Wow! Thanks everyone - what terrific advice. I love this site.
We are still surfing the web and doing our research - I will definitely post a report upon our return.
Since we are spending Canadian $ - we are having a little sticker shock for hotel rooms. One of our group was heard to moan "I could buy shoes AND a bag for that". We will persevere.

Hey again lavisitor
Didn't realize you were fellow Canadians. Definately think about the Salisbury - I was really shocked at how large the suite was. I usually stay at the Belvedere and although fine you certainly couldn't do "show and tell" of all your purchases at the end of the day in the rooms there. At the Salisbury we could have invited everyone we met while in NY and had a big old party with room to spare. :-)

If you're really pinching pennies I've had a few friends that have stayed at the Travel Inn (West 42nd St) and been very pleased - again - not fancy but very clean and reasonable. I just punched in reservations for 3 for your dates and came up with a room rate of $215 for a room with 2 double beds.

Good luck and have a fab time - is it your first visiting NY? I try to get to there a couple times a year - I'm totally in love with the city. I live just west of Toronto and fly JetBlue from Buffalo - great deal.

I would avoid Century 21 like the plague--that place is disgusting and ridden with crazies looking for a "deal" (and there's really nothing of quality there, trust me...totally not worth your time--it's like your local TJ Maxx but dirtier and ridden with people elbowing each other to get to the nearest knock-off bag). With that said, I know you'll be cabbing/taxing everywhere but New York is not a "small" city by any stretch of the imagination so I wouldn't stay any further south than Greenwich Village or SoHo. If I were you, I'd try a sample sale instead. Sign up for the Daily Candy "deals" email for NYC or check out New York Magazine's website (they have daily sale listings--much better bet).

Imoney, maybe you didn't like Century 21 but millions of other people do.

Nothing of quality? You really don't know what you are talking about in terms of Century 21.

Is it possible you went to a different store?

Plans coming along nicely - we have our tickets to RCMH Christmas Extravaganza and the group is splitting up to see Guggenheim and MOMA. We are also now a group of 10! Should be a blast. Continue to be a bit shocked by prices of hotels though. We're waiting a bit in hopes of rates declining "last minute". We've all agreed that we will pay a bit more to stay central though. No one wants to contend with ferry rides or long subway/cab rides.

I'm afraid to tell you that hotel rates are likely only to climb, and you've waited fairly long now to make NYC reservations considering the size of your group. If you find a hotel that you can afford that can also accommodate your entire party, book it---as in this afternoon.

I totally agree with Doug Stallings. You MUST book a hotel NOW even if it's not perfect. Book something you can cancel if you should find some great last minute deal, but you shouldn't expect to find that deal.

With a group of 10, why not pick a hotel you want and phone the manager and see if they'll do a deal since you'll need 4-5 rooms.

Agree you need to book a hotel NOW!

Prices are not gowing down they're going up.

And needing rooms for so many people you're going to run out of options - at any price. Many hotels are already showing completely booked.

You really need to stop making a fuss and make a decision.

LOL! Agree with the others. You wait any longer and you'll be SOL.