JFK Airport

I always love flying into New York and seeing the skyline, but I hadn't been to New York's JFK Airport for quite a few years prior to my visit in January. I'm not sure whether it grew, or I had just forgotten how big it is. The distance from where my plane arrived to the exit seemed to be a mile long, and this on a domestic flight. I was fortunate to find a buggy near my gate, and while I seldom take these I was glad I did in this case.

Then I was surprised to find that I had to take quite a long ride on a free elevated train to reach the area where hotel limousines pick you up. I booked at the Courtyard by Marriott because it had the best price, and because Marriott has a good reputation. The price for a double the first night was just $132 including hotel tax, not bad for the New York area. It was a Sunday, usually the cheapest night in hotels, and I booked through a travel agent with a non-refundable rate, which saved $20.

The room was reasonable size, with two large, comfortable beds and a good view of the airport. It was well soundproofed and had good curtains, so you didn't notice the air traffic. Breakfast was not included, nor was it cheap. On my return I had a bagel with cream cheese and milk for breakfast, which came to $6.50.

Because my friend and I liked the hotel we booked to stay there on our return, too. This time it cost more, $183, perhaps because it was mid-week. On the second visit the room seemed quite large and luxurious compared to those in Italy, but we missed the large Italian buffet breakfasts.

One thing that took me a couple of minutes to figure out was the Do Not Disturb sign. It said "Going through my pre-game rituals." Only when I remembered that it was near time for the Superbowl did the penny drop. Since then, I have discovered that Marriott is the official hotel of the National Football League.

Marriott advertises that you can obtain the lowest room price at any of their hotels by booking directly with them online or by phone, but I haven't tried this yet.

If you plan to spend much time in any of the New York area airports, be aware that the restaurants are quite pricey. The cheapest sandwich was $15, while a glass of wine costs at least $9. Pack your own food to save money, or buy snacks at the newsstands.