Here are some posts from last July
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard and Airmen Club in Murray Hill
It looks like something from back in time...World War II and the USO, Glenn Miller music maybe..
Let me see what I can find on the place-
Well, just a very short blurb from Wikipedia--but Yelp has reviews, coming right after
Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contents |
Mission
According to the club, its mission is:To promote the general welfare of men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States and its Allies, and their families, by maintaining and offering club and lodging rooms.
History
In 1919, Cornelia Barnes Rogers and Eleanor Butler Alexander-Roosevelt, wife of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., along with General John J. Pershing, founded The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Club to accommodate servicemen returning from overseas duty in World War I. The Club originally served only active duty enlisted male soldiers and sailors, but it now serves all ranks (officers and enlisted) and services, active and retired, of the United States and its allies. With no U.S. government funding, supported solely by guest proceeds and the donations of private citizens, it has accommodated over 2,500,000 men and women of the US military and their families.Currently, about 15,000 such personnel patronize the facility annually. In recent years the SSCMA Club has tended to incur an annual deficit of around $350,000.
Facility
Since the early 1920s, the SSMA Club has occupied two adjacent 19th century townhouses on Lexington Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets. These were built in the 1880s as homes for the upper middle class of that period. It is a 79-bed facility that includes a library with two Internet stations, several large event rooms, a television room and a dining room.See also
OK, now on to the Yelp reviews....Huh! Some interesting comments here, overwhelmingly favorable..but something akin to SPARTAN might be applied to this place...like, NO ELEVATORS!! If you can believe that...people have their own reasons for staying hereThe Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club
12 reviews
Rating Details
Categories:
Venues & Event Spaces,
Hotels,
Caterers
[Edit]
283 Lexington AveNew York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 683-4353
- Nearest Transit Station:
- 33 St (4, 6, 6X)Grand Central - 42 St (7, 7X)Grand Central - 42 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Price Range:
- $
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
12 reviews for The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club
12 reviews in English
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Review from Elizabeth K.
- 1 friend
What a cool little place!
My husband and I stayed here when we came to see Paul McCartney in Brooklyn (all the way from CA and totally worth it!) and really enjoyed our stay.
It's not the Ritz, but you cannot beat the location for this price. We paid $70/person per night (based on your rate/rank) Just blocks away from the Empire State Building, we felt like we were right in the middle of the action.
The room was TINY, but it did not bother us because we did not spend much time in the hotel, anyways. The building and furnishings are old, but it was clean and the staff was incredibly friendly, even allowing us to check into our room hours before check-in time after hearing that we had not slept in over 24 hours. The bathrooms and showers are communal, but they were spotless and I never had to wait in line for either. There is a small kitchen and a refrigerator where you can leave food, plus they provide complimentary bagels and coffee/tea in the mornings.
Definitely recommend! We'll be back! -
Review from T L.
- 15 friends
-$60 @ person a night in the middle of Manhattan.
-We didn't visit NY to spend time in our room. We left early in the morning, and returned after dinner, just before shower and bed.
-My wife and I shared a room, very small, the air conditioner barely cooled the room during the oppresively hot and humid weather of July.
-Communal showers and restrooms, never saw another guest using the facilites when I wanted to use them.
-Kept a few things in the refrigerator, nothing disturbed.
-Stored our luggage for us on our last day while we visited city sights one last time.
-$120 @ night for the two of us rather than $290-$329 in other venues close by. -
Review from Chris S.
- 9 friends
If you're in a party of one and visiting NY, then this is the place. If you're two or more I suggest just going to priceline and you'll find a much better place/deal. That said...be prepared for a semi-barracks style hotel that's right in the middle of midtown. The showers and bathrooms are clean, but bring flip flops and be prepared to walk down the hall to use them. Also, there's some "characters" lurking about/working at the establishment who can either add entertainment to your stay...or a "bates motel" feeling. The rooms are dinky, and if you're flying solo you'll most likely have a roommate you don't know. All said and done, not a bad place at all CONSIDERING the proximity to everything in midtown. If you want a good drink/burger go to Rare right next door. Since you're only spending $60-70 a night, this place is a bargain, but don't expect for it to feel like the Ritz. -
Review from Lou M.
