I was curious if anyone has any advice as to where the best site for finding NYC hotel discounts is.
I'm trying to find a nice hotel on Manhattan for under $350 a night for December 5th to the 7th [I'm also traveling with another adult and 2 kids]. Perhaps I'm just being reckless and am missing good deals, but I have yet to find a room that could fit the 4 of us for under $350 a night. Any help is appreciated!

You've picked the most expensive time of year, many NYC hotel rooms hold only 2 people (so you're looking for a larger room) and that rate is about average for a moderate hotel at other times of year.

Have you looked at tavelzoo.com to see if they have any special offers for those days?

ttt

Try the Hampton Inn in Soho.

www.quikbook.com

Not many deals that time of year, but something may crop up.

I just found a room at the Embassy Suites near the World Financial Center and Tribeca for $299 a night. Its non-refundable, so before I book it, I wanted to ask if thats a good deal? From my research, it seems to be...but I just wanted to be sure before I go ahead and book it.

The location is in the Financial District -- sort of away from it all, but that can be a good thing. It gets great reviews on Trip Advisor and you would get a comfortable, spacious room.

I think it's a good price -- does anyone disagree?

$299 is a great price but you are quite away from the action.
at that time of year even the holiday inns and comfort inns in the mid town area charge $400 +
try quikbook.com. they specialize in n.y. hotels.
good luck and have fun!

The Embassy Suites is a bit of a difficult place to get to, especially during the cold weather. The subway from there is a bit of a hike.

You might try the Millenium which is closer to the subway and they often have specials.

Try www.hotels.com and www.hotwire.com for more suggestions.

The Grand Union in midtown might also work www.hotelgrandunion. It's close to subways/bus/shopping and restaurants.

Apple Core Hotels, NY Hotel Group, The Milford Plaza are a few that come to mind.

Book a cancellable backup and then start stalking websites.

Hotwire would be your best bet for four people.

BTW, that is one of the busiest weeks of the year so if you wait any longer, the $350 prices may be higher.

a friend just booked The Kimberly for $225, it's on E 50th.

Ultimately, I've decided that it trying to do New York on a budget on that weekend may be too much to try to do, and I've decided to forgo that weekend for the MUCH less expensive weekend [in terms of hotels] of January 16-19, 2009. Thanks so much everyone for your help, though!

My daughter and I will be in NYC that weekend, too! The trip is our annual Christmas gift to each other. When I first read your about your quest, I checked with Apple Core hotels since we're staying at one of them. In January we're paying $154 per night, but the December weekend nights were over $400! Just dress for the weather and you'll have a fine time.

You have fun, too, Anonymous!

But, yes, when i began looking at other dates, and saw that I could get 4-star rooms for us for under $250 my decision was made that that was when we were going. Its just so much more reasonable!