ceiliasmith

I am trying to find a vacation apartment or condo rental for NYC the week of May 15th as my family is going in for my daughter's NYU graduation. I am trying to make it more affordable than a hotel by looking for a 2 bdrm apartment/condo. It is hard to know what sources to trust for ratings and reliable information on this topic. We want to be closer to Greenwich Village/East Village/Chelsea than to Times Square or Mid-Town. I also need something that has an elevator and few stairs (or none).Does anyone have good information?

starrs

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...t-221587-3.cfm

yk

And these 2:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-new-york.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ot-advised.cfm

nytraveler

Short-term apartment rental in NYC are illegal. Co-ops and condos do not want strangers wandering their halls - and landlords don;t want illegal short-term subtenants.

If you can find someone who owns a private house and wants to rent part of it - that would be legal - assuming you do due diligence that it is legitimate. Otherwise you might find yourselves subject to immediate removal as trespassers if other tenants complain.

(There have been several reports of apartments that didn't exist at all - esp on Craig's list, of rental agents taking advance money to rent an apartment in a condo that has no such apartments - and the city has cracked down on a couple of illegal short--term rental buildings recently - going so far as to evict tourists in the middle of the night.)

If it were me I would go to an apartment hotel - or perhaps a B&B if that fits your budget better (but many of those have stairs and/or shared baths). For budget hotel with space have a look at Radio City Apts - basic but in a great location - the only problem is that they rent out far in advance.

travelbuff

The rules for renting an apartment will be changing this year, less than a 1 month rental will become illegal for most apartments in the city, and I'm sure you can understand why. I know the building I lived in the woman on the 3rd floor rented out her apartment all the time, we never knew who was living on the 3rd floor, so security was a problem, and we even had a couple of breakins in the building.

Some condos allow rentals but not sure what the minimum requirements will be.

Craig's list has gotten really bad press here, for apartments that don't even exist and people loosing money. There was even a hotel that was shut down in the middle of the night forcing people litterally out in the street, so the city is taking a real look at hotels, occupancy and safety.

All that said, you might try some of the long term suite hotels, like the Shelborne and the Affinia hotels that are suites. The Radio City Apartments would be another suggestion, good rates, great location and simple amenitites.

If you decide to do a Craig's List, all we can say is good luck and hope it all works out well.

mclaurie

I don't know if you realize some people book their accommodation for graduation a year in advance. As you probably know by now, there are very few hotels in the village. Given the subway system, you should look for anything that's affordable and will house your family. The Eastgate Tower has a large 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suite with 2 queen beds in one bedroom, a king bed in the other and a queen sofabed. They're running a sale right now and it can be booked for $219/night plus tax (May 15-22==I put in 4 adults and 2 kids-if your group is different, price may change). This is a huge bargain, cancelable up to a day before and I'd book it asap.

SueNYC

This link from the Times was posted at another Travel Site

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes....ntal-scam/?hpw

Bowsprit

McLaurie: You're right. That's a phenomenal deal.

austinscottbrooks

I'd have to agree with what the other posters have said. Since short term apartment rentals in New York City are illegal, your best bet is to find ANY accommodations that are affordable, and will fit your family. The deal that McLaurie posted is incredible...I'd book asap.

happytrailstoyou

Here is a possible option: http://www.blake63.com/

nytraveler

Is there something that makes you think this building is trying to rent to tourists? Seems like a standard long-term lease rental to me - and a very expensive one at that.

paula1470

I would take mclaurie's suggestion and book Eastgate Tower NOW especially for that price. You can always cancel if you find something else. My friend's daughter graduated from NYU last May and my friend waited until about a month before the graduation to book something. They ended up staying at Eastgate Tower and the location worked out perfect for them. They did pay substantially more, though, because she waited so long.

paula1470

Also my friend only stayed in the one bedroom suite and again payed much more for that room. There aren't that many 2 bedroom/2bath suites available in NYC and frankly I'm surprised they are still available at Eastgate Tower.