New York City’s Roosevelt Island Tram closes for six months

by Amy Chen on

New York City’s Roosevelt Island Tram, which figured prominently in the “Spider-Man” movie, has closed for six months of repairs, reports the New York Times.

The tram ended its last run early this morning. Expected to reopen at the tail end of summer, the tram is due for maintenance: back in 2006, multiple power failures trapped 69 people about 200 feet above the East River for seven hours.

The tram, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the skyline for $4 round-trip, has long been a favorite budget activity for visitors. Now those visitors may have to content themselves with seeing the skyline from a distance aboard the free Staten Island ferry.

New York City’s Jane hotel, from $69 through March

by Amy Chen on

Shoebox-size hotel rooms in New York City are notoriously overpriced, especially since you’re usually too busy running around the city to spend enough time in them.

The Jane hotel could be the antidote — now through March, the starting price has dropped down to $69 for a single room (compared to $99). A room with bunk beds now starts at $79. Note: these 50-square-foot rooms have communal bathrooms and are extremely narrow — the wall-size mirror can only do so much to conjure airiness. The rooms, which were modeled after train and yacht cabins, do at least come with built-in drawers underneath the twin beds and overhead luggage racks so you’re not tripping over your stuff.

If you’re claustrophobic, though, you may be happier booking one of the 250-square-foot Captain’s Cabins for $179 (normally $250-$300), which have private bathrooms.

For once, these prices match the size of the rooms. Besides, The Jane’s location in the West Village really makes it hard to justify spending too much time in the tiny rooms anyway.

A new way to find a spa in New York

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When you go to a resort, the spa decision is pretty easy to make. The resort is the main draw, so you just go with the spa that’s on property. If your trip involves a major city, though, you’d be nuts not to spread around your experiences a bit. Mix up your hotel, restaurants and spa choices: one-stop shopping isn’t always your best bet. So, I was thrilled to hear about SpaDealsNYC.com, which celebrated its official launch last week. In addition to finding the best spa for your tight muscles and weary spirit, you’ll score some great deals, too – no need to break the bank when you’re looking for a bit of relaxation.

SpaDealsNYC.com is the creation of Richard Cacace, owner of Body Beautiful Spa & Laser Center in the East Village. He wanted to give consumers a new way to find the right treatments and spas … and pick up a few discounts along the way. He says, “Given the situation with the economy and prioritizing how people spend their hard earned money, this site will be a way for people to receive a beauty service that they may have always gotten, but now forgo, due to financial reasons. It allows them to get that service again for a great discount.”

InterContinental New York Times Square sets sights on LEED certification

by Melanie Nayer on


It’s already the largest new-build hotel in New York City, and now the InterContinental New York Times Square sets its sights on being the largest hotel to achieve LEED status.

Slated to open in July, the InterContinental New York Times Square will debut as the newest InterContinental Hotel in the city. Located on 44th Street just west of Times Square, the new-build hotel’s claim to fame is its size – the36-story hotel has 607 guestrooms each averaging 350 square feet, including an oversized bathroom complete with walk-in rain showers. There are 29 corner suites and a 2,700 square foot duplex Presidential Suite. It boasts 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space and 4,000 square foot ballroom.

Simply put, this hotel is huge.

But despite its size, the InterContinental New York Times Square hopes to make a difference. According to a release from the hotel, “The hotel will be one of the most environmentally responsible hotels in New York City and the largest new-build hotel to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Counsel (USGBC).” The hotel’s LEED certification was based on its use of sustainable materials such as solar panels, green roofs with drought-tolerant, plants, large windows, and an energy-generating elevator system.

The InterContinental New York Times Square’s sister property, the InterContinental Barclay, has been a New York hotel staple for years. If green is your game, this hotel is worth a look for your next New York trip.

Starwood plans a Sheraton Times Square makeover

by Melanie Nayer on

The Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square is prepping for a bit of a nip/tuck, says owner Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

The redevelopment plan will evaluate how to best make use of the full city-block space the hotel occupies (Broadway, Seventh Avenue and 51st and 52nd Street near Times Square). Part of the makeover will include the Sheraton flying a Starwood flag. As the hotel is redeveloped, Starwood will remove the Sheraton flag and operate the hotel as a non-branded Starwood property beginning in April. The Sheraton Times Square will remain open and will continue to be a member of the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program.

This redevelopment is another example of Starwood’s bold entrance into the New York City hotel arena. Starwood has 13 hotels in New York City with plans to open six more in 2010, including two properties in Brooklyn and Tribeca, the W New York Downtown and the Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City. In addition, Starwood will debut its two newest brands – Aloft New York Brooklyn and Element New York Times Square West – later this year. The Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, the Sheraton brand’s flagship New York property, will launch a $90 million renovation later this year.