What's the definition of affordable NYC hotel in Dec.? Now going in May-June!!

[eatatmidnight]

We are thinking of taking my 84 yo mother to NYC in December. She has never been (only 1 of my brothers has) and has always wanted to see Rockerfeller Center at Christmastime as well as other sights. Is $500/night the most reasonable price for a hotel within 1/2 mile or so?

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

 

[cherrybomb11]

Within a half mile, you could probably get something for $350 if you look carefully for a deal. Unless you get a crazy good deal from a 3rd party website, most hotels in Midtown that are $250 or under veer into scary territory. I am a budget traveler but trust me, just read the reviews! You might consider going just a tiny bit further such as Central Park or Upper West Side. This might mean paying $300 instead of $500 in Times Square, so saving money is relative.

 

[crazyme5kids]

You can find deals, often directly through hotel websites, not 3rd party. Just keep checking, and read Trip Advisor reviews, as well as ask here for hotel recommendations. I'm just a train ride into the city, but once in a while will snag a hotel for an overnight stay. I've never paid more than $300 a night, usually pay between $200-250. Be slightly flexible on the area and something should come up.

 

[princesspiglet]

We go up to NYC quite a bit in December and always stay here. It is a boutique hotel. Small rooms, but they offer free breakfast and is only 2 blocks away from Times Square. We usually pay around $230 a night.

http://applecorehotels.com/the-hotel-at-times-square/

 

[clh2]

We stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel last December for 3-nights from December 16th through the 19th (3-nights). Our total cost for the hotel was under $689.01 including all the taxes/fees.

Phenomenal location, in midtown Manhattan. Would stay there again in a New York minute! (GET IT??? Sometimes I just crack myself up!)

We actually had made our reservations about 3 months in advance, but I was casually checking rates the week before our trip - and the prices had dropped ( about $100 in total) to the total I listed above. HopSTop is guestimating a 6-minute walk, that is 0.3miles. I think it is more like a 15 minute walk, as there are pedestrians, traffic lights etc. But it was really a short distance.

Did I mention I LOVED this hotel and the location???

 

[beansmom]

we have become new converts to airbnb.com where you can rent an apartment usually for much less than a hotel room and have more of the comforts of a home. I would at least give them a lookover.

 

[lauradis]

You can find deals, often directly through hotel websites, not 3rd party. Just keep checking, and read Trip Advisor reviews, as well as ask here for hotel recommendations. I'm just a train ride into the city, but once in a while will snag a hotel for an overnight stay. I've never paid more than $300 a night, usually pay between $200-250. Be slightly flexible on the area and something should come up.

Also if you check the 3rd party websites plus hotels website for pricing, then call the hotel directly you might find better deal.

plus if you tip the clerk checking you in they can possibly find you up grade, or just bend over backwards to be more helpful then normal. Normally $20 works

 

[eatatmidnight]

Thanks for the great information. We have a place to start. I'll let you know if we get to go and where we stay. Walking and cold weather can be hard on mom, but I think she will enjoy seeing NYC.

 

[Katelly]

Be careful with sites such as airbnb. I'm pretty sure that apartment rentals in NYC under thirty days are illegal!

 

[bamor]

Try Radio City Apartments. It is on 49th, practically across the street from Rockefeller Center. Not upscale, but very clean, perfect location and generally reasonable. www.radiocityapartments.com

 

[elgerber]

Be careful with sites such as airbnb. I'm pretty sure that apartment rentals in NYC under thirty days are illegal!

I have been doing a lot of reading on NYC in the last couple months, and everything I have read says they are illegal.

 

[scrapquitler]

We are thinking of taking my 84 yo mother to NYC in December. She has never been (only 1 of my brothers has) and has always wanted to see Rockerfeller Center at Christmastime as well as other sights. Is $500/night the most reasonable price for a hotel within 1/2 mile or so?

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

Last week DH and I stayed at New York Marriott East Side
525 Lexington Ave New York, NY, 10017 United States, ‎1-866-573-4235‎ while my husband was at a conference for work, and I'm not sure what his work paid for the room last week, but I just checked Hotels.com and on 12/13 (Friday night) a room is $476. So that $500 is probably a pretty reasonable expectation in that area. The hotel was nice, but the room we had only had one bed, I'm not sure if that is typical or not, so you want to make sure it has two beds if you are taking Mom along with you.

 

[Maddie2]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Herald Square in July and paid right around $250/night. It might be a bit more for holiday season? HIExpress isn't fancy (consistently good reviews/new hotel), but this fit our family's needs very well. Breakfast is also included and from what I understand, this is a rarity in NYC. It gave us a great start for our busy days there.

It is a bit of a walk to Rockefeller Center (HIExpress is on 36th street between 5th & 6th), but cabs are plentiful and it is a good location for many other sights.

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/new-york/nycts/hoteldetail

 

[beansmom]

I did not know airbnb was illegal in NYC. Sorry,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/airbnb-illegal-in-nyc_n_3314155.html

 

[AuroraRora]

I did not know airbnb was illegal in NYC. Sorry,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/airbnb-illegal-in-nyc_n_3314155.html

Wow, I live in NYC and Airbnb is big business here, I had no idea it was illegal either! I wonder why they haven't stepped in and stopped them operating in the city.

 

[lpereira]

I dont have the link but a recent court ruling says that it is not illegal for regular apartment dwellers to rent out space in their apartment on a short term basis. As long as there is no language in the lease to prohibit it. Airnb basically funded the appeals of a guy charged under the law. The appeals court ruled the law applied to landlords and not renters.

 

[lpereira]

Hrre it is.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/10/0...c.1.27.mobile-gws-hp..36.15.2418.wV2MMlS0hfg&

 

[taitai]

My understanding is that the vast majority of Airbnb listings in NYC are illegal. You can, under certain circumstances, rent out space in your apartment but you need to be staying there at the same time. You cannot rent out the entire space while you are gone somewhere else. That is also only if the landlord allows such a sublet relationship (the majority don't) AND the apartment is not a co-op or condo most of which ban this type of relationship.

It is a big risk to try airbnb in NYC both for the renter and the host.

 

[elphaba91]

I am looking at this hotel for our stay next year. It is almost in Times Square, and right near all the theatres (which is perfect for us as that's hopefully where we'll be most nights!). Prices are fairly reasonable.

http://www.edisonhotelnyc.com/

 

[smwf71]

The Edison is a great location. I have stayed there twice. Nice NYC style diner for breakfast in lobby. Wonderful Italian restaurant too- Sophia's. Rooms are small but location can't be beat.