NYC Hotel Teens & $$ ! Help!
 

End of July we are taking our family of three boys (19,15,12) and 2 boys from the Netherlands on their 1st trip to the U.S. (19, 18)to NYC. Where is a place 7 of us could stay that would be a nice experience w/out breaking the bank with 2 rooms (or a suite??). Modern or funky would be fun esp with mostly boys. Frilly foo-foo would not be lol. We're going to all the NYC attractions but we don't nec. have to stay in Times Square area if we could get to a subway. Thank you for ANY suggestions!!!

Probably the most important thing to know is your budget (and then we'll probably say it's too low :) , but it's a good idea to see what your expectations are).
Many rooms in NYC can only hold 2, so considering than you need rooms for 6 adults plus a 12 year old, you may need at least 3 rooms

OK *gulp*...how about this...what would be a reasonable nightly room budget expectation for me to have in NYC? I'm in PA so I'm sure that I will need to be seated when I read the reply :-) My husband was thinking $150 or so per room... (stop laughing!!) lol

OK. I'll try to break this to you gently. :)
That's probably not a realistic amount, though if you consider some hotels with shared baths, you might get close.
I find that travelzoo is a reliable website that offers really good deals at reputable hotels. If you look at their current deals, you will see that the only thing that comes close is a budget hotel in Brooklyn. Remember that hotel taxes add about 13.5%
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/new-york-hotels/

If you can't get anything in your price range, would you rather go up in price, stay out of town and travel in (not generally recommended as it may add hours of commuting time to your day) cancel the trip?
There may be other ways you can save money on this trip (cheap or free events, cheap food) so let us know what you think works for you

If you want to stay in Manhattan you're really looking at closer to $300 per night minimum. Even in low season (Jan, Feb) it's really near to impossible to find a hotel in NYC for $150/night. You could try Priceline but it only guarantees rooms with an occupancy of 2, so you'd need 3-4 rooms.

1) You could try Craigslist and look at possible vacation rentals (some offer nightly rates instead of weekly).

2) You may want to look at the Pod Hotel www.podhotel.com They have Summer Special rates on their website starting at $119 (for a double). Call and find out what the rates are for the Townhouse Studio (Sleeps 4), Double Double (Sleeps 4) or Veranda Room (Sleeps 3). These will be more than $150/night - but like other poster says, could be difficult to find 2 rooms or a suite for 7 people at $300 or under in Manhattan. May be worth it to spend extra money on the hotel to avoid subway or train fare for 7 people commuting into Manhattan from one of the boroughs or NJ.

Rooms at Pod Hotel are VERY small - but then again, I've stayed at Sheratons and Marriotts in Manhattan that cost more than double and they aren't a whole lot bigger!

3) If you decide on a borough, maybe The Sofia Inn in Brooklyn (near Grand Army Plaza/Prospect Park) would meet your needs even though it is slightly more than you want to spend. Nice neighborhood, and the 2 or 3 subway takes you into Manhattan (approx 30-45 minutes to midtown). It's not funky and modern, but also not "frilly foo-foo". Has air conditioning and they are kid friendly. For about $450/night, you can get both a suite that sleeps up to 5 and a standard room that sleeps 2.

Taking 5 kids to NYC will be very expensive. Once you get past the accomodation issue, there's cost of food, entry to sightseeing places etc. Have you thought this all through? It's certainly possible to find affordable housing. If you're not too fussy you could even share a dorm room at a hostel, but what about everything else which can easily cost $300-500/day with your crowd?

Are you driving from PA?

If you can budget about $275 per room in Manhattan, I think you can find something if you start looking (cheap hotels book up the fastest). But consider this: Book a room at the Comfort Inn Long Island City for about $225 a night, and you are exactly 1 subway stop from Manhattan (about 10 minutes from Midtown at most) and can even take a taxi back to the hotel if it's late at night for less than $25 if you want to skip the subway.

I'd urge you NOT to stay in NJ for one very important reason. NJ Transit trains and buses have gotten pretty expensive and the cost of 7 people coming into Manhattan can erase the savings on a cheaper hotel. That is, if you can find a Meadowlands hotel for $150 per night (possible), you still might have to pay $6 per person each way to come into Manhattan, thus erasing almost all your savings and limiting you to non-tourist-friendly transport that aimed more at commuters.

You'll find plenty of food options that will be attractive to teens that won't be that much more than anywhere else, so I wouldn't worry about that, but attractions in NYC are also pretty expensive, so just prepare for some sticker shock. Even parking is going to cost you about $30 per night (even in queens). There is one hotel in Manhattan that offers free parking, though I can't think of hte name.

