Help to find a room that is affordable and yet not far from the city.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/tr...manhattan.html

Interesting article which I did not read in entirety. We have found that walking to some places when staying in mid-town Manhattan is much more doable than we had thought.

I think a lot depends on what one wants to do in the city and how much time, and money, they are willing to spend to get there from the hotel they saved so much money on. Saving money is not the only driver IMO altho I realize that for many it is the biggest driver and the difference between traveling or not.

"Not far" is a very very subjective term as you know.

I'd take it with a huge grain of salt. It's funny they mention the Jersey City Hyatt, which is nice and very convenient, but I recently looked at it for a weekend stay and it was over $400 a night, while Hyatts in Manhattan were actually under $300. It varies. And when they talk about "average 3 star" -- well, there are many more "upscale 3 stars" in Manhattan running up the average than in Queens. Actually comparing quality of the hotels often finds those Queens locations (and others) aren't necessarily a great deal.

Sure though, it's always good to have another source to look at.

I am staying in a deluxe queen room at the Waldorf tomorrow night for $243 (incl taxes and fees). With free upgrade if available because it's my birthday.

I think LIC is no mystery - people here have been recoing some of these hotels for years.

I think the problem is that a lot of people who come here looking for budget properties are looking for the type of prices you pay in roadside or office park hotels, and just don't get that $100 is not a price in NYC unless you stay in a hostel.

I usually check the chain hotels first because of the loyalty program benefits.
I've lost count of the number of Hyatts in Manhattan, there are at least 7 and as Patrick said the rates can vary widely.

I've been lucky enough to get The Grand Hyatt for $159 a night a few times this year (booking in advance) including a stay in late December /pre Christmas to see the lights and have see prices even lower for the Andaz Wall Street and Hyatt Place.

My advice for NYC hotel bargains is to book ahead.
I use TripAdvisor to do a quick check on whats available at what price and then jump to the hotel website.

sassy_cat, yes the Grand Hyatt is often the real bargain of all the Hyatts. Funny about booking ahead. I tried booking our favorite Hyatt Place on 36th about 4 months ahead and the cheapest room came up at something like $1200. Next day it was the same so I called thinking there was an error. Nope, the hotel was virtually sold out (first weekend in November). But about a month later it dropped to $350 so I figured they must have a convention or something and passed their deadline. But it went down three more times and by the time we actually stayed there I had rebooked just two days ahead for $169. When we got there I asked if they had some convention booked before and the girl had no idea what I was talking about or why it ever would have been that high. It's crazy! Incidentally that's the weekend when the Jersey City one remained at around $400.

The first weekend in November is the Marathon - and every hotel is booked solid months in advance - no matter the price.

I guess I said that wrong. By "first weekend in November" I meant the 6th to the 8th. The marathon was the weekend before -- on Sunday, November 1st. Guess, I'd call that the "last weekend in October" despite the overlap. And there were NO conventions booked at the Hyatt Place our weekend so the girl couldn't imagine why it had shown "nearly sold out" 4 months ahead.

But by the way, Hotels Tonight showed lots of last minute options at GOOD prices the weekend of the marathon. Friends went to see a friend run and got the Hilton Fashion District at around $200 for Saturday night -- booking the week before. Sure they were lucky -- but never say "every hotel is booked solid months in advance". Just isn't true. Sure prices are up, though.

Has anyone any experience of waiting until Black Friday and booking then? Held off booking both hotels, and (for later) flights to Hawaii until next week in case I can grab a bargain. Guess I would be going through a discount chain as opposed to direct with hotel or airline to take advantage of that?

Try costcotravel.com They have some great packages [with and without air] that include upgrades, cars etc

You can view the deals without being a member. If you find something, it will likely be worth the $55 to join, even if you don't/won't shop there.

https://www.costcotravel.com/Vacatio...IOTTBC20140121

https://www.costcotravel.com/Vacatio...HNLOGG20140307

Yes Patrick, we've had the same scenario. By booking ahead I meant book something as a starting point that you're comfortable with and then check back frequently.

I have a last minute trip to NYC this week and booked the Andaz Wall St for $129 for one night and it was $50 more the next day.
Yesterday I checked the Park Hyatt one last time and could book on points. I'm going for the free luxury option