I live in NYC, and therefore never have to find a hotel, but we have decided to host Christmas and put our parents up in a hotel. I'm trying to find a hotel that is close to our apartment (in Murray Hill) that is economical to stay in for a week -- are there any websites I should check out? I would do priceline, but the geography isn't specific enough, and we could end up with hotels that are over a mile away, when we want things in close walking distance of our apartment.

Quickbook tells you the name of the hotel, so you can get a better idea of what is closer. So does travelocity or orbitz.

Why don't you walk around the neighborhood, find hotels that look okay, then call them up for prices. If you don't like their prices on the phone, look on-line.

Favored websites for NYC hotels are quikbook.com as Mike mentions-also hotels.com, hotres.com, travelzoo.com

In Murray Hill, the places that come to mind are the Shelburne Murray Hill (I think it's Park or Lex & 37-38). It's an all suite hotel (nice for a week's stay) & I think they might even have a fridge in the room. The Doral Park on Park & 38th is another thought. Further south, the Park South on 28th betw Park & Lex (www.parksouthhotel.com) often has specials on their own website.

If you're not used to searching hotels on the internet, tripadvisor.com is a good place for hotel reviews from both users & guidebooks. They also have links to disount websites. The good news is most tourists don't know the benefits of the Murray Hill area so prices are often very good. I know there are some reviews of the Shelburne on tripadvisor. Good luck & happy cooking!

The Murray Hill Inn is on East 30th and I have heard really great reviews.

The Roger Williams is on Madison and 29th, I think, client and his wife stayed there and loved it.

On Lex there around 32 there is a Comfort Inn.

There is the Suites Hotel, not sure of the name on 34th between Lex and 3rd.

Where are you in Murray Hill that would also help.

I don't how much you know about Priceline, but you have plenty of time to strategize. Why not go to www.biddingfortravel.com and post your question there? Just be sure to follow the correct format or you're sure to be slammed. Any hotel the area described as mid-town south would seem to be near you.

BFT currently lists the following 2.5* hotels in the area described as mid-town south: Roger Williams Hotel, Hotel 41 at Times Square, Ramada Plaza - The New Yorker,
Murray Hill East Suite Hotel, and Doral Park Avenue. I just got the Murray Hill for $75 and have seen it go for as low as $67.

The Carlton Arms is at 160 E 25th, and it's pretty cheap.
http://www.carltonarms.com/

I have never failed to get a hotel room in the Midtown East area of NYC for over $85 at priceline.com.

I have stayed at both Murrey Hill Suites and Dumont Plaza. Loved them both!

At priceline - the most difficult to obtain are midtown west and the area around central park south. Midtown East is easy to get on most attempts.

kcw214:
Try the Red Roof Inn on 32nd street, I have stayed there and have recommended it to others. Newer property, nice people. Clean Rooms!

If you ask the front desk for specials or discounts I have received $89-$99 a night. Just have to hit it right!
John

Hotel Stanford on 32nd (between Broaday and 5th) is another you might want to check out.

I know how priceline works -- the reason we can't use it is not because of the unavailability of hotels, but because of the lack of specificity in the geographic limitations you can set. We live in Midtown South East -- midtown South West is not particularly accessible from our apartment, and you can't specify that. Thanks for the other suggestions.

I like the Dumont Plaza, run by the company formerly called Manhattan East Suites now called Affinia - www/affinia.com

In a similar situation (I live in NYC), we've used Priceline. I always check biddingfortravel.com to see what hotels seem to be awarded in the designated areas. This summer we were awarded the Shelburne Suites hotel thru priceline (midtown west). The room wasn't a suite (called a studio), but did have a little kitchenette area. The hotel itself very pleasant and well-maintained. The rooms couldn't be cleaner. I would definitely recommend this hotel. A few years ago i bid on a room in Midtown South. I was awarded the Hotel Avalon which is a suites hotel. The suite was quite roomy (a bedroom with 2 fullsize beds and a living room area with a pull out sofa. 3 adults stayed there, very comfortably. That hotel also included a nice continental breakfast. It's locate on 32nd St neat 5th av.

Thanks for all the replies, though I'm a bit surprised at how many people told me to try priceline when I said (twice) that I can't use it, and gave a valid reason why. My parents are leaning toward the Park South, which we found a decent rate for on quikbook.

I hink either priceline or quickbook.com would be the way to go.