Best cheap hotels closest to Bway?

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:22am

Hey all, due to my luck my 2 friends who are in the city are not renewing their leases, which means Im gonna have to spend a little $$ on this trip for a place to stay. Does anyone on here have suggestions about cheapest places? My goal is to spend around $300 on 2 nights, less is preferred, and I wouldnt spend more than $450 total. I am not too picky, but I would hope to be in walking distance to the theatres. My goal is to do this November, but January may be more likely. Any advice would be more than appreciated!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:38am

January would be better for hotel prices especially right after the New Year. I think if you checked Priceline for that time period, you could come up with something in that $300-450 in Times Square area.

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:47am

When I was waiting for Hamilton cancellation line back in summer 2016 my friend and I used the hoteltonight app the day of and got $110/night at the Edison and $120/night at the Paramount (we took turns sleeping on a real bed while the other person was in line.) Of course it's last minute and may be nervewracking for someone who prefers to plan in advance but just giving you an idea that it is possible to get a hotel room for less than $150/night during busy season in NYC. Price varies each day.

I just checked the hoteltonight app right now and for tonight I see Paramount hotel at $99, Staybridge Suites at $116, Edison hotel at $118, Four Points by Sheraton Times sq at $119, Cassa Times Sq at $91, etc.

Good luck!

[amaklo]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:57am

You could also check out Airbnb.  I just took a quick look and there's a nice looking place in Hell's Kitchen for $95/night.  There are probably fees on top of that but you should be able to find something in your budget.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:58am

Oh, the Paramount for $99 is beyond ideal. I’ll check it out for sure, thanks so much! Not against last minute trips, either :)

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:59am

amaklo said: "You could also check out Airbnb. I just took a quick look and there's a nice looking place in Hell's Kitchen for $95/night. There are probably fees on top of that but you should be able to find something in your budget."

Only concern here is I’ve heard it’s difficult to tell what are scams and what aren’t scams from Airbnb 

[EvanstonDad]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 10:05am

My family stayed at a Holiday Inn a couple of blocks just south and west of Columbus Circle (sorry I can't remember the exact address). It's definitely no frills, but it was clean and perfectly fine, especially if you won't be spending much time in your room. On other visits we've stayed in much more expensive hotels that were no better and in some cases were even worse.

[amaklo]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 10:09am

Mike Barrett said: "amaklo said: "You could also check out Airbnb. I just took a quick look and there's a nice looking place in Hell's Kitchen for $95/night. There are probably fees on top of that but you should be able to find something in your budget."

Only concern here is I’ve heard it’s difficult to tell what are scams and what aren’t scams from Airbnb"

I just got back from a long weekend at an Airbnb in NYC.  I've done Airbnb several times in NYC and never had a problem.  Stick with the Superhosts and you should be fine.

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 10:27am

Mike Barrett said: "Oh, the Paramount for $99 is beyond ideal. I’ll check it out for sure, thanks so much! Not against last minute trips, either :)"

Yes that's a great price! So I haven't used hoteltonight app since summer 2016 and back then I recall the fees were minimal (around $15-$20) but it looks like hoteltonight charges a $20 fee and on top of that, some hotels charge a  resort/service/destination fee of around $40. Crazy! So even if Paramount states it's $99, total will probably be around $160/night. I just checked other hotel sites like expedia and hotels.com and certain times sq hotels now charge a resort/destination fee in addition to the room rate. Crazy! i don't remember this back in summer 2016. From googling it, it looks like some NYC hotels started imposing this extra destination fee back in 2018.

Note not all Times sq hotels have this resort/destination fee. In the hoteltonight app, it looks like Hampton Inn Times Sq, Washington Jefferson Times Sq, Four Points Sheraton Times Sq, Doubletree Times Sq, and a few others do not charge this resort/destination fee. 

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 10:27 AM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 10:29am

Ya I’m aware of that, that’s why this is a 2 night max trip haha. Also why starting price points of $180 and up is hard to settle on. Doing what I can here haha

[Rainah]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 11:44am

In my experience, prices really vary, but a few I like

The wellington
The paramount
Jazz on Columbus circle hostel

[theater245]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 11:50am

There are so many hotels in NYC, you are bound to get a really good deal on Priceline or Hotwire last minute opaque deals. I have never paid more than $100 for a Friday or Sunday night, more than $150 for a Saturday night. November would be a good time to use last minute Priceline. January should be really cheap however you book. If you want to book direct, Hilton hotels tend to not have resort fees.

[Rosette3]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 12:11pm

amaklo said: "You could also check out Airbnb. I just took a quick look and there's a nice looking place in Hell's Kitchen for $95/night. There are probably fees on top of that but you should be able to find something in your budget."

Someone can confirm but I thought Airbnb (full listing) was banned in NYC so any listing that wasn't a private room in an apartment/house you could assume was illegal/scam? I got screwed over last year when my Airbnb in Astoria "due to schedule changes" had to cancel my reservation last minute and then the listing was subsequently nowhere to be found. We had to scramble last minute for lodging which was unnecessary stress but found a good deal on Hotel Tonight. 

If you are a no frills budget minded traveler, I recently stayed in Q4 Hostel which has both dorm style rooms ($30-50/bed) and double bed private rooms ($100-$150/night). It's in a good location directly east from Manhