joebear

2 Daughters 2 moms....

Where is the best place for the money for us to stay? WE could do 2 rooms if that was affordable or one with 2Double beds. Probably looking at 4 nights.

nytraveler

You have picked probably the most expensive weekend of the year. And I think you will find that many hotels have already booked their less expensive rooms. (Two places I was going to reco to you are already fully booked.)

If you give us a budget people can make recos - but assume prices will be high - and everyplace in the city mobbed.

I would make cancellable reservations NOW at someplace you can live with - then continue to look for better options. And be aware that the longer you wait to make reservations the higher the prices will be - as the less expensive rooms are sold off.

joebear

Yes, I knew it was expensive...one mom is a teacher and she gets the entire week off so a great time to go for us. So we shall have to save our pennies before we go.

If we split a room...I suppose we could go $450 a night max. I haven't looked in a while, is that reasonable? I would prefer more like $250 but that may be wishful thinking for sure. Safety and location are top priorities.

dmlove

Is Thanksgiving November 27th? I just checked the Courtyard Midtown East (2 Queen beds and a sofabed, which makes the room huge by NYC standards) and it might work for you. We've stayed there and thought it was an excellent choice. Subway at the corner, away from Times Square, Duane Reade right downstairs, etc.

FireBirdBetty

you could always stay right across the river somewhere too for cheaper. Somewhere close to the path in Hoboken or jersey city maybe. good luck!!

joebear

Back on the search...booking this week. These all have rooms in my budget.

Which hotel?

Hampton Inn - Times Square
Marriot Courtyard - Midtown East
Embassy Suites

bethke14

Embassy Suites will give you the most room, as it is a 2 room suite. It's downtown, but has subway access and is near Staten Island Ferry, WTC, Wall St., etc. It also has free hot breakfast.

Courtyards are large in NYC, so that is a good choice as well, and location is fine. Plus, 2 queen beds and a sofa bed would be nice.

The Hampton Inn is in a busy area - always people around, very crowded, but access to a ton of subway lines. Some people like it, some don't. It's great if you're seeing shows.

With 4 people in a room, I'd have to choose Embassy Suites for the extra space and free breakfast.

Enjoy your trip!

joebear

That was my thinking on the Hampton but it does have breakfast and the Marriot does not....I am big on breakfast. But the rate is cheaper so that would well cover the breakfast expense.

Anyone stayed at the Embassy lately?

starrs

I would go with the Hampton Inn or the Hilton Garden Inn on 8th.

My first choice would be the Hampton because of the free breakfast.

IMO the locations of both are great. Close to the shows and subways and the "bustle" that is Times Square, but NOT right in the middle of it. A friend stayed at the Renaissance this weekend and the intensity of the hubbub was too much for me. Just a block or two away makes a BIG difference.

I've stayed at the Hilton on 6th and 54th with 4 women and it's a good location too. But, I'd still pick the Hampton Inn first.

joebear

Got the rooms...now a few more questions.

What is the best Macy parade day spot from the Embassy and how early do we need to be there?

What is the best way to get from LGA to Embassy Suites? I am thinking taxi since there are four of us.

Any teen suggestions? Ideas of what not to miss? Big shoppers and eaters...looking for good girls fun.

Planning on seeing Wicked...should I buy tickets from Ticketmaster?

bethke14

I would definitely buy tickets to Wicked on ticketmaster. Wicked tickets have never been on discount, and there are few discounts to be had around Thanksgiving. The sooner you can purchase tickets, the better.

For 4 people, I would take a taxi or car service from the airport.

For shopping, I like to walk down 5th avenue. It's a mix of chains and high end stores, but it's always fun to window shop. There are a ton of places to shop, and I'm sure others will have great ideas.

HowardR

Get your Wicked tickets now from Ticketmaster. You may already be too late!

starrs

You are probably too late for 4 tickets together. If so, call Ticketmaster directly to see if you can get other seat combinations so all 4 of you can get into the show. Thanksgiving week....it's gonna be tough.

PeaceOut

I think you'll be happy you're at the Embassy Suites. You will have two TVs, so the girls can watch their own shows. Ask for two double beds, instead of one king bed, of course. The breakfast spread is very nice to start the day. Enjoy your Mother/Daughter holiday trip!

joebear

Thank you my friend is so excited I have been able to get the trip plans together. Fodor help has been great...she was shocked how informed I was on locations.

I do have one question...I needed one more night to book the best affordable flight and the rate was higher at Embassy so all nights would be at that first night
rate...meaning $400 more total.

The reservation clerk booked us at the new Hampton Inn SOHO and assured me we could walk over to Embassy.

I called the Embassy direct since I noticed the rate increase on adding one night....The policy is the rate on check in date is the rate for entire stay.

SO is that a workable plan? I am now wondering if I shouldn't just stay HI for $400 saving overall. THe rooms are smaller but they say hot breakfast and all will be fresh and new....new beds...??

The kicker advantage would be not having to move...but we can do it. I bet they would store our bags until check in?

nyer

Why not just make 2 separate but consecutive resrvations at the same hotel (Embassy Suites)?
For example:
Saturday night (1 night at 300)
Sunday - Wednesday (3 nights at 250 each).
When you get to the hotel, you should be able to combine then so that you don't actually have to check out and check in again (and change rooms)

I have done this on occasion when I wasn't sure how long I would actually need to be at a hotel, and rather than cancel a multiple day reservation (and risk accidentally cancelling the whole stay or incurring a new higher rate)I would be able to cancel just the single day.In the end, I stayed for the whole time and the reservations were merged with no problem by the desk staff

joebear

I asked about that and the reservation clerk said they would combine and charge the check in rate for all nights....Even asked if my friend could reserve the additional night...She said no I would be stuck with the current rate....

I think that is a bit not right to allow a customer to stay in another motel for a night over a rate change...and make the reservation for them at that....

Now she was super nice...I was thinking of calling back and asking again....She did say to do that and see if the rate decreased....

starrs

Try booking it online.

nyer

That seems outrageous, to me!
If you did make separate reservations and go through the check in/check out/check in process they would have to honor the separate rates for your 2 reservations. I'm really surprised Hilton would have such a corporate policy.

By the way, The Hampton Inn Soho has not yet opened (site says August) but the location isn't that close to the Embassy suites--maybe 15 blocks?

I can't picture that exact street but it's in an area that has some hip streets--and some that are more 'industrial' looking (self storage places, entrance to the Holland Tunnel) -- not as busy as places in midtown or more residential neighborhoods, and not the water view and park setting of the Embassy Suites location.

Perhaps other people here can weigh in on what the immediate area really looks like

PeaceOut

We stayed 3 nights at the Embassy Suites in October, so granted not on a holiday weekend. But our rates did vary according to the day of week. Is this a new policy? If so, it isn't very customer service-oriented!