NYC trip expense advice
 

Thinking of NYC around Christmas this year ... would like to do air & hotel for $1000 +/- for two of us. Can find package deals, but then when I check tripadvisor, etc on the hotels in the packages for that price ... see scary reviews. We live in the Cinti/Dayton area, and want to stay in NYC for maybe 3 nights. Anyone have any miracle suggestions? thanks!

Do I understand correctly that you want to get airfare for two and three nights at a hotel in NYC for a total of $1000? That's going to be a tough, very tough, near-impossible order to fill!

Oh, not true Howard R! Just search travelocity. Not the least bit impossible, in fact many choices. Now I have my eye on the Washington Jefferson forDec 31 through Jan 2 for ~ $1200.

I think what Howard is trying to tell you is with that size budget (airfair 7 Hotel) for a NYC trip at Christmas time you are going to end up staying at some pretty "low level" hotels which is why you are reading "scary reviews" on tripadvisor.

Even basic "chain" hotels in NYC can be very pricey and downright exhorbidant around Christmas.

I used to work in mid-town and the location of the Washington Jefferson is not someplace I'd care to stay, but perhaps you don't mind something on the budget end of the spectrum.
Good luck.

Thanks A-Traveler ... apparently Manhattan mid-town areas can vary? How does one know of a good area - I guess by reading reviews? Any other tips re: good area/hotel - might it be better (less expensive) to stay out of Manhattan and take public transp. into the city?

I think it's the airfare that will kill you. For a nonstop flight 12/23-12/26, it's going to be $300-320/person (united or US air from Dayton). You can find flights with stops/changes for ~$220/person, but at that time of year, I wouldn't chance that. At $600 for airfare, that only leaves $400 for 3 nights of hotel, a virtual impossibility in a room in Manhattan with private bath unless you were to get very lucky on Priceline.

You can find reasonable hotel rooms at that time (~$200/night) on quikbook.com (the Time, Morgans) but that will be at least $600 for 3 nights.

If you were to do the connecting flights and one of these hotels, it would just barely fit your budget, but with delays and potential weather problems, I just wouldn't chance it on such a short trip. Staying outside Manhattan for such a short trip also seems a shame, but is another way to reduce hotel costs. What you shouldn't do though is fly into LGA and stay in New Jersey.

If you could avoid New Years Eve, your prices are going to drop dramatically.

Staying outside of Manhattan can save you money on hotels but "commuting" into the city can be a real bear. I used to live in Bergen County (18 miles door-to-door) and it would take at least 1 1/2 hours each way during normal rush hours (generally between 7:30 to 9:30AM and 4:30 to 6:30PM). Figure at lease an hour each way any other time and that's if you are staying somewhere close to the city. Also, parking (assuming you drive) can get expensive. Public transportation is good but crowded (during peak travel time) and somewhat "slow" if you are going at off hours.

Look for something between 7th Avenue of the west, 72nd street on the north, Lexington Avenue on the east and 45th street on the south. There are other areas outside those perameters that are nice but it's difficult to give lots of different "boundaries" in a short response on a travel forum.

I would definitely chk out travelzoo.com there are sometimes great deals

I wouldn't chance taking an air/3-night hotel deal from Ohio to NYC for $1,000 for two!

Thanks All, getting me to think twice re: less expensive possibilities! Don't need 1st class, do need clean & decent with no timely commutes!

Just so you're aware - that is an expensvie time of year. And the average NYC hotel room - average hotel and mid season - is over $300 per night. so getting even hotel for 3 nights that time of year for $1000 will not be easy - and will definitely be a modest hotel.

Don;t know how you can also get air fare, meals, activities etc for such a tight budget.

If you wait untl January hotel rates will plummet - but - don;t know what your airfare will be . I think you need to figure that out first - then look at how much you have left for hotel and other things.

Was looking at the 1k for just airfare & lodging ... not food, fun, etc.

Wanted to go around Christmas time to see the lighted tree and shop windows, etc.

Facing reality, will most likely have to go different time of year or shorter stay or increase budget!

I think what people are trying to say is that a "decent" -- not luxurious hotel that time of year in Manhattan will run $300 a night, especially if you are including New Year's Eve. This forum is filled with people looking desperately for anything less than that. So your $1000 is eaten up with three nights of "standard" hotel. To get airfare for two thrown in for free sounds like an unbelievable bargain. But if you find it, please let us know!

If your goal is to see the X'mas lights and decorations, you can definitely visit NYC during the 2nd week of December. IIRC, the X'mas decorations go up within the first week of December. That way, you may still be able to find some *cheaper* rates for hotel, avoiding the Christmas week.

Actually, the first and second weeks of December are some of the most expensive weeks of the year for hotels!
If anything, a few days just before Xmas is when rates can go down a little as many people have done their shopping and sightseeing in NYC , and there are virtually no business travel stays here then to further pump up the rates.
Xmas day up to about 2-3 days later can also be somewhat cheaper. I've seen Travelzoo hotel deals for those dates (though they often show up closer to the date). Cheaper still doesn't mean cheap, and I'm afraid the $1000 airfare and hotel budget for 2 is very very difficult at any time of the year :(

And more than once we've gone the day after Christmas and left on New Year's Eve DAY, just hours before the prices skyrocket. We've found good hotel prices that week.

