Yes, lodging in Ithaca can be pricey, but during Winter Break, occupancy tends to be quite low, and at least some properties adjust their rates accordingly.

By the end of 2019, yet another new hotel -- a Canopy by Hilton -- is expected to open in Downtown Ithaca, about 1 1/2 blocks from the Marriott.

For those who don't need to stay downtown, one can find a Holiday Inn Express, a Fairfield Inn, and a Hampton Inn on Elmira Road/Route 13, near the city's southern border. When the Ithaca HI Express has award nights available, they go for 20,000 IHG points -- which can be bought for $100 when IHG runs one of its periodic 100% bonus points sales.