Cheap hotel in NYC
 

What's the best way to get a good deal on a hotel in NYC? I'll be there for Thanksgiving Nov. 27-29. I've read some people have had good luck with Priceline but I am a little leary of using them and ending up somewhere I don't want to be. Plus, I will be there with my son and we need two beds and it seems they won't guarantee bedding.

So far I have been able to find the OmniBerkshire for $199 per night and The Roosevelt for $159 and a few others. Does anyone have an opinion on those two hotels or suggestions for others? I really need to stay under $200 per night.

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 10-30-2002).]

I have stayed at the Ellington Hotel by the Amsterdam Group. It is across the street from Columbia, very cheap and clean.

Chris

I have stayed at the Wellington a couple of times. The rooms can be a bit small, but the location is great..on 55th and 7th. And the price is just right.

Can't remember how much I paid but for me to stay there it had to be less than $200.00 http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Phoebe

try quikbook.com - they seem to be able to get some of the best rates and you pay the hotel directly/can cancel the day before - so gives you flexibility.

Not to honk Priceline *too* much, but for New York City you can bid on *very* specific zones within Manhattan.

Bed type is rarely guaranteed through any of the booking methods. Even booking straight through Hilton.com or Marriott.com, you are indicating preferences, but the hotel isn't contractually obligated to give you that bed type. (In most cases anyway - I hear Marriott is rolling out firmer guarantees to its elite members.) Fortunately, over Thanksgiving the hotels will probably be emptier than usual, so you shouldn't have trouble getting two beds.

My biggest concern regarding bedding with Priceline was that I might end up with a hotel that only has king beds (no two beds in a room). Some of the hotels I was looking at were like this. Hotels are usually very good about bedding requests.

Thanks for the info!

Is it that important to be along the route of the parade? You may not get such an inexpensive deal on Thanksgiving for hotels along Broadway and CPW. Besides, in the off-chance that you do get a deal, then you have to be the luckiest guy in town to get a room with a view! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Try the Red Roof Inn or the Hotel Pennsylvania near Penn Station for inexpensive and close proximity to the Parade.

[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 10-30-2002).]

You may also want to try Super 8 Times Square. It isn't in Times square but close. I've only read good reviews on it I haven't stayed there. Price is good too.

We're not really interested in the parade. Just want a nice hotel near Central Park, museums, shopping, etc.

I'm thinking now that I might leave early Thanksgiving morning rather than trying to fight the traffic after work Wednesday evening. This would give us more time to spend in the city.

Anyone going to be around Friday or Saturday? It would be nice to meet for a drink somewhere.

I have used Quikbook and am happy with it. I also ran searches in Expedia, Orbitz and other travel sites and found a variety of hotels with rates under $200./night (before taxes). Depends on where you want to stay, what amenities are important, etc.

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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
http://www.biztrip.com

How are you going to get here? I ask because the parade could be a traffic nightmare. Please be aware of that.

I just took a quick peak at quikbook. For your budget of under $200, you have plenty from which to choose.

The Omni Berkshire (I love this hotel---great locale, elegant lobby---$159 is a good rate), Le Parker Meridien and The Park Central are those I would recommend. Check out the quikbook site. www.quikbook.com

Depending on what you find it might be cheaper to book 2 rooms thru priceline.

Thanks Analise! The Omni is so far my first choice. The location is perfect and the amenities sound great. The TV/entertainment system in each room will make my son very happy. The other two you mention are actually on my list as alternatives.

I checked quikbook as well. The $159 rate is fantastic but it goes up to $259 for Friday night if I decide to do that instead. I think we will be better off though, as it will give us more time.

Thanks for mentioning the parade traffic. I hadn't thought about that. I do plan on driving up. Will the traffic be that bad in the area of the Omni and what time would you suggest arriving to avoid it?

Thanks everyone for all the help!

In addition to the traffic, parking in Manhattan is a pain and expensive. Here's another option:
http://www.nywaterway.com/portimperial_w38.html

Park at Port Imperial near the NJ end of the Lincoln Tunnel and take the Commuter Ferry to 38th street. From there a number of free buses will take you to the vicinity of your hotel (but I have no idea how the parade would affect this...). Parking at Port Imperial/Weehauken is either $6 or $7/day. Note that a "day" is defined as beginning and ending at 3AM, so if you park overnight you'll pay for two days.

We did this on our last trip, and this was much less trouble.