Not to jack the thread, but a friend is going up around the same time. She is only finding stuff in the $400 range and thinking of staying outside the city. There will be six of them, so where would you guys recommend? Jersey, another burrough or what? I did tell her to factor in transportation, but I’m not familiar enough with the area to know where the subways/trains run and how much they cost.
There are some slightly less expensive places in Astoria or near Laguardia. If they stayed in Newark, the bus from there to the city bus terminal is $15 each way. (at least it was a couple of years ago) From Astoria you could take the subway.
Astoria lines on the subway can be tricky. You could find you’re on the 7 train, and waiting for a while, or on the N and having your line diverted as it is running on another train’s track (and skipping the N-stop that you need). Astoria is local enough, those things notwithstanding. The cars should be fairly well-traveled during that time of year, though, so no worry about being the lone outsider(s).
Sometimes Newark is the more convenient choice if you are willing to be located outside of Manhattan.
@cap: does your friend’s group require that they be together? The rates at the Mayfair were astounding for the first week of January.
DS & DD met my Dad in NYC right before Christmas last year. They stayed in one of the POD hotels, I think under $150/night. The bunk beds were ideal for them. The room was teeny, tiny - but it had a bathroom. They would have preferred if it he bathroom walls were not glass. But since they were there for NYC sites not the room it worked fine.
I found a good deal for Dad at Candlewood Suites.
Travel Zoo posted this deal from $115 – NYC: Stylish Times Square Hotel, Save 50% TRYP by Wyndham Times Square. Don’t know anything aboutthe hotel.
http://www.travelzoo.com/hotel-booking/2439?utm_source=genericemail_us&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2162830&utm_campaign=2162830_html_hotel%3a2439
The Doubletree Times Square is very nice. It has an access controlled entrance where guest IDs are checked before they can board the elevator to the lobby (it’s on an upper floor). All rooms are suites overlooking Times Square (at Broadway and 48th if I recalled correctly). You can’t get any more centrally located than this.
CCM:
Thought your airbnb listing looked fantastic until I saw the presence of pets and smokers welcomed. I couldn’t do that but great location if those things don’t bother you.
Before my nephew moved to NYC, he stayed at The Jane:
Not as convenient to Times Square as The Mayfair, but also good for the budget!
The last time we were in NYC we stayed at the Hilton next to the Freedom Tower/9-11 Memorial sites. We didn’t need to be near Times Square and it was the best deal we could find. Other things we considered to keep the budget down were the Newark area and Long Island City. In Newark, there is a Hilton connected to Newark Penn Station and an Element next to the Harrison train station (NJ PATH maybe?). I have also looked at Long Island City (not Long Island) and have seen some good deals there with an easy commute to Manhattan.
Re:suggestions to look at airbnb et al, NYC has a prohibition against short term rentals (under 30 days) in any unit with 3 or more units. Source of rental (vrbo, airbnb etc) or the type of ownership (rental, condo or co op). This affects Manhattan and outer boroughs. Since it is illegal you have little recourse for scams or rental going downhill.
I have used Priceline and Hotwire in NY, but Priceline only guarantees a room that sleeps two. NYC has far more rooms with only one bed, and that can often be a double (as opposed to a queen). Not bad if don’t mind sharing but something to be aware of.
Long Island City, Queens has several hotels with an easy subway trip into midtown.
I recommend the NYC forum on trip advisor for great NYC advise. There are many better options than Newark, NJ.
Skyline Hotel 725 10th Ave (at 50th St) cheap, safe and most important, clean.
Thank you all so much! We’re going to stay at Staybridge Suites. We know it’s going to be crazy, crowded and expensive, but it’s our only chance for the foreseeable future. Spent yesterday on a day trip with some girlfriends, and got to see the 911 museum, incredible. Ate at Carmines (disappointing). Planning on Ellens Stardust on this trip. There’s a rooftop bar where you sit outside under blankets, does anyone know where this is?
I second the Crown Plaza. Stayed there many years ago with 200 high school orchestra students and it was so great, it is where I stay every time we go to NYC. Easy walking distance to Broadway and everything in Times Square. Have never been after Christmas, so don’t know that pricing but it is easy distance to everything by foot and subway if you need it.
Since you have a hotel ( I was going to recommend the Sheraton at 52nd and 7th- you can sometimes get a “good” rate, rooms are nice and it’s just out of the TS craziness, but an easy walk to both there and Central Park), let’s talk shows. I saw 'The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder"( best musical 2014) last week. Closing soon, so go if it’s still there, it’s fabulous. Also, a couple months ago I saw “The King and I” up at the Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center. It’s a great theater if you haven’t been there before and a little different night out than right in TS area. Stars multiple Tony winner Kelli O’Hara and it is a wonderful production in all the ways of the big older-fashioned shows.
And I got great seats for both the above shows at the TKTS booth.
We loved the YOTEL right near times square. Tiny rooms but white, clean, and super modern, with beautiful views of the river. Like a pod hotel but great, and it has nice decks and social space… we had a great deal on our rooms, but I don’t know what they go for now.
Haven’t read the whole thread. But do not stay near Times Square. It will cost you the most. And getting anywhere in Manhatten is easy. People do it every day.
Was in NYC this weekend. Saw Allegiance, which I recommend. It’s George Takei’s project and raises important questions in these troubled times. Times Square was a zoo, but kinda of fun at the same time.
I was at the Tkts booth yesterday and easily picked up tickets for Hand to God which is in final weeks. There were tickets for almost any show out there with the exception of course of Hamilton, Wicked, Aladdin, The Lion King. I think virtually every other show including Gentlemen’s Guide (which I totally enjoyed and will see again with my daughter before it closes next month), King & I, Allegiance, Finding Neverland, Kinky Boots, A View from the Bridge, the new David Mamet play with Al Pacino (received dreadful reviews) was available. There is never a line for plays, always a line for musicals but the line moves fast.
Just a quick followup and thank you for all your advice. We had an incredible time. Crazy busy but saw 5 shows (all through TKTS) Allegiance, Kinky Boots, Radio CIty, Gin Game and Chicago. Allegiance should be seen by everyone, it was fantastic. Our longest wait in the TKTS line was 2 hours, shortest was 15 minutes. We knew it would be wild being the week of New Years. Wonderful to spend time with DD doing something we both like so much, I do hope we get an opportunity to do it again, maybe in warmer weather =D>