It felt both awkward and strangely comforting when we turned up atWinston's Manhattan apartment, dumped our bags and set about makingourselves at home in his home. Awkward, as our reason for visitingwas not to see Winston. And comforting because we were about torelieve him of his house keys, see him politely to the door and liveit up in his plush apartment for a week.
Any feelings of guilt for throwing a man out of his own home soondisappeared when we settled up the week's rent: $2,363 (around pounds1,500). That might sound expensive, but split between six friends,it worked out at a thrifty 57 bucks a night (around pounds 35) for aspacious 10th-floor apartment located right on Central Park South.
When you consider that the 1999 hotel occupancy forecast forManhattan is 81.3 per cent in 1998 - and with average room ratestopping $200 a night - renting an apartment makes a comfortable andsurprisingly cost- effective alternative.Yet most of the guide books seem to skim over this option. Wefound our apartment on the Internet through New York Habitat. Allthe formalities were completed by fax from the UK, which meant thatall we had to do was pick up the keys from the owner on arrival.This is perhaps the one area of uncertainty. What if theaccommodation is an absolute dump when you arrive? It's a possibleworst-case scenario if booking privately with some of the unregulatedsub-letting that is available on the Internet and in the New Yorklisting magazines, but all the agencies that are listed on the rightclaimed to regularly inspect the properties on their books and youare usually able to view the accommodation online.In fact, although looking pretty smart in the pictures, Winston'splace was much bigger and far more appealing when we arrived. Theinterior featured an intriguing collection of original artwork andcluttered book shelves, and was crammed with musical curiositiesreflecting his profession as an opera director, including an ageinggrand piano in the corner. Home comforts included a television andvideo recorder, stereo, e-mail facilities, free local calls and amonstrous fridge to fill with beers, olives, homestead orange juiceand the leftovers from last night's pizza.All in all, renting Winston's home worked out well for us. OK, sowe had to service our own rooms and stock our own mini bar, but theseare sacrifices worth making to be able to enjoy the company of yourfriends in a communal space rather than the often sterile environmentof a hotel.There is one downside. When the lethargy sets in after a day'sshopping and touring the sights, it's all too easy to stop off at adeli, pick up a six-pack and a Caesar salad and waste an evening inone of the world's most exciting cities engaged in the most mind-numbing of stateside activities: watching TV.Further InformationNew York Habitat (www.nyhabitat.com)550 short-term vacation rentals in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.307 7th Avenue, Suite 306, New York City, NY 10001 (00 1 212 6271416 or: rent@ nyhabitat.com)Big Apple Lodgings (www.b-apple.com)Online B&B registry and short-term apartment rental coveringManhattan, Brooklyn and Long Island. Minimum stay two nights inproperties ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments.Charles on 00 1 718 953 4590 or: info@b-apple.com)Ingrite's Short-Term Apartments (www.ingrite.com)Offers completely furnished townhouse apartments in midtownManhattan. Properties are $120 to $300 per night.Ingrite Rieck (00 1 212 980 3082 or: ingrite@aol.com)Oxbridge Property ServicesOne-bedroom accommodation from $135 per night, two-bedroom from$225.1623 Third Avenue, Suite 104, New York, NY 10128 (00 1 212 3488100 or: oxbridge@ aol.com)Assured Accommodation Inc (www.assurednyc.com)Studios and one-bedroom apartments from $150 per night, two- andthree- bedroom apartments ranging between $250-$500, minimum staythree nights.00 1 212 431 0569 or: mail@assurednyc.com)Urban Ventures (www.nyurbanventures.com)New York's best-known agency, representing more than 500properties from studios at $105 per night to a Central Park Westpenthouse offering "views of the world (call for details)".38 West 32nd Street, Suite 1412, New York City, NY 10001 (00 1 212594 5650. Fax or: anne@nyurbanventures.com)Alternative Business Accommodations (www.rent.net/ads/aba)Studios for a minimum of one month with porter, maid service and arange of extras from $2,850 per month, one-bedroom apartments from$3,600 per month.PO Box 7147 FDR Station, New York City, NY 10150 (00 1 212 4450494or: altbusac@erols.com)
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