Is a Budget Overnight NYC trip possible before Christmas?

[Mickeys.friend]

We live about 1 1/2 hours away from the city, and we have not been to see "the tree" in about 7 years when our first born was only 6. We used to drive in early, go to Macy's to see Santa, have lunch....and stay at my husband's grandparent's house in Queens overnight. We could take the subway from there. Now we are a family of 5 including a baby, and staying there is just not possible anymore...My older 2 kids are really wanting to go, but my husband just is not thrilled about going in and then driving home at night. Has anyone ever got a good deal on one night in NYC??? I am sure i could plan the rest of the day's activities pretty frugally, but getting a room has me worried....I would love to hear from anyone that has any tips or experiences....I figure I better start thinking about this now...

LIZ

 

[Bren's Mom]

Ooohhh...I just saw a deal, it was a good deal but that still means $199...that's budget for NYC but is that budget enough for you?? I am at work and the parenting mag I saw it in is home but if you think it would work for you I'll post it when I get home. It was for a 2 room suite.

 

[Mickeys.friend]

Sure...I think that's pretty reasonable...I am open to all ideas!!! By the way, congrats on going "smoke free"....My sister just kicked it cold turkey after smoking Camels for 16 years!!! It's possible!!!
LIZ

 

[Bren's Mom]

Awww...thanks! I just still don't know what to do with myself on breaks at work! LOL

I will find the deal specifics when I get home and will be back to post them for you.

 

[java]

Oh I would love to see a suite for less than $200 too!

Congrats on the smoke free- on breaks go get yourself a coffee. Or find someone to make out with.

 

[cmjaffe]

Don't forget to factor in about $50 or more for parking... and about 13% in all the extra taxes that they levy (not just the sales tax unf)

 

[hsmamato2]

subbing

 

[micheleq]

There is a website called betterbidding.com that you can use to help with a Hotwire/Priceline hotel bid. It lists the hotels in the star category so you have an idea of what you're getting. That might help you.

 

[daisy2jae]

I love priceline. I use big crumbs and save even more by getting a return back from going through them first.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Just remember that priceline guarantees one bed only iirc. And also that NYC rooms can be VERY small. You could end up with a problem on Priceline if you're a family of 4.

Anyway, the deal I referred to earlier is in Scholastic's Parent and Child magazine that I was given at ds's preschool. Oct 2009. It's not $199, my error, it's $200 per night for a 1 br suite at the Buckingham Hotel (decent reviews, see below) for a family of 4 (2 adults plus 2 kids under 12). That rate includes 4 tickets to the Central Park Zoo ($30 value), 2 packages of animal crackers and 2 plush zoo toys.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...-New_York_City_New_York.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

The rate is valid Oct 1 to Dec 30, 2009 except for blackout dates:
Oct 29-Nov 2, Nov 25-28, Dec 1-10

Call 888-511-1900 and mention the Scholastic offer.

 

[flakypuff]

Ooohhh...I just saw a deal, it was a good deal but that still means $199...that's budget for NYC but is that budget enough for you?? I am at work and the parenting mag I saw it in is home but if you think it would work for you I'll post it when I get home. It was for a 2 room suite.

I have been wanting to go for the Thanksgiving Parade for soooo long. I have never been.
I was thinking maybe...just maybe some crazy deal would come out before then

 

[mchelle77]

Last time my DH and I were in NYC was for my 30th in January (2007) and we stayed at Hotel 41, on the corner of 41st St. and Broadway. Cute little boutique hotel and it was about $150-160 a night, if I remember correctly. We were able to walk to Rock Center and go ice skating. The prices online were different than the rate we were given when we called, so I'd recommend doing that (calling directly). They have a website to check it out, www.hotel41nyc.com. I posted a review about it in TripAdvisor too, we liked it that much.

 

[Aristocath]

If you go toward the middle of December, closer to Christmas you should have no problem getting a room for one night. There are lots of discounts available for after the 16th. Check travelzoo.com for rates. Your biggest problem will be finding a room for a family of five. They are very strict about occupancy limits. We have gotten the Doubletree for $199 and the Affinia was more expensive. Some of the hotels have a two night minimum the first two weekends of December.

Cathy

 

[diznee princess]

we live on Long Island we fo in often for one night.
We liked the new Hilton Hampton Inn on 8th, right across the street from Where Wicked plays. Great restaurant on the corner, Thalias, cozy.
They include a free breakfast, parking is reasonable and right on property. The rooms are modern, with flat screen tv's. There is also a Hilton garden inn just a block away that is also new. We stayed both times for one night @ 179.00 in Feb. Probably looking at 200. for Dec. They do have a king corner with pullout sofabed that was roomy. Easy walk to everything! a popular hotel for the price and service you don't usually find in Manhattan

Also last year we went in and stayed @ fairly new Marriott Residence Inn right across from Empire state on 36th its around the corner from Bryant park and down a few blocks from the Rock center. Easy to get around. Ate @ Butterfield8 a block away, was very good with a local crowd. Reasonable parking nearby.(40.00) I know they have 1/2 brs and offer free breakfast and social hour Mon- Thursday.
They also opened this year a new budget friendly Springhill Suites, also w/ breakfast and I think they have 2 brs too. Marriott & Hilton has the comfy beds.

The Millenium on Broadway/44th has large rooms. You can get a room with a king/sofa or two doubles, we bring an air mattress as they have good floor space. I saw them offer rooms as low as 99.00. Views are good from this hotel and right outside is Times Square! eat at Carmines on 44th need reservations

Oh and there is a Best Western Hospitality house across from Marriott East. It is like an apt buliding with kitchens, 1/2 brs and living with sofabed. I have gotten good last minute rates through cheaperthanhotels.com which is an orbitz/hotel club company I think. They only take a deposit for reservations.
Good rates.