Hotels in Times Square under $400?
 

We're going on a girls getaway - thoughts on reasonably priced hotels in the middle of everything?

TIA.

When?

What month - rates vary tremendously.

How many of you are there and how many beds do you need (will a double double do or do you want separate beds or a suite)?

Will one bath be enough?

Thoughts

-there are no longer any hotels in NYC that are reasonably priced. Prices have been dramatically inflated by tourists with stronger currency than the US $
-staying in Times Square makes no sense unless you're planning lots of theater. You'd do far better in midtown east or elsewhere
-the least expensive nice hotels tend to have very small rooms and many have no rooms with 2 beds
-the www.Affinia.com hotels are generally the best value for money for a group or family. The Affinia Dumont and the Benjamin both have in house spas, a nice amenity for a girls' weekend.

The only "affordable" hotel in Times Square that's good for a group is the radiocityapartments.com and it's perennially booked solid.

Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square. Great location, good service, very clean, seems to have been recently renovated, and you get a separate living room with a pull out couch---only 1 bathroom, though.

Least expensive in Times Square that I know about is the Broadway Inn. Small rooms - funky - a place to sleep. http://www.broadwayinn.com

Oh boy, don't stay in Times Square. Try the Shelburne Murray Hill. They have suites that I think are below $400 and you can walk everywhere. This is an Affinia hotel.

Everything depends on what time of year you're planning to go. We love the Michelangelo, which is near Times Square but not IN it, and off-peak you can get very nice rooms for under $400.

Is the Broadway Inn still in operation? Last we were there (in June) most of that building seemed to be boarded up, including our old standby bar and restaurant downstairs -- JRs. It looked like they were getting ready to tear down the building. No?

OK, I answered my own question by going to their website, and yes they apparently are still in business. I'm curious what's happening to the building however. But I was shocked to see that as of October 1, their double rooms will range in price FROM $265 to $350. Like TMWeddle, I always thought of the place as a really inexpensive, characterless, but decently clean "place to sleep".

How many? You can try Priceline. Look on Biddingfortravel to see what 4* hotels are coming up. If you all bid close together or for more than one room, it could happen for cheap.
We stayed at the Millenium for $110. We also stayed at the Hilton on 6th for the same.

I noticed one poster asked "when?" and didn't see a reply. No question it makes a difference. Unlike some of these posters, I happen to like the Times Square area. As a tourist who gets to the city only once or twice a year I love the excitement and electricity of that area.
If you have never been or are an ifrequent visitor I think it's a good place to stay and get a "New York" experience.
We like Hotwire and if you check that site you may find something in the Times Square area (or very nearby) within your budget.

You really need to tell us when - prices in November and December will be at least twice those in Feb/March.

Nor have you told us how many.

We're really working blind her until you give us some info.

But - I do agree that Times Square is NOT the most pleasant area of the city - unless you're doing tons of theater.

Sorry for the late response! We are going this weekend 8/17-8/19! And it will be 3 ladies!

Thanks again.

Lisa

There are others on this board who know specific hotels, prices etc. better than I. I just wanted to say I did a "girls weekend" at the Hilton Garden Inn on 8th Ave at 50th Street. A room with two double beds was enough room for the five of us (one opted to sleep on the floor!) plus luggage, shopping, etc. I wouldn't call it spacious, but it was fine for the important stuff: sleeping and shower!

Also in the immediate vicinity are the Belevedere and the Mayfair. Both are smaller hotels that my mother has liked a lot. As a NYer, I think that area is great for a weekend visit: there's a subway stop on the block and more very nearby, it's on the edge of Times Square and also close to Central Park, walking distance to Rockefeller Center, the MoMA and more.

Personally, I don't like the Doubletree. It's literally in the middle of Times Square; you have to push past the street vendors, hawkers and gawkers to get in, then take an elevator up to the lobby. (In this respect it's like the Marriott Marquis and Renaissance.)

Wow. Kind of last minute, but I see Marriott Marquis has rooms with 2 doubles for $349 for this weekend. Their rooms are very large by New York standards, and it certainly is in the middle of everything!!!

Dh likes the Marriott Marquis and we are staying there again in October. He has also stayed at the Sheraton. If you have any Amex points you can transfer them to starwood and we used that for he and ds to stay there last week... he prefered the Marriott.

We recently (8/7 - 8/11) stayed at the Courtyard by Mariott in Midtown East - 4 of us - for under $300. Two queen beds. Big room by NYC standards. We got AAA rates. So might be a bit more than that.

Austin, interesting you mention that. When I just checked the Marriott Marquis, I clicked AAA and they showed a special AAA rate for $349. Then I went back and did it again uncliking AAA. The new rate was "lowest available rate" and still was $349. My recent experience with Marriotts is that anyone can now get those AAA rates or the same rate under some other name.

Courtyard Midtown East is showing 2 queens this weekend for $319