NYC hotel alternatives
 

Its crazy. All my NYC hotel favorites are pushing $500 a night. Anyone know of functionable alternatives( staying in NJ, Brooklyn etc) to spending that kind of money. We go to the city mostly for museums and galleries during the day and aren't late nighters.
Thanks in advance

If you stay in Jersey City near a PATH station, that's a viable alternative, but I always recommend Queens to people because are two hotels in Long Island City, either 1 or 2 stops from Manhattan by subway: A Holiday Inn Express and a Comfort Inn. Both are basic hotels, new construction, and reachable from Midtown for about $20 in cab fare if you need to do the trip quickly. To me, the advantage of Queens is that these hotels are typically cheaper than similar alternatives in NJ and also more convenient because you have the cab option, which is really unreasonable in NJ (I don't consider a $50 cab fare a reasonable fall-back).

There is also a Marriott in Downtown Brooklyn, and there are a few B&B options, including nice places in Harlem and Brooklyn.

What are your dates artman?

Chances are if Manhattan hotels are charging $500 per night, Jersey City and Brooklyn hotels are pushing $300+ for the same time period.

To me the question would be whether you'd rather stay outside the city in a better hotel for a lower price, or in the city at a lesser hotel for a lower price. For me personally, the latter always wins -- I hate to commute when I'm visiting a city, it just wastes so much time.

If you're talking about the museums on the upper east side,
>there's a b & b staythenight.com on 92 st b/w 5th & Madison that sounds ok.
>Nyhabitat.com, a reputable apt. agency usually has some decent options on the UES.
>The Marriott Courtyard on east 92 st. is new and while not as convenient as most hotels, might be an option for you.

If you don't mind not having total privacy,
>citylightsnewyork.com has some "hosted" apts. (you stay in someone's apt. with them) with your own bedroom and bathroom that have gotten good reviews.

If you can plan far enough in advance, many of the smaller b & b's are around $200-300/night but get booked quickly.
greenwichvillagehome.com
chelsealodgesuites.com
wymanhouse.com

ALso, if it's a room for 1 or 2, consider priceline. Check biddingfortravel.com to get an idea of what kind deals can be had with clever bidding.

What are your favorites? There are choices in NYC that are under $300, especially if you can do AARP, Gov't rate, or AAA. But even without - they are there.

I know NYC prices can be eye opening, but if you can't find anything that isn't pushing $500 a night, you just aren't looking. Or are you talking about New Year's Eve or something equally difficult.

Yesterday there was a post about getting a suite at the London NYC for just over $300. Wow! And several people have reported numerous finds under $300. I just found the Marriott Marquis for someone for this weekend for under $300. Or do you really mean you're looking for around $100 and anything above that is "pushing $500"?

Timing is everything though. If you want to come at the beginning of Dec., many $250-350 hotels ARE $500. The Red Roof is ~$350 at that time. #-O

If you opt for the hotels in Queens realize that while close to the city the areas they're in a re not residential - but partly business and partly other commercial (warehouse, autobody etc). You won;t find restaurants or other services nearby - but would need to eat in the city and just go back to the hotel to sleep.

I agree - you should be able to get something decent in the city (at least as good as the chain places in LIC) - for less than $500 per night - unless you mean late Nov/early Dec.