janette

Has anyone any experience with New York Inns - Amsterdam, Murray Hill and Union Square? A friend of mine is thinking to book at one of them. I'm concerned that she may be unhappy since it's her first trip to NY - sounds like they may be more student/budget oriented than for a 40 year old.

I've always had good luck at the Belvedere and the location is fabulous but it's higher priced than she was hoping for. I don't see much of anything lower except for very budget such as the NY Inns - any suggestions?

ellenem

This thread has a brief description of Murray Hill Inn.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35119508

nytraveler

A "guy behind bars" doesn;t sound budget oriented - he sounds like rent by the hour.

How much does your friend want to spend and when - and perhaps people can make suggestions.

ellenem

My office is on the same block as the Murray Hill Inn, so I see its visitors all the time. This is not a by-the-hour place--just very, very basic for travelers on a tight budget.

mclaurie

I don't think they're solely for students but certainly for budget travelers. I think there are better options than those. Depending on when she's coming, the Belvedere may be quite pricey. 414 hotel is in the area of the Belvedere and might work. http://www.hotel414.com/

Another nice option could be Desmond Tutu Center. Look on their website and also quikbook.com

chelsealodge.com with shared toilet (you get your own shower and sink) or chelsealodgesuites.com is another good option.

janette

Thanks to all for the info. It seems she would like to spend under $300 per night - less if possible. The Belvedere has a special that includes a full breakfast and with that it would be within her budget - the special is about $269 per night when she's going (Nov 6-9).

I've taken advantage of that in the past and found it great to just get up, head down for a full breakfast and be able to head out for the day after that. Unfortunately there's no availability for that special then and the regular rooms there are running over $400 without breakie.

I'll check out your suggestions and pass the info on to her. It's so confusing - "guy behind bars", "more like a halfway house" comments scare me but then they do get some okay reviews. My friend has stressed that she isn't concerned about much more than clean and a place to sleep but I still know how great it is to get back to a comfy hotel with elevators - seems the NY Inns are walk-ups - Yikes!

Also, this is a special treat for her 40th birthday and sharing a bathroom doesn't sound like a treat to me. Maybe that's just me though.

I'll check out the hotels suggested - any others would also be appreciated.

Many thanks again.

mclaurie

On quikbook.com the Park South is $279/night plus tax. Very good option and they include cont. b/f. The Desmond Tutu Center is $303/night w/full b/f.

If she wants something more like an apt., west-eleventh.com is a lovely place in Greenwich Village that has a suite for $305 plus tax for those nights. Chelsealodgesuites.com offers similar and might be free.

mclaurie

Oops, by "..might be free.." I meant available.

travelbuff

You might suggest the Grand Union Hotel (www.hotelgrandunion.com) to her as good not expensive hotel and probably well within her budget.

Also there's the Big Apple Inn just off 8th Ave that has gotten good reviews, and uptown in my area there's the Sugar Hill Inn and the Harlem Landmark Guest House both VERY nice.

janette

Ah - "free" mclaurie - now that would work with the budget.

Thanks so much again to you and travelbuff for the additional choices - I'll pass them on to her - sounds much more like appropriate places to stay for her "special" weekend.

bluiii

I am traveling to NY in October (high season) and found hotels to be extremely expensive. I looked into the budget hotels and they looked so dismal! So, I rented an apartment through VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner) and am extremely excited. One bedroom at 48th & Broadway -- new condo building, doorman, kitchen, laundry, balcony, wall to ceiling windows, rooftop, etc. It looks beautiful All for less that $400 per night (taxes are included.) VRBO has a 100% money back guarantee so I am not too concerned. I know many people that have rented through VRBO.

mclaurie

Apt. rentals in NYC can be very problematic. I suggest you not make recommendations before you yourself have seen whether the place is legitimate. There are apt. scams all over the internet for NYC. I hope you are not another victim. If you want an opinion, post the exact link to the apt. you've rented. I hope you haven't wired money into someone's bank acct. That's a definite sign of a scam.

NeoPatrick

bluiii, just for the record, you do know, I hope, that you must register your trip with HomeAway after booking with a VRBO owner in order to be eligible for refund if the apartment ends up being bogus? It's free, but you must register the details of your trip within (I think) 7 days of booking.