The Old New York, New York Forum - Cheap NY Places to Stay

Cheap NY Places to Stay

I have friends from Vanacouver, Canada that would like to visit New York for 5 days in the winter - probably Nov or Dec.

They mentioned that Canadian dollars being what they are and the shaky state of the economy, they would like to go as cheap as possible but still have a decent place to stay.

I am not familiar with NYC - would anyone have tips.

Ram Dass
Tuesday, September 9, 2003

it depends on

- their definition of cheap
- the minimum acceptable place
- how many people

first check out www.hotels.com. often times you can get a good rate at one of the fancy hotels. i.e. if they can spend $150 a night, they could stay at the W or the paramount (however the paramount rooms are kind of small). Do NOT stay at the Hudson no matter how discounted it is. THE HUDSON SUCKS.

The two sheratons in midtown are easy to get to and if you book really early you can get a special rate around $150. these are typical generic american style (i.e. larger than necessary rooms) hotels. My midwestern parents like these hotels much more than the hipster ian schraeger joints. However normally these places will cost you at least $200 per night.

at $89-$100 a night, I've stayed in both the hotel bellclaire and the on the ave hotel in the upper west side. they are basically across broadway from one another. these are more "European" style hotels, meaning: the room basically fits a bed, and that is it. they are nice hotels and about as cheap as it is gonna get if you are looking for a regular hotel. the neighborhood nearby is also pretty good for grabbing morning food, and it is easy to get anywhere from here. (77th and broadway)

if you are looking for super cheap, and don't mind hostel-style accomodations, try the gershwin hostel down in the 30s. it is $39 a night for a bunk in a shared room, with about 6 people per room. If you have 4+ friends traveling they can all request the same room. I stayed here a lot when i was a slacker. The gershwin also has a hotel but I don't recommend it. The hotel room prices are the same as the bellclaire and On The Ave, but the room quality is not as good.

http://www.ontheave.com/
http://www.hotelbelleclaire.com/
http://www.gershwinhostel.com/

rz
Tuesday, September 9, 2003

http://www.hostel.com/en/us.ny.ny.html

www.marktaw.com
Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Thanks for the posts :)

Very helpful - I forward the link to this thread to my Canadian friends.

Ram Dass
Wednesday, September 10, 2003

On the Ave is great. I *was* about to suggest the Hudson; I've heard that the rooms are unbelievably small but it's pretty popular with the young euro backpacker set.

Joel Spolsky
Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Why not do an exchange ? Stay at someones place in NYC and then invite them to stay with you in Vancouver (and ski in Whistler !)

Anybody willing to offer a place to stay ?

Kentasy
Thursday, September 11, 2003

My girlfriend and I just got back from NYC this past weekend and one of our requirements was cheap lodging, so we stayed in a Hostel (specifically Jazz on the Park) for about $25/night per person. Check out that hostels link above; if you book early enough you can probably find something for $20/person. 4 days for the both of us was around $200 total vs. $100-150 a night in a regular hotel.

Amit
Monday, September 15, 2003

AND you get to meet lots of interesting people from all over the world who want to do the same thing you do: explore the town. Wouldn't you love discovering some nook of New York with a group of Germans or French or New Zealanders? Sounds much more interesting than waking up, leaving your hotel, and thinking "okay, what should we do today?" and not really knowing.

I've learned more about various cities I've visited from being in a hostel than any guide book could ever tell me.

www.marktaw.com
Monday, September 15, 2003

Also, check out Second Home on Second Avenue. It's a great location, at 13th street. My friend's family stayed there and said it was a nice enough place, cozy, and cheap. Googling will find them.

JeremyNYC

JeremyNYC
Friday, September 19, 2003

woah, 2nd home looks sweet.

also, after googling for 2nd home, i found this page, which has a few more ideas:

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/urban/guides/nyonthecheap/travel/hotels.htm

rz
Friday, September 19, 2003

This sounds nuts, but when my brother and his friend visited, they stayed at some Hari Krishna flophouse on 1st ave for next to nothing. They didn't mind that the doors don't lock, or the daily invitation to chant.

Charles Lewis
Monday, October 27, 2003