Hotwire Hotel: 4* New York City (Empire State Building) St Giles The Court

[ethmark]

Wife and I are heading to New York for the Marathon (Oct 30-Nov3) and are getting sticker shock on the hotel room prices. This is our first extended trip to NYC  so we are not too familiar with what should be our preferred area. We want it to be easy to navigate - basically. We have been looking to stay near Times Square area or maybe around Madison Square area. Priceline has 4* for $231 for King and 4.5 * for $266 for Times Square and $230 for King bed 4* near MSG. 

 

We would love to do around $1100 for the rooms over 4 nights.  The 4*s meet that budget but we are wary about getting stuck in hotel away from the desired area. I wonder if I could ease that concern with the 4.5 * option - or is that really necessary?

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Rates are expensive for these dates, but given the marathon I'm actually surprised they aren't more expensive, as this is traditionally a very busy period (and the Fall in general is often quite expensive.)

 

I do see what is possibly the St Giles the Court or the Carlton (more likely the former) for $224, as well as the Doubletree Met for $233 on Hot.wire. The St Giles Tuscany is $249 and what appears to be the Millennium Broadway or Crowne Plaza TS is $239. You may see slightly different rates. Would any of these be of interest?

 

The potential St Giles/Carlton is a particularly nice deal.

 

You definitely do not need to go 4.5* to have a conveniently located hotel.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[ethmark]

Thanks Aaron. That does help. We checked the hotel reviews of the ones above and really preferred the Carlton. We're thinking we want to opt for the Empire State Building area over Time Square so that fits as well. We do the see the $224 option. Hopefully that will be a good choice.

[AaronJB]

As noted it may be the St Giles or Carlton, but I'd think the former is more likely. The ESB/MTE areas are actually very nice and where I'd prefer to stay (convenient, but less hectic/crowded and often at least mildly less expensive than MTW/TS) if I were going to NYC tomorrow.

 

Please keep us updated and let us know if you have additional questions.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[thereuare]

I'm local NYC and would be happy to answer any questions you may have (as well, if you're running in the Marathon my wife has done NY twice so can offer some advice there as well)...

Although counter-intuitive to spend more money on a lower rated hotel, i would consider this 3.5 star Madison Square Garden Hotel (confirm your dates on the landing page) for $237/nite with:

Restaurant

Free Internet

Business Center

... best guess here would be the Distrikt Hotel, and although 3.5 star rating, the hotel gets excellent reviews and is well located (and even if some other property, this one gets a 9.0+ user rating by previous PRICELINE guests, so it should provide for an excellent experience)

Your thoughts/questions?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[ethmark]

Thanks for the reply. I am running the marathon and would love any advice your wife will share. It will undoubtedly be quite the experience - hopefully a good one!

 

I looked at the Distrikt and it has some good reviews. I saw some people didn't care for the street it was on. I'm not sure how big a deal that really is.

[thereuare]

You're going to find some negative reviews for just about any hotels in NYC... the thing to focus on is the overall sentiment and experience. As well, keep in mind that many guests are paying more than the discounted rate that you will (hopefully) be paying, so when you're paying $300+ per nite there is usually lots of things to find fault with (since you expect a lot at that price point), but it's easier to overlook any minor shortcomings when you're getting a discount of 25-50%.

I know (from previously asking my wife in reference to another board member that will be running in the marathon) that the best way to get to Staten Island for the start is via the Ferry, which from the (presumed) Distrikt Hotel you could easily walk to the Seventh Ave/Times Square subway stop which would take you right to the ferry. The other 'tip' i know is that when you get to the Verrazano Bridge you want to be on the Upper Level (even if they direct you to the lower level, do your best to blend in towards the upper level).

I'm not a runner but the NY Marathon is an awesome event, even for non-runners, it's just a very uplifting and inspiring day.

Let us know what you decide regarding the hotel above and how we can be of further help (either on the hotel or marathon side of things)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

Good luck with your training.

[ethmark]

Thanks again.

 

There is a hotwire deal on a 4* Empire State Building area boutique hotel for $229 ($451 list for a 49% off). There is a $28 resort fee which tempers the deal some. It is a 90% favored hotel. Any advice there?

[yellowdog]

Please list the amenities HOTWIRE associates with the hotel you're looking at when asking for ID help, using the EASY VIEW tab of our BiddingHelper.com.

 

This is what is see when replicating your search,

Boutique

Smoke Free

Fitness

Restaurant

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Blind Accessible

Deaf Accessible

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Handicapped Parking

Roll-in Shower

 

If this is what you see would my best guess be Hotel Roger Williams

 

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know what you ultimately decide or if we can be of further help. 

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

 

Yellowdog.

[ethmark]

Thanks.  

 

I'm still looking and see this one. Looks like The Strand. 

 

HOTWIRE HOT RATE HOTEL

Empire State Building area

Show map

80% recommended

$224

 

FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Pet friendly, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Self-service laundry, Internet access.

 

At this point I think that is the one we want. No resort fee and seems to have good reviews.

[ethmark]

picked this:

HOTWIRE HOT RATE HOTEL

Empire State Building area

Show map

80% recommended

$224

FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Pet friendly, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Self-service laundry, Internet access.

 

Received : The Court - A St Giles Premier Hotel.

 

Wasn't first choice.

[AaronJB]

Sorry to hear that the result wasn't what you were hoping for.

 

Still, a great rate for this former W property, which is in an excellent location and gets great reviews. Hopefully the hotel will exceed expectations.

 

The Strand has been reported previously with a different set of amenities, as noted on the Hotwire Hotel List For New York.

 

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

 

Enjoy your stay.