- Elite '13
- 38 friends
My initial impression was that mostly non-military folks were occupying most of the premises. During my stay, I encountered three different hotel clerks. The first was pretty polite. The second was not overly pleasant, but actually lived up to the NY stereotype: direct and to the point. The third came across as if she meant to be nice but actually pretty condescending instead. This one reminded me of a hall monitor in grade school.
There are no elevators, as mentioned in previous reviews so it made things a little tricky after a long night to try to get up four flights of stairs...lol. The rooms are Spartan...bare bones, which is fine by me. The showers and bathrooms reminded me of Basic Training, since they were community ones, so to speak. I definitely could appreciate the military paraphernalia they had hanging throughout.
Overall, it just didn't have the same welcoming feel that a USO center at an airport has after a 12-hour flight. All the rules and regulations and their strict enforcement gave me some flashbacks! -
Review from jennifer w.
- 0 friends
My husband and I stayed there in December 2010. We were not happy with the stay. The place is rundown. The rate per night is per person - double occupancy. So if you are an officer, you pay officer's rate is so does your spouse. Completely 2X the rate which is not standard. Usually double occupancy for 1 room queen is not double the rate. So we would have been better off in a hotel.
The room was not well taken care of. The sheets did not fit the bed. And the curtains were falling off the rods. Not what we expected and I would not advertise this for the military. My husband was more comfortable in a tent in Afghanistan. -
Review from Tracey D.
- 0 friends
I stay here every time I visit NYC, it's clean, cheap and even though you (communal living) share a bathroom, it's a well ran, very clean atmosphere!! The only thing I don't like is there's no elevator and it's a hike up the stairs, and you might have a roommate if you're traveling alone but it's $60 a night in mid-Manhattan you can't beat it!!! If you're in the military you don't mind sharing a room with a stranger, we're use to it!!! -
Review from Kelly J.
- Elite '13
- 101 friends
When we booked at the SSMAC, we thought we would be getting a decent value on our room, expectations at rustic charm? Instead we walk into a conversation where we think non military personnel are possibly getting rooms and then we walk up a couple flights of stairs into a very sparsely furnished room. We could have paid the same amount of money for an actual hotel.
In addition, we found a bug in our sheets. We talked to management in the middle of the night and they graciously refunded us our whole amount right then and there. The great service more than made up for our experience which is why they get the stars.Listed in: DC PA NY -
Review from Tina C.
- Elite '13
- 1180 friends
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Wanted: a hero
I need a savior
I need a redeemer
I need a conqueror
I need a soldier
I need a sailor
I need a vanquisher
I seek one with physical strength
This review is based entirely on event space. The building is very conservative and traditional elements of old school charm to serve past and current soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guards, an association in addition to event space and hotel. The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club is the home base for the New York Poetry Forum where the South Lounge on the second floor is adorned with memorabilia dated to war era, which includes, a portrait of Prince Charles in military uniform. U.S. flags and U.S. military emblem flags, a massive grandfather clock, large fireplace with mantel and piano all set the era and venue space are clean. There is an escalator for those with physical limitations of this five floor building, no elevator for this pre-war walk-up building. Facilities are clean. The lobby comprises a portrait of U.S. President George Washington and two high speed internet desktop stations.
Are you strong enough to be my man?-
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A portrait of U.S. President George Washington in the lobby
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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Putting Yelp Reviews and Other Reviews Into Context....
But there's a catch to all this!
In most cases, in fact almost ALL cases, I have no personal experience of the hotel or restaurant or shop that I am showing...I can tell you what I see when I am there in person, and how people seem to be responding ( just , for instance, as I could not help but notice the happy people always out on the sidewalk in front of that Brasserie "Les Halles," on Park Avenue South.
I mean, it is also a very attractive place ( what they call "ambiance") --at least as far as I am concerned-- and I see how packed and happy it is compared to other places all around it for blocks.
In this regard, I noticed how neat this little French restaurant called "Le Parisien" looked and, not having the time to eat there myself (I am not a food critic whose meals are paid for, either)--
when I read the Yelp reviews of course I was a little alarmed by a couple of the entries I read.
