It all started with the US KRH86 NYC Reunion ...
September 23, 2006: Starbucks
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Mmmmm, coffee.... For the price of a breakfast at a diner, you can get a large cup of coffee flashing the Starbucks logo. When I want that expensive boost with caffeine, I pick Caramel Macchiato, and I don't care about the sugar or the calories. Make it sweet and make it strong! If it's late at night, I know better than to chug down a stimulant, I choose a Toffee Nut Creme. It's basically hot milk with uh-huh sugar again.

So, that's where Mitzie, her kids, and I ended up after touring the hotel. Since we're in the season of Fall, my cup of coffee went so well with that moist slice of Pumpkin Loaf ... *sigh* It's a treat ... day to day, my coffee really comes from the street cart vendor by the subway stop ... $1.00 for coffee and a doughnut.

\(^o^)/ Lauri

PS. Topic of interest? Other than the hotel itself, Mitzie was the first to read my draft about New York: Manhattan (<-- click here, it's in my other blog, go read it!). After Starbuck's? Hey shopping at Jack's, it's 99 cents!

Here's Mitzie's take on the hotel:
Dear Batchmates and more....
After an exhaustive search of hotels in the 5 boroughs, we may have found the perfect hotel for us. I said "may" because it would all depend on you on whether you like it or not. But I am 98% sure that you would agree with us on this.
As you well know, we started out searching from a wide scope until we narrowed it down to one area which is Manhattan. Then dissecting each one from what is expensive to inexpensive to "cheap" then to "not too budget". Always keeping in mind the type of people that this group is made of...successful people in his/her own field that deserves nothing but the best..at a meager price.
May I present.....Affinia Manhattan Hotel located at 371 Seventh Avenue, New York City 10001 cross streets are 7th Avenue and 31st Street. To view the property, click on this link...
The hotel's location, though you can view it from the link, has more to offer so I made a....ahem!..homemade sketch of the hotel vicinity...am not such a computer techie but am not necessarily helpless. Please see attached file (if this file cannot be viewed, please accept my apologies). The Penn Station is right across the hotel. So for those who are travelling by train, like Peter Cuneco, you can just walk over to the hotel. The Penn Stn is also the same location as the Madison Square Garden. I wonder what is playing there on April 6th..hmm**thinking**. In front of Madison is Fuse, which, according to my son, is the station for Rock MTV, I think (sorry..I am out of the loop on that one). Then along 31st St. you will find the St. Francis of Assisi church and Lauri is checking whether we can have a special Easter mass for the group. Further down, NY's biggest 99cents store--Jack's 99 cents store--for the budget consious. It sells grocery, toiletries,housewares and many more. On the high end, a few blocks up is Macy's which means..more shopping! Nearby touring would be the Empire State which is on the 5th Avenue & 34th street. By the way, Manhattan Mall has a food court that sells inexpensive dishes like Chinese, Japanese, American (hotdogs and burgers), Creole and many more. All of these are within walking distance!
Have I successfully whet your appetite? Good! Now let's get down to business........here are the rates:
Per person per nite rates:

Affinia Manhattan

½ twin

1/3 triple

¼ Quadruple

Remarks

Studio Suite

$115.50

88.40

N/A

Rollaway bed for 3rd person

1BR Suite

$139.30

$102.27

$83.80

Queensize sofabed for 3rd/4th person

**** ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON PER NITE...NOT PER ROOM PER NITE ****
I hope that is clear enough. To further explain, say a family of 3 will avail of a studio suite. Mom will pay $88.40, Dad will pay $88.40, Son who is 16yrs old will pay $88.40. As I have mentioned before, children ages 12 & below will stay for free. Older than 12 is considered an adult. Rates quoted are subject to change (until a contract is drawn up) and rooms are not guaranteed until reservation is made. Rates are inclusive of sales tax, occupancy charge and development tax.
Rooming types:
Studio Suite - can either have a 1 king size bed or 2 queen size beds. If there is a 3rd person, a rollaway bed will be added. 3person maximum capacity.
1BR Suite - has either a 1king size bed or 2 queen size beds in a bedroom and a queensize sofabed that 2people can share. 4person maximum capacity.
Oh, have I mentioned that ALL ROOMS HAVE KITCHEN??!!! The kitchen has a fridge, a microwave, a gas range with oven and a kitchen sink. A parking garage is located right next to the hotel. Parking is available at a rate of $40.00/24 hours (its pricey but....). So that solves the problem for those who are bringing in their cars.
The agreement is this, I have to sign a contract with the hotel to lock on these rates and block off the rooms. If I don't soon, the rates could go up. So, I need to know if you want this hotel. All reservations have to be coursed through me to avoid them charging you their regular rates. I will email you later on the reservation procedure once we have the contract. But I need to know as soon as possible the type of room you would be requiring (studio or 1BR). It does not have to be definite. I need to know how many studios and how many 1BR to block. Let me know who are sharing with whom so I'd know who else I have to wait for a response from.
But please, let me know agad. I got these rates back in late August. I told the hotel that we are meeting this September to get your approval. And next week is already October. So, in the list that I showed the committee, this hotel gave us the lowest price. So, please, email me as soon as possible.
Thank you and have a pleasant weekend.

Mitzie

2006-10-10 23:49:40 GMT
Friends, Foods, and For the Thoughts
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