Hiya! I may or may not be going to new york in May I can't decide between Montreal, Seattle, or New York. But the hotel prices up there blew me away. I've been to New York but I was in high school and was staying near relatives in New Jersey. I realize sticker shock when it comes to NYC hotels is nothing new. I had read that renting a furnished apartment for a week or even a few days was cheaper. I say it's still pricey for me but a little cheaper. I'd think this would be more authentic but I've never done anything like this before. I've been looking at urbanliving.net mostly has anyone else done this? Is it better than staying at a hotel.

What about a bed and breakfast? I like to party late when I travel would I be like in someone's house? THerefore expected to come home at a decent hour? Does anyone have any experience with booking an apartment for a week online or with a cheaper bed and breakfast?

I was not familiar with urbanliving.net so I checked out the web site. It doesn't look like they are giving anything away. Those apartments are small, in very simple buildings (they don't seem to show the inside of any which would make me very cautious about the "furnishings") and they are usually 4th or 5th floor walk-ups. For the prices ($135 to $200 per night for the simplest) you could easily get a pleasant hotel through Priceline or even one of the non-bidding on-line services. Just search for New York hotels above and you can find los of specifics.

You might try a sublet through craigslist.org. You'll have to pick the city (NY) then go to sublets. But be prepared to work your schedule around theirs. During breaks at NYU, Columbia, or other NY colleges, students often attempt to sublet their apartments which are in great locations.

Try Angieslist.com also.

victorious, how are hotel prices blowing you away? For May, you could easily find something around $150 per night not using priceline. Using priceline, you can get a 2 1/2 star for under $100.

Unless you plan a trip to NYC, it can be very expensive. We try to not eat in Midown because it is so darn expensive. You can easily spend $100 per person in Midtown for dinner if you do not do your homework.

Eat ethnic and eat downtown. The East Village and Lower East Side has a bunch of reasonable restaurants.

My hotel is one of the minor expenses for me in NYC.

Go to www.biddingfortravel.com.

Thank you for the tips. Like I said I haven't decided on where to go. Maybe I'm just too small town but for me $150 is outrageous even $100 a night is outrageous for me but I know better than to expect anything decent for under $100. I've heard mixed reviews about bidding. I don't like the idea of not being able to know which hotel I'm staying at before I commit to it.

Thanks for the advice about the restruants. But I usually do fast food when I travel. Again the small towner in me just can't see paying more $100 for food. THe most expensive place I've eaten was a Japanese restruant that was $17. So fine dining isn't a priority but why not try one for a special occasion? But I'd like to at least try one maybe Indian or a Morrocan restruant like in "Along came Polly"

What about Long Island City or Astoria? Or Brooklyn? Do they have cheaper hotels? I had seen some really cheap rentals on sublet.com but you have to pay just to e-mail the owner that's irritating at best when I'm not even sure if I'm going to go. I don't want to stay out by the airport but just outside of Manhattan would be ok as long as I was at least near a subway station.

Victoriuos, you might want to give Habitat Hotel a try. Very clean (although very small) excellent location at East 57th Street at Lexington, and under $100 per night. Their phone number is 212-753-8841 or look at the website
http://www.stayinny.com

Try some of the NYC delis, Cosi, or Oxford Cafe for low cost eating.

I'm not aware of any hotels in Long Island City or Astoria - there may be some that don;t rent by the hour - but these are definitely not tourist areas. I know there are a couple of hotels and quite a few B&Bs in Brooklyn - but not the details. I can't imagine they would be much cheaper than $100. If you take a B&B I would imagine that the owners would lock the house at a reasonable hour (midndight?) but would imagine they might offer a key (like in smaller European hotels). but I would definitely check on this before reserving.

Have you checked out youth hostels? I know there is one on Amsterdam and 104th - not a bad location because I often see europen young people who are staying there. That should definitely fit your budget. Also, don;t give up on restaurants - there are lots of great ethnic places in the city where you can have dinner for less than $20 including tax and tip - try the upper west side, village, east village, etc. For breakfast go for one of the local deli specials - lots offer coffee and roll for $1 and an egg sandwich for not much more. In May eating on a bench should be just fine.