Another New York Hotel Post--PLEASE read this one and help me!
 

Okay, I know there are 500 "New York Hotel" posts on the boards, but I need some specific help. My best friend and I (mid 20s) are planning an early summer trip. I've been there numerous time, but mostly for business. I've stayed at The Plaza and loved it--mainly for it's location. Well, unfortunately, The Plaza is a little out of our vacation budget, so I'm looking for something in that area that is more in the $100-$150/night range (but nice and safe). I don't really know enough about NYC to understand "Midtown" "The Village" or "Upper West Side", so basically I'm looking for some suggestions around Central Park, between Broadway and 5th Ave. or around that area. Help me, please!

Familiarize yourself with biddingfortravel.com and then bid on priceline. The area you would like to stay in is Upper Midtown, Midtown West or Midtown East.

The Essex House is on Central Park, between 7th & 6th Aves. Great location, lovely hotel. I think they have a $199 special in the summer.

If you go into Priceline and do a $1 bid as practice (a great risk free way to acquaint yourself wiht the software - no risk of winning the bid!), their bidding screen shows the various NYC neighborhoods where hotels are located. As a general rule, there is little to chooose from in the way of hotels in SoHo, Tribeca and the Village. Postings I've seen here from folks who've stayed on the Upper West Side indicate that they like the neighbnorhood feel of the area (most specifically at the Hotel Beacon, which is in your price range and gets good reviews). Midtown is, of course, the most convenient in terms of quick access to many different subways and to the theatre district.

If you want to share a room, be aware that most NYC hotel rooms have one bed and there's no guarantee the hotel you get through Priceline would have a room with two.

We always stay at the Wellington at 55th and 7th. It is certainly not the Plaza, but it is clean, the staff is friendly, location is great, and it is within your price range. We have always been satisfied. You probably can get a fancier hotel using Priceline or another site---I am just one of those people who want to know WHAT hotel I am staying in, and I don't want to pay in advance.

I always stay in Midtown just because it's close to my Grammy's place, but I go to the Belvedere hotel. Great location, great prices. I'm also 20-something and I went with my best friend too about 2 years ago. Had a great time!

I bet you could get in the Paramount for $150 or less. It's uber chic. You and your friend will need to be on the svelt side to be comfortable sharing the tiny room, but it's a Time Square location (no not on the Park, Park=$$$$), and it's sooooo trendy.

Thanks for the tips, all! Those all sound like great options--now I have some work to do in finding a good price!<BR>