the 1st November, additional flights to Atlanta will depart London on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, whilst those to Detroit will leave on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The announcement marks an increasing number of flights provided by Delta with the business traveller in mind. In addition to these new services, they have previously revealed additional flights to JFK, beginning on September 20th. And with the U.S remaining a popular holiday destination, it is likely that tourists and business flyers will take advantage of the increased services.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

New York’s Restaurant Week gives visitors the chance to eat at the city’s best
diners for a fraction of the normal cost.

It has been revealed that the recently announced codeshare flight agreement between Brussels Airlines and Continental Airlines will benefit Bristol Airport. While on the surface not seeming to affect UK travellers, the Belgian operator's agreement will mean continued flights via Bristol.

The news has come as a welcome relief after Continental Airline's revealed that their direct flight from Bristol to New York was to be terminated on November 7th. However, with the new codeshare agreement between the two foreign companies, it means that three daily flights will arrive in Bristol from Brussels, allowing British travellers to join the onward journey to New York's Newark Airport.

Belonging to the Star Alliance which also includes Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and South African Airways, the two firms revealed their codesharing plans a couple of days ago. It means that each airline can sell tickets for flights with the other company, providing both passengers in America and Belgium with a host of new travel routes. And with a New York bound service flying via Bristol, it offers additional travel options for UK passengers.

Speaking of the news Bristol airport's Aviation Director, Shaun Browne, said "This agreement is good news for Continental's customers in the south-west and Wales. It means they can continue to enjoy the convenience of flying from their regional airport even when Continental's direct service to New York ceases to operate later this year." And with New York remaining a hot destination, especially with the Christmas shopping period looming, the announcement of continued service to the Big Apple is likely to be welcomed by all.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

Data revealed by Birmingham Airport has revealed that the most popular destinations among passengers passing through its gates include New York and Dubai. With both cities remaining popular hotspots for business and pleasure, Birmingham's range of flights are proving to be in strong demand.

As an international hub for the West Midlands, Birmingham offers those in the Midlands with an easy route abroad. Flying to various locations around the world, from European cities including Vienna and Istanbul to further flung destinations such as Orlando, it remains a hugely popular transport link. And with news that the airport is looking to improve its passenger service by merging two terminals, high demand for flights to Spain, Greece, New York and Dubai is likely to continue.

Birmingham Airport has already revealed that a runway extension will increase capacity by approximately nine million annual travellers.  With plans to further extend long haul services even after the work is complete, passenger numbers could reach 21 million by 2014, providing a vital travel hub for Britain. Speaking of the developments, Daniel Sutcliffe, spokesman for the airport, revealed "When completed later this year the scheme will lead to a larger centralised passenger security search area, an enlarged meeting and greeting arrivals point, and an improved shopping and catering offer in both landside and airside areas." As the hub begins taking invaluable pressure off of London Heathrow, Birmingham Airport's popularity is set to soar.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight