Saving on NYC Hotels - NJ or other options?

G'day,
I love NYC. But their hotel prices just keep going up and up!

I travel alone, but I'm finding it harder to justify $350+ a night for a reasonable room. I usually end up in NYC a few times a year, but I'd go more often if it weren't so expensive to stay!

A few people have suggested staying across in NJ instead, and the hotels are advertised as being literally minutes away from Manhattan, presumably assuming you hit a connection at the right time.

What are the connections from NJ to Manhattan like - both journey time, frequency, and where in Manhattan they connect to.

What NJ Hotels can people recommend for accessibility to Manhattan?

Alternatively any other suggestions for saving on NYC hotels gratefully received,
cheers,
j.

There's a Hilton hotel directly connected to Newark Penn Station from where there are direct PATH services to World Trade Center station or mid-Manhattan with a simple change at Journal Square.

PATH runs 24hrs a day (I believe) and frequency is good although limited during late evenings and journey time is around 20-30 mins depending where in Manhattan you are travelling to.

Take a look at Hoboken - there are a few smaller hotels (and a W Hotel opens there next year) and the PATH train takes you into the heart of Manhatten in minutes.

I too find it hard to justify $425 a night which I paid for a room in November, but I think I would find it harder to justify going to NY and staying over in NJ. I just like being able to walk back toi the hotel at night and not have to rely on transport.

Thats just me. The only way I deal with high prices is console myself that I'm paying much more than that for the same in London next week..

cheers!

Dean

If you are there over a weekend, I find that the prices in the Financial Distruct (near Ground Zero) are good value.

I'd aggree with that. You can sometimes get rates for the Millennim Hilton for a steal. Not bad hotel either.

I sometimes stay at one of our corporate apartments in Jersey City so am used to commuting across the Hudson. Personally it depends on where you are heading - The PATH takes you no further North than 34th so if you're going further than this you need to change. The other direction will take you to the World Trade Center stop. If you're staying in warmer weather the ferries are pretty decent and at least offer a more pleasant alternative to the PATH or MTA.

We once stayed in Newark and the hotel was excellent value and the NJ transit got you into Penn in about 15-20 minutes. However Newark is not exactly the center of the Universe and I felt a little intimidated on the empty streets after dark.

However I tend to agree with others in that I would despair of having to make late night trips back and would rather stump up the cash - but it is a close call and I guess it would depend on my plans and length of stay.

FM

Friends stayed at the Chelsea Lodge.
They thought that it was good value & there is a recent report from a single traveller (I think) on Tripadvisor. This hotel was rated No 1 in 2006 for 'best bargain' hotel.
We are flying into NY in April & have decided on the Belleclaire 3* because there are 4 of us & they have 2 bedroomed suites & have just finished refurbishing. It's currently rated in the 70's on Tripadvisor but i think that it will rise now the refurb has taken place.
Good luck.

There's always priceline or Hotwire. [?]

I can't believe how much hotel prices go up each year. It does pay to shop around, look at offers on the hotel web site, but always book a cancellable room so if you do find a better offer you can change. A lot of the Starwood hotels do 3 nights for the price of 2, can help lower the average cost per night, so while $449 per night looks/is expensive, it comes down to $300 averaged out. Still a lot, but there are some ways to save.

Sites like Quikbook are good for hotels you can book and pay for on departure, or cancel if needed, with a days notice before arrival.

Originally posted by Wolves27
I'd aggree with that. You can sometimes get rates for the Millennim Hilton for a steal. Not bad hotel either.

Apart from the still visible dents on 3 sides of the building! I was a little worried when I stayed there and just preyed it had been signed of by a building inspector.

Nicely refurbed post 2001 though and I think all rooms now have a decent plasma in them.

Paul

I've got a feeling that prices will recede somewhat in the next few months if the financial situation doesn't improve.

We haven't been to New York for a couple of years but will be going in October and rates seem to have gone through the roof.

Either way I can't see us staying anywhere else but on the 'island'.

Miopyk[8D]

Pleased I'd only reserved the Belleclaire because it has been reported that there has been a case of bedbugs & cockroaches[:$]

Have reserved Homewood suites in Edgewater now.
Anyone stayed there?

In my ongoing research to save on hotels (so I can afford to fly to NYC more often), I've found some fairly good deals on Travel Zoo (select USA as your local country if asked and goto this page - got the Affinia Manhattan for $199-229 for 7 nights (+taxes etc, totals US$ 1,720) versus over GBP 1,100 on most other sites.

jules.
(who's expecting now to hear poor reports of the affinia manhattan!)