New York Hotels

[DuncanF]

Following on my my question about the best cattle class, I'd like to draw on your collective experience ...

I'm going to NYK for a mate's 40th in December. Now I've been to NYK many time on business, and someone always pays for the hotel. But when you start to look at paying for it yourself, it all gets a bit scary. Do you guys have any favourite cheap/cheerful hotels etc. to recommend? Downtown preferably, but I'm not that fussed.

Thanks,

Duncan

[Globaliser]

I've never stayed at this place myself, because I always take the view that if I'm in NYC I'm going to treat myself.

But the top cheap and cheerful recommendation is the Vanderbilt YMCA. It's a lot better than it sounds - a true budget hotel not a hostel. It's in a great location near Grand Central Terminal and it's clean, quiet and comfortable. I have a number of friends who have stayed there, whose judgement I trust, and none of them have had any problems.

[PAXboy]

I have not stayed in the New York YM but used the one in HKG off and on for seven months in 94/95.

It was the finest budget hotel I have had stayed in! They still have some floors with the multi-tenant rooms but the regular rooms are used to subsidies the ones for students.

If this is the same category - then I would say Yes.

When you get back from the trip, please stop back here and tell us where you stayed and what it was like!!

[brockenspectre]

or...

I worked for a while (until 9/1 lost me my job) for a tour operator specialising in North American vacations called Jetlife Holidays - they used to (probably still) have a good range of hotels available and you don't have to buy the whole thing from them ... they have a website so why not get their current brochure and give 'em a call... their prices were always competitive..

Hope this helps!

[DistantRumble]

The Hudson up around 53rd isn't bad (not the cheapest though ) and the bar is a drooler's paradise.

[Level2]

Hi,

Stayed in the Metropolitan hotel a couple of times. Great location at 51st street/Lexington. Should be able to get a good deal if you book online failing that unijet have it in their brochure. Can't wait for my next trip back to the big apple

[Lan Ding Gere]

Stayed in NY a few times.

The New York Helmsley is a very nice place. East 42nd street. Literally 5 minutes walk from Times Square

LDG

[Land After]

I've used these people http://www.express-res.com/ for decent rates, but compare with other before booking.

Try also looking at the Gazeteer pages on Virgin.net in the travel section of the portal - these are unbiased opinions on properties.

[knobbygb]

Take a look at the Skyline Hotel (This isn't meant to be a blatant advert, it's just that the link can be hard to find with a search engine for some reason).

It's in Hell's Kitchen which is in an up and coming area just west of Times Square, only five minutes walk off the main drag and it's supposed to be quite safe.

It's a bit 'motel' style - not like the usual NYC hotels, but it's great value and has really large, clean rooms, an indoor pool and (I think) free parking. For the price ($120 plus tax in December) you'll struggle to get better value. I haven't stayed there yet but have friends who've been more than once and swear by it.

[Momo]

Try this site

This site claims they will give you the lowest prices or refund the difference:

http://www.a1-discount-new-york-city-hotels.com/

There are many other hotel price comparison sites. Try putting New York hotel prices as a search into Google, and you will get an interesting set of sponsored links over on the right side of the results. Weekends are much cheaper than midweek.

Momo

[atco-matic]

Steer clear of the Ramada New Yorker... it was the one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed in- certainly not what I would expect from a large international hotel chain.

[DuncanF]

Well I had a good look around. Plenty of discount web sites offering hotels from around the $140 mark, but no real way of telling how good they were.

I found one place that let's appartments and studios for corporate lets, but they start at a minimum of seven days. But if you can do that (I can't) then there are some good deals.

In the end, I've gone for the Helmsley Middletown - the Helmsley NYC is vastly more expensive! Got it on a Website at $160. Strangely when I rang to see what they would do direct, I was quoted $230 for the same room!

I'll let you know what it's like when I get back.

Thanks for all your thoughts/reports.

Duncan

[Pax Vobiscum]

Rather than stay in Manhattan, why not consider staying 20-30 miles out in New Jersey, where equivalent standard hotels are much cheaper and friendlier. You can catch the train (!) into Penn Station for about $8 (journey less than an hour), or for a more scenic arrival get off in Hoboken and catch the ferry across to Manhattan.

For the benefit of first-time travellers to NYC, be aware that prices are always quoted net of tax - Sales Tax, NY State Tax and the special NY City Tax on tourist items like hotels really mount up, if you're paying your own way!

PV

[Llademos]

Most NY Hotels have two double/queen/king beds in them, so stay with a friend and halve the cost! eg you can get the Waldorf for $200-250, works out (after taxes) of £80-90 each, which is v good considering this is one of the best hotels in NY.

[INLAK]

The last time I was in NYC, I stayed in a place called Thirty-Thirty. It`s located at 30 East 30th Street, strangely enough!!
It`s about 5 mins from Times Sq. and the Empire State Building. It was very nice and clean, and only cost $99/night for a double room. I would definitely stay there again and have recommended it to many people.

[Eboy]

When I've been in New York a couple of times on my own I took the train and stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, across the street from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. A large tourist hotel. Nothing fancy but not bad and relatively cheap. I've seen a lot of Asian flight attendants there.

http://www.hotelpenn.com/

[PaxmanwithInfo]

I would recommend a hotel called On the Avenue. It's about $135 for a twin or double room and each room has a large galss window with a view of the city. Very nice and affordable.

I'm going back there in two weeks. It's MidTown.

PaxmanwithInfo

[BahrainLad]

I have found that the Four Seasons (East 57th) is one of the best hotels in NY....purely because of the quality of their concierge.

They really can get you tickets to anything, arrange your personal shopping, reroute flights etc. Really great if you are only in the 'Apple for a short time (i.e. Chrimbo shopping weekend) and need to see and do everything....all in 48 hours.

I think the main lady was called Jo Danielson (got her card somewhere).....an absolute star.

[deanofs]

hotel

try the Wellington

55 and 7th, 5 mins from Times square, stayed there a few weeks ago, clean and comfy

http://www.wellingtonhotel.com/index.cfm

[FormerFlyer]

Avoid the Millennium UN Plaza at all costs - you'd think it would have decent desk staff and quality rooms being a 4/5* place right by the UN - how wrong!

Go for the Millennium Broadway instead.