NYC Hotel

November 15, 2004 6:30 AM

I Need to Find a Hotel in NYC i so screwed up [mi]

I have a trip to NYC with my friend, arriving 11/18, departing 11/22. It was left to me to make the hotel reservations. Unfortunately I procrastinated until, well about 2 hours ago. As you can imagine, I'm having difficulty.

It's been recommended to us to stay in soho or the lower eastside, between 14th & canal. My friend has a friend that lives in Brooklyn and works in the lower eastside. The only sightseeing requirement that my friend has is to see the Statue of Liberty. I want to shop. I'd like to go to the Nuyorican, 236 east 3rd st, avenues b&c. Otherwise, we've been playing it by ear. So much so, that I totally blew off making hotel reservations. Stupid.

The three hotels that were recommended to us, Chelsea, Off Soho, Gershwin, and Howard Johnson are all booked. And, I can't find a hotel-booking website: hotels.com, tripadvisor, expedia, travelocity, that allows me to search using lower eastside, soho as a category.

I'm totally open to other areas of the City, but I have no idea where to start.

Can anyone point me to hotels in that general area, hopefully less than $225 per night?

posted by Juicylicious to travel & transportation (18 comments total)

Try Priceline. I've gotten some deals that way, including $105/night at the Wellington Hotel at 55th & 7th.

The Apple Core Hotels chain (same ownership, different brands) has a good reputation and all are relatively inexpensive.

Unfortunately, there aren't many hotels in SoHo or the LES. (And a lot of them are small boutique hotels, and therefore likely to be expensive.) Fortunately, however, public transportation is a snap and easy to figure out. Most hotels are in Midtown, and I certainly wouldn't rule out looking there. Travel time from say, Times Square to Chelsea or the LES is maybe 15-20 minutes, tops.

Also, have you looked at hostels, such as the Chelsea Center, Jazz on the Park, or the mammoth HI hostel on the Upper West Side?
posted by Vidiot at 7:02 AM on November 15, 2004

Hm, I did a quick search on Tablet Hotels for you but nothing in your price range appears available. You could try calling the hotels directly...not their 800 numbers, their local ones. Sometimes things pop up that way.

Hmmm. There's the Howard Johnson Express Inn on the Lower East Side. I have no idea how (un)posh it is but bands often stay there when they tour. On the plus side, it's right where you want to be, location-wise.

But if you can't find anything below 14th Street, most hotels are located so close to the subway that location isn't of the utmost importance. The Roosevelt is decent, and it's right around the corner from Grand Central Station. Maybe try calling them?
posted by cowboy_sally at 7:04 AM on November 15, 2004

what vidiot and sally said -- most hotels are midtown, you'll find many deals there. just use public transportation to get downtown and meet your friends/do your things

try the Wyndham (not part of the chain of the same name), on 58th Street right behind the Plaza, it used to be inexpensive, at least for New York's (shameful) standards
posted by matteo at 7:20 AM on November 15, 2004

The Washington Square Hotel should have rooms in your price range (if any are available). It's right on Washington Square Park (so, south of 14th street, but more west side than east side).

As mentioned, with easy access to the subway, anywhere should work, but I did like staying at this place when I first visited NYC.
posted by ursus_comiter at 7:29 AM on November 15, 2004

If Times Square isn't too touristy for you, the Milford Plaza had great prices when I went this summer.
posted by GaelFC at 7:52 AM on November 15, 2004

I've checked every hotel recommended, no luck. I'm also checking Hotwire too. My forhead is bruised and swollen from banging it on my dest for the last few hours.
posted by Juicylicious at 8:27 AM on November 15, 2004

Have you tried a hotel in downtown Jersey City?

There's a brand new Hyatt that is right on the Hudson, about 5 feet away from the PATH Station at Exchange Place that will get you to the WTC station in about 5 minutes. There's also a commuter ferry with a spectacular view right next to the hotel.