In regard to this, a very level headed friend of mine from high school who is an excellent architect and very culturally sophisticated guy in California, wrote this to me about my hesitance to do "Le Parisien":
"I think you should include your coverage of Le Parisien and other locations in New York irrespective of Yelp reviews. Many of those reviews are posted by crackpots. I've heard that competitors will post bad reviews under an assumed name. At best, they are all hearsay. Your readers are interested in your observations, not a reprinting of others' opinions. As you indicated, you make the disclaimer that the location has mixed reviews. You are not endorsing or condemning any business, so the reviews are tertiary to your purpose."
OK, so with that in mind, wherever possible I will be reviewing places where I have a personal experience of them, but since I am surrounded by hundreds of places in Midtown alone --I could never eat my way through all the interesting looking restaurants I see, for instance-- I just want you all to know you have to put the Yelp (or Trip Advisor, etc.) reviews into this context/
Monday, July 29, 2013
FAO Schwarz, Famous Toy Emporium
Then they moved it to the GM building into bigger quarters, added a Disney-produced clock as a centerpiece inside as well as a children's chorus sound track as background music, and unleashed their upscale place on the world again, big time. ( At my suggestion, the then owner also brought out a mail order catalog for the first time) (he belonged to a business group I worked for).
The usual complaint about places like FAO Schwarz is just that--by going Disney etc.-- they are just too over the top and have only pretty damn expensive stuff. I once checked myself and found that this was pretty much the truth...
It is odd, in those days there were still little neighborhood toy stores around--you don't see them much any more these days if at all ( I suspect Toys 'R Us and the internet have something to do with this)...
I probably should have checked to see if there were any reviews available from this wild place,'--but will do so now--
Sure are reviews-- almost entirely more or less raves...
FAO Schwarz
- Nearest Transit Station:
- 5 Av/59 St (N, Q, R)57 St (F)59 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 10 am - 7 pmSun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
- $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
299 reviews for FAO Schwarz
Review Highlights What's this?
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"Anyways, it's a great store lots of fun toys everywhere." In 138 reviews -
"Got to play on the big piano outside, pizza, cake and toys." In 39 reviews -
"I saw so many fun toys and cool stuffed animals." In 50 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
295 reviews in English
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Review from Irina L.
- Elite '13
- 18 friends
This is the quintessential toy emporium - your little child will be overwhelmed, and your grown child will suddenly revert to early childhood, not knowing where to run first, and what to touch or play with!!
This is a multi-story establishment with all imaginable toys in inventory, as well as baby clothing, and a large & strategically placed "Shweetz" area, with candies, gummies, chocolates and sweets galore! You will find the famous floor piano keyboard [from the "Big" movie], and the Lego area with amazing full-size creations, and so much more. Simply put - my 18-year-old said he can spend at least half a day in this store, exploring and reliving his childhood. Now that says a lot!!
My suggestion - avoid at Christmas / holiday time at all costs: this store a magnet, with a line of anxious customers snaking around the corner, packed inside shoulder-to-shoulder. -
Review from Thom H.
- Elite '13
- 63 friends
Thanks to Clifford R for the info about Toys R Us operating FAO, very interesting. It goes to show what Toys R Us can do, and what they are -not- doing in their Times Square location. Rest assured, the FAO brand still belongs to the Schwarz family.
Alas, gone is the FAO of my childhood, no more "welcome to the world of toys" theme song when you walk in. I always loved that, it was an iconic part of so many visits to NYC. I did hear it playing somewhere on the first floor, but didn't have time to investigate.
I have to say the store is slickly put together - people spent a lot of time maximizing selling space. We came the other day for story time in the bookstore, and man do you have to pass every last thing to get to that bookstore. I liked it, though, it's cozily tucked into a corner. Story time was nice, the reader was very enthusiastic. Naturally we couldn't leave without buying a couple of books, which was made easier by a 50% off sale(!)
We were there on a Sunday (ouch), but on July 4th weekend, when the city is typically empty (and HOT). Still crowded. Some areas can get a bit overcrowded, not much room to move. Some (not all) of the toys are outrageously priced, and some (not all) of the sales staff can be aggressive. But overall, I'd come back. I'd -definitely- come here rather than the Times Square Toys R Us. -
Review from Mike B.
