New York City Hotels

[mommylovesdisneymore]

Can anyone help me with planning a couples trip to NYC in Dec? We have 8 couples going and limited money we want to rent 2 rooms and share the cost. Any hotel suggestions never been and dont want to end up in a bad neighbor hood but want to be pretty close to things if not maybe on the out skirts where we could take like a ferry to the city in the morning I heard maybe Jersey and take a ferry over but have no idea whrer in Jersey so please any helped offered will be much appreciated!

 

[clori]

I just did a weekend trip to NYC. We stayed at the Chelsea Savoy hotel. I called the hotel directly and the price was $135 a night for July 4th weekend. When there I priced it for a weekend in August and got $145 a night though we didn't book. I had 2 adults/2 kids so no idea about extra cost for adults.

The hotel was old but clean. Our room had two double beds then an alcove area which fit a free rollaway bed that my oldest dd used and said was comfortable. If you call ask for a room that is L shaped. There is a small fridge in the room. There is some free breakfast food - just bagels, pastry and muffins plus hot drinks (no cold drinks) and right next door is a small variety store/deli. There isn't a microwave in the room but there is one off of the lobby where breakfast is served. Service was fine though honestly all I did was check in/out.

Location wise we took a bus from Boston to Penn Station then easily walked to the hotel. The hotel is right around the corner from the metro (subway) that gets you to the Statue of Liberty area is about 15 minutes. Down the other end of the street is the metro that gets you to Times Square in just a few stops/minutes and if you stay on a bit longer goes out near Museum of Natural History. What was really nice was that you are still close to plenty of things and could probably walk to Times Square if you want you are far enough away that there was no street noise when sleeping at night. It isn't a fancy hotel - old, no doorman etc but it was nice, convenient location for us, and affordable.

I would also look at travelzoo.com. I used them last year and got Affinia Manhattan which is across the street from Penn Station for $159 a night for a 1 bedroom suite which had a room with two queen beds, a separate room with a sofa bed, full kitchen and two full bathrooms and it included breakfast for two people. There is a bagel store across the street.

If having a pool is important we stayed at the Skyline hotel before which has a very nice room top pool for playing in. My kids love this hotel. We also got this room with two queen beds for $135 a night though not in summer time. It isn't the most convenient touristy location though it is near the USS Intrepid whcih was something we visited on that trip but it was easy enough to catch a bus and go places.

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

Thanks I will check those out it will only be adults the first weekend of December so swimming is not a must lol we want to hang in time square area and see tree at Rockefeller center

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Not sure if you meant 8 people (not 8 couples?) Wasn't sure how 8 couples would fit in 2 rooms!

We went in May and stayed at LaQuinta in Secaucus. We got a special for $109/night. The suite had 2 queen beds in one room and then a sleeper sofa. Nothing overly fancy, but it was newish and clean and inlcuded a full breakfast in the morning.

NJ transit has a route right into Port Authority bus terminal. Took about 20 minutes and you're within walking distance of Times Square and Rockefeller Center.

 

[Lavaluma]

I've been to NYC twice in December. 5 years ago, we stayed in New Jersey at a Candlewood Suites and we walked to the PATH train. We payed in the 200's for a room, but did not have to pay to park. It was a last minute weekend stay close to Christmas, so $200 was the cheapest I could find.
Last year, we went the week after Thanksgiving, I was able to get a really great price at Skyline Hotel ($150) and they have discounted parking on site. We actually paid less there than if we stayed in NJ. The rooms were nice and clean. There was nothing wrong with the area. The walk to the subway isn't too bad (unless you're carrying a 2 and 4 year old). We were able to walk from the hotel to Rockefeller Center to see the tree. Unfortunately we were unable to get anywhere near the tree the night they had the tree lighting ceremony. I'd really recommend Skyline.
We've stayed several other places throughout the years, each year a different place has worked out to be the best price. From my experience, December in NYC will be pricy, you may not be able to find anywhere cheaper than $200 a night and most will cost a lot more. Also, the rooms can sometimes be pretty small. Skyline's and Candlewood both have decent sized rooms.
Another thing to factor in is transportation. If you are driving in, you will have to pay to park somewhere. Some hotels provide parking for a fee (some are pretty hefty). If you are taking a Greyhound or train, then you should consider a location that is very convenient to Port Authority, Grand Central Station or a subway stop. Lugging your luggage in NYC can get tiresome.
That said, my favorite time to visit NYC is at Christmas time. The decorations are magical. Make sure you, check out the window displays (my favorites are always Macy's and Tiffany's).

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

Thanks I will check these out!

 

[pamelaz]

Hey there,

I live in NYC.
Definitely check out Jersey and Brooklyn (especially). You can find some cheap (and nice) hotels and bed/breakfasts in Brooklyn - it's my favorite borough.

What about a craigslist deal? I know tons of people who travel for work or other reasons and basically sublet their apartment out for specific periods of time. What's a truer NYC experience then having your own apartment while you stay here? Plus you get a kitchen which cuts down on food costs...

