Marriott Financial Center-$69 okay?
 

Just started planning our first ever trip to NYC and and can get into the Marriott Financial Center for $69 for 4 to 5 nights each. We would like to hit some of the touristy sites, (Empire, Broadway, Times Square,hockey game, etc). Age-30's and traveling last week or so in March, first part of April.<BR><BR>Should I book at $69 or look elsewhere?

That certainly is a bargain price for that hotel. However, keep in mind that the area is really deserted at night and is a good 2-3 miles from the sites you mention.

Hi Mike,<BR>$69 is a great deal!!! That hotel charged about $250 a night before the trade center attack. To get to the attractions you mentioned you will have to walk a few blocks to the subway (there are many subway lines within a few blocks of the hotel) and take the train to midtown (about 15 minutes). But for the statue of liberty, chinatown, little italy, soho, tribeca, brooklyn bridge, museum of the american indian, staten island ferry, south street seaport you are in easy walking distance. $69 sounds like a great deal to me!

An excellent price for the hotel. Porbable reason - hotel was closed for sometime because it is as close to Ground Zero as you can get. Area has been deemed safe so that is not an issue. West St, where the hotel is located, may still be closed to auto traffic below Canal St. If that is the case don't depend on using taxis to get to and from the hotel. The closest you can get with a taxi is probably somewhere on Broadway. The nearest subway station is at Wall St. With some streets in the area still closed I don't know how long a walk it would be. The #4 and #5 train stop at that station so if you are going to midtown east or any place on the east side it is convenient. If going to the west side (Times Square) you would have to change trains. There is a major transfer hub at Broadway and Fulton which would provide access to the #1, #2, #4, #5 and the A and C trains. That station is a bit further away from the hotel. <BR>As was pointed out in another note lots of places in downtown Manhattan are within walking distance

Can you tell me where to book this hotel at that rate?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Mike, everyone here has given you absolutely correct information, but you have to decide if 1) being 'out of the way' several blocks from subway on empty streets w/ possibly limited access to taxis 2) being right near ground zero is worth the savings for you. It IS a phenomenal rate., Personally, if it was me, or someone I knew who was very familiar w/NYC (for example someone who used to live here but moved out of town) I would go for it. But, again, IMHO, I would not suggest it for first time visitors.

Thanks for the info. I can get this rate through my place of work (this is NOT a business trip). Other Marriott locations are +$200. Should think it's an easy decision to go with the $69 but it just seems too good to be true. Thanks.

I'm getting depressed just reading this posting. The Marriott FC had often been my hotel of choice before 9/11 for exactly the reasons some advise against it: somewhat out of the way, yet easily accessible to the subway, with taxis almost always at the door. A quick walk to Battery Park, Chinatown, and places that no longer exist.<BR><BR>When this hotel reopened a couple of weeks ago, the Times had an article that some people specifically request Ground Zero views and others specifically request exactly the opposite. I don't think I could handle staying there just yet, but it is an amazing rate.

That is a great rate, but if you are leary that it is "out of the way" or "too close to Ground Zero", i would bid for a 4 star hotel thru Priceline. You should likely be able to get something for ~$80-$95/nite.<BR><BR>Check out www.biddingfortravel.com for details of prior winning bids, hotels that have come up in the past, as well as tips on how to bid.

Yes I am thinking it may be 'out of the way'. Any idea how much a cab may cost? In looking at biddingfortravel, do I want to bid for midtown west or midtown east or what areas? Looks like people are getting the Hyatt for $70 - $80. But I'm afraid of getting a 'bad' hotel or should I not be worried and trust the 4 * ratings? (I have the Marriott FC booked at $69 but can cancel with no fees.)

Reading your post has just made me laugh remembering many years ago our first trip to NYC. Our children were 11 and 16 and we wanted a hotel with subway access, cabs, etc. and we had to have a good ecomonical price. Well, our kids still take about it to this day. We all hung out at the windows most of the night watching the "ladies & gents of the evening" doing business. I have no idea where that hotel is or what area(s) is like that today, but you are wise in seeking advice! However, it has provided memories.

Mike, you ask how much a cab would cost--to where? Count on at least $10 to midtown. Also, I think RQF brought up a valid point that street access to cars may be limited in the area and you may have to get a cab a couple of blocks away--but check with the hotel on that

Mike,<BR><BR>If you go back to biddingfortravel.com, check out the top post under the NYC Hotel section, as this will give you a breakdown of what hotels have come up in the past in NYC by geographical location. (of course, a new hotel can be added to that area at anytime, but it gives you a fairly good idea of the hotels you might get). If there's a certain hotel you absolutely hate, obviously don't include that area in your bidding.<BR><BR>I find that the price difference between the 3* and 4* hotels is fairly negligible (although can add up over 5 nites) so i'd just as soon stick with the 4* hotels.<BR><BR>Likewise, near the bottom of the message board (the main page) their is a hotel review section, so you can page through those as well to see if there are any bad reviews of hotels that are in the area you are considering.<BR><BR>Lastly, if you request help on that board, you're likely to get some good advice from the administrator. Some people don't like her strictness, but i think it keeps the board "clean" and pertinent. So if you request bidding advice, just follow the "rules" in the FAQ and be sure to include the requested information (ie-travel dates, zones interested, a few rates for hotels in that zone during your stay, etc).