Jack and Judy’s B&B

 Jack and Judy’s B&B

I talk a lot about the benefits of staying in an apartment or villa when traveling.  It’s great to have a place where you can just sit and chill after a long day of site seeing before going to dinner without feeling cramped by a hotel room.  Or maybe you want to save money and be able to make yourself breakfast in the morning instead of having to go out.  Well if you are coming to New York and are looking for a place to stay, I have a great place for you.  Jack and Judy’s B&B located on West 81^st between Columbus and Amsterdam.  It is a beautiful block within walking distance of Central Park, Riverside Park and Lincoln Center.  You are close to 3 train lines (the B, C and 1 trains) as well as the 79^th St cross-town bus, which goes across 81^{st St} on this part of its journey. 

When I go away to a new city, I often don’t know which area to stay in.  I don’t want the touristy neighborhood; I prefer to be somewhere hip and cool where there are lots of bars and restaurants.  The great thing about staying on the upper west side is that you are close enough to get anywhere pretty quickly, but far enough out of the hustle and bustle so that you can appreciate a little quiet when you choose it.  If you come in the warmer weather it is so great to take a walk through Central Park or walk down to Riverside Park and enjoy a drink at one of the outdoor cafés on the river.  If you come during the time of Shakespeare in the Park, you can get free tickets to the shows and they are a 10-minute walk from Jack and Judy’s.  Almost anywhere you want to go can be reached within a half an hour door to door.  This is my neighborhood so I am extremely familiar with it and I love it!  There are lots of great restaurants and bars too.

Jack and Judy are my next-door neighbors.  They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.   They have been renting apartments since 1986.  They have six apartments (4 studios – one has a terrace and 2 one-bedrooms).  All the apartments are newly renovated and have their own private bathrooms.  Jack and Judy live downstairs so they are available to help you with anything you might need.  Rates are $150-$250 a night or $950 and up per week.  They do sometimes offer specials so check their website for details.   If you are looking for somewhere great to stay next time you are in New York check out Jack and Judy’s.  It a real gem.

Apartment Toscanini Review (Barcelona)

Skye and I rented Toscanini Apartment for a week in Barcelona through Friendly Rentals.  (Click for link to website & pictures of Apartment).   It was right in the heart of Eixample, which is a great area of Barcelona to stay in.  I would highly recommend this apartment.  The price was great, the location was great & it was modern and clean and had an elevator.  We had access to our own private roof deck with fantastic views.  The building itself was very quiet.   Across the street there was a market and a grocery store.  And when I say market, I mean like the largest green market you have ever seen.    The apartment was a little smaller than it appeared on the website due to the wide-angle lens used to take the pictures, but otherwise the pictures were extraordinarily accurate.   I am sure that any apartment you rented from Friendly Rentals would be great.  I would definitely rent through them again. 

Renting an apartment can be done for as few as 3 days.  You can stay longer & make day trips to the Costa Brava or surrounding areas, or if you just want a taste of what Barcelona has to offer, 3 days is a great amount of time.    Having an apartment will only enhance your experience.  Being able to take home and eat the food in the Boquerias will make you wish our green markets were larger.  It gives organic a whole new meaning.  YUM!