- Elite '13
- 37 friends
Oh, to be a kid again! Wait? Why be a kid again? I can be in my 20s and still enjoy FAO Schwarz! And I did. And would do it again!
But even still, my 7 year old self would be jealous and I can only imagine what it would be like to visit this place back when I was much younger and my interests were more deep into action figures and games. There is stuff in here now for me but my heart isn't where it used to be.
Even still, imagine multiple levels of toys, candies and treats, games, an entire Angry Birds section, a lego section, and a place to make your own muppet! There's just so much!
So looking at this place from the perspective of all of my past ages, and myself today, it gets a full 5 stars!Listed in: 100 for 2013 -
Review from Em P.
- 0 friends
Even if you're not interested in shopping and spending money... i highly recommend you at least stop by and check out all the madness that is FAO/NYC.
FAO Shweetz is simply heaven on earth. I could have spent hours in there.
Prices arent too bad considering where you're at and you can find tons of little novelty gifts for friends and family if you're interested. Its a must see.
And stop and snap your photo with the "toy soldier in front if you get the chance! -
Review from Michelle T.
- Elite '13
- 1546 friends
Big ass candy and the "Big" Piano!!!
I was hoping to have a Jolie-Pitt family sighting but sadly no and i didn't even get to see Suri Cruise either.
I did have fun looking at all the oversized candy (biggest rice crispy treats ever!)
Plush Peeps, hello kitty stuff, and Toys galore.
Restrooms available by the baby stuff downstairs
There's even a little dessert section!
There's also a adult toy store next door called the Apple Store .Listed in: I LOVE NEW YORK -
Review from Alexis A.
- Elite '13
- 99 friends
You could never be too old for this place! ITS JUST THE BOMB!
Came here to just browse and I always use to come here as a kid and its just still the same, one of the best toy stores in NYC. I love the awesome greeter in the front thats dressed like a nutcracker he's great! So welcoming too.
Theres everything from huge stuffed animals to all types of toys and the best part is the candy little wonderland in the back! I love it!!! Huge size candies and others where you make your own little candy bags and you can never go wrong with lots of sugar!
The huge piano upstairs is so much fun you can dance and just have a good time on it, like I said you can never be too old for this place its just awesome.
I love to come here to visit and browse and enjoy the little things in there. I know there open late everyday and its right by the main shopping area and not to far from Central Park neither which is so cool.-
Corner picture of the store.
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Review from Eli Y.
- Elite '13
- 615 friends
Being an adult all the time is lame. FAO Schwarz is a great place to take a break from adulthood.
Giant stuffed animals, epic Lego creations, the "Big" Piano (so you can pretend to be Tom Hanks), a huge candy section, friendly and engaging employees, and just about every toy you can imagine.
I suppose if you have kids it's a good place to take them, but even if you don't, just go in and take a vacation from adulthood.
However, upon further reflection, you might want to keep the kids out because everything they'd want costs bank! So you will either leave with a kid throwing a temper tantrum, or broke... -
Review from Grace C.
- Elite '13
- 1148 friends
You can't visit the city and not come here if you have children. Though our little girl was home in SoCal, we still came here to browse around and look for things we could get her.
They have everything you could imagine here, even a candy store! There are always kids and tourists here running around and taking pictures. With so much variety it's hard not to get excited about something. Though it's not as extravagant as it once was (I'm sure the current economic state had something to do with it) it's still any kids paradise of a playhouse. -
Review from Ruby F.
- 2 friends
All five stars are for the glitter tattoo chick Becky on the second floor.
I went with a friend and her seven year old daughter, and we all got the most kick ass glitter tattoos! Great selection of stencils, and so many pretty colors to choose from. Only $10 and it takes less than five minutes!
Plus she has loads of stencils and glitter pots you can buy for later...great gifts!
Becky is so super nice and very passionate about her product. She has a few girls who work for her and they're also super kind and fun.
There are even tattoos for boys.
Go! -
Review from Colleen M.
- Elite '13
- 22 friends
The place is a mad house. OK, I guess I should know that given its location and the fact that it's a toy store, right?
