I posted my problem with another title. After reading responses, I don't think my Message Title was explicit enough to get my point across. It was suggested by responders that I change my message title so that more people would take notice. Just to reiterate.....I arrived at the DaVinci Hotel in NYC(56th and 8th)with a written confirmation (# and price) Because they had ovebooked, they refused to honor my reservation and offered no help to me, whatsoever, in securing other lodging. They basically said, "Too bad...oh, well!!" I wouldn't want anyone else to have my problem. Imagine arriving in NYC thinking you were set with a place to stay only to be told "Sorry....." The hotel did not even help me secure another booking. They said (ha! ha!) they had tried and failed. Thank goodness I was able to find something myself. I had to pay much more for an acceptable room at the last minute. Please be careful!!!! (sorry to those who have already read my dilemna, but I agree that my title was not affective.)

Write a letter to:
Ombudsman
Condé Nast Traveler
4 Times Square
New York, NY 10036
Then write a letter to the manager at the Da Vinci and include a copy of your letter to Ombudsman.
Hotels don't like that kind of publicity, believe me.
Ombudsman has tremendous clout in the travel industry. One bad letter in CN Traveler can cost a hotel a bundle over time.

While the Ombudsman is a great idea, CN Traveler requires the consumer to exhaust all avenues open to the consumer before they will even look at an issue. In other words, last resort.

And if you read dmtraynor's previous post, not only have all reasonable avenues been exhausted, the hotel has not even demonstated any willingness to rectify the situation.
This was a completely black and white, hotel was negligent, situation (if everything occurred as reported).

thanks ted...it did happen exactly that way, and perhaps even worse.