New York Hotel cost - are they really $250+ per night??

[smckay]

Calm me down if you can - looking at 8 night sin NYC and seeing things like $250+ per night for something that is desirable. Is this the norm? Have only been looking at Manhattan as we are first timers so will go the easy route first.

Have been on Hotwire, expedia, IHG et al today and a bit freaked out what I am seeing; about $2500-3000 all done.

Any one have tips for deals or an unused apartment we can score for a week in June next year?

 

[smit0847]

AUD250 per night? Thats cheap- its one of the most expensive cities in the world for hotels.

 

[cove]

Chicago,NYC and San Francisco are three great cities but they come with higher price tags than other US cities. The prices are plus tax and are usually quoted in US dollars.
Do you need to spend 8 nights there?
How many in your travel group?

 

[get me outta here]

What cove said in his post, tax can add 20%.

Calm me down if you can - looking at 8 night sin NYC and seeing things like $250+ per night for something that is desirable. Is this the norm? Have only been looking at Manhattan as we are first timers so will go the easy route first.

Have been on Hotwire, expedia, IHG et al today and a bit freaked out what I am seeing; about $2500-3000 all done.

Any one have tips for deals or an unused apartment we can score for a week in June next year?

 

[smit0847]

Look at brooklyn for much cheaper hotels. Itll be a bit more travelling time each day but youll save heaps and brooklyn is lovely

 

[Dr Ralph]

$250 AUD is remarkable good value.

When I've stayed for an extended period previously I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Long Island City. 100m walk to the subway station and 4 stops to Macys. Under $200 a night.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Chicago,NYC and San Francisco are three great cities but they come with higher price tags than other US cities.

Add New Orleans to that list. I was shocked at the prices their when I stayed in June of this year.

 

[get me outta here]

In May I stayed in Chelsea - a great area, that is non-profit and so did not pay tax. It was about $150 per night flat. Plse provide more info so that we may be able to advise. Such as when are you going etc?

Also, the prices change daily for whenever you are going. Book something that is refundable and watch the hotel bkg sites daily and rebook if necessary. Also, if you ask the TripAdvisor forum, there are some 'hotel' experts on the NYC forum.

 

[dajop]

Look at brooklyn for much cheaper hotels. Itll be a bit more travelling time each day but youll save heaps and brooklyn is lovely

Monitoring sites of major chains, I think a lot of people have cottoned onto this. Seems to be a lot of Brooklyn hotels are very close to, and sometimes even more than Manhattan hotels. Long Island City, in Queens seem to be home to a few hotels that are cheaper.

Another tip, if staying over a weekend, the downtown hotels around Wall St and lower Manhattan tend to be cheaper than the midtown hotels and much cheaper than they are during the week, when there are more business guests.

 

[cove]

Weekend rates for business hotels throughout the US can start Thursday night thru Saturday night (excludes Las Vegas mostly).
this way you can try 5 star places at reasonable rates.

 

[Gold Member]

I would use Priceline 'Name your own price' to get a 5* in the zone you want in Manhattan. Might work out below $250 AUD depending on your dates.

Tell Shatner Gold Member sent you.

 

[Buzzard]

If you think $250/night is expensive, don't look for a nice hotel in SYD :shock:

But back on topic, what about AirBNB or maybe a place in Greenwich Village - would that be less expensive??

 

[Pushka]

$250AUD is excellent if the Hotel is good.

 

[paxman]

jersey city is an easy subway ride away and good for airbnb.

 

[UP4014]

Quick, can you tell me which hotel is $250 plus taxes so I can book it now before the hotel realises it's mistake.

Matt

 

[smckay]

It's $250 USD and plus tax. If it were $250AUD we would not be here.
To answer some questions - Don't need to spend 8 nights there, we are on holiday. However, all the 'experts' howl when I say I'll spend 2 days there and move on to the country as I am expected to spend lots of time in crowded busy area's not enjoying myself.
I will look at the other area's mentioned, but again them experts have an opinion that must be heard

We are arriving June 6 and leaving June 15 with 1 night accounted for at Niagara Falls ($250USD/night but massive view!)

 

[kermatu]

Around Wall St and WTC - Friday and weekend, excellent rates, well served by subway (including express services). I stayed there last year at the Millenium Hilton for $190+tax a night - average and slightly old rooms, but phenomenal vies and within 75m walk of three different subway stations and many lines. Managed to get the stay extended to midweek at same rate upon arrival (so cancelled a midtown booking for the Monday/Tuesday). This was late-November though.

Worth staying a bit out of the centre, but close to a subway station and in the end I reckon you balance out travel time.

But yes $250 a night is not at all uncommon.

 

[dajop]

The other trick to use if you are an Automobile Association member (eg RACV, NRMA, etc) is to book a room with a major chain using "AAA rate" which are typically cancellable up to 24 hrs before and check pricing regularly between now and your stay date, I can see, for example Hampton Time Square North for $209++ on some random days during your stay on AAA rate. Sometimes a few days out prices tumble, for example tomorrow night (Sunday) I can see rates like $122++ at the quite acceptable Doubletree Chelsea but a week later it is $194 ....

 

[kermatu]

The other trick to use if you are an Automobile Association member (eg RACV, NRMA, etc) is to book a room with a major chain using "AAA rate" which are typically cancellable up to 24 hrs before and check pricing regularly between now and your stay date, I can see, for example Hampton Time Square North for $209++ on some random days during your stay on AAA rate. Sometimes a few days out prices tumble, for example tomorrow night (Sunday) I can see rates like $122++ at the quite acceptable Doubletree Chelsea but a week later it is $194 ....

I did this with 3 hotels in NYC, and some in Chicago as well. If you monitor closely (or use a service like stay angel - search on AFF), it can be very worthwhile.

 

[kermatu]

And doesn't just have to be an AAA rate - works for any flexible / cancellable rate.