Hi, can anyone suggest a mid range Hotel for a one night stay (20 July) in NYC. There are two of us. I guess we'd be willing to pay up to $170 but would prefer to stay as inexpensively as possible. I understand there may be no options in this price bracket, and from the research we have done it seems to be, but I just thought I'd ask the people that know Thanks, Lissa

The Excelsior Hotel at 45 W 81st street has standard rooms for that date at $151 plus taxes which would bring it up to about $180. Many have Central Park views. I am staying there in June. It really is a very nice place and has convenient transportation. It is across from the Museum of Natural History.

Any of the hotels on Central Park South will be alot more than your budget, so I'd also suggest the Excelsior as a good option. It is considered a "budget" hotel but comfortable and good access to the west side. The subway line B/C is there which connects to the A/D (express trains) and the #1 train at 59th St. and those will get you around most of the city.

Have fun while you are here.

By no means all rooms have park views so do ask in advance and try to get there early in the day when you will have a choice of rooms. (And yes, most hotels with park view rooms are way over your budget.)

We stayed at Le Parker Meridien with Priceline and were offered an upgrade for $35/night to a suite with views of either Midtown or Central Park. We chose Central Park and the views were magnificent!

I think it's highly unlikely you can get a Central Park view for $170/night without some serendipity. I would say the Parker Meridien is your best bet as at least you could go up to the rooftop swimming pool for a view of the park if your room didn't have one. The cheapest bookable rate I see is $256 but it is a Priceline hotel and someone has actually won it on Priceline for $120 for the night in question. If you want to give it a try, you'd bid 4* Central Park South. The only other 4* hotel in that area is the Essex House which also has some CP views but unlikely to get those rooms on a PL bid.

mclaurie, it is not unlikely at all. Note my post 5 posts above this one. It is not a 4* but it is a solid 3*.

I think mclaurie's point is that you are unlikely to get a Central Park view at the hotels on Central Park South if you bid Priceline - unless you get very lucky. (It's nice if you do, but bidding those hotels is by no means a guarantee - since at least half of their room do NOT have Central Park views.)

If you go to a hotel like Excelsior - where you are not bidding Priceline - you may well have a better choice of rooms.