Also check the prices on Holiday Inn Express, HoJo (in Soho ... very good location for teens), and Apple Core Hotels. But I still think most hotels will cost closer to $300 in Manhattan. You can sometimes get good weekend rates if you are willing to stay far downtown (but bad transit access on weekends).

Wow you all are great & quick with replies! Thank you! This trip is a definate. Can't come to U.S. without going to NYC! That's just not American! Sightseeing etc. we are good to go. Have taken French groups there on tour and we've learned how to pack it in lol We've just never stayed overnight. This will be our first time as well. I guess I can forego the dream of staying in Times Square lol (At least with kids ;-) Well I am going to look up all your suggestions so far and try to do the best we can. Obviously we are getting a reality check on prices! We'll have to stay outside the city area but comfort is no compromise. I need my sleep! I don't do nappy hotels lol *mumbles something about piggy banks* Thank you all for giving me some reality checks and places to try/suggestions. I'm going to keep checking and appreciate the info.

Take a look at some of the midtown suite hotels, like Radio City Apartments or Murray Hill East Suites. The latter has one-bedroom apartments that can accommodate 4 people and have fully equipped kitchens, which might help you save on some meal costs, since teenage boys need twice as much food per day as anybody else. They also give kid rates for up to age 18.

p.s. Oh and yes we are driving through to PA. Train tickets were through the roof!

Try the Salisbury Hotel, the Affinia hotel group, the Metro and the Travel Inn hotel. Also, try websites like www.quikbook.com - a reputable site which sometimes has good discounts. Good luck and have fun!

Here's a thread from TripAdvisor regarding staying outside of Manhattan. Might be a good option for you.

http://tinyurl.com/68fv8o

Since you are driving, one option to consider is the Holiday Inn in Ft. Lee, New Jersey. Rooms are decent, relatively inexpensive and from there you can DRIVE your own car over the GW bridge into the city (assume you'll have a vehicle that seats 7) and park it in Manhattan. Look for a garage at
iconparking.com

If you want to try staying in Manhattan, the Travel Inn is the only hotel in NYC with free parking and they have rooms with 2 double or queen beds that will sleep 4. They also happen to have an outdoor pool (not common in NYC). The Skyline is another in Manhattan option with $10/day parking.

You could also check out the larchmonthotel.com
They have at least one family suite and the other rooms have shared bathrooms which makes it much more affordable. Maybe a family suite and another 1 or 2 rooms would work. If you find a place in NYC, use iconparking.com for the car. Good luck!

Thank you everyone! We've been going through the sites & ideas and think we have settled on the Holiday Inn in Harmon Meadow Secaucus NJ that was on one of the sites mentioned. Hotel seems nice, reasonable price, free parking, and public transportation into Times Square. Thank you for all your suggestions! If anyone wants to offer suggestions on the best places to eat that locals go to (non-touristy) please let me know! Usually we just pop in some place and try it out. Hit & miss approach. Thanks!

p.s. That iconparking site is pretty cool!! Definate keeper!!

If you want to eat non-touristy, stay away from chains and times square for food.

Teens love the village area and there are lots of restaurants. The east village is loaded with many good, reasonably priced places.

Any particular kind of food?

No particular food preference. Open to any food types. Thanks!

CHeap eats for lunch:
grey's papaya or papaya king (various locations)
pizza - best slices are at Joe's on Carmine ST (near Bleecker and 6th)
for a pie got to John's or Lombardi's (there's lots more recs if you search here about NYC pizza)
Various gyro/falafel places in the village area, many on and around MacDougal St.

For dinner (mostle in village area)
restaurants in 'little india' - E. 6th st between 1st and 2nd Avs
Cafe Mogador - middle eastern
Moustache - middle eastern
Lederhosen - german
Saigon Grill - vietnamese
La Annan -vietnamese
cucina de pesce - italian with very cheap prix fixe
Spice - Thai
Cafe Espanol - spanish

There are many more, but this is wht comes to mind. Check nmenupages.com to view menus and read user comments.

Well - you may be able to drink and dance - but the kids are all illegal - no bars and few clubs willing to let them in (since clubs make money off drinks, which the kids can't do.) I know a shock to the Dutch - being turned back into children at their ages - but such is life here.

For info on food all over the city check out menupages.com. It's searchable by neighborhood and cuisine and has actual diner reviews and actual menus.

