I've stayed at both. The Marriott Marquis is a big flashy Times Square hotel. The Courtyard is a Courtyard, albeit a vertical one. The Courtyard is on 3rd Avenue between, I think, 52nd and 53rd Streets (may be 51st and 52nd). Completely different neighborhoods. We had a very large room at the Courtyard -- much bigger than the room we had at the Marquis, two queens plus a sitting area (it wasn't a suite -- I'm pretty sure every room at the Courtyard has a sofabed, thus the "sitting area"). Given the sitting area, I'd opt for the Courtyard with the particular group you're going with, unless you're looking for a more "upscale" hotel. Courtyard is in a great mid-town location, subway at the corner, very friendly staff, Duane Reade right downstairs. I'd definitely stay there again.

My only complaint about the Courtyard MTE is that the only mirror outside the bathroom is the closet doors, and there were no outlets there - for those who need a blow dryer, etc. Otherwise it was a great deal and very convenient.

Patrick, it may have been AARP. My friend made the reservation...

Patrick - Interesting. I put in AAA and it was more! That is odd.

Use Priceline. I usually stay in 3 star hotel in that area for less than $100.

Have stayed in Millenium Broadway and at another very nice 3* boutique hotel.

go to Biddingfortravel for tips on how to use priceline properly.

I had 4* Sydney opera house view hotel room last time I used priceline -- $115 an night!

That AARP "discount" is even more interesting. Although I guess you can get an AARP card and use it starting at age 50 or 55, I have yet to find a hotel that if you ask for a senior discount that won't give you one at least as good as the AARP one, no card required. In fact many chains -- Hyatt and Marriott among them -- will have much bigger "senior" discounts than their meager AARP ones.

I travel to NYC every summer with my teenage daughter and sometimes with other moms and daughters. I love being in Times Square. We always stay at the Double Tree. I like that the lobby is up the elevator, they let no one in without checking their room key. I have stayed at other hotels around New York but the Double Tree is my favorite. They always give us the room we request that is on the rounded corner of the building and the view is spectacular. I have never heard any street noise.

We have stayed at the Marriott Marquis, the rooms that we have had were smaller than the Double Tree and only one room not a suite. Also their elevators were very slow and anyone can wander threw the halls of the hotel.

Staying right in Times Square might not be for everyone, but I really enjoy the electric atmosphere of the area.

Have a wonderful trip!

I have to laugh and shake my head at this, only because I plan my trips to NYC in advance to get a good deal. Going to NYC this weekend and getting a price of $349 for two doubles (for 3 ladies) at the Mariott Marquis is a good deal for a last minute booking, esp. if you need to know what hotel you are getting.

I don't know what the recent winning bids on Priceline are for NYC, but I'd check those closely before using Priceline. NYC hotels seem to be quite booked now up and you might be getting the lowest rung on the ladder in your bidding category, who knows. I know that last summer I went to NYC in August and there were many great deals on Travelzoo at the time for NYC, and there are no great deals there for this month.

I've stayed at the Marquis a number of times and really liked it. Our rooms seemed larger (because it's more open than most of the "suites" I see -- a tiny bedroom with a separate living area), although I realize some people prefer those.

And I understand the elevator situation has been much improved at the Marquis.

But the real issue is the lowest rate I see for the Doubletree is $449, $100 more than the Marquis.

I had no idea hotels in NYC were so expensive!! I live in NYC so have never stayed in one!

Actually I live right next to Times Square (57th and 8th) - there is a Holiday Inn a block away on 57th between 9th and 10th that looks quite decent and has an outdoor pool on the roof (unlike most hotel pools this one looks to be a bit of a scene - I live on the 47th floor so can see all the activity on the roof). Is less than 10 min walk to Time Square, 5 min to Central Park and a block from the Columbus Circle subway (with a ton of trains). No idea of cost but I've always thought it might be reasonable.

Susan, I just looked up your Holiday Inn. Checking at random I found lowest rates generally at $329, but I did see some dates for as low as $293.

But let's not forget the $43 a night tax on top of that $293 rate.

The Westin Times Square is about $300/night, and the rooms are decent size, but it's still only one room. I stay at the Blakely alot, but it is in Midtown. They have suites and are reasonably priced. If they are full I stay at Le Parker Meridian. Do not stay at the W. Even with one person in a room it is claustrophic. You might also try the Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

It's kind of late notice, but you might find it happens to work to your advantage on the discount websites like cheaphotels, expededia, hotwire, etc. But, always check their prices with the hotel directly. Sometimes the hotel rates are cheaper when you book direct.

There are a bunch of good options for this weekend. The Blakely is a good option and a room with 2 doubles is $335 or a 1 bedroom with 2 doubles (and a day bed in the living room so you wouldn't have to share) is $385 on their own website
blakelyhotelny.com

On quikbook.com good options are
The Lucerne (upper west side) $250 2 doubles
Belvedere (TS!) $254 2 doubles
Roosevelt superior room for 4 $269
Warwick superior room $285
Flatotel premium jr. suite $289
Affinia Manhattan 1 bedrooms suite $319

All these prices are without tax which will add another ~15%.

Priceline hotels in Manhattan for $100 are a thing of the past unless you are getting one odd night in the middle of February.

Labor Day through New Years is peak season and Manhattan occupancy rates are close to 90%. Doubtful priceline will get any inventory and only at last minute or months in advance at prices close to rack rate.

I think the Marriott Marquis rate sounds like a winner.

We just stayed at the Dream Hotel. 7th Ave. and 55th (210 W. 55th) for $203 for a single. If you are doubling up I am not sure, but it was a great boutique hotel close to everything! Loved it.

This is a current bidding for travel posting by someone getting a 4* hotel room in Manhattan for $140

Never hurts to try priceline or hotwire to see what they have available.

MTE 4*Intercontinental The Barcley 8/17-8/19 $140
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I have been trying various permutations for the last few days and when I bid $130 for UM/CPS and MTE I received a counteroffer of $130 plus $22 which I rejected. I added re-bid zone UE and increased by $5..rejected. Then added UW side and increased by another $5, accepted.
$140 for two nights= $280 plus taxes and service charge $56.62....TOTAL $336.62

Which is almost $170 per night and not $100 per night.

I'm staying at The London NYC at the end of the month and I got a summer weekend rate under $350 and that is for a London Suite! And the hotel is getting very good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Wow, DMG. That sounds like a fantastic deal for a wonderful hotel. And with the savings will you splurge on a meal at Gordon Ramsay's place there???

I finally had a chance to ask dh about the Sheraton in timesquare where he was last week.

He said the service was excellent. The rooms where very small and need to be remodeled - the bathroom was really tiny.

The location was good. He said that it was strange that there was another Sheraton RIGHT across the street. I cannot figure out if he is right or not and will check it out myself when we are there in the fall.

The points needed throught starwood are not as many as needed to book through at the Marriott in Timesquare so that is why he stayed there.