New York In August
 

Thanks for all the advice I have been getting. I was given the tips that it was slightly cheaper to be in NY in August than September.

So I was thinking about spending a week in NY starting around 22nd August. Is this going to be a suitable time to be in the city? (think typical tourist)

I notice the US Open starts then - will that make accommodation hard to find? I was hoping to use priceline.

Otherwise I will probably push it slightly into the first weeks of September.

Summer is prime tourist time (judging from the crowds I see when I'm out at lunch) in NYC. The weather will be hot and sticky. The middle to the end of September would be better if you plan on walking a lot.

The US Open is held in Forest Hills (Queens). Traffic in and around NYC is always bad. Doesn't matter if the US Open is going on or not.

Thanks for your help. I realise I better give some context. I am a New Zealander in London. I will be travelling 3 months through Canada US on my way home.

Flying in and training out. No cars for me (whew!).

August isn't slightly cheaper, it is much cheaper than September. Once you get into September, it is peak season until after New Years with prices dropping only a little the week before Christmas.

Just did a quick search and it looks like hotel rooms are averaging about $125 more per night in September than August.

If you can, come before the Open starts. Although there is always something happening in NYC - that's one of the events that tends to take up hotel rooms - meaning Priceline will have less inventory. And - assuming there are only 2 of you Priceline is probably the best bet for getting a pleasant hotel at a reasonable price.

Ahhhhh a favorite topic. My wife and I are visiting NYC for the US Open August 31-September 4. We reserved a room at the Marriott Financial Center for $209/ night. If I were you I would reserve immediately or try priceline {also look at biddingfortravel.com.

We go to NYC every August for the NYC Gift Show (I own a store) and it can be comfortable to incredibly hot - a few years ago it was 99 degress in Central Park while we were there. The good news is that just about every place has airconditioning and it's easy to escape the heat and enjoy the city. Start looking for your hotel now and if you can book something cancelable - do it. Then you can play around on Priceline or search for deals on other

ooop - was not ready to post that!! Ok here's the rest:

. . . deals on other websites like travelzoo.com I did try Priceline last August but could not beat the rate I found through the gift show.

August prices are much cheaper than Sept. but you do run the risk of very hot weather. That's the trade off. ;) Despite the Open, you shouldn't have a bad time finding a hotel. Play around with dates though if your dates are flexible. Go to quikbook.com and check differences for the week before and after.

If one can stand the heat & humidity, August is a fine month to be in New York because many New Yorkers leave, meaning dinner reservations are easier to get etc.

(I, for example, spend most of the month in Bridgehampton, out on eastern Long Island. Getting dinner reservations out there is, unfortunately, impossible.)

PS You need to make a cancelable reservation anyway. If you want to start the trip on a Wed., Aug 29 looks to be a good bet.

Thanks for all the advice. I'd never heard of Quikbook - it looks pretty good. I will be booking my flights after Easter and then will get straight onto booking accommodation in NY.

I know NY will be hot. (Can't be any worse than Singapore surely? and I lived through that!) And I'll be in New York!!

I have never yet set foot in the US (I always go the other way around the world!)

OK. I thought I'd give you an update as your advice is soo helpful.

I have booked Virgin Atlantic flights on the 22nd August and booked a (cancellable) 6 nights at the Radio City Apartments.

I am going to try Priceline in a few weeks and see if I can get a 4* for less than what I have booked.

So (happy sigh) that is 6 nights sorted for our trip. Only another 55 to book.

Sounds like you have made some nice plans. I've stayed at RCA and it is not fancy (and doesn't pretend to be), but it perfectly acceptable. They have done some renovations over the past few years with new carpet, renovated baths, etc. the staff is nice, rooms are very clean, and the location is great - very convenient. If you can beat/match the price for a fancier 4* via Priceline go for it, but if you don't "win" anything don't worry - you'll be fine at RCA.

I also think "you done good" ;) Just a heads up that lately it seems Priceline bids are mostly successful at the very last moment. I gather most of that 55 days is in Canada?