zabes

I know this question has been asked time and time again but I've hit information overload so I'm reaching out to the experts! I've been researching hotels in NYC for the weekend of October 28th-31st. There are 2 of us, my mother and I, and we plan to see some Broadway shows and some museums and have a few good meals. We've never been to NYC and want to stay in a nice, safe area with the ability to do a lot of walking but would want subway accessibility. We'd rather not be in a really busy neighborhood and also would each like to have our own bed.

Excuse my naivete but everything I'm finding with 2 beds and a private bath is $350 at a minimum. Can this be right? Are 2 beds too much to ask? I've read a lot of postings on this forum where people are quoting prices of $150 a night. Is October an expensive time to go? And everytime I find a good price, I find terrible reviews on this forum.

I've already searched quickbook.com and oyster.com and kayak.com but what I'd really like is suggestions for specific hotels that you've stayed in. So, does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably priced hotel in a respectable neighborhood that won't break the bank and won't be a dump? Thanks!

Squeaky

I just heard that the new Trump Soho is offering $250/night rates. Check with them to see if they will offer the same rate for October.

zabes

Can I ask where you heard it so I can tell them when I call? Online rates are showing $599.

ellenem

October is the beginning of high season in NYC.

Roger Williams Hotel has rooms with two beds. Park South Hotel also has rooms with two beds and has a good free breakfast. Both hotels are on the east side near subway stations.

suec1

We used to stay at the Excelsior and loved it - I do not know current prices. It was on the Upper West Side right by the Musuem of Natural History. Convenient to subway and has the feeling of being in a neighborhood - lots of nearby restaurants - a wonderful bakery on Columbus Ave. I think. Also close to Zabar's. I think we used to pay around $200 per night but it must have been 5 years since I stayed there. Good luck!

k9korps

Here's a suggestion. Look at some place like Long Island City if you want something for under $300/nt.

Let me emphasize that I have not stayed at the Holiday Inn there, but you might consider it as a possibility, after doing some research. You'll want to be sure you're near a metro stop. From LI City, you can be in Times Square in a few minutes.

No, it's not Manhattan, but it's not $400/nt either.

Frank

When you see rate quotes of $150 mentioned on this forum, you probably wouldn't want to stay in those hotels; in those neighborhoods; at those times of year.

October is a beautiful time of year to visit NYC and you will pay for the privilege. Also keep in mind the last weekend in October is Halloween weekend and lots of tourists come in to see the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village.

Of course the next weekend is even worse, it's the NY Marathon weekend.

As you see there is always a reason to celebrate in New York and that's why the rates are sooo high.

MikeT

If it's your first time in NYC, don't stay in Long Island City. If you want to avoid Times Sqaure (although there are big hotels there that often have cheap rates in order to get rid of inventory) try Chelsea, which has some mid-level chains (Four Points, Hampton Inn).

glimmer2

I'm not a NYC expert, but we had a great family vacation last spring break. We stayed at the Affinia Shelburne and it was a wonderful hotel. It's located at 303 Lexington in the Murray Hill area. The neighborhood was very quiet at night (really) and near a lot of neighborhood type services. There were affordable grocery stores and bagel shops right next door.
It's close to Grand Central as well. We never felt too far from anything we wanted to see in the city.
The beds were the most comfortable I've ever slept on. We didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. It's a newly renovated property as well so everything is fresh and up to date. Oh and we had a view of the Empire State Building out our window.
We had a Travelzoo rate of $159 for 2 queens and mini kitchen. Check Travelzoo or go to the Affinia site. All their properties seem very nice. Good luck.
www.affinia.com

MikeT

Your other problem is the Thursday night. If you eliminate Thursday nights, your rates drop and I found a number of places under $250. You can make two reservations at the same hotel and see if that brings down your rate.

doug_stallings

Yes, the prices you are seeing are accurate and expected in October. Halloween weekend is a pretty busy weekend and might explain some of the high prices as well. Look for hotels in Murray Hill, Chelsea, or even the Wall Street/Financial District if you want to be in a quieter area. You can always take the subway into Manhattan and then walk around. You don't need lots of stuff at your doorstep.

But I can tell you that $150 per night is just not realistic for this time of year. But I do think you should be able to find something in the $250 per night range if you look hard enough (two beds does make the search a little more difficult because you can't use Priceline, which doesn't guarantee two beds). Look at Hotels.com as well. I see quite a few choices under $300 per night, though not that many under $250. I see nothing that you'd way to stay in (in Manhattan at least) that's under $200 per night.

But the all-time great hotel deal in NYC right now is the newish Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City, Queens. It's $81 that weekend. It's in a charmless, desolate neighborhood with absolutely nothing nearby. But it's 2 blocks from all the major subway lines in Queens and about 10 or 15 minutes from Manhattan. While it's not a place I'd ordinarily send people to for a first-time visit to New York (desolate and quite equals scary to a lot of first-timers), I haven't seen such a good deal for ages in NYC. It's probably the best-priced hotel in all of NYC right now. Even the Comfort Inn Long Island City (on the other side of the elevated 7 Train) is more expensive, though no closer to the subway.

Lauratg

Hi Zabes,

I can't see where you're from (and you probably know this), but some of the travel websites have flight + hotel deals that can save a little money over a la carte prices. When I booked together, I got our hotel over Labor Day for about $80 less per night than the lowest price I could find when just searching the hotel by itself. (And about the same as people were getting it on Priceline).

Again, I know its obvious, but I got the tip on this board, although a couple of years ago. It was even suggested that I search the flight + hotel options from places like Boston and DC (where plane tickets are cheap)and then not use the plane ticket.

Good luck -- hope you find something nice!

321go

I'm going to suggest the Milburn on the Upper West Side, a residential neighborhood with good subway access. The Milburn won't win any design awards, but is clean, comfortable, and pleasant. I just checked their website, and for your dates you can get a room with two twins for $249 or two doubles for $259.

321go

Oops! Link: http://www.milburnhotel.com/

nytraveler

Many NYC hotels have small room with one double or queen bed. So - if you want 2 double or queen beds you are asking for a larger, upgraded room. And late October is high season - so yes, the rates you're seeing are what I would expect. If you shop very carefully you may find something cheaper - there are some discounts out there but not many.

based on what you want to do/see and atmosphere you're looking for I would stay in the upper west side. It's an upscale residential area that is busy but not frantic, is near many of the major museums and has easy subway access to the rest of Manhattan. There is good local shopping and a host of inexpensive/moderate neighborhood restaurants of every possible ethnicity. Times Square and theaters are about 10 minutes by subway, a little longer by bus.

Have a look at the Lucerne, On the Ave, Beacon - you should find something decent.

nytraveler

Sorry - I would NOT reco Long Island City hotels for you. They can be a bargain and are only about 15 minutes to Manhattan by subway. But many are in mixed use areas (some auto body shops, warehouses mixed in with a few motels and shops). Not a pleasant area to walk around and you would have to do all your eating in Manhattan and then take the subway back late at night to a quite deserted area.

nytraveler

Just did a quick check and the Lucerne has some rooms for only $315 plus tax and One the Ave is showing some internet specials with discounts up to 25% off.

nytraveler

Sorry - just noticed the mention of $150. Honestly that is a reasonable rate for a double double room in the kind of hotel and neighborhood you want only in Jan or Feb - not any other time of year.

travelbuff

Hey that's my birthday weekend, lol, me and the Statue of Liberty, although she has a few years on me,,,,,, and this year I turn,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well nevermind, lol.

Anyway I can recommend the Hotel Grand Union as a good option, on E32nd St, close to subway, shopping and even within walking distance to Times Square if you like walking.
the website is www.grandunionhotel.com, I think.

You might also check the downtown hotels, since they seem to have better rates on the weekends, and you'd have a great view of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty too.

starrs

Whew! I checked my favorite inexpensive but nice hotel and it's 2x - 3x the usual price. It's the LaQuinta on W 32nd and it's usually around $100. I knew October could be pricey, but that's really pricey.

I also checked TravelZoo but October deals aren't showing up yet.

I think you are just going to have to up your budget a bit. It will be worth it to stay in the city. And then check travelzoo and other sites for better deals closer to your date.

I just read 321's post. I totally agree! I'd grab that deal and you'll really enjoy being in the UWS.