Once again you guys rock!! THANK YOU for all the great info!!!

I'd HIGHLY recommend taking a look at the Travel Inn, it's the only hotel in the city with free parking for guests, it's about 2 blocks from Times Square AND there is a POOL, which the kids will love.

The rates are good there, and the rooms are large by NY standards. My cousin, husband and 3 kids stayed there in one room a couple of years ago and liked it alot enought to stay there again this summer.

There are also a couple of B&B's in my neighborhood that would work and be in your budget, with a short walk to the subway. www.sugarhillinn.com and The Harlem Landmark Inn. From Hamilton Heights it's a 15 minute subway ride to Times Square. Also there is a city pool closeby as well.

Hope this helps.

Tgold777 , hotels in New jersey are definitely much cheaper, but make sure you understand what the commuting really involves.

If you are talking about taking a bus or train into NYC everyday, make sure you know EXACTLY how far the stop is from your hotel and whether this is a shuttle available from the hotel take you to and from the stop.
Check the bus and train schedules so you don't get stuck at night in NY (You would need to take 2 taxis back to NJ, and since it is crossing state lines NYC taxis are not required to take you there. You might end up with a car service charge of well over $100!)
Factor in the cost of 7 bus or train fares, too.--(looks like about $6-7 per person R/T)

If you get a hotel in NYC (even Queens or Brooklyn) you will only be a cheap 24 hours a day subway ride away from any of your destinations

We used to used the Travel Inn as a backup (if not lucky on Hotwire or Priceline). Nice enough place to stay when the rate was $150/night. But, rates there have soared to $250-350/night.

But, here's another huge recommendation for the Holiday Inn Fort Lee at GW Bridge. We've stayed there many times. It truly is a 20 minute drive to/from Midtown, except at rush hour. Though we left Midtown at rush hour one day and it took us only 30 minutes. (Note $8 bridge toll, charged in only one direction - can't remember which.)

Parking is free. Rooms are very nice (spacious) and all have microwaves and refrigerators. They have double/doubles and a AAA discount. Sometimes there's a pre-pay discount.

Best is that there is a restaurant within with excellent (no kidding) food, most dinners less than $10 - American comfort food. The breakfast buffet is amazing for less than $10 ($8.95 to my recollection). There's a gas station next to the parking lot with a convenience store for soda, juice, snacks, etc.

This has been our choice of place to stay when I don't get lucky with Hotwire or Priceline. And, I use iconparking.com, too.

We've tried Secaucus and Jersey City, but the George Washington Bridge is a breeze anytime compared to the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel!

I totally agree with those who strongly advise to determine exactly what "public transportation" to Midtown from Secaucus involves. Just because it's available does not mean that it's inexpensive or convenient. Find out the location of the bus stop. Is it in walking distance? Will the hotel shuttle take your "group"? Kids over 11 pay full fare. To my recollection, the bus fare is $3.90 each way, so that's $54.60 round trip every day.

At any rate, be SURE to read the reviews of the Holiday Inn Secaucus on TripAdvisor.

I stayed at the LaQuinta in Manhattan (free on points) and enjoyed the hotel and the location. Check your dates but the rooms could be under $200. I may be going back soon to Queens for business and I checked out the LQ in Queens. It got very good reviews on TripAdvisor, the subway is 2 blocks away that goes directly to Times Square. There are family restaurants nearby too. For a NYC trip, I'd rather be right in Manhattan, but the LQ in Queens sounds like an economical alternative.
www.lq.com

The La Quinta is one of the Apple Core group of hotels in Manhattan; all are very good values but usually above the OP's stated budget. You can check up on all of them simultaneously at:

http://www.applecorehotels.com/

Unfortunately, budget hotels are often booked far in advance, especially during family vacation periods.

Please double check not only the distance of the Secaucus hotel from the bus, but also the COST of the bus. I think the cost of the bus is $3.15 each way. I don't know if any of the kids will ride as children or if they're too old. I don't know if there's a discounted roundtrip ticket but not, that could add $44/day to your expenses not to mention the time to travel and inconvenience. I think you want something closer unless the place is an absolute bargain.

Starrs is right. For $40 a night more (less than the cost of your NJ Transit tickets into Manhattan from Seacaucus) you can stay in the La Quinta Inn on W. 32nd Street (a convenient location for tourists). Of course, the savings may be a wash because you have to pay for parking, but the added convenience is really invaluable IMO.

It's $10 per night less to stay in LIC Queens, and parking will probably be cheaper there as well.

I do hope you'll reconsider.

There is limited free parking at the LQ in Queens.

This is like putting a puzzle together! lol Will definately double check costs/stops/and locations. I may need to also check for wheelchair access as I may be gray-haired and feeble by th time this planning becomes more solid than jello lol! Thank you everyone!

"Check the bus and train schedules so you don't get stuck at night in NY (You would need to take 2 taxis back to NJ, and since it is crossing state lines NYC taxis are not required to take you there."

just thought I'd comment...I live most of the time in NJ :-)

and, if you should ever happen to miss the last direct bus/train/whatever...and a taxi does not want to take you there...you can always get to either the Newark Airport (taxi or Airlink train) or on the 24 PATH train to Hoboken (depending which is closed to where you are based!) and you can take a taxi "home" from there - just thought it might be useful to someone as to not be "stuck" for the night! (that said...there are trains out to me in Maplewood until around 1:30am - so, I doubt, with kids, someone would be out later than that anyway)

Here's a link to a deal from travelzoo for the new Holiday Inn on 6th Avenue and 26th Street. Prices look very good for a new hotel in a good location.
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/new-york-hotels/430387
Prices are good until September

Tgold777,

Look at these also. All budget, all well vetted, all in Manhatten. Some have private bath - some don't. Sort by neighborhood. You're looking at two rooms per night, BTW.
You can do it!

http://www.eurocheapo.com/newyork/newyork-hotels.html

I'm so angry about that Travel Zoo deal...we called and the hotel said that everything is booked through SEPT but they just haven't had time to update the website yet!!!! GRRrrrrr!!!! We let them know what we thought of their failure to change the advertisement. I hope enough other people also let them know so that they think twice before pulling "bait and switch" deals like they presently are!
(Thank you for the idea though...not upset with you - it was a great idea we were ready to do!)
Signed, Frustrated

p.s. I'm still looking at hotel options. Have the one I mentioned booked still as fallback and continuing to look for better.

Comments? We originally booked the motel I mentioned because of the public transportation etc. Now my husband is saying because of cost etc. he may just pay for parking and drive into NYC & back at night. We're going to Blue Men (yeah!) and MIGHT be out driving at 10:30/11 at night to the hotel...is this safe for tourists? I know the city never sleeps & traffic is amusing during the day (I've never heard any place honk as loud & as loooooong as the NYC "get out of my way honk"!!! LOL). Would you say "definately take public transp and forgo driving yourself at all costs? Or it does not matter? My husb is pretty city-saavy driving. Thoughts?

p.p.s. Are any of you friends/family with Donald Trump? Maybe he will cut us a deal in the Trump towers *wink wink nudge nudge*

Final decision. OK... we "unbooked" previous reservations. Our decision at long last will reside with: Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus/Meadowlands
875 Route 3 East Service Road, Secaucus, NY 07094 (unless Mr. Trump will host us free)
Exc rates ($148.35 with tax) per room (x2). 15min transit transport to Times Sq. or will take our own car & pay to park for day (dependent on your answers). Now we'll look at area food options/suggestions *bangs head on keyboard* (Thank you!)

I don;t wish to discourage you but the only way from Meadowlands to Times Square in 15 minutes is by helicopter.

Depending on traffic and direction (with versus against commuters) it can take 30 minutes or 45 or an hour. If there is really bad traffic - or an accident etc - it can take more.

I understand your budget needs- but do count on spending 2 hours a day commuting to/fro your hotel.

2 hours??? Even if it is public transportation?? Does off hours make a difference (such as 11pm)?
holy cow....

"2 hours a day commuting" I think meant both ways, total time back and forth, 1 hour each way.

At 11 PM the traffic shouldn't be bad, the actual trip might take 15 minutes, but don't underestimate the transit time.

If you go into the city via shuttle, from Blue Men in the East Village you will need to get back to Times Square to get to your return shuttle. Add the additional time and cost for 7 people to take subways or cabs to Times Square. Add waiting time for the shuttle if you are early or just miss a shuttle.

If you go into the city via your own car, you'll have to choose a place to park and pay for it. Depending on where you park, add that travel time to get back to your car, get your car out of the garage and pay for it, and/or to drive through the city from where you parked to the Lincoln Tunnel.

The ride itself at that hour might be 15 minutes in the best of times, but making all the connections will add more time dedicated to the commute. Certainly some of this same time would be used to get back to your hotel even if it was within Manhattan, but I know people often forget to consider all the connections in their timing.