I am looking for clean and comfortable accomadations in NYC in early November and recently found out about a group of hotels owned by The Amsterdam Hospitality Group. These are some of their seemimgly modern, simple and reasonably priced hotels.(Bentley,Marcel,Moderne,Amsterdam Court,Alladin,Park View,Ellington,Astor on the Park). I am wondering if there are certain ones fodorites have personal experience with? I am not too hooked into the location I stay. Any recommendations? Or do you think I will be able to get a higher class hotel at a bargain rate due to low occupancy, if so how should I go about finding those deals?

I've stayed at the Bentley, and was very pleased all around. The staff was friendly and accommodating, the rooms were very nice--larger than average for NY, and the corner rooms are downright palatial. Great linens, good views of the river. The location is not central, but there are great restaurants within walking distance. Can't speak for the others you mentioned, but I'd stay at the Bentley again.

we can recommend the Hotel Wolcott on 34th (or was it 37th?) about 3 blocks south of Penn Station. the rooms are quite large and comfortable. it is quiet at night. reminds me of a European style hotel.

Why settle for a budget hotel when you can now get a hotel that is normally $300/night for $75-95/night on Priceline? I just got the Marriott Marquis for early December for $95/night. Others are getting the Sheraton for $75. Look at the website www.biddingfortravel.com before bidding at priceline.

Thanks for the suggestions. Candice - the reason I cannot use priceline is beacuse we are a family of 4 and I am told we have no say in the number of beds when they book it.

I stayed at the Marcel in July and through it was great. My single king bedded room was more than adequate (large by NYC standards, avergae anywhere else)with cool euro-style furnishings, and the marble bath was sparkling clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful, and there's continental breakfast in the AM and free coffe/cappucineo 24 hours in the lobby. There are two subway stops within an easy walk (2 to 5 blocks) and many varied restaurants in the area.

Whatever you do, please don't stay at the Carter Hotel. This place was the worst, filthiest most despicable dump imagineable, complete with roaches and sans hot water or towels to take a shower. Dirty, smelly, ripped up carpet, peeling paint, mysterious stains on the walls, bare light bulb hanging over the disheveled and lumpy old bed. Our cheesy, torn bedspread had blood stains on it for the love of Pete! Worst of all- NO HEAT!!! We had to sleep on top of the covers with our coats and hats on and two pairs of socks. So much for a romantic evening in the Big apple. No maid ever even came to change the disgusting sheets or bring us towels. We had to share one towel between the tow of us and only after calling to complain 4 times!!!! One night the elevator was out so we had to walk up to the 22nd floor to get our stuff! A giant, slum lord fire trap that hasn't seen one cent put into upkeep since the Eisenhower administration. Ye Gods- this place was hell on earth, all for $100 a night. Right in Times Square, we though...so convenient to the theater district...how bad could it be???

BAD? No...Horrific! Abominable!!! A portal to the foulest pits of hell.
Run for your lives...

I know this is an old post, but in case it useful to someone - I've stayed at both the Marcel (several times, most recenty about six months ago) and the Amsterdam Court (once, about six weeks ago). Both were fine, if you like small boutique-style hotels rather than big hyped-up chain types. There is a big discrepancy among the types of rooms you may get for a given price, depending on timing, etc, but I would be prepared for small rooms, even by NYC standards. Still, the rooms were nicer and in far better condition that those in other similarly-priced hotels I have stayed in in NYC (e.g., the Mayfair). I preferred the Marcel, but the AC's location - steps from Times Square - may be very attractive to some.