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

[ozbeachbabe]

What about Air BnB & stay in Brooklyn. Make sure there are lots of excellent reviews though.

 

[amaroo]

Last few visits have been >US$1000/night ... don't go cheap on holidays.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Its cheaper in mid winter than spring and autumn. If staying at hilton family try the mvp or teamusa rates. Might save a bit

 

[Alanslegal]

Last few visits have been >US$1000/night ... don't go cheap on holidays.

Not everybody has a budget like yours - and when the OP is 'freaked out' seeing amounts of $2500/8 nights, your post definitely isn't helpful. Just my peasants two cents worth.

 

[get me outta here]

In NY, and some other US cities, AirBnB is illegal, except if you are sharing the place with the owners in residence.

Answers for New Yorkers Concerned or Confused About the Illegal Hotel Law | NY State Senate

There have been a lot of reports of people losing all their money on Airbnb. But, you can have a very successful stay in a lovely big place in the Lower East Side (LES), with yr own bathroom, talking to the owners as I did.

Have a look on TripAdvisor Long Island City where ther are new hotels right next to a subway station, so you can be in the city in literally a few minutes.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Last few visits have been >US$1000/night .

You need to look harder. There's no need to pay such a high room rate unless you're after uber luxury.

 

[sausagefingers]

This time last year I stayed at Hotel Carter right in Time Square, it was around $260USD per night and it was the smallest room you can imagine, two double beds barely fit into the room.
I am by no means a hotel snob, usually a room with lockable doors, and clean bedding/towels keeps us happy, but this was as close as possible to just that.

 

[smckay]

Well, we went with Hotwire and ended up paying $360aud per night for the Kitano on Park Avenue. 4 Star, rated well. Looked at many, many options but as another forum pointed out there are over 1,000 hotels in NYC so making a choice is difficult.
If you find a better deal I only have 24 hours for Hotwire to price match

Thanks for all the advice, my head was spinning at the scale of choice and pricing and trying to get on top of a 6 day stay that cost just nearly as much as a 14 day cruise the week before...

 

[serfty]

Late to the party (likely too late given the previous post) but last year in June I stayed at the Millennium Hilton and the Conrad on HHonors points and Money rates.

Also, as mentioned the team USA rates can save a reasonable amount.

 

[smckay]

Yep, done and paid for. Me, once I have decided and paid no use thinking about what if so we can all move along now.
I am now trying to build an itinerary for 6 days in NYC with a non-tourist wife who doesn't like shopping, people watching or sitting in a pub looking out the window. Example - why go to both Empire State and Rockefeller if they both offer the same thing?

 

[Pushka]

Yep, done and paid for. Me, once I have decided and paid no use thinking about what if so we can all move along now.
I am now trying to build an itinerary for 6 days in NYC with a non-tourist wife who doesn't like shopping, people watching or sitting in a pub looking out the window. Example - why go to both Empire State and Rockefeller if they both offer the same thing?

Rockefeller was the choice we made.



And try the free Staten Island Ferry




And the HoHo bus is very easy.

 

[smckay]

Yes, We have the ferry picked. We are not doing SOL nor Ellis Island much to my dismay
Although I am currently researching Roosevelt Island Tram which is a quiet achiever from the forum posts.

 

[JohnK]

Last few visits have been >US$1000/night ... don't go cheap on holidays.

Love the comments about room rates > $250/night. Surely there are other places to visit?

 

[dajop]

Love the comments about room rates > $250/night. Surely there are other places to visit?

The $250/night + rates in New York are for planners, those who absolutely must book whilst planning the trip. For those who are gamblers or less organised you can get lower rates. Over the last 6 years the highest I've paid is $180++ and lowest is $90++ but I have stayed in single room with shared bathroom, and also have stayed in both Newark and Brooklyn. I am also OK with moving hotels during a visit to get better rates or better hotels for the same rate. It is also a good place for redeeming Hilton etc points!

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I haven't tried it in New York but I now use all my SPG points for USA hotel stays. Avoiding their top of the range 5 star hotels, I've found 5 night stays where you only pay for 4 are usually really good value in the US and you also avoid the taxes. This time around we did 5 nights each in Washington, Miami and Fort Worth and didn't pay a cent. Only SPG Gold but got upgraded every time and all three room rates were in the 3-400 USD + taxes range. Just my observation but you seem to get much better value with SPG in the US compared to here and Europe.

My biggest problem now is that not being a business traveller, I do find it a bit difficult to accrue enough points for these stays but then, they really are worth saving just for the big cities. Rates for much of the rest of the USA is not that bad.

 

[Boca68]

My two cents worth, albeit a little late as OP has booked.

There are many great B&B's in New York, especially around the Harlem area of Manhattan. Most are in and around the $200 - 250USD a night. Give or take $50 a night. Its my usual preference for NYC. Most hotels 2* and above are exceptionally overpriced as you've learnt already.

Brooklyn, as suggested by others, is a good alternative. But the savings are not as much, as say, 5 years ago.

With the weak USD relatively over the past 4 to 5 years, its made tourism a huge market. It always was, but now even more so. And NYC is a little like Paris, you can charge a weeks wages for shoebox with a shared bathroom, just because its a block from a subway station.

 

[Alanslegal]

Well, we went with Hotwire and ended up paying $360aud per night for the Kitano on Park Avenue. 4 Star, rated well. Looked at many, many options but as another forum pointed out there are over 1,000 hotels in NYC so making a choice is difficult.
If you find a better deal I only have 24 hours for Hotwire to price match

Thanks for all the advice, my head was spinning at the scale of choice and pricing and trying to get on top of a 6 day stay that cost just nearly as much as a 14 day cruise the week before...

You are indeed fast! However if you haven't done so, next time you decide to book Hotwire you can use betterbidding.com to help you identify the possible property before handing over your hard earned money. Generally with 8 months out, you aren't going to get the best rate using Hotwire

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Love the comments about room rates > $250/night. Surely there are other places to visit?

Yes there is but theres nowhere like new york

 

[amaroo]

Love the comments about room rates > $250/night. Surely there are other places to visit?

New York, New York, it's a helluva town :mrgreen:

 

[amaroo]

Not everybody has a budget like yours - and when the OP is 'freaked out' seeing amounts of $2500/8 nights, your post definitely isn't helpful. Just my peasants two cents worth.

Touche. Sometimes it's good to push the envelope You only live once :!: