We are planning on visiting NYC late September, main reason is to visit our DD and DSIL who live in LIC, not far from the 59th St bridge. Ideally we would like to stay with them but they have a tiny apartment so a hotel is the only option. We would like to be within walking distance of their place.

As we will probably be staying between 10-14 days, accommodation is going to be a big part of our holiday budget. Would price-line work for LIC hotels?

check www.betterbidding.com for hotwire and priceline results. it will help you make a decision when you see what hotels are usually coming up.

Nelsonian, what kind of nightly rate are you thinking? I did a quick google on hotels in LIC and it shows a Verve, a Best Western, a Country Inn and Suites, and a Super 8 near the area you are talking about (59th street bridge is also known as Queensboro bridge).

Super 8's are very very basic, but also very cheap. Depending on the operator if all you care about is a hot shower and clean sheets, it might work. (I say depending on the operator because I have been in very clean ones, and others where I didn't want to stay.

Maybe you can ask your daughter and son-in-law to stop in and check it out?

Country Inn and Suites may cost a little more, but, because they are suites they can end up saving you a bit because you can do breakfasts and light meals there, not having to go out all the time. This can be nice when you have an extended stay.

I typically stay in Marriott properties because I am all about the points--the Fairfield is a Marriott property, but is further away from the area you mentioned.

Best Westerns can really vary as well, but usually are a pretty consistent (read clean) property. They are also one of the places you can get AAA discounts. I think that Australia's autoclub is recipracol (don't know how to spell it!) so you you might check out rates that way too.

Also, I have had good luck before at least at Fairfields where I have called directly to the hotel and talked to the manager about longer term stays and got better rates that way. Maybe your DSIL could consider checking that for you too?

How wonderful that you are getting a chance to visit. September will be a wonderful time of year.

Thanks Toucan, I belong to New Zealand AA, I don't they do have a reciprocal arrangement with AAA. I had checked out the Country Inn and Suites and does sound good. DD says RAVEl is not very far from them, but the Trip Advisor reviews are bad!!!!

Nelsonian, my wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn a few weeks ago (my son lives in Astoria) and it is a really nice, pretty new, hotel. We got a rate of $70 per night on Priceline.

Nelsonian, so sorry about saying Australia instead of New Zealand! I know you are in NZ! Just a brain hiccup. I was thinking of Australia because I had checked out the AAA thing when I went.

I saw Ravel too, and the reviews really are bad. If it is close by, maybe they can pop in there too. Often they will even let you look at the rooms if you want.

Great news that you're coming over! As for a hotel, I think the poor reviews of the Ravel have to do with people's expectations of what's billed as a 4* hotel. I think even the most elegant place ain't gonna be THAT elegant in LIC and the apparent lack of service at the Ravel (and to me somewhat tired looking decor) doesn't help the cause. The fact that it's not as close to a subway station as some options places really tars it. People love the Country Inn & Suites which is new this year, spacious, near the Queensborough Plaza subway stop, includes free cont. b/f and often quite inexpensive. The Verve, Fairfield and Holiday Inn are the other good options. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

Once you have your LIC hotel figured out, you might consider spending a night or two downtown manhattan on a bid room at priceline to go to theater and dinner and not have to traipse back home so late in the dark. Even when I visit friends in NJ we get a room one or two nights in town for that purpose.

We've stayed at Verve and found it to be quite nice and within walking distance of Queensborough Station and another station also. I used Kayak to find various rates and then ended up booking via hotels.com. Every time the rate dropped, I just called them and had my rate reduced.

Thanks everyone. Smetz what star rating did you in, when you bid on Priceline. There is a three star upscale listed in LIC, is that what you bid to get the Holiday Inn?.

McSteinrunner, if you don't mind me asking what price per night did you pay for Verve?

McLaurie, yes I realise the hotels in LIC will not be very elegant, and that's okay, My DD did say they have been to the Ravel and it looked fine, but as I said the reviews are BAD.

Here's a list of the Priceline hotels. http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=93& The Holiday Inn is 3*.

Thanks McLaurie I did look at that list last night and was getting very frustrated because I couldn't find and LIC hotels mentioned. I am not in a very good frame of mind at the moment though, hopefully will be all sorted in a few days. Anyway I have just looked at the list again and found the hotels in the zone.

Hi nelsonian, it was indeed a 3 star. I think the internet rate that day was $135. It's quite a nice place, being as new as it is. I believe it's located on 29th Ave, around 39th St.

BTW, you can also check the "bidding for travel" website for priceline info. I think the NYC info there is a little better than on better bidding.

We paid around $100 a night for Verve. We walked by the Holiday Inn several times on our way to the train, and it is very conveniently located. Verve did include an extensive continental breakfast, which was the only meal we ate in the immediate area as we were visiting our son, who lives in Astoria.