Hotwire Hotel: Help ID Hotel in Empire State Building Area

[Lakshman]

Hi,

Hotwire shows a 2.5 star hotel in Empire State Building Area for 3 nights (Aug 18-21, 2009) for $89.

Amenities - Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Business Center, High-speec Internet Access.

I guess it is Hampton Inn 35th Street. Please let me know what else it could be.

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site.

This would be a likely match for the Hampton.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE link to start your purchase.

[Lakshman]

$115, 3* hotel in LaGuardia Airport LGA - Flushing Area

Airport Shuttle, Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, High-speed Internet Access

Is this Clarion which is 2.5* as per list in this forum.

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Is this for the same date/s as the question you posted in this thread?

[Lakshman]

Yes. 3 nights starting from Aug 18.

[AaronJB]

Please keep all posts regarding this trip in this thread. Thank you.

May I ask what you are looking for location-wise? The airport hotel would be more expensive than the potential Hampton Inn in Manhattan you posted about above. The 3* LGA could be an upgraded (from 2.5* to 3*) Clarion (the amenities and tripadvisor rating on the detail page do match), but this listing has not yet been reported to the board/ID'd and could potentially be something else.

[thereuare]

Midtown and LGA are two very different areas... do you have reason to be in the LGA zone? My first thought was that you're looking for a Manhattan substitute, but this LGA property is actually more expensive than the ESB property you asked about earlier, what is the purpose of this stay?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[Lakshman]

I will be travelling to NYC via LGA Airport.

My goal is to minimize expenses Hotel + AirportTaxi expense + Site Seeing in Manhattan for 3 nights stay (4 adults + 2 kids).

In case of Airport hotel, I can use free hotel shuttle and use subway/bus to manhattan.

For hamption Inn, I can save on Manhattan travel, however Airport --> Hotel taxi for 6 people seems to be pretty expensive ($150 each way is my estimation).

Also, my return flight is at 6AM on Aug 21 from LGA. Incase of Hampton Inn, i'm not sure if it feasible to travel with kids early morning to Airport via Subway/Bus...probably have to check out by 3am and take subway.

Please let me know about your thoughts.

[thereuare]

In case of Airport hotel, I can use free hotel shuttle and use subway/bus to manhattan.

Assuming the hotel only offers a shuttle to the airport, you'll need to 1) shuttle to the airport, 2) airport bus to subway 3) subway into Manhattan. This is going to be time consuming (travel time plus time waiting for each connection), probably not enjoyable for the adults, and certainly not enjoyable for the kids. (regardless of their age)

Airport --> Hotel taxi for 6 people seems to be pretty expensive ($150 each way is my estimation).

La Guardia Airport to Manhattan?? Not sure where you came up with this figure but a taxi is ~$35 depending upon traffic and where in Manhattan you need to go. Yes, you may (likely) need two taxis but even at $70 it's about half of the cost you're esitimating. If you really need to save money you could also have two adults take a taxi to the hotel with all the luggage, then have the other 2adults/2children take the bus and then subway to the hotel... this creates extra space in the taxi since only two passengers, and the other 2adults/2children can 'leisurely' take mass transit to the hotel without lugging their luggage on/off the train(s).

Also, my return flight is at 6AM on Aug 21 from LGA. Incase of Hampton Inn, i'm not sure if it feasible to travel with kids early morning to Airport via Subway/Bus...probably have to check out by 3am and take subway.

At that hour take 2 taxis to the airport... no traffic and you'll fly their rather quickly.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[Lakshman]

My taxi fare estimate is based on information from a friend. He may be wrong. Considering the estimate you gave probably I will go for hotel in Empire State Building area. I just checked and that offer is no longer available. Please advice other options.

Thanks

[thereuare]

What is your maximum hotel budget? (per nite before taxes and fees)

If you search HOTWIRE, for 2rooms/4adults/2children do you see anything within your budget?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[Lakshman]

$100 /night/room. Nothing available close to manhattan area. There are many options near Newark Airport area.

However, LGA to Newark is too far and adds a lot to transportaion cost.

[thereuare]

Am i correct that you're searching for 2rooms/4adults/2children?

In my opinion, the Newark Airport is not a realistic option as a Manhattan substitute... assuming you don't have a car, and dont' wish to spend $25/pp round trip commuting costs, you'll likely be spending ~90 minutes commuting each way by the time you leave your hotel and get to NYC.... that's almost 3 hours of your vacation day spent in transportation just getting to/from NYC (not including transportation time getting to your destination in Manhattan)

With a $100/nite budget, was the LGA Airport hotel above that you inquired about not in your budget either? :)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[Lakshman]

Yes I am also of same opnion. Newark to too far.

As of now budget is $100. If nothing is avaulable I may have to spend more for LGA/Manhattan hotel.

[thereuare]

I won't say never, but sub-$100 in Manhattan, especially when you need more than quad occupancy for one of the rooms, is not a high probability bet and you're very likely going to need to have a more realistic budget. What is the best deal you're able to find thru traditional booking channles outside of the opaque providers?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[Lakshman]

Fairfield inn Astoria - $129 King, $139 2 double beds, free shuttle to airport and nearest subway station, free breakfast, internet

My budget for 2 rooms/3 days + Airport-Hotel transportation is $700+. Incase of fairfield it will be $900+

[thereuare]

I would try to focus on "bettering" your deal by staying in Manhattan for the same amount as your Fairfield reservation rather than searching for something sub-$100, which as noted above is probably not realistic.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[Lakshman]

OK I am willing to spend $130 per room per night provided I save on transportation cost.

Please suggest options.

[thereuare]

PRICELINE is not really an option since you need more than double occupancy, and that only leaves HOTWIRE, searching for 2rooms/4adults/2kids. Currently there is nothing within your budget (you're about $25/nite short)... at $155/nite there are a LOT of options, a 4*, a few 3.5*, and a 3* with good reviews.

Continue to monitor HOTWIRE, searching 2rooms/4adults/2kids and see if anything in Manhattan appears within your budget (the budget rated properties in the Central Park Area don't count as they're not likely going to in a central location and there are some areas in that zone which are 'questionable')

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.