New York Hotels

[woebetide8]

My SIL has decided she wants to celebrate her sixtieth in New York, and some of the family have booked a hotel that is way out of my budget. They want to be walking distance to all the tourist stuff so central Manhattan. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, clean hotel. Not bothered if it's a chain or boutique, as long as it's clean. I can probably afford up to £200 a night; they have booked into one that is £350 a night!

This is the issue so far... we are the family members with the least amount of money in our pockets! Am looking into all of these suggestions, and also into just saying that we wish her a happy birthday but can't afford it. Why get so stressed and broke for someone else's elaborate birthday plans... we were invited, doesn't mean we have to go (we is me, adult son and a mutual old school friend).

We found the Hilton midtown (just hilton not the garden or double tree one) had mixed reviews but the location was everything. The downstairs was so clean and modern. The rooms were just in need of a refresh but for what we paid.

A 5 minute walk away was a pizza place selling huge slices for $4 or a whole pizza for $20 that fed 2 adults and 2 children and we had leftovers.

Lots of deli/ bagel places for cheaper food. Just avoid sit down restaurants, maybe just do 1.

If you get a good location hotel and you are fit and healthy you can walk most places. We only got the Subway to the financial district and a taxi from the airport. We walked everywhere else.

If you want to see a show wait until the day. We got tickets for a little as $40 each on the same day.

Whilst New York attractions are expensive, there are free things to do:

Walk around the parks
New York Library
States Island Ferry to.see the Statue of Liberty.
Grand Central station
The High Line
Some of the cathedrals
Markets
General sightseeing - we loved just walking around.
Certain days/ times some museums have free entry
Depending on the time of year look at events in the parks
Walk the Manhatten and Brooklyn bridges

New York doesn't have to be super expensive but it really depends how much you actually want to go and if you think the cost is worth it.

We stayed in The Broadway Plaza great hotel

@MissConductUS I’m thinking of taking my young adult DS to New York next year, possibly in May or June, for a belated big birthday. I went there 35 years ago so suspect things have changed quite a bit!

Is there anything you’d really recommend aside from the usual tourist attractions that might suit us both? I like art galleries, concerts, museums and food and he likes doing active stuff! I guess we’ll come for 5/6 days due to the cost!

Intetesting to see the hotels people are recommending in this thread too. How far in advance should we book to get the best deals? Any advice is welcome :)
Thanks so much.

@SillySeal It’s someone else’s birthday! The op won’t be leading this holiday. The birthday “girl” will. I applaud every suggestion you make and it’s what we have done but this is a celebration holiday and it’s not for the op so I don’t see that she has free choice regarding a cheap itinerary. What if SIL likes cocktail bars and Broadway shows in the best seats?

@woebetide8 Honestly, I would politely decline. You are already separated by being in another hotel and it’s a lot of money for a holiday not on your terms or your budget. They wanted to include you, which is kind, but most people would recognise the cost involved is a step too far for some. It’s like “destination” weddings. Wonderful for nearest well off family, but not workable for others in more ways than one.

We stayed here a couple of years ago. V happy with the accommodation and location. There's a metro station 2 mins' walk.

Hotel costs vary massively by time of year. If you are flexible you can have a good look and see when things are cheaper. I’d also avoid the summer months if you can as the city gets horribly humid.

The OP is going on a birthday trip so I think it’s difficult to choose the time. If it’s Feb though, it’s cheaper.

No, but the poster I was replying to was asking for tips!

Sorry!

@Househunter16

Two things come to mind that your young adult son would probably enjoy (mine certainly did). One is the Intrepid Sea Air and space Museum:

https://intrepidmuseum.org

You get to tour inside an aircraft carrier and a 1950's era submarine, and see one of the old space shuttles. It's really fascinating and great fun. Buy your tickets online before you go.

The second is the Radio City Theater Stage Door Tour:

https://www.rockettes.com/christmas/experiences/tour/

Radio City is a historic art deco theater next to Rockefeller Center in midtown. The tour shows you all of the backstage areas and their historic collection of costumes, show posters, and memorabilia. You even get to chat up a Rockette (one of the dancers).

If he has specific interests you can share, I might be able to come up with some other ideas.

@Househunter16 My starting point would be what is he interested in? No point going to NY if it doesn’t float his boat! My DDs did like Radio City Music Hall as children and the internal architecture is fantastic, but is a young adult man interested in theatre and architecture? The museums and art galleries in NY are, of course, superb. So is the High Line - fantastic urban regeneration. There are many iconic buildings and vistas too. So I would talk to DS about interests and choose accordingly.

I think Washington is a great city to visit and Chicago too. If his interests align more with Washington, think about going there.

We stayed at the BeHome also by LuxUrban on 8th Avenue a couple of weeks ago and it was £200 a night. No lift and the room was teensy but I knew it would be, just wanted a central location that we could walk to lots of places from and a clean comfy bed at night, we really spent very little time in the room. Have also stayed in Pod 51 which was similar size room, slightly better facilities and more expensive however the location was not as good, IMO. It’s not a cheap trip - even bottles of water when we forgot our refillables one day were super expensive - and my 15 year old was starving after walking 30,000 steps a day so the food budget was well and truly bust. But it was the best trip of his life so far, according to DS.

We stayed here recently. https://www.booking.com/Share-PlJ77b

We thought it was excellent value for money. Great staff. Very comfortable room. Low key roof terrace. Fab location. Quiet.