The Mister and I stopped in here one evening in February, looking for a baby gift. We went down to the baby section - the basement. It was bizarrely overheated and ... bereft of actual ... toys. There were clothes and some overpriced strollers, but nothing for a child under a year to actually play with, with the possible exception of stuffed animals.
The main floor is a lot of fun. There is an insane array of stuffed animals - every animal you can think of, in all sorts of sizes. I really wanted that life sized giraffe, you know, for my office. There's also a candy bar - because who doesn't want to jack their offspring on sugar before setting them loose in a toy store!
Upstairs was a little weird. There were a lot of toy demonstrations and displays, but everything was very plastic and commercial. All of the toys seemed to tie into some sort of tv show or movie. There were very few Montissori style or imaginative play toys. Even the Legos were all in themed kits instead of encouraging kids to build their own creations. It was already Star Wars or Harry Potter or whatever. -
Review from Janet B.
- Elite '13
- 74 friends
I don't think I'd have the patience to visit FAO Schwarz with a kid... but with my boyfriend on a Friday evening? We had a blast!!
FAO Schwarz is classy-- 2 stories filled with high quality stuffed animals, toys to suit all ages and interests, historical items in glass cases, and life sized lego figures.
In addition to snack booths with chocolate covered marshmallows and popcorn, there's a candyland in the back on the 1st floor. It was soo hard to resist the temptation!
I was afraid the BIG piano would be swarming with screaming kids, but pleasant surprise! they limit the number of people who can go on it at a time. While you wait in the line, they snap a super touristy photo of you.
I figured everything would be overpriced (and a lot were), but I saw some good deals. For example, I purchased Beatles White Album jisaw puzzles for $14.99 (it sells for ~$30 online!). Being a puzzle aficionado, I was happy to see their Ravensburger collection.
Overall, a really fun place to check out with or without kids. -
Review from Josh C.
- Elite '13
- 116 friends
If you come to visit New York City, it's almost required to come to this establishment.
There's no place that will make you feel more like a kid than FAO Schwarz. This world famous toy shop turned international tourist attraction is right smack dab in the middle of Midtown Manhattan right next to Central Park and the glass cube Apple Store, and when you first step in it can look a little overwhelming. The store, however, is separated very neatly into different categories, so you can find your Angry Birds plush dolls in one section, Legos in another, board games in another, and tons and tons of candy in another.
The star of this establishment, however, is the Big Piano, which you can take home for one easy payment of $250,000. Be prepared for long lines and terrible renditions of Heart and Soul or Chopsticks. (Random sidenote - the piano's tuned up a half step - kudos to you if you're reading this and you noticed that.) You'll also be subjected to someone taking pictures of you dancing on the piano while you slip all over the keys in your socks.
Demonstrations of toys and other gadgets are also all over the place in this store. I actually found myself stopping in a crowd to watch a store employee demo a kid's introduction to magic set for about 15 minutes.
This a great place to bring your kids, family members, date, yourself, anyone! Make sure this is a stop on your itinerary next time you visit New York City! -
Review from Nyron V.
- 17 friends
I went here with my man Clement, the tragic mustafino from Nawlins, and his nephew T'Angelo. T'Angelo wanted some G.I. Joe Revenge of the Sith toy, but he got sidetracked. Then the place have a candy store, so we get T'Angelo some candy and he jumping off the walls, then he start to jump on the piano thing, like Tom Hanks in Big. Then I jump on the piano and play Superfreak by Rick James. Then, I decide to play Ha Tikvah, the national anthem of Israel, and it being New York, there were a lot of People of the Book to sing along to my playing. Then we get T'Angelo a Transformer Optimus Prime Jimmy Hoffa Semi truck that turns into a teamster robot thingee. New York have every damn thang! Afterwards, we go to Guy Fieri's new restaurant, and it badass.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
That Reminds Me-- Rappin' Rodney
People will remember Rodney Dangerfield for his famous line " I Get No Respect," of course, but I feel I will always remember him best for his spoof of rap music when it first became a craze..
No one probably ever did a better spoof of the form, though I have seen some pretty funny attempts on Saturday Night Live for instance
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27yq7_rodney-dangerfield-rappin-rodney_musichttp://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27yq7_rodney-dangerfield-rappin-rodney_music
Lawrence Kreger, Midtownblogger
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