I used to live in NYC a couple years ago. I am now wanting to visit for a 3 day weekend in December. I'm thinking Dec. 1-4, 2006. I will be traveling with a one year old daughter and 21 year old sister.

I have done a general search online and the rooms are coming up $400+/night on hotels that I have previously stayed at for less than $200/night. Is there something going on that weekend in Manhattan or is it just too early to book for now?

I am looking for midtown location since we want to tour around and shop. I am looking for a 3 star+ for less than $200/night. I am open to renting a condo as well if anyone can refer me to a nice place.

Perhaps Priceline will be my best bet.

<<Is there something going on that weekend in Manhattan?>>

Yes - the first weekend in December is traditionally when everyone in the US decides to visit NYC (there are no specifice "events" I'm aware of).

Expect prices to keep climbing and reaching riduculous rates by late November for your dates.

Wish I had better news to report.

Good luck!

The reason the prices are coming up higher than you've paid before is because (1) December is the HIGH season in NY -- hotels are ALWAYS higher in December; and (2) hotel occupancy (and, therefore, rates) are up overall in NY.

I do not think it is likely that you will find a 3-star+ hotel for $200/night in December, priceline or no. That is lower than the average room rate for any time of year in Manhattan.

Hi JamilaZ,
Try Quikbook.com. I find great NY hotel rates there. Good luck!

The ADR (AVERAGE daily rate) for all hotels in Manhattan is $240 per night so expect one of the busiest weekends of the year to average around $300 per night.

$200 isn't going to get you much at all.

Try Apple Core Hotels and The Milford Hotel.

Forgot to add, prices will NOT come down. Historically, the city sells out for that weekend so expect them to go up.

And consider that with priceline, you may end up in a room with only a double bed, and no room for a cot or crib. If you are comfortable with the three of you sharing one double bed, this could work, but those beds can be awfully small!

You may be able to get something clean and decent in NYC that wekend for $200- if you're VERY lucky. Definitely nothing more. (It's the busiest, most expensive season of the year and the pitiful state of the dollar is driving eurpeans here in massive herds.)

So - book something you can live with now that can be cancelled - and then hope against hope you can find something better on Priceline or Hotwire at the last minute.

(And I hate to break it to you but the applecore budget hotels are running over $380 per night for the first weekend in December - at least the ones that aren't already sold out. I think you will seriously need to up your budget - or consider - and I NEVER reco this - a budget chain in queens or new jersey for anything anywhere near $200.)

My other option was Dec. 9th weekend. I'm sure the rush will be going on then too.

Yikes - I just checked the Travel Inn - known to be clean and reasonable and they are fully booked. The Red Roof Inn (gets great reviews for a lower cost hotel) has a "two double bed" room for $329. each for the Friday and Sat nights and $259. for the Sunday. Looks like they have availability for both weekends you're looking at. They're at 32nd between Broadway and Fifth - right by Macy's and the ESB. Might be worth booking now and at least you can keep looking knowing you have something in place.

Good luck.

BTW: The Red Roof Inn is an Applecore hotel.

Exactly - the Red Roof at $329 per night is actually $388 when you add the 18% tax.

No where near the $200 the OP is looking for.

nytraveler, the New Jersey hotels are all going for over $300 per night that weekend also.

Hotels in Manhattan will be full and expensive from Thanksgiving until New Year's. As I said before, it's prime time. Whether you come Dec. 1 or Dec. 9 isn't likely to make a big difference.

Hi, JamilaZ,

I just checked online - the Sheraton Suites in Weehawken are selling $236 per night for that weekend. There's a ferry just outside the door, 5 minutes into Manhattan.

But that ferry doesn't run on weekends. You have to take a shuttle down the road to another ferry (not terrible) and the ferry is $5/ride/person.

My post is misleading. The bus shuttle is at the hotel which takes you to another ferry terminal down the road.

I think I will change my plans and go another time. These prices are ridiculous.

I've stayed at Waldorf Astoria for $179 via a Hilton special, but of course that was in August.

Sorry - it's a great time of year. But realistically anything under $400 is a great deal in high season.

Not sure how it will be this year, but sometimes hotel prices drop for the days immediately following Christmas, but you'll need to get out before New Year's Eve when they will be right back up there. Maybe play around with some more dates? The city is amazing at the holidays!