<H1> New York's Value Buys</H1>By Stefani C. O'Connor
<B>I</B>f you can't make it in New York, you might as well fuhgeddahboudit, as some natives say. But if business brings you here, you'd best know where to take it, for the city is nowhere near as simple or straightforward as its Big Apple icon suggests. A more fitting symbol would be that of a big onion: layers upon layers of hotels, meeting spaces, restaurants, attractions, transportation modes, stores, services, products and people.
And it's the corporate travel layer of the onion that makes businesspeople cry, with the city's standing as the most expensive U.S. destination in which to conduct business and attend meetings. Nevertheless, savvy traveler managers can get more bang for the buck.
For starters, just getting into, out of and around the 301 square miles of the city can be a challenge. Travelers are faced with several transportation alternatives when transferring to the three major airports-JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.
For Newark, located in New Jersey, travel managers' top pick is Olympia Trails Bus Lines. "It's just so convenient, particularly if you're heading downtown. It stops at hotels and all the airport terminals," said one travel manager, who books some 8,000 room nights in New York annually. Other bus lines, including Carey Bus, are available at all three airports.
And while any one of New York's 11,787 licensed (yellow) cabs will go to Newark, TMs don't consider it the best ticket out. "If you take a cab to Newark, they whack you an extra 20 bucks because they have to come back empty," complained another travel manager.
Cab fares in the city increased by 20 percent as of Feb. 25, raising the initial fare from $1.50 to $2 and increasing the charge for each additional one-fifth of a mile from 25 cents to 30 cents. But a recently passed law mandates that cabbies charge a flat fee of $30 for cab rides between JFK and Manhattan; the price is designed to offset overcharging.
Most travel managers don't advise car rental because of traffic, parking limitations and high fees. For travelers who do need a car, note that rates skyrocket after 1 p.m. on Fridays. "Some of my people will rent at 11 a.m. on Friday and stick the car in a garage," said the TM. "They actually save money doing that." The weekend surcharge drops off at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Once you've figured out your mode of transportation, you face the task of choosing from among 231 hotels. The best value for the dollar is often a matter of who is doing the traveling. The Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, The Plaza, The Waldorf-Astoria and The Inter-Continental were cited as well worth the tariff for high-level executives.
Other properties cited for value:
The Eastgate Tower Suite Hotel. The extended-stay property has one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes.
Omni Berkshire Place. "It's got the best business services, with in-room fax, three phones, voicemail, a dataport and excellent concierge service," said one travel manager.
Other high-end lodgings include the U.N. Plaza, the Doral properties, the New York Helmsley and the Manhattan East Suite Hotels.