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

[JohnK]

Yes there is but theres nowhere like new york

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

True. But I am one of those people who prices a trip first before deciding to go. The only way I would go to New York would be with something like a Trafalgar/Cosmos tour where hotels are included in total tour price. Or if I can find a cheap Holiday inn property to use points.

This thread just got me thinking about a HotelClub email the other day and a reminder today to book Asian hotels under $AUD100 fast. It is not that often that I book an Asian hotel >$AUD100 so not sure what all the fuss is about.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Yes there is but theres nowhere like new york

True. It is unique. But there are plenty of places that are just as interesting for different reasons.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

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.

The key to finding a good Airbnb host, is identifying plenty of decent , recent reviews, along with a host tgat is identified as a " Superhost".
A superhost is found with what appears to be an award/certificate like logo in the host's listing.

Superhost status is awarded by Airbnb for those hosts who obtain 90% positive feedback or more in from guest reviews, who have a 100% acknowledgment rate and who do not cancel any of their bookings in a 3 month period.

Superhost status is updated every 3 months and can be erased from hosts who do not meet the required standard.

 

[albatross710]

We had similar impressions to the OP. We used Priceline.com to pickup a Priceline Express Deal at Marriott Lexington for USD120 per night.

ALby

 

[flying_duck]

FWIW, I've booked AirBNB properties on both my last stays and will be booking again soon. Both properties were excellent, both hosts I got to know well with personal connections, and I got to stay "local" in East Village and actually meet locals and drink in local bars. As great as it is making fun of tourists at the "Top of the Rock" for hours, I enjoy 7 shots for $10 just as much and meet some incredible people. That to me, is what travelling is about, and if you're going to spend $250+ per night, may as well get exactly what you want.

Hotels are great if you want to be a tourist. Apartments (however it works out, wherever they are) are great if you enjoy the people and the culture. Just my 2 cents worth (which is probably worth much, much less than that now)...

 

[get me outta here]

Alby, when would be a good time to see if I can get my hotel cheaper on Priceline, how far out from the arrival date is best? Plus, I don't know how it works.

I know that prices vary on an almost daily basis according to the accommodation experts on TA for NY, and the time you are going. In May, a very popular time, it may be hard to get a good deal.

We had similar impressions to the OP. We used Priceline.com to pickup a Priceline Express Deal at Marriott Lexington for USD120 per night.

ALby

 

[RB]

Alby, when would be a good time to see if I can get my hotel cheaper on Priceline, how far out from the arrival date is best? Plus, I don't know how it works.

I know that prices vary on an almost daily basis according to the accommodation experts on TA for NY, and the time you are going. In May, a very popular time, it may be hard to get a good deal.

As per Alanslegal in Post 37 I think it is best to join betterbidding and similar sites and see the feedback of the bids that people have won with and get a feel for what hotels are looking for your business for your timeframe. We found this to be very helpful for all the major US cities we visited (granted it was a while back).
You may find something useful in this section of FlyerTalk Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[Reggie78]

Also late to the party, but some food for thought for anyone else who might be looking for similar:

We stayed in Long Island City, Fairfield Inn (Marriott Chain). Very suited to our needs - clean and comfortable, because youre only there to sleep. Marriott have a price beat guarantee of 25%. The best site to I found to compare to was travelpony.com. I reduced my rate 3 times leading up to our stay, and ended up paying less than $90 US a night (last year). Fairfield had a shuttle bus that ran regularly to the subway station, that was only 3 stops from Manhattan.

Also, staying outside of Manhattan is fine, because you'll inevitably have to get on the Subway to get somewhere anyway. It'll cost you no more in subway fares.

Reg.

 

[Warks]

Just looked up the place we stayed in NY last June for about $250/night and I see it's now $350 a night! We got some deal I think, plus when we booked the currency was about 0.95c - we paid in advance.

Stay with a penfriend?

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, I will look into these and keep an eye out. Checked Travel Pony and currently for May it is the same price at the Marriott site (Residence Inn Times Square Manhattan). I got 1 BRG so far and got it down to $213. Will keep an eye on these sites though.

