My son and his girlfriend are looking for a hotel for one night in NYC. They have never been there before. Is there such a thing as a hotel for about $200 per night? They are interested in visiting the Statue of Liberty ,Empire State Building and an art museum. They will arrive by bus from Boston. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Yes there are hotels for $200 per night -- sometimes. When are they coming? Time of the year, day of the week matter a lot
Are they over 21? Some hotels will not allow under 21s to register and check in.

When are they coming. Prices are moderate now since a lot of locals are on vacation and business travel is slow. They should check out all the discount web sites to see who has deals.

If you look at Hotwire they have On the Ave - on the upper west side for only $199 a night - a great deal. Or they can try to figure out which hotels are not named at lower prices. (That was a random night in July - not sure when they are coming.)

He is 21. They are coming from Boston. They are considering Monday July 23rd.
Thanks

They will have some modest hotels available at that price.

If they 'd consider coming a day early and stay one night Sunday night, they may do really well getting better hotel for the price. Sunday is the least busy night as weekend tourists have gone home and business travelers usually don't arrive till Monday

For example here's a listing from Travelzoo
$168 -- Times Square 4-Diamond Hotel in Summer, Save $200
Sundays July 22 - Aug. 26
Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
http://www.marriott.com/reservation/...ityCalendar.mi

On the Ave was middle of the week - and you know what you're getting. Definitely check it out - a great area that's busy but not a frantic as staying in Times Square.

Priceline is another option--we've had good luck in NYC.

Also be sure they are aware that taxes and fees on hotel rooms add up to about 15%, so verify if the prices quoted include tax. For example, a room that costs $200 per night would cost about $232 with taxes and fees.

Priceline is fine if you kow how to use it. But they should be aware that the * levels given come from the hotels themselves - not any third-party - and are often quite optimistic. I wouldn;t bid anything lower than a 3* - and preferably a 4*.

I've used quikbook.com 6 times now for NYC. I like this site because the rates are quite good and you don't have to pre-pay, and you don't bid on a "mystery" hotel. (Note: there are some pre-pay rates, but they are clearly designated.)

Then just double-check hotel ratings on tripadvisor or other sites like that.

The two of them are fairly young and not knowing how skittish they are about a new city, they may want to stay in midtown. But if they're a bit more "alternative"... and this is not by any means "edgy," I liked my last stay at the Hampton Inn Soho. The hotel is on a dull street, but in two, short blocks, you're in SOHO. Just an idea.

I like the Hampton Inn SoHo too.

just to be clear: quikbook also has Secret Sale hotels, not cancellable and no changes, prepaid too. They can find great deals this way. Do they have a credit card? They'll need to put one on the room. I don't know if it makes a difference but his GF is 18/+ yrs old, right?

No one will ask the age of the girlfriend unless she looks like she is 12. And how will he reserve the room without a credit card? But - he should check that the hotel doesn;t have a 25 and over check-in policy. (think this is rare in NYC - much more common n spring break resorts.)

16 years old can look like 12. And they (whoever 'they' are) might ask for her i.d. and question why a 21 year old man has a 16 year old in his hotel room.

His mother can reserve the room for him over the phone or online using her cc; I assumed that's why she was asking about hotel rates rather than he.

I'm sure you're right though, nytraveler....No worries.

Where are all these assumptions coming from? where does OP say the son has no credit card?
The mother/father (do we know which?) may be asking for info just to ask, not necessarily because son is too young or can't make a reservation on his own. He/she has been on Fodors for a couple years, so it probably seems like a logical place to start to help him

Since bxl4373 has not returned, perhaps plans have changed or enough information was already provided here

Since bxl4373 has not returned, perhaps plans have changed or enough information was already provided here
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Good assumptions, nyer!