It's in a very nice business district, and it's very safe to travel to and from at all hours. The PATH runs all night; late nights it's every half hour on the half hour from the WTC.
posted by bcwinters at 8:44 AM on November 15, 2004

juicylicious:

www.sheraton.com

Sheraton Manhattan Hotel
100% Match
790 7th Avenue at 51st Street, New York, New York 10019United States
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
0.28 mi/0.45 km from center of New York.
From USD $281/night


Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea
160 West 25th Street, New York, New York 10001United States
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
1.04 mi/1.67 km from center of New York.
From USD $274/night

Sheraton Suites on the Hudson
500 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, New Jersey 07087United States
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
2.69 mi/4.33 km from center of New York.
From USD $206/night
posted by matteo at 8:56 AM on November 15, 2004

Millenium Broadway
145 West 44th Street, New York, USA 10036-4012
tel: [phone] fax: [phone] reservation: +1 212 768.4400
email: [e-mail]

Thu 18-Nov-2004 Bed Type: No Preference
Departure Date: Mon 22-Nov-2004 Min Number of Beds: No Preference
Number of Adults / Children: 2 / 0 Room Type: No Preference
Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Rollaways: 0

Available Rates

The following rates are available for the dates you have chosen, for the number of persons indicated. Select a rate plan to receive more detailed information and make a reservation.

299.00 USD Best Available Rate - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Superior Room with Two oversized twin beds High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
329.00 USD Best Available Rate - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Premier Room with One Queen Bed Upscale and Spacious, Complimentary Breakfast
299.00 USD Best Available Rate - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Superior Room with One king bed High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
269.00 USD AAA Rate-membership required - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Classic Room with one king bed High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
269.00 USD AAA Rate-membership required - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Classic Room with two oversized twin beds High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
269.00 USD AARP Rate-membership required - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Classic Room with one king bed High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
269.00 USD AARP Rate-membership required - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Classic Room with two oversized twin beds High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
279.00 USD Best Available Rate - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Classic Room with one king bed High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
279.00 USD Best Available Rate - (1st Day Rate Per Room - see detail for other days)
Classic Room with two oversized twin beds High Speed Internet, Spacious,Great NYC Views
309.00 USD Citibank World Privileges - (Daily Rate Per Room)
Premier Room with One Queen Bed Upscale and Spacious, Complimentary Breakfast

posted by matteo at 8:58 AM on November 15, 2004

link for the Millennium (do not mistake it for the much more expensive Hilton's Millenium, downtown and right next to where the WTC was) is here
posted by matteo at 9:00 AM on November 15, 2004

There's a gigantor Marriot in Brooklyn, just over the Brooklyn Bridge. It has pretty convenient Manhattan access...
posted by sad_otter at 9:02 AM on November 15, 2004

Yipee! I just got a "quad" room, basically 2 rooms connected by a door and shared bathroom, in room t.v.s, coffee maker, etc. for $165 per night. I am so f'n relieved. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
posted by Juicylicious at 10:54 AM on November 15, 2004

Oh. .... Hotel Grand Union, 34 East 32nd Street New York NY 10016 .
posted by Juicylicious at 10:55 AM on November 15, 2004

I love AskMe. Where else could a procrastinator get his hotelling problems solved within an hour, weeks past the deadline?
posted by five fresh fish at 11:08 AM on November 15, 2004

Plus, the Hotel Grand Union is right near Koreatown -- cross Fifth Avenue and my favorite dumpling joint, Mandoo Bar, is on the left.
posted by Vidiot at 11:24 AM on November 15, 2004

cool, have a nice trip
posted by matteo at 11:56 AM on November 15, 2004

Nice to see a happy ending. Walk the few blocks down to Tabla, on the east side of Madison Square, and have a tablatini one evening!
posted by languagehat at 2:07 PM on November 15, 2004

Okay, since there are a few mefiers familiar with the area, anyone want to have a drink with me while my friend runs off to Brooklyn?
posted by Juicylicious at 3:52 PM on November 15, 2004