<p>I'm an international student and I've never been to Cornell or ithaca before. My dad and I are going to fly in to NYC on August 13th, stay somewhere there for a night, then fly to ithaca tompkins airports and stay somewhere in ithaca for the night of the 14th before I move in on the 15th. Then my dads gonna leave on either the 15th or the 16th. So basically where do you guys suggest I stay while in ithaca (before I move in)? Preferably somewhere that isn't too far from the school, has reasonably large stores in the surrounding area so that I can buy stuff if I've forgotten anything and has a shuttle or something to cornell (cuz my dad and I will have no idea how to get there). Also do you guys think I should change my travel plan - maybe stay in Ithaca a while longer before I move in?</p>
<p>during move-in time the hotels sometimes puit a minimum of 3 nights on stays - so you might want to consider going right from NYC to Ithaca - the hotels in Ithaca at that time will be disproportionately expensive but that Economics 101 for you. The Homewood Suites is near the Target so that is a good possiblilty for buying school supplies and they do run a shuttle and give you free full hot breakfast and evening "snacks" that last August included Spaghetti and salad.</p>
<p>You will probably want to arrange in advance to get a rental car at the airport. There is essentially no useful shopping in Ithaca within walking distance of the campus, and it would be rather difficult to learn the bus system immediately.</p>
<p>Instead of flying to Ithaca, you may want to fly to Syracuse. There are more flights, and it is usually cheaper. It's not much more than an hour's drive away -- not a problem if you have that rental car.</p>
<p>Most of the hotels in Ithaca are not within walking distance of the campus, but several are within walking distance of useful stores. I recommend the Ramada, simply because it's near the shopping mall. But you're going to pay much more for the Ramada or any other Ithaca hotel at Orientation time than at any other time of year. </p>
<p>Cheaper hotel rooms are available in Cortland, about 30 miles away, but even the Cortland hotels increase their rates and require minimum stays during important Cornell events such as orientation or graduation.</p>
<p>My parents and I stayed at the Holiday Inn and I'm pretty sure there wasn't a minimum stay....but it was pricey</p>
<p>The Statler Hotel on campus should be pretty convenient</p>
<p>since the OP said he/she was Int'l I wasn't sure about the rental car - hence my rec for the Homewood Suites - Statler will proablably be full already and not have access to shuttles to/fro the mall with the Target which is walking distance from the Homewood Suites which has the free shuttle...</p>
<p>People here already gave good suggestions but whatever you do, book your stay ASAP because people take up the available spaces very quickly</p>
<p>Some of the hotels are already booked for that time so call and make reservations today. We are staying downtown at the Hilton Inn Express I think but we had tried for the Marriott Courtyard out by the hotel and they were booked (this was for the two days right before move in day). Also the Statler which always books first was full for that period of time.</p>
<p>Sorry, I meant the Marriott out by the airport.</p>
<p>Excellent advice! Thanks everyone. I just want to make sure of one thing though; since int. freshman orientation starts a week before orientation for american students, will move-in day for int. students be a week earlier as well? If that is the case then I don't think I will have much of a problem finding hotel rooms for the day(s) before move-in day. Obviously I'm going to book as soon as possible but if I'm wrong here, someone correct me. </p>
<p>Right now, based on the responses, I'm choosing between Ramada and Homewood Suites. Does Ramada have a shuttle to Cornell?</p>
<p>please verify this with whatever office at Cornell assists Int'l students, but last year we got to Ithaca earlier than normal to move my (2nd) freshman in...and the hotel was very busy - the mangaer explained that the Int'l Studnets arrive earlier than the regular freshmen...BUT!!! please verify this with Cornell!! and do this before regular decisions come out!</p>
<p>if you stay somewhere near the mall (Ramada?) then you can take a tcat bus to campus</p>
<p>I think renting a car from Syracuse is the best advice (make sure you get a GPS with the car). If you don't have a car, there is also a taxi service at Ithaca you could use. My daughter uses it to get around. It's cheaper than having a car at school. Statler is convenient and it is "the place" to stay, but Holiday Inn is very conveniently located in the middle of town and a bit less expensive. It's very close to all the restaurants. I like some B&B around the lake also. Aug is a very nice time to be around the lake.</p>
<p>The best hotel will be the one that still has vacancies at this 'late date'!</p>
<p>I personally like the Best Western, although my favorite for the ultimate Cornell experience is the Statler. Whatever you do, don't miss Sunday Brunch at the Statler!</p>