I've stayed at the Hotel Wolcott. It's right around the corner from the Empire State Building. It was acceptable. If it's a bargain it would be ok. The hotel is very old and the rooms reflect this. The bathrooms are especially tiny. Sink hanging off the wall, the little tile that's been there since the hotel was built.

I don't know anything about the Stanford.

The other times I have been there, I have used Priceline with great results. Half the price of Wolcott with twice the quality.

you said bonise priceline is half thr price but which hotel did priceline book you into,cheers harold.b

www.priceline.com

For Priceline you bid without knowing what hotel you will get. You bid according to star level.

For more info, check out:
www.betterbidding.com

www.biddingfortravel.net

Just reread your question.
It's been a couple of years ago, but I got a Sheraton for $85 a night, close to the Meatpacking district. And Club Quarters in the Financial district for $75 a night.

In September, you will not get a shared dumpster for $85 per night.

Where hotels are averaging $240 per night, $200 is about entry level private bath for that time of year.

When I got those rooms on Priceline, the month was August.

NYC hotel prices vary tremendously by time of year - and Sept is the beginning of high season. Also - rates from several years ago are useless - since they have been increasing every year.

In September Priceline may still be a possibility. (In real high season it's pratically useless since they get only extra inventory - and NYC hotels in high season run well over 90% full. In fact - they run close to 90% full most of the year.) So - I wouldstart there.

Also - have a look at Kayak.com - but you need to eliminate New Jersey ad the airport otels -which will all comeup first.

Agreer for $85 in Sept you will finnd nothing.

For someone looking for a bargain in Sept you may check the new Pod hotel (minute rooms and shared bath - but new and clean). Or you might consider a hostel.

Finally - there is no hotel at any price close to everything. Major sights in NYC are spread out over an area 8 miles long plus islands in the harbor - and other sights are even further uptown and in the outer boroughs. So - you'll be using the subway a lot no matter where you stay. Suggest you get a good street map and subway map and familiarize yourself with both before you arrive.

I just looked at biddingfortravel. People have winning bids for 4 star hotels under $150/night for June and August. Someone got a 2.5 star for $90 a night in June.

A better room can be obtained through Priceline for September for cheaper than the Wolcott.

The only problem with Priceline is that you cannot take a chance on more than 2 people in a room.

thank you all,so much good advice,we need an ensuite and are not backpackers,just budget travellers when it comes nyc,and middlr aged.will book the stanford hotel on 32nd/5th,right under empire state.ANY COMMNTS VERY WELCOME B4 I COMMIT THANKS, HARRY

Harold, I stayed @ Wolcott last wk
for 2 nites mid-wk @ $189/nite booking
directly as I needed a confirmed twin-bedded room.
Unlike Bonise's experience, we found the hotel enjoyable w/a gorgeous old-world charming lobby, fully re-designed
hallways & room (albeit small) on 6th fl.
Don't know the Stanford. As a budget
traveler, you might appreciate the
free copious assortment of muffins, coffee & tea set up in the lobby from 6:30 to 10 a.m.
each morning

Harold, there's no reason you have to commit anything now other than a reservation. It's not common here to prepay or have non cancelable resrevations. Neither of the places you're considering are great. At $150/night or less they'd be "ok." At $200, despite the high prices in NYC right now, I think it's a bad deal.

What are your dates? Have you had a look on quikbook.com? I'd SERIOUSLY also try bidding on Priceline. Book something that's cancelable, then try Priceline and keep your eyes on specials on travelzoo.com

my dates are 26th sept to 30th sept, i dont like idea of of not knowing where im staying or being locked in on priceline or others, price qt on net $209+=$219,per nite a queen,at the stanford,a few reviews i read had roaches and one bedbagsat the wolcott.?????????

If you don't mind not having a traditional hotel, here's a good place for $195 plus tax if they have room.
http://www.chelsealodgesuites.com/parlorsuites.html

I see an apartment at the Envoy Club for $212 plus tax on hotelbook.com (from a link on kayak.com)

But what I would do is book the Excelsior hotel on quikbook.com for $225/night plus tax. Nice hotel across from the Mus. of Natural History. The price on the hotel's website is much more $279-299. Quikbook is very reliable. It's fully cancelable should you find something else or decide to try bidding on Priceline.

Unfortunately harold you in smack in the middle of peak season.

$200 per night is going to get you a dismal hotel. $300 would be a moderate hotel.

Even the Affinia hotels are $400 per night.

I just checked www.Quikbook.com and found The Park South for $219 per night. It is a small lovely boutique hotel but the rooms are small. It is much nicer than the Wolcott or the Stanford.

I suggest you jump all over that deal.

I've stayed at The Park South and it is a nice hotel and breakfast is included. It is located on the corner of 27th and Lex in Murray Hill.

Bonise, I'm not sure what hotel prices in June, July, and August have to do with September.

Peak season starts after Labor Day in September and runs through New Years.

Just to back up what GoTravel said, FYI 27th and Lex is just a few blocks from your preferred(?) location at 32nd and 5th - but much quieter, less commercial neighborhood with a more local feel and some good restaurants and pretty residences in the area.

Also, as nytraveler said, things to do in NYC are so spread out that you can locate yourself just about anywhere and still experience all NYC has to offer.

Good luck!

GoTravel

All I said was that I had stayed at Wolcott and that it was ok but not worth the money.

I suggested an alternative.
I never meant that Harold would be able to get the same deal (2 years ago!) that I had.

Drop it.

Bonise, comparing hotel prices in Manhattan in off season vs in season is useless.

GoTravel
What is your problem?

The OP doesn't want to take a chance with Priceline.

Park South sounds great.

Why are you persisting?

thanks go travel park south looks a lot better than the 2 star s iv been researchingits already gone up to $239 for friday and saturday 28/29th sept.b4 i book can anyone tell me where to find more reviews.no frommer ,fodor or citysearch has any just website intro ,cheers all and thanks to all regards harold.b.

If you're looking for hotel reviews, THE place to go (for anywhere in the world) is tripadvisor.com. Here's the link for the NYC hotel reviews
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g60763-New_York_City_New_York-Hotels.html

Put the name of any hotel in the box at the upper left corner and it will lead you to reviews.

I see the Park South on quikbook.com for $219/night plus tax. If you like the hotel, BOOK IT! It's cancelable. Stop delaying. If you find something better, you can cancel w/o penalty. Just do it!

Glad I could help Harold!

I think you'll enjoy The Park South. I always enjoy staying there and I'm booked again there in August and November.