Hotels rally round to help stranded travellers
Hotels in New York are pulling together to assist stranded travellers and guests who have been evacuated from flooded and vulnerable hotels.
Guests from the Conrad New York in Battery Park were evacuated to the Hilton midtown while Marriott’s 14 New York hotels are juggling a mix of stranded travellers, evacuated guests and a limited number of staff.
Some hotels and hotel booking sites are offering discounted rates to stranded travellers.
The Ritz-Carlton Washington and The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown were offering reduced Hurricane Sandy rates, while Kimpton hotels were giving 20% discounts in New York City and Boston.
Three hotels in Manhattann had to be evacuated after a giant crane collapsed.
It is believed the fall sheared off the side of a small hotel, but this has not been confirmed.
All of lower Manhattan from 14th street down is out of power.
New York’s major tourist attractions were closed and Broadway shows cancelled.
Some subway stations and tunnels are being badly flooded, with water reaching as high as the platforms.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has issued a toll-free number in the US for stranded British travellers: 1-877-UK-IN-USA (1-877-854-6872).
"Hurricane Sandy is affecting a large area along the east coast of the US with strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and dangerous sea conditions. Widespread power outages and severe travels delays are likely," it said.
"There will be severe disruption to air, rail, and cruise line services for the next few days. You should expect delays and contact your travel provider or tour representative for updates on your planned journey."
By Gretchen Kelly, Editor TravelMole US, and Bev Fearis, Editor TravelMole UK
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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