We all know how expensive it can be to have your group stay right in the middle of Manhattan.  Some groups can afford it, but those who cannot usually stay in New Jersey and that solves the price problem.  Now you have a new problem:  Your clients do not have the freedom to come and go as they please.  It could because your coach is not operating when they want, or that your driver needs to rest or the public bus is not running or it is full of commuters and your clients can’t get on.  It can be anything and it is all your headache.  I hate headaches.

I know you also hate headaches, so I am going to make sure you do not get one.  Beyond Times Square and the Westin Jersey City have partnered and the outcome is a program not just with a spectacular price, but it includes easy and reliable 24 hour a day transportation to Midtown and Lower Manhattan with plenty of seating that just two short block from the front door of Westin Jersey City.  This is the PATH Train System*.   PLUS it is only a 10 minute train ride from the hotel to Carlo’s Bakery (The Cake Boss) in Hoboken. That is a big deal and I know because so many guests request to go there.

To get started all you need to do is fill out the form below.

Sounds great, but I know you are thinking, now I have to get all the information for my clients on how to use the PATH train.  NO YOU DON’T.  WE DID IT FOR YOU. We will give you all the information on how to use the PATH, the schedules and even a travel card so your clients do not have to think at all, just enjoy. Plus we give them a list of things to do in NYC located near each PATH station. What it boils down is we are doing all the research, all the nitty gritty, so you can feel super confident, have no headaches and go out and sell this incredible program. It could not be any more turnkey.

The only time you are going to need your coach is for the four hour city sightseeing program we offer with one of our expert tour guide so your groups will feel even more comfortable getting around NYC when they are on their own.

To get started all you need to do is fill out the form below.

So here is what you get on The NYC Deal You Cannot Pass Up:

- Two nights at the four star Westin Jersey City (adjacent to the Newport Center Mall)

- Two Continental breakfasts

- $20 Metrocard good for use on the PATH trains to/from NJ to NYC, NYC subway and city buses.

- NYC Map, guide book, PATH train schedules and simple step-by-step instructions

- A professional licensed NYC tour guide for five hour to get your guests familiar withManhattan

- Passes for the new 9/11 Memorial

- Hotel taxes and porterage of one bag per person

- Coach parking

Now here is the best part…The rates are really incredible.  They are valid from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 for arrival on Thursday or Friday and depart by Sunday (three night stay maximum).  Based on a group of 30 guests with one free tour leader in a single room the unbelievably low rates are:

Single          US$411.00 per person

Double        US$299.00 per person

Triple           US$245.00 per person

Quad           US$229.00 per person

To get started all you need to do is fill out the form below.

You can make the program your very own by adding some options:

- Group Dinner at a local Irish Bar in NYC

- Dinner Cruise

- Food Tour

- Broadway Theater tickets

- Harbor cruise

- Top of the Rock

and anything else you might like to add.

We look forward to showing your clients a good time and making you look like a rockstar.

PS  Do not let this go to waste.  I know it is going to fill up, so fill out the form above and  book your dates.  Remember the trip includes a four star hotel for an unbeatable price.

* The PATH Train is an underground rail system connecting the popular commuter location on the New Jersey Side of the Hudson River with the business/tourist districts of Manhattan.  It functions very much like the NYC Subway system except the trains follow a schedule so it is easy to catch the train you want.

But I also enjoy is street/platform performance (I HATE when people perform in a subway car.  I think it is an invasion of my personal space because we are all trapped).

Street/platform performance has to be something I like or different, as I had had enough the guys with the flutes from Peru (no disrespect)

There are some performers that have permits from the city to play at a specific date and time and there are others that set up shop away from the eyes of the police.  I like the Japanese rap guys in Union Square, or the banjo players on a few of the Brooklyn subway platforms (banjos have become very hip, along with an over abundance of facial hair and a lack of bathing, but that is another discussion), and my favorite ever when was a group of boys from Chicago would start playing their brass in front of Whole Foods on 14^th Street.  They were called the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble http://www.hypnoticbrassensemble.com/ and even though they played venues, they would pop out a few tunes at what seemed to be an impromptu location. Of course there is always see the lone sax or guitar player and for me they are always welcome.

All of these performers are part of the soundtrack to the city, along with sirens, horns, talking, cursing and footsteps. Come take a listen

I never hear anyone mentioning “commune with urban”. I never said it either, until about two weeks ago. I have recently started biking more around Manhattan and Brooklyn and I really enjoy it. There are peaceful times when I am pedaling on a quiet street in Carroll Gardens or the crazy times in Chinatown when I am riding with a dump truck in front of me, a cab behind me, and five cars blocking the bike lane so it is useless. But in all these situations, I become one with the city. On the Manhattan Bridge early in the morning I am bird gliding over the city and imagining what is going on down below, on each corner and behind every window. When on the streets competing with cars, buses, people, and hot dog carts, I am a rat dashing in and out seeing where I can steal space just for a instant only planning a few seconds ahead because you do not know what will be around the next turn. I am the tranquility and the lunacy. “I” no longer exist, I am part of the larger organism I live in.

I arrive at my destination and I step back into my life with a feeling of attachment to something greater.

At last count there were almost 100,000 hotel rooms in New York City and the number is still growing.  Our job is to help you wade through the maze of hotels and decide o the best one for your group.  At Beyond Times Square we always see what is new on the hotel scene, but we also have a preferred list of properties that we work with.  Our list covers properties in New York City, Northern New Jersey, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.  We inspect the hotels we work with once per year and keep up on things like renovations and other service changes.  When new hotels open and if we feel they will be of benefit to our clients, we meet the management, inspect the hotel and then decide whether or not to add it to our lists of preferred hotels. Some of the criteria for new properties (in no particular order, because we have to keep some secrets) are:

• Location
• Room Size
• Group friendly policies
• Public areas
• Quality of staff and management
• Value for money
• Amenities

We want to make sure your group has the accommodations that suit them best.

If you are thinking about booking a group or have a question, email us.

Plus there is always something new, or changed, or closed.  We keep up to date on whats going on so you do not have to.  When you discuss your group with us, we can help you decide what will work for your group.  If you are thinking about booking a group to New York City, Long Island or the Hudson Valley, you can email us.

Eric Gordon, founder of Beyond Times Square, literally grew up in the travel industry. Prior to starting Beyond Times Square, Eric served as President of Park East-one of the leading companies in wildlife viewing safaris to Africa.

Eric’s father, Harold Gordon, launched Park East and was considered a pioneer in introducing the African safari to the American traveler.

Eric began working in the family business in New York City in 1988 and took on roles of increasing importance. He oversaw the company’s expansion into a broad range of nature destinations, including South and Central America and Antarctica. During that time, the company created travel programs for some of the most prestigious zoological societies, museums and educational institutions. In 1997, Eric purchased Park East from his father. To take Park East to the next level, Eric sold the business in 2000 and continued as President.

While Eric has traveled extensively (his first safari to Africa was at age 2), he was always fascinated with something closer to home: New York City. After transitioning Park East to its new owner, Eric created Beyond Times Square. He explains, “New York City is the most interesting place in the world. I’ve always lived and worked in and around the city. I want to share it with other people, but I want to go beyond the typical tourist spots. I want to show people the real New York-the neighborhoods where New Yorkers live, work and play.” Eric’s thinking led to the idea for Beyond Times Square.

Eric invites you to discover the real New York. He and the professional staff at Beyond Times Square know the ins and outs of the city-and look forward to sharing it with you. Eric lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Catherine.

Robin’s engaging personality is shown not only from her Miss Congeniality Award she won at the Miss NH USA Pageant but also through her diverse career in the last 20 years.

Her career began in the Fashion Industry where her customer service skills were polished, initializing the building blocks of her future.

In 1999 she began working for the Norfolk, VA Convention & Visitors Bureau, she was instantly captivated and fell in love with the Hospitality, Tour & Travel Industry.

“Everything happens for a reason” is an expression that speaks volumes for Robin. She is more than thrilled at the opportunity to be part of the Beyond Times Square Team. With her experiences in the Sales Capacity ranging from NYC & Company, The Official Tourism & Marketing Agency of New York City, The Grand Hyatt New York to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant in Times Square; each journey has refined her skills and given her the knowledge to provide every customer a successful and everlasting experience with Beyond Times Square.