Escaping New York

I have what I believe is a good suggestion for readers who are driving into New York City from upstate or New England, with the intention of flying out of La Guardia or Kennedy airports.

An overnight in New York, whether in the city or at one of the airport area hotels, involves not only grossly overpriced room rates but the New York (hotel) tax of 20 1/4%. As an alternative, I would strongly urge overnighting at a simply delightful Westchester County accommodation which I recently enjoyed.

The Kittle House is a fine country inn operated as part of an excellent restaurant just offthe Saw Mill River Parkway in Chappaqua, N.Y. (telephone 914-666-8044). Not only did I have a beautiful large room at half New York City rates (with breakfast included), but a truly excellent dinner in the associated restaurant--all in a 200-year-old inn where the night sounds were crickets rather than honking horns or crashing trash receptacles. It is an easy drive to either Kennedy or La Guardia airports.

DWIGHT C. BAUM

Pasadena