Morgana

Hi
My student son is flying home to England from California for Christmas and is stopping off for a few days in New York to do his Christmas shopping and see the sights. He's on a student grant but (having watched Home Alone far too many times) has this dream of a wonderfully central Hotel where he can step out of the door and into the lights and buzz.... I don't know where to begin searching and I don't know what sort of prices to expect - am I going to have to disillusion him??

atlcity

What is your budget?

Anonymous

Try putting the 3 words New York hotel into the search box at the top of this page. You'll find plenty of past discussions about NYC hotels in various locations and price ranges.

Be aware that lots of other people also think that Christmas shopping in NYC is a great idea -- this is a prime time for hotels, so prices will be even higher than usual.

Margie

Try some of the hotel booking sites like quikbook.com expedia.com applecore.com or travelocity.com this is a very expensive time to be in NYC, so start shopping now. If you have access to Priceline you may want to try that. Also take a look at Habitat Hotel, it is nothing fancy but the location is wonderful at 57th Street between Lexington and Park Avenues http://www.habitathotelny.com I hope your son has a wonderful time!

Morgana

I've just asked my son and he says his budget is $100 a night. Hmmm.
I have done the search thing as suggested but the amount of stuff flying back is daunting. Guess I need a quiet couple of hours to plough through it all.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Under $100 and around Christmas peak?

Hosteling International (HI/AYH) at 103rd & Amsterdam, 2 short blocks from the 103rd/Broadway stop of the #1/#9 subway.

http://www.hinewyork.org/

GoTravel

Even on priceline you will not find the hotel hell for $100 per night during the peak holiday season.

Student hostel is a great idea.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I've stayed at that hostel quite a few times, but only for short stays, arriving 10-11pm and leaving 5-6am for early flights at LGA. My experience is that it is clean and safe, not a bad neighborhood. Electronic card-keys for the rooms, and non-residents aren't allowed in dorms anyway. Best to bring a padlock for the lockers in the room or if you use the public lockers after checking out. Reasonably priced restaurants in the area. Lots of students stay there, and the hostel often had reduced price or free tickets to various venues to offer the guests. I'm middle-aged, and want something more than the hostel for a multi-day stay, but it's great for a REAL bed + shower & a short nights sleep. In my younger (student/navy) days I would have had no probem staying at a place like this for several days. No reason for your son to be disillusioned, but he's got to realize you can't have champagne tastes on a beer budget.

HowardR

Bear in mind that the room tax will be around 15-16%. So, to keep under $100, he's really looking for some at around $80-85.

mclaurie

Morgana, $100 is about 50 pounds. Think about London for 50GBP.night near Xmas. That said, I've read about a place on east 57th st (VERY centrally located) called the Habitat. The following is copied from an article in NY magazine

The Habitat Hotel
If shopping is your primary objective, then this is the perfect place to station yourself. Situated at the base of the 57th Street strip, this 60's style, London mod-inspired hotel is very popular with European tourists looking to stock up on homeland designers. Single rooms with shared baths start at $75, and deluxe queen accommodations begin at $115. It's always busy ? and can get noisy.
? 150 E. 57th St.; 212-753-8841, habitat-ny.com.

wantsomesun

Yes there are hotels that will come close to his budget. Try the Travel Inn on W. 42nd St, very close to Times Square.

I would also suggest looking at priceline.com and hotels.com for some good rates.

The city is at it's best during the Christmas holidays and if he needs any ideas of where to shop let us know.

Rob

I have no personal knowledge of the Big Apple Hostel that is located on W. 45th Street, a 2 minute walk to the "buzz and lights" of Times Square.. Dorm rooms go for about $30 a night and private rooms for $80.You can get further information at their website - www.bigappplehoste.com

Morgana

Thanks so much for all the swift replies. We are busy following them all up - the Habitat Hotel in particular sounds very promising.
We have visited New York as a family twice before, but only in July, and we truly love the place My lad wants to experience the city in December. He knows his way around the shops, and I already know that Abercrombie & Fitch is first on his hit list!
Many thanks again.
M

Anonymous

Abercrombie & Fitch?! There are several within a few miles of UC Irvine; isn't that where he goes to school?

Veronica

Check The Chelsea Internatinal Hostel, Chelsea or Larchmont Hotel, Greenwich Village. ttp://www.larchmonthotel.com/

Both are in great safe areas.

Veronica

Morgana

He hasn't started University yet - he goes in September - and therefore doesn't know what shops he will find. We have been to New York but none of the family have ever ventured across to the West coast. I can't wait to visit him next year! Is Abercrombie & Fitch spread all over the States?

gail

Abrcrombie and Fitch is everywhere in malls, etc. They also have a website. Great idea to see the sights of NYC - but I wouldn't go just to go to Abercromvbie and Fitch, even if I was young and cool enough to fit into their clothes.