Why is NYC already booked up for April 2005?
 

Hi--we're planning a trip to New York City from April 20-27 (arrival date is non-negotiable, departure date is). We're having a hard time finding rooms! We need at least 3 and possibly more. Is there something "special" going on in the city at that time? I know this is a busy time of year, but we've never had trouble like this before. Thought maybe it was the car show, but that's earlier.

Any thoughts? If we could find out if a special event is going on, maybe we can negotiate hotels a bit better if we can plan to move after a certain time.

I've never stayed in Chelsea, always in midtown or the UWS. Any recommendations for hotels in that area? We'll have several older (70+yo) people in our party, so they like nice, roomy rooms, particularly if a kitchenette is provided.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Could be anything. April is a huge convention and conference month. There could also be a citywide conference going on.

Spring is always pretty busy, but nothing special that I can think of going on that week. Car shows and the like aren't really big here and don't usually affect us that much. Not like this week's RNC for example... ;)

when you ssy you're having trouble--what exactly do you mean? No availability at all at the hotels you've tried (which ones?)--Higher rates that you expected?

It's also possible if you're using third party websites like expedia, travelocity etc., they could register no availability at their price but the hotel may have rooms. Also, if you're trying to book 3 rooms at a time, that could be a problem. Tripadvisor.com has a feature that you click "compare all prices on this hotel" I often find that some websites will register no availability while others do.

Not too many hotels in chelsea. There's a new Four Points by Sheraton there that should be inexpensive but because of it's newness and location, I noticed prices skyrocketing.

I'd try the affiniahotels.com group. All their places have kitchenettes. People really like their Shelburne Murray Hill hotel. They have studios, one and two bedrooms. Since you need a block of rooms, try phoning them for best rates/avails.

I put your dates into Orbitz and found tons of rooms. Now, they aren't all reasonably priced, but there were lots and lots of vacancies.

Maybe you will need to expand your price range.

msmiller,

The big three(expedia,travelocity,orbitz) are not good with finding more than 2 or 3 rooms nither is hotels.com, orbitz is especially bad at it. If you need to book more than 2 rooms you should CALL(not orbitz they can't help even with that)

These sites suck for reserving hotels rooms now anyway - they tack on like 35 bucks a night per room now after the price listed.

start by calling hotels directly (use local numbers - you get better prices sometimes), or using the local hotels webiste.

We rented 3 rooms in may in NYC (stayed that W) I could not get a 3 room reservation to work using any of the internet sites, when I called expedia they could book me but the servive fee were so high. orbitz was unable to book more than 2 rooms at the same time

My wife just looked on the starwood website found a hotel she liked and booked it by calling the local hotel - we got a better rate than the internet

Just checked the Four Points in Chelsea for your dates through that "compare" thing on tripadvisor. Expedia came up with "no rooms available" but Orbitz and Travelocity both had availability starting at $179/night. I'd use these websites to compare prices (for one room) and then call whoever you decide you want. I totally agree with dgruzew that booking directly with the hotel will be better and cheaper. Just know what prices are being posted on the web for "a" room.

Out of interest I tried for the Beacon for May of next year on two sites to be told there wwere no rooms available.

msmiller

We enjoyed our stay at The Inn on 23rd Street located in the Chelsea District. Take a look at www.innon23rd.com - Only 14 rooms and all different. See reviews on this site and at www.tripadvisor.com - would stay here again.

Have not stayed here but have considered it when looking for a place Upper West Side - Country Inn the City www.countryinthecity.com - again limited rooms but looks lovely on their website.

Best of luck.

Sandy

thanks so much for the advice. We still can't find out if there's something special going on, or just spring in NY (good enough reason!). I didn't know about the tripadvisor.com "compare all rooms" thing, and that's been very helpful.

I've followed up so many leads that you've provided about hotels--what a wealth of information! For whatever reason, the standard popular hotels show up on multiple websites as full: all affiniahotels.com properties, Beacon, Lucerne, Blakely, Bentley, Benjamin, Excelsior, Quality Hotel, Sheraton, Murray Hill, Comfort Inn, Metropolitan, etc. Even the "The" hotels on the UES (that we couldn't afford anyway) are full!

I've made a list of the ones we're most interested in and will call the hotels directly to see if availability changes.

We've reserved a "block" of rooms at the Beacon for the time we'll be in NYC; we've stayed there before, and loved it; however, this time there is nothing available except suites--which is OK for a few of us, but not for all (like me--I don't need a suite!). We've hoping a single room will open up later. Surely there are rooms that have been reserved way in advance that will be released. We're familiar with the Beacon, and the older folks love the convenient pick-up and breakfast foods at the grocery stores across the street. The Best Western Hospitality Suites seems to be a find, and will definitely check that out in the future.

thanks again. If you have any other suggestions, I'd like to hear them!

What I found when doing my NYC hotel searches last year, was that several showed "no rooms available" at the hotels I wanted. However, there WERE rooms available. I think some have a
"low price guarantee" and if they can't match what others offer, they show "no rooms available" because they can't get the lowest price.

I got my lowest price directly from the hotel - $139 at the Gorham - which is now the Blakely.

Hotels will allot a certain number of rooms to discounters such as Discounthotels as well as Expedia, Orbitz, etc., to "move" for them, often at below-published prices.

Just because you cannot book a room through these sources does not mean rooms aren't available. You may end up having to contact the hotel(s) you are interested in directly.

I second the nomination for the affinity hotel group.
All have convenient East side-midtown locations. The Shelburne seems to me to have a European ambiance to it--smallish hotel, rooms moderate in size with the afore-mentioned kitchenettes, decor pretty. Very nice neighborhood, not too hectic. All mod cons.