A really cheap place in NY for a family of four

Some friends of mine are spending time in Baltimore in June, then want to go to New York for a few days before flying home from JFK. They don't have money to waste, and are struggling to find a cheap place to stay.

They are a family of four, including two grown up kids who can't do the "share a double bed" thing.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Nottingham Nick]

When I go to NY I tend to stay 'over on the Jersey side'. Newark / Hoboken / Elizabeth all have reasonable hotels that are a LOT cheaper than Manhattan.

There are great public transport links over the river, but some of the areas aren't great if you don't have a car.

Nick

I've stayed at a few hotels in NYC...

Hudson (ex Ian Schraeger) - pricey, staff with an attitude, tiniest rooms I have ever seen - avoid!
Ramada New Yorker - does what it says on the tin - it was a deal for £285 3 nights and flight so it was cheap but the room was ok size-wise. It could have done with a decor update and it was also getting into a slightly less desirable area of Manhattan Doubletree Metropolitan on Lexington - very nice hotel with good size rooms, a good area and great Metro Cafe next door for snacks

Hope that helps!

Don't forget to check http://www.tripadvisor.com

Depending on just how tight the budget is......

Good hotel in a great location is the Metro on 35th st > 1 block from the Empire State Building and 300 yards from Macy's

They have a family suite room which works out at a per night rate online of around $317 inc taxes (approx £192 per night for a family of four)

Hotel Blurb states: Each family suite is two guest rooms, offering one queen and two double beds with one bathroom. In room amenities include: direct dial phones with voice mail and data ports, marble bathrooms, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, remote control televisions with in room movies and AM/FM clock radios

When we stayed there a major plus point was the free 24 hr coffee & tea in the reading room and a free continental type breakfast. There is also a great rooftop bar with views of the Empire State Building

Hope that helps, Manhattan can be an amazingly expensive place to stay.... but under £200 a night for a family of four doesn't seem so bad

site address is http://www.hotelmetronyc.com

Jon

The Jersey option sounds good. Come to think of it, I see some hotels on the waterfront from my office in Tribeca. Does anyone know whether any of the hotels are particularly good for ferry / train access to Manhattan?

[Nottingham Nick]

There are a whole heap of hotels in Elizabeth, just across the road from the massive Jersey Outlet mall, we have used the Courtyard and the Residence Inn, there is also a Doubletree from memory.

All of these hotels are very close to EWR, and are serviced by free shuttle buses. Once you are at the airport - access to the big city is easy.

Nick

[RichardMannion]

Another angle - why not look to doing an apartment rental, quite a few do nightly rates now and they are not as much as you might think.

I did a quick search on MSN, and found quite a few providers for 'New York Apartments Vacation'

Some of my friends did this recently and it was cheaper than getting additional hotel rooms.

Thanks,
Richard

Have you ever tried http://www.hotwire.com. It may not be totally appropriate in this instance as you do not find out the exact hotel until you have agreed the rate, but you do get some good deals.

Originally posted by GatorBaiter
I've stayed at a few hotels in NYC...

Hudson (ex Ian Schraeger) - pricey, staff with an attitude, tiniest rooms I have ever seen - avoid!
Ramada New Yorker - does what it says on the tin - it was a deal for £285 3 nights and flight so it was cheap but the room was ok size-wise. It could have done with a decor update and it was also getting into a slightly less desirable area of Manhattan Doubletree Metropolitan on Lexington - very nice hotel with good size rooms, a good area and great Metro Cafe next door for snacks

Hope that helps!

Don't forget to check http://www.tripadvisor.com

And I think I'm right in saying that Doubletree hotels give you a choc chip cookie when you check in!

Ok, ok, so not the best reason to choose a hotel....[y]

[RichardMannion]

I have a simple rule to avoid any Doubletree hotel after 'that' PowerPoint presentation!

Thanks,
Richard

Hampton Inn Times Sq North is a great hotel. Had a Refit late last year and is looking quite smart on the inside, you can normally get a good rate off expedia etc

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
When I go to NY I tend to stay 'over on the Jersey side'. Newark / Hoboken / Elizabeth all have reasonable hotels that are a LOT cheaper than Manhattan.

There are great public transport links over the river, but some of the areas aren't great if you don't have a car.

Nick

Have considered this myself - but how long does it take to get to Manhattan from those areas? Although I happily use the subway in the day, not sure about in the night time hours. It often feels a forbidding place, even in the day.

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Another angle - why not look to doing an apartment rental, quite a few do nightly rates now and they are not as much as you might think.

I did a quick search on MSN, and found quite a few providers for 'New York Apartments Vacation'

Some of my friends did this recently and it was cheaper than getting additional hotel rooms.

Thanks,
Richard

Yes, I agree with Richard. Often works out cheaper and, let's face it, you're unlikely to end up with less space than a hotel room! Mind you, I have to admit to preferring an apartment/condo wherever I go...

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Another angle - why not look to doing an apartment rental, quite a few do nightly rates now and they are not as much as you might think.

I did a quick search on MSN, and found quite a few providers for 'New York Apartments Vacation'

Some of my friends did this recently and it was cheaper than getting additional hotel rooms.

Thanks,
Richard

Or http://www.nyhabitat.com

Originally posted by catsilversword

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
When I go to NY I tend to stay 'over on the Jersey side'. Newark / Hoboken / Elizabeth all have reasonable hotels that are a LOT cheaper than Manhattan.

There are great public transport links over the river, but some of the areas aren't great if you don't have a car.

Nick

Have considered this myself - but how long does it take to get to Manhattan from those areas? Although I happily use the subway in the day, not sure about in the night time hours. It often feels a forbidding place, even in the day.

If on a budget a great place to stay is Secaucus in NJ - beside the Meadowlands Arena. Choice of a number of hotels including Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn - both hotels include substantial breakfast in the room rate (and the room rate is usually about 1/3rd of the equivalent in Manhattan!!!

Transport is VERY easy. buses every 15mins that stop virtually outside the hotels. The buses go directly into the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on 8th and 41st - a short walk away from Times Square. The bus journey is around 20minutes (and with great scenery on the way!!!)

The 20min journey is no hardship - especially when you consider that lots of hotels ON Manhattan are still a 20 min Subway ride away!!

There is also a Wal-mart 5 mins walk away to top up on snacks, etc

Out of interest, did you get somewhere?
Having not booked sooner, Im in a similar situation & ive been looking around at Jersey option myself...
The PATHtrain running from Jersey into Manhattan seems a cheap option - with very regular trains running a few useful routes.
2 hotels Ive looked at on that side are Doubletree (for the HHonors benefits & points) and also the Hyatt Regency. Never stayed in either, so no idea what either is like. HyattRegency seems to be sandwiched between the ferry termial & the PATH station, actually looks like its quick transport into manhattan than the hotel I had in Manhattan last year!

If you want basic - Red Roof Inn , seems like a basic service motel setup , cant get much info specifically on the "inn" - but is part of the Accor hotel group & ive stayed at a few of their brands around Europe.
Cant find any web reviews on it - so not sure if thats good or bad! Location seems pretty central & good for Empire State / Times Square & at $180+tax (dates I looked in June) doesnt seem too bad for Manhattan.

Still leaning towards the extra & going for one of my favourites, but with budget not yet dictating spending a little @ start of 3week vacation, I think Id rather save the pennies for somewhere more special the last 3 nights than the first few.
Anyone used the Hyatt Regency Jersey City , or at least another in the chain? Ive been to a Grand Hyatt few years back, but guessing the experience is not quite the same...

If you want to stay in manhatten I found hotel thirty-thirty ideally placed - their regular rooms are a bit small but the executive ones are great!

The price wasnt that bad IIRC