As per Alanslegal in Post 37 I think it is best to join betterbidding and similar sites and see the feedback of the bids that people have won with and get a feel for what hotels are looking for your business for your timeframe. We found this to be very helpful for all the major US cities we visited (granted it was a while back).
You may find something useful in this section of FlyerTalk Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - FlyerTalk Forums

Also late to the party, but some food for thought for anyone else who might be looking for similar:

We stayed in Long Island City, Fairfield Inn (Marriott Chain). Very suited to our needs - clean and comfortable, because youre only there to sleep. Marriott have a price beat guarantee of 25%. The best site to I found to compare to was travelpony.com. I reduced my rate 3 times leading up to our stay, and ended up paying less than $90 US a night (last year). Fairfield had a shuttle bus that ran regularly to the subway station, that was only 3 stops from Manhattan.

Also, staying outside of Manhattan is fine, because you'll inevitably have to get on the Subway to get somewhere anyway. It'll cost you no more in subway fares.

Reg.

 

[chooms]

Not much help now, but managed to get SPG price match for W Downtown over Christmas/New Year (8 nights) for US$206 per night... in a Spectacular room which is now quoted at ~US$300++ per night. I was stoked at that get.

It took plenty of searching and comparing (stay in mid-town or away a little for less price).

Times Square hotels around NYE are an absolute rip off.

 

[Hvr]

I've previously stayed at Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus (NJ) which is at the first stop on the bus from the Port Authority. Not far at all and there is a WalMart nearby for supplies as required.

 

[Pushka]

I just tried priceline for a comparison of a booking I made with booking.com. Both cancellable, same room.
3 nights booking.com with all taxes - $550 USD = ~ $756 AUD
3 nights priceline shows $310 AUD a night - all up ~ $932AUD

needless to say I stuck with booking.com

 

[burmans]

Not much help now, but managed to get SPG price match for W Downtown over Christmas/New Year (8 nights) for US$206 per night... in a Spectacular room which is now quoted at ~US$300++ per night. I was stoked at that get.

It took plenty of searching and comparing (stay in mid-town or away a little for less price).

Times Square hotels around NYE are an absolute rip off.

Holiday Inn Times Square can be got for 20K IHG Rewards points. And as many know these points can be bought for 0.7c (USD)/point.

 

[get me outta here]

burmans, is that for May?

Holiday Inn Times Square can be got for 20K IHG Rewards points. And as many know these points can be bought for 0.7c (USD)/point.

 

[burmans]

burmans, is that for May?

Seems to be, some random dates

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hote...t&modifySearch=bookhotel_nycma#roomratestitle

 

[albatross710]

Alby, when would be a good time to see if I can get my hotel cheaper on Priceline, how far out from the arrival date is best? Plus, I don't know how it works.

I know that prices vary on an almost daily basis according to the accommodation experts on TA for NY, and the time you are going. In May, a very popular time, it may be hard to get a good deal.

I get my relative pricing history form site - New York State - New York City Forum

As soon as I know I have confirmed dates, then I start a bidding strategy and do it each day as I remember but more than 24 hours since the previous bid.

Any time can be a peak season in the hotel business but NYC is a big city and there are millions of bed to be filled each night.

I've been using Priceline for European, USA & Singapore hotels since 2010. (never had good success in Australia).

It is a bit of a game. Enjoy it.

Alby

 

[RB]

I just tried priceline for a comparison of a booking I made with booking.com. Both cancellable, same room.
3 nights booking.com with all taxes - $550 USD = ~ $756 AUD
3 nights priceline shows $310 AUD a night - all up ~ $932AUD

needless to say I stuck with booking.com

Which just highlights you need to use priceline in the way outlined in the links. All sites have their "specials" it is a matter of spending the time finding the site works for your dates. ie don't write off priceline

 

[albatross710]

Which just highlights you need to use priceline in the way outlined in the links. All sites have their "specials" it is a matter of spending the time finding the site works for your dates. ie don't write off priceline

Exactly, most of the sites work on building their business based on good deals up front which then diminish over time. For instance, I rarely, if ever, expect to use Wotif again as they have moved from needing to drive their growth through pricing.

For us, we just have to be flexible and have a range of acceptable hotels.

Agoda I notice will run (some) rooms for same day booking at well below the booking rates.

Enjoy the Big Apple

 

[burmans]

Exactly, most of the sites work on building their business based on good deals up front which then diminish over time. For instance, I rarely, if ever, expect to use Wotif again as they have moved from needing to drive their growth through pricing.

For us, we just have to be flexible and have a range of acceptable hotels.

So true, this is why I laugh at the "what is the best site" questions, you always need a few and to keep your eye out on new players.