Priceline Hotel: Priceline for a family of 4 (kids 4,1)

[seaotter]

We'll be in NYC in November for a 3 nights, then out of the city for 2 nights, then back for 2 nights. I was hoping to use priceline for at least 2 or 3 of the nights in NYC. I have read all of the warnings about having more than 2 in the room and wanted to know the risks since my kids are so small (ages 4 and 1). Ultimately, we could all sleep in a double bed if need be (although not very well). If we show up with the 4 of us could the hotel not let everyone stay there? Ideally we'd get a crib (rented if necessary) for our 1 year old.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site. :)

While some hotels may have rooms small to the point where having more than 2-3 in a room may not be up to code, it's certainly done if you want to take the risk. Searching on HOTWIRE for 2 adults/2 children would guarantee bedding for your whole party, but would more than likely be mildly-to-significantly more expensive than making a PRICELINE reservation. If you do want to take a bit of a risk and book for four using PRICELINE in NYC, I simply would make it not obvious that you were a party of four - have part of your group wait outside or stand to the back of the lobby while you check in.

What would be your budget per night and what are your dates of travel?

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links when you are ready to book.

[seaotter]

I guess we don't have an exact budget, but I'd like to stay under $200 per night if possible ( the cheaper the better). We will be in NYC the nights of November 10, 11, 12 and 15, 16.

[thereuare]

Please use separate threads for each stay... we'll use this thread for your first stay of 11/10-11/13, please start a NEW TOPIC for your 11/15-11/17 stay.

For 11/10-11/13, searching HOTWIRE for 2adults/1child (HOTWIRE defines 'child' as 2-17, so technically no need to 'declare' your 1 year old) there are 3.5* hotels around the $200 mark as well as 3 star properties from $165-$189.

What star rating were you looking for?

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

[seaotter]

I guess I'd like to be at $200 including taxes and fees, which on hotwire leaves me with the 3* that appears to be the Holiday Inn on 57th. The hotwire price is not really much cheaper than the rate on the hotel's website.

The Skyline Hotel seems to have a pretty good rate on their website, would you recommend that? Also, the Country Inns and Suites in Long Island City has some good rates, is it convenient enough to get into the city?

Overall, a 3* is fine. We've used priceline if the past a couple of times and thougt we'd like to try it for part of our stay in New York.

Ultimately, I'd like to try priceline for a 4* and see if we can get anything, if not maybe just go another route. Would it be too early to bid now and too risky with the kids?

One final question: Why is NYC so darned expensive in the first half of November? It doesn't seem like the time of year I would choose to go if I didn't have a family event then.

[thereuare]

I've commented before that i don't like the Long Island City area as it's just not a 'comfortable' place for me... feels/looks dirty, graffiti on buildings, etc (and i've grown up in major metropolitan areas, so it's not that i'm afraid, it's just not appealing to me at all) If you're going to stay outside of the city i'm partial to the Hoboken-Jersey City zone on PRICELINE (NOTE: on HOTWIRE the zone extends beyond where you really want to be, but currently the 4* level on hotwire is 'safe' bt you should try to confirm an offered hotel with the board before purchasing) However, with a 4 year old and 1 year old i'd try to stay directly in the Manhattan if possible... just easier if one of the kids needs to take a nap, change clothes because spilled juice all over themselves, run out of diapers, wipes, etc, etc.

I don't know much about the Skyline but looking at the location it's a bit west, but if the price was right i'd consider it. What is the price? What is the price of the Holiday Inn?

Personally i don't think i would take the chance of quad occupancy in NYC, even at the 4* level; it may all ultimately work out fine, but i know a few hotels where it likely would not (so if you do try it i'd consult with your significant other first if s/he is ok with the kids sleeping on the floor if need be) as there are some hotel rooms in Manhattan that just can't accomodate a rollaway.

The Fall usually brings nice weather (after the summer which can often be hot and sticky in NYC) and the hotel market picks up, as to prices. As it gets colder, prices often stay high as holiday shoppers begin to head to the city.

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

[AaronJB]

I've stayed at the Skyline. It's a decent hotel in an area not far to the West of Times Square - and it's quite a different area with much more of a neighborhood-y feel than a big city feel (this, despite being about a 3-5 minute walk from TS). The one thing that it does have going for it is that it has a top floor pool area with some REALLY nice views of the surrounding city. Other than that, the rest of it is generally the equivalent of an average Best Western. Paying $200+ for it is something I'd recommend after one has exhausted other options.

You can find a picture that I took from the top floor area at this link.

[seaotter]

The Holiday Inn is $178 on their website- prepaid but so is hotwire. The Skyline is $229 for the first night and $189 for all the other nights of my trip. Thanks for the info on the Skyline.

Should I keep checking hotwire or do you think rates will go up and I should book something now.

Aaron JB- thanks for the input on the Skyline.

[AaronJB]

Let me see what else I can find for these dates. Be back momentarily.

[AaronJB]

for 11/10-13:

If you search for 2 people on Orbitz, The HI is $178 non-refundable/$188 refundable, but coupon code fabsave10 takes 10% off each night. While I generally would not recommend indicating 2 (on Orbitz, there is no option for a child, so it considers four guests 4 adults, which results in extra person fees), I don't believe it would be an issue with this HI.

The Hotel Belleclaire is having a 48hr sale for $199 on Expedia (and 10SEP takes $10 off.) However, this is in the Central Park area/Upper West Side - while a nice area, it is not centrally located - if you don't mind doing some trekking/using public transit, this is another choice to consider. It is right by the Museum of Natural History, so it is certainly convenient to that.

Another recommendation for 11/10-13 on Expedia is the Salisbury, which is $299 for the first two nights, third night free ($199 average.) as part of an Expedia sale. That is a VERY well-reviewed (4.5/5 on tripadvisor) property in a superb location not far South of Central Park. You can also get a 1BR suite (700 SQ FT) for $232. The 10SEP coupon can be used here, as well.

Please use the site's Orbitz.com or Expedia.com links.

[seaotter]

I went ahead and booked a cancellable reservation at the Holiday Inn 57th St. in case nothing better comes up.

[dahammer]

seaotter, not sure if you are driving in or not, but I would recommend getting a portable crib, we got plenty of use out of ours when we had young ones.

[thereuare]

I went ahead and booked a cancellable reservation at the Holiday Inn 57th St. in case nothing better comes up.

Please note, as per our support page, that we are an affiliate of the Holiday Inn. If you didn't, please check for, and use our links, in the support page for your hotel direct reservations.