We are staying 4 nights in May in NYC, and
I start looking for Hotels, and was amazed
about the prices $$$ they are very expensive. We just returned from Spain, and
the hotels were not as expensive not even in
Madrid. I need help to book a nice hotel
at a good locaation for less than $300.
Thanks.

When in May?

You really can't compare hotel prices in Madrid with hotel prices in NYC. I'm guessing you are referring to Manhattan?

Not only when, but what do you want to do, and what would be a good location in your eyes (middle of lots of action, quiet neighborhood, etc.). Also, how many of you are there, and do you need more than one bed?

Why would anyone think that hotels in Manhattan would be cheaper than in Madrid or nearly any other major city?

What do you mean by a "nice" hotel. If you mean luxury - the rack rate of luxury hotels in NYC is $500 plus - just like every other major city. (No one ever said NYC was a bargain.)

What type of hotel are you looking for (*?), location and how many are you? If there are only 2 you can use Priceline as long as you don't need to specify the hotel or particular amenities.

Just returned from NYC and our hotel desk staff said that April is very busy and May is even more so. If you see a rate that you can live with - book it! The rooms will continue to sell fast and the prices will only go up as your travel date approaches.

Try quikbook.com or travelzoo.com for some options

My comment was that hotels in Manhattan,
were very expensive, and that Madrid
is a very nice and cosmopolitan city,
with a lot of history, and civilization,
and you cannot compare hotels prices with
N.Y.C. We stayed in Madrid in a very
nice Hotel 4 stars, and a great location
for $179.00 with buffet breakfast included. Sorry,if anyone felt offended!! I think people are very
agressive these days.

maybe have a look at www.quikbook.com
I always manage to book a room in a 5 star hotel (the Muse, The Times, W NY Times Square) under 220$. Worth trying?

by the way : prices all depend on what is happening in Manhattan, amongst others, there is a big furniture fair (ICFF)going on between May 13-17, so that lifts hotel rates too.

Sorry if any of us seemed "aggressive" but you seemed to be operating under the asumption that NYC hotel prices should be less than Madrid for some reason. Can't think why they should be - and to my knowledge thay have always been significantly higher than Madrid - it's only the fall of the dollar vs the euro that has made them more similar.

Granted Madrid is a major city with some pleasant things to do - but it's no New York!

Thank you africa_lover, for your
suggestions, I am going to look at
quickbook.
nytraveler, NYC its a great city and
everything you want, but Madrid is one
of the worlds mayor capitals, in beauty,
in history, and in architecture, you
cannot compare it with NYC. because
its something completely diferrent.

I did price-line and requested 4 star near times square and got the Hilton for $100 a night.

No one is aruing that Madrid is different from NYC - but what affects hotel rates is the occupancy rate - and therefore the # of travellers. And NYC has a huge number of industry conventions every year - as well as probably 10 times the number of tourists as Madrid.

And that's because while Madrid is unique (although not my favorite - it reminds me of Chicago more than anyplace else to tell you the truth) - it is not a world capitol like New York, London or Paris.

The other thing that seems to be affecting NY hotel prices is the weak dollar attracting lots of international visitors whose currency goes much farther here. You still haven't told us when you're coming and what your plans are so we can help you find a decent hotel.

We are going to New York on May 17
until May 21.
Last time we stayed at the Roosevelt
hotel, but i checked and its very
expensive on those dates.

A lot of hotels are showing at least partly sold out for those dates. Quickbook did have the Warwick - an older, traditional hotel not unlike the Roosevelt - available for those dates for under $300. I can;t vouch for it personally and would check with tripadvisor.com - but I believe a couple of people here have stayed there recently and not complained.

Try the Millenium Hilton ... very close to Tribecca and the financial district .. but the subway is right there .. frequently you can get a package with parking or breakfast for under $200 .. and the hotel is only two years old .. with plasma television sets .. it really is a good value ...

Also check www.hotels.com for pricing, availability and hotel locations.

The Hotel Grand Union just off Madison AVe, has good rates and a nice location.

Have a fun time while you are here.

We just stayed at the Grand Hyatt next to Grand Central Station. Great location, but the hotel room itself wasn't anything extraordinary.

Thanks everyone for your help, I am going to check the hotels, and if
I don't find a good price, I may
go to Priceline and cross my fingers.