Also, check out the Pod Hotel in Manhattan, although sometimes hard to get into, it's very thrifty with prices and really modern looking.

If you have any NYC questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[clori]

For adults who can handle walking Skyline hotel is in walking distance to Times Square (my kids were 5 and 9 I think when we stayed there). We go to NYC a few times a year to visit Grandpa who lives in midtown Manhattan but used to stay with him until his alzheimer's required a helper. Per my kids request we booked Skyline hotel again for Dec 26-28 for $135 a night though it was two double beds that time. Unfortunately a blizzard stopped us from going as scheduled. We ended up at a hotel in CT and taking the Metro North since hotel prices were too high right before New Years Eve but we hated not staying right in the city.

Before my mil passed away in 2001 she always recommended the Pod hotel and her guests seemed to like it plus it was walking distance from them. We never booked it since we had a free place back then. I would love to stay at the Doubletree across the street from 53/Lexington Station since that is the metro stop closest to grandpa but there is never availibility and while they have two beds they only hold 3 people at most.

 

[krcit]

Check out the Affinia hotels. Also the Doubletree Suites in Times Square. They have 2 rooms with either 2 doubles and a pull out or a king and a pull out in the other room. I really think you should try to stay in the city and not Brooklyn or jersey.

 

[NYCDiane]

You're planning on having 8 people/4 couples in each room???? I don't think any hotel is going to allow that.

 

[smitch425]

I highly recommend the Hyatt Place at Harmon Meadows!!! You literally walk out of the hotel and cross the street to the bus stop and are taken to the NYC Port Authority in about 10-15 minutes. Lots of great restaurants within walking distance of the hotel and other hotels if the Hyatt is out of your price point. We have stayed in Harmon Meadows twice. The first time was just DH and I in April '10 and the second with our kids in Nov. '10. Both times were so easy and stress free. Have a great trip!

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

You're planning on having 8 people/4 couples in each room???? I don't think any hotel is going to allow that.

No it is 8 people total four in each room

 

[bamor]

Try the Radio City Apartments. Steps to Rockefeller Center and Times Square.
www.radiocityapartments.com. Not fancy, but clean. Nice to have the extra space of the living room area and kitchen (good for breakfast, heating up leftovers, etc). Also, subway entrance is at the corner.
Check www.menupages.com for restaurant ideas.
Check www.hopstop.com for subway and walking directions.

 

[neatokimmo]

We stayed at the new Sheraton in Long Island City in May. It had just opened. Nice hotel in an area where there is a lot of demo and remodeling. It is a couple of blocks from the stop past queensborough bridge. We walked back and forth to the subway with a small child with no issues. There are also two awesome delis on the walk, one with a mexican hot bar and one is traditional. We went in them because they were covered up with construction workers. Those guys know where all the good food is!

 

[louey]

We booked a 2 night stay at the Marriott Marquis in Time Square and prepaid to save $$$$. If you do that you cannot cancel which we are not we will be attending the US Open. We have never stayed right in Times Square and are excited to be staying in the middle of it all

 

[Aristocath]

Just remember that the first weekend of December is one of the busiest weekends (as is the second weekend) and prices are higher than many other times of year. Also, you will probably have to stay at one of the larger hotels to get 4 adults in a room. I would look into the Crowne Plaza on Broadway and 49.

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

Why is it so busy that weekend?

 

[Aristocath]

Why is it so busy that weekend?

Everyone loves to see New York done up for the holidays. The tree in Rockefeller Center is lit (usually done the Wednesday after Thanksgiving I believe), store windows have been unveiled and the buildings are decorated. If you travel before Thanksgiving not everything is decorated yet. And many people don't like to vacation so close to Christmas, making the first two weekends very popular.

I go to New York almost every December for the theater, to do some shopping and to visit family. If I go one of the first two weekends of December I really have to fork over $$$$$ to stay in the theater district. Last year we went the third weekend since we took our kids. We were there the 18th-22nd and stayed at the Crowne Plaza. We are a family of five so I had to get two rooms. I used Priority Club points for two nights on the weekend and then paid cash for the other two nights. Since it was the week before Christmas and not as many tourists, I got a great rate of $225/night. I know it sounds expensive but believe me, that is a very good rate for December in Times Square!

I love NYC! Have a great trip!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I always book the Wellington for my boss who goes each fall. Unfortunately, I don't know the prices or really the location but it is where he swears by while in NYC proper.

 

[jiminy14]

A lot of New York City hotels have smaller rooms than the average hotel. It is not easy to find rooms with two double beds as most hotels offer a single queen or king bed. That being said, we have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on 8th Avenue between 48th and 49th. It is conveniently located to Times Square and the theater district. It is also within a two block walk of most subway lines. The hotel was very clean and had a nice restaurant downstairs. If you are driving, there is a parking garage next door that offers special rates for hotel guests that are very affordable for NY.
You can also check out www.oyster.com for special rates. This website sends in undercover "guests" that take actual pictures of the rooms and common areas.