My husband and I visit family in Long Island each year and take a couple of days and stay in the City. While hotels are always expensive, this year seems to be higher than ever (and we are going about the same time of year). We need a room for 9/7 and 9/8 (Thursday and Friday). I am up to $140 bid on Priceline for a 4* in either mid-town West, Central Park or Upper West Side, and there is nothing. All of the prices on the discount hotel sites I have looked at are much higher than last year too. I could change the dates by a day or two...is there something going on that I am not aware of?

I suggest trying www.hotels.com to see what is available the weekend you are going to be here.

Also try the Grand Union on E32nd St the website is www.hotelgrandunion.com. The prices there are around $200 for a very nice double.

Have a great time.

Hotel prices have skyrocketed but there are always specials on travelzoo.com. Right now all the specials featured are through Sept 4, Labor Day. You should book something now that's cancellable. I see the Excelsior on the upper westside and the Park South just below midtown both for under $200/night on quikbook. I'd book one of those and then continue to bid on PL if you want and/or keep an eye on travelzoo.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I do not see these hotels when I look on Quickbook. What is frustrating on sites such as hotels.com, is that it will show the rate starting as $189 and then when you look further,it is really $389 or higher.

The city is mobbed with europeans since the dollar is so low versus the pound and the euro. Also several large hotels have been/are being turned into condos taking more rooms out of circulation.

I had looked at September for someone else and the applecore group of budget hotels had some rooms available from $159 through $189 - depending on day and hotel. They get reasonable reviews for budget places and it might be worth looking at.

"...but I do not see these hotels when I look on Quickbook."

I don't know why. I still see both the Park South and the Excelsior for those dates for less than $200/night average for 9/7-8. After you've plugged in NYC and the dates etc. and clicked "submit", then press "sort by" price. The lowest prices will appear first and you should see these on the first page.

Now I see it, thank you ! I'm not sure why I wasn't seeing it before.

There is an article in Frommers Budget Travel this month talking about several new hotels that have opened in NYC at very reasonable prices. MAYBE since they are new, you can still get a room.

http://tinyurl.com/mncpv

Hope this helps...
Debi

Actually, that Courtyard Upper Eastside mentioned that's just opening in July might be a great idea.