Have you checked the rates for the Milford Plaza? This is a budget hotel near Port Authority on Eight Ave.

A friend from Montreal stayed here and I visited her when I went into Manhattan on business. The room was small with tiny, tiny bathroom, but was clean. The location is great for the cheap price.

Thingorjus

Thin, I think the days of the Milford Plaza being a true bargain hotel are gone. They did some refurbishing, and I just checked some random prices in December -- pretty much an average of just over $300 a night before taxes, a few nights (like the Monday after Christmas) for around $275. On the other hand, I guess maybe that is a bargain hotel these days in NYC.

Actuallly the days between Christmas and New Years (except New Year's Eve) are usualaly cheaper then the rest of Dec - since there are no business trvelers.

But - anytime from Oct 15 on until Jan $300 a night is a great rate for a decent hotel. If you are willing to do a B&B -perhaps walk up with a shared bath you might find more. But a traditional hotel for substantially less is likely to be not very pleasant.

However - keep looking - you never know what might turn up.

The Christmas light etc are all up until after New Year's so if you can go that week you may find something. But - you really need to look at air fate - since that alone could take most of your budget.

Agreed - a rip for 2 to NYC at that time of year for $1000 is like trying to buy a new Accord for $15,000 - that;s just not what it costs.

You either have to up the budget - or go for something used (dicey hotel or another time of year).

I used to find lower rates from Christmas Eve or Christmas Day through New Year's Eve day. But, more and more of the hotels are increasing their rates the night or two or three ahead of New Year's Eve. Still worth checking. Rates just after may be higher also, due to New Year's Day falling on a Thursday this year.

If you think you can save by staying in New Jersey, definitely fly into Newark. But, before selecting a hotel, find out EXACTLY what the transportation and costs will be into Manhattan. Just because the hotel states it's convenient, doesn't mean you'll find it so...especially in the winter weather.

Not only would I definitely not consider any package for $1000-1200 that includes air and hotel, I probably would not fly to NYC over New Year's. Not only is holiday travel a nightmare, all three airports are legendary for cancellations and delays in both directions, even in the nice weather. And, travel insurance will cover you only under certain conditions (often weather is excluded) and for limited amounts.

I can tell you that A_Traveller has it all wrong about locations in Manhattan. What I can't tell you is if the Washington-Jefferson Hotel is nice on the inside, but it's quite nice on the outside, and it's on a lovely block, close to some fine restaurants and very convenient to everything in Midtown. If you can afford that hotel, I'd jump on it if it meets your needs.

You'll save some money if you stay out of Manhattan, but if you do by all means stay in Queens near a subway (Comfort Inn Long Island City is a good location usually at a good price). THere are others, including a La Quinta Inn that are well located.

The advice about coming after Christmas but before New Year's is good and will probably save some money. Though your budget is low, it might still be doable, so don't give up yet. But I'd strongly urge you not to stay in NJ. It's too big a trade-off for me. THough an editor in the Washington Post Travel section just recommended staying in Stamford, CT, w hich is 45 minutes from Manhattan. I think that's insane even though the hotel he recommended was $59 a night.

As usual, everyone's advice is helpful. Thank you all...
And now for my lament ... if ONLY we did not have 2 mortgages due to one home on the market for over TWO years... we'd have more travel $$$. Alas .. a small cross to bear.
:-)

Levelheaded -- if you haven't found a hotel yet, you might want to look into the Pod Hotel (midtown) and the Star Hotel (Chelsea). Both are bare-bones but seem to get good reviews. I've also had lots of luck with Priceline in other cities -- depending on your dates, that may help you get more of a full-service hotel on your budget.

Here's what I've found folks ... $370 nonstop Dayton to LGA ($740 for 2 of us) and via nyctrip.com got a Christmas package for $746, inlcusive of all taxes, fees, etc. So ... for $1486 I've got (only) 2 nights 12/26 & 27 at the Edison Hotel in the Times Square district, airport/hotel transportation, horse drawn carriage ride thru Central Park, Statue & Ellis Is. Ferry Tix, a Christmas Holiday Walking Tour, free admin to MOMA & Rockfeller Center tour. Not bad, eh?

Well - it's 50% more than you wanted and only 2/3 the time - but I think about as well as you can do that time of year.

As long as you're coming and paying for the air fare I would add another night or 2 - but obviously only you know your real budget constraints.

Yep, and vacation restraints. I have one day left this year!

It's a good deal but you don't want transportation in a shared van from the airport.

Maybe a little late for you, but if you are willing to drive to Akron Canton Airport, Airtran has very low price flights to Laguardia. It would probably be about a 3 hour drive each way from Dayton. My fare in August was $200 per person.