marymarra

We are attending a concert on Thursday, October 16 at the Hammerstein Ballroom (311 W. 34th Street); like everyone else I am amazed at hotel prices (we live in D.C. so am well aware of the European invasion) and am going to try Priceline; I've read the posts here and will go to betterbidding.com, etc., but here is my question: my original thought was to try and get a walkable hotel since I think cabs will be at a premium and I suspect the event will run late; do you New Yorkers think that is a viable premise or should I not worry about that and widen our search? We are going to drive up and only stay one night. I also realize Priceline may not work and will look the conventional way, too.

Thanks in advance--all advice/opinions welcome!

Mary

happytrailstoyou

There are great subway connections nearby so there is no need to limit your options to hotels within walking distance. You may feel safer in the subway than walking on side streets in the 30s late at night.

happytrailstoyou

"In what is being billed as the first time they've ever played at the same concert, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel have signed on for a benefit for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on October 16 at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom...."

The subway will be packed after the concert. Enjoy.

Enviously, HTTY

marymarra

HTTY--

travelbuff

I think that the Hammerstein is right on the corner of 34th and 8th Ave which is where the A/C lines of the subway are so you have easy access to the westside for finding a hotel.

There are several hotel right in the immediate area that you might try, The Raddison (is around the corner) Howard Johnson's (midbock on 34th St)are within a few minute walk. Times Square is just up 8th Ave.

If you are driving in you might try the Travel Inn, on W. 42nd St, as they offer free parking.

Have a GREAT time while you are here.

nytraveler

Do not try to stay right i n the area - not great - and hotels will be mobbed. You can get to that area easily from any place on the west side is a few minutes and the subway will be perfectly safe afterward. (Cabs will be at a premium - so you would likely get back to the hotel by subway by the time you found a cab.)

You might have better luck with a hotel on the upper west side. 10 -12 minutes by subway.

marymarra

good advice all.

Many thanks,

Mary

mclaurie

I am also envious and agree with nytraveler that that area is not so wonderful (not safety issue but unattractive) and it will be easy to get subway or bus to wherever you want/need to go. That said, there are loads of hotels nearby if you decide you just want convenience. The cheapest acceptable cancelable option I see is the Comfort Inn convention center @ $250-260 plus tax (~15%). The Red Roof, the Wingate and any hotel with Madison Square Garden in the name would also be close. The Metro and the Affinia Manhattan are 2 of the better ones. Another way to see what's nearby is to map the theater on maps.google.com and use the "search nearby" feature for hotels.

The 4* PL hotels in the "empire state" area are Morgans and 70 Park, both very nice and walkable or use crosstown bus on 34 st. from Hammerstein. The 4* hotels in Times Square are all good and that's just north of HB area. There's only 1 win listed for that night on the betterbidding win calendar, the Crowne Plaza @ $240 (3*). This is not a hotel I'd be happy with.

Don't know if you know the Travel Inn (near Times Square) is the only hotel in NYC with free parking. The Skyline, near it, charges $10/day for parking. Otherwise, you can find somewhat reasonably priced parking using iconparking.com near whatever hotel you chose.

marymarra

thanks for the good advice.

Maybe, I will just request 4* for Times Square to avoid Crowne Plaza. I still need to do my better bidding homework obviously.

Quickbook has an ok rate for the new Thompson Lower East Side, but from the reviews on Trip Advisor, it is not clear to me that they are actually totally open, so I will call.

thanks for all the options!

Mary

cherrybomb

The Hammerstein is right above the A/C/E train line, if you stay at the Thompson it will only take you 20 minutes to get back downtown--you will xfer to the F or V at West 4th. Waiting for a cab will be a nightmare and traffic will be heavy after the show.

The Thompson is open for business, though I do not believe that it is fully completed at the moment, hence the lower rate.

marymarra

thanks again to everybody for the good ideas!

Mary

msteacher

Since you are coming from DC, you may want to consider taking the train, rather than driving. Parking is generally difficult and expensive. The train is pretty comfortable and efficient, so worth checking out.

marymarra

believe me, we love the train, but at $288, we'd rather spend the money on a decent place to stay.

Thanks anyway!

Mary

djkbooks

You may want to take a look at winning bids on Better Bidding and consider the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City. With rates in NYC so high, we really like that place. The NJ Transit station is steps away. It took us a total of 45 minutes to get to the Theater District, but for the quality of the hotel and the rate we didn't mind.

Our other favorite place when we want to economize is the Holiday Inn GW Bridge in Fort Lee. It really is only a 20 minute drive to Midtown from there (and took us only a few minutes more leaving the city at 5PM one day). Parking is free, rooms are enormous and very nice (with fridge and microwave), and the food in the restaurant is excellent with very low prices.

When driving into NYC, I check iconparking.com and bestparking.com

We used to stay at the Travel Inn frequently (and I always used it as a backup when bidding Priceline or checking Hotwire). But, now that their rates have skyrocketed and are adjusted for holidays, special events, etc., I think it's WAY overpriced. I no longer consider it, even though it's almost right across the street from a restaurant we frequent once or twice during every visit. This hotel is also very popular with foreign tour groups who are very noisy when they congregate and/or all wheel their bags by your door at 6AM or are checking in at midnight or later.