Washington Square Hotel

I had a wonderful flight. Offered on the internet by Opodo, on American Airlines. I was pleasantly surprised to find that American Airlines had the longest leg room available in Economy Class and delighted to have an independent TV screen to view the most up to date films and entertainment. However I was surprised when watching 1 of the many films offered how much had been cut for family viewing which completely changed the essence of the film!! The flight was smooth- a puzzling 2 hours longer going than coming back - but JFK terminal 8 was a tip.
I had booked the Blue Car/Van transfer from airport to hotel which took everyone on a round trip of the huge airport and would have been far quicker, and not a lot more expensive, if I had caught a cab direct from the airport.
I was delighted to find that the Washington Square Hotel lived up to it’s name as ‘one of the undiscovered gems of New York’ Recommended to me by a charter company (and I cannot remember which one) this small hotel, with a newly refurbished foyer in art deco style, is situated on the edge of Washington Square, between at the bottom of 5th and 6th Avenue. The room was perfect. I booked a double room for me alone, it was nothing flashy like some of the hotels on 42nd or Broadway, but it was warm and airy in late March and wonderfully situated for the subway and Greenwich Village. My hotel was situated opposite one of the most prestigious restaurants in Manhattan, which was booked up for about a month, but I found a fantastic Japanese restaurant near my hotel; one that sold fantastic lobster (I was greedy and ate 2 as they were not huge but which only cost $20 for the pair) and the Washington Square Hotel itself served the best Goats Cheese starter with beautifully cooked Duck Breast with vegetables that I really need not have gone any further.
Greenwich Village is so safe now, as is the subway, and one of the best bargains is the open-top (yes even in March) bus trip around mid-town down to Battery Park - I found the Up-Town and Long Island trip a little boring. All the guides are entertainers, probably out-of-work actors, and are keen to point out the odd star as they are walking or working in the streets. I have the distinction of inadvertently stepping back in a shop and bumping into Ann Robinson, and I SCARED HER even though I put my best posh English accent on and profusely apologised.
I was so delighted with my trip that I am going again to New York next March (for my birthday) to try one or two of the huge outlet stations on the outskirts. I must remember to bring one of those expanding suitcases!