NYC Hotel--Book Now or Wait?
 

My wife and I are going to NYC in late September. I've been searching hotel rates and was wondering if they might get cheaper later on or possibly more expensive as they book. I know it's hard to project supply and demand, so should I go ahead and book? I often use Hotwire.com but have noticed that their rates at this point per hotel class don't seem to be any less than Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

I'd suggest checking www.hotels.com and input your dates of travel, that way you can see what the rates are for alot of hotels in the city, for your dates and know if you are getting a decent deal.

Have a great time while you are here. September is just about the perfect time of year to be here.

Hotwire prices are often significantly higher than Priceline. I would book a cancellable back up and continue looking for discounted rates. You can check previous winning bids at biddingfortravel.com for Priceline, that's the only way we do New York when we are 2 in a room:) Alternatively, www.easyclicktravel.com offers negotiated rates on NY hotels that are cancellable until 3 days before check in. Some good deals there too, though I have been able to beat those prices on PL thus far. And also check www.quickbook.com as well as skyauction.com:)

Agree with previous posters. Book something NOW that's cancelleable that you could live with and keep checking prices. Quikbook and travelzoo are both good places to look. If you told us your dates and your budget and your "wants" we might be able to help. Also note a lot of hotels are now offering guarantees on lowest price on their own websites.

Good idea. We're looking at going September 22-25 and prefer to be in the Times Square vicinity. We're not too picky as long as it's clean and in a good area.

NYC hotel prices are nothing like they were a couple years ago. Book now and watch rates go up. At the very last minute they may fall but don't count on this. Instead, expect them to sell out.

This is a similiar cycle NYC tourism was on right before September 11th. The ADR in NYC (average daily rate) for hotels is climbing and will continue to climb. Even though they are adding new hotels all the time, they are also taking old hotels out of circulation and turning them into condos.

I still can't believe they shut down The Regent Wall Street, The Mayflower, and The Plaza.

Even though The Plaza will reopen, it will only have a fraction of the rooms it used to sell.

Labor Day through New Years is PEAK season for NYC.

I totally agree with GoTravel. If you see a rate that you can live with - BOOK NOW! I started looking in January for our April trip thinking that rates would fall sometime between Jan & April - I was wrong, they skyrocketed.

I can't believe that they closed those hotels either, but I guess the price they can sell a high-end condo or apt for outweighs the hotel profit with all the overhead, etc. It's really too bad. Rumor has it the Radisson is next as well as a few others. Although the Radisson is really no great loss!

bsam,
I was looking for rooms (about 2 weeks ago) in NYC for myself for 2 nights this coming September and many of my choices were booked solid for my dates. Book now.

The city has just announced that NYC is expecting tourism to skyrocket this year - at least in part to the fall of the dollar - but also because apparently the general public has now decided that terrorism is no longer a legimiate issue (US tourism to europe is also skyrocketing).

Prices will only be going up - not down - find something fast and book now, If you luck out with something cheaper later great- but don;t expect it.

I don't expect rates on Hotwire or Priceline to be much less than Expedia, Orbitz, or Quikbook.

Hit send too soon.

I booked my hotel for Marathon Weekend (November 4-7) back in March for $199 per night and now the same hotel is showing $399 per night for the same weekend.

Before you book using a booking site, call the hotels directly. For the big chains, call the general 800 number, and also call the specific hotel branch, and always ask for available discounts (like AAA), and if they have any special offers. Many times they do have special deals, but don't volunteer the info unless you ask. ALso check the hotel's own website. Frequenetly you can book cheaper directly with the hotel than on the booking sites.

If whereever you book allows for cancellations, then you can book a room now that looks good. You can always cancel and book elsewhere later on. Also if you book directly with the hotel, and the rates drop, or they introduce a special, they usually let you change your reservation.

Thanks. I went ahead and booked the Belvedere at $240. I may try to upgrade through Priceline or Hotwire closer to my trip dates.