We stayed at the Belvedere Hotel last summer and loved the proximity to Times Square and thought it was very good value for the money ($160). I just tried to book it for a planned trip to NYC at the end of this month and have learned that it's fully booked. I'd be grateful if someone could recommend a comparable hotel in the same area.

Regards,
Lynn

tt

I strongly advice www.biddingfortravel.com to understand the Priceline policies and then using that service. For New York City, it's almost a must.

Thanks very much for your message Chris. Unfortunately, the problem with using Priceline as I understand it, is that you can't specify the number of beds required. We need 2 beds as we're travelling with our daughter.

Kiddo

I've been looking at the Travel Inn which is part of the Empire Group of Hotels of which the Belvedere is also a member. The rates for the Travel Inn are very reasonable and include parking. I would appreciate receiving any first-hand information on this hotel.

Thanks very much,
Kiddo

Stayed at the Travel Inn a few years ago, before I discovered Priceline and Hotwire. It wasn't in the nicest area but the hotel itself was adequate--definitely "no frills" though. We found it useful at the time because of the parking.

I believe the Travel Inn has a pool on the roof which would be great in July! It's all the way west so not the prettiest part of town but I think ok.

You could also try the applecorehotels.com. Their Comfort Inn midtown on west 46th gets good reviews here.

The Avalon is not as well located but also is good value for money with big rooms.

I liked the Comfort Inn Midtown, but I'm pretty sure they don't have any rooms with 2 beds.

If it weren't for the location requirement, I would strongly recommend the Murray Hill East Suites hotel, where I just stayed wtih my family -- a generous-size one-bedroom apartment, with fully-equipped kitchen, for $135 per night (thru Orbitz), it's at 149 East 39th between Lex and Third so probably too far from Times Square. It's not as classy as the Belvedere but probably in the same rank as the Travel Inn.

We stayed at the New York Hilton & Towers; got a room with 2 double beds on Priceline for $90. It was an absolutely perfect location..easy walk to Times Square, Fifth Ave., Central Park, ran over to the Today Show in the morning. I had checked the prices on Biddingfortravel.com before I bid on Priceline.

The hotel was not luxurious however & I do believe they give the Priceline folks their lower-end rooms...it was a bit run down but we were hardly ever there. Lobby & restaurant was nice. Room & hallways were older. However, some floors have been redone.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Something came up which necessitated changing our travel dates and it now turns out that the Belvedere is available. Thank you to all who responded.

Lynn

I just booked the New York Helmsley throught www.eLeisurelink.com. I got it for $125 a night plus tax and fees ($144.50 a night.) I was able to specify the # of beds and nonsmoking. I checked with the hotel after making the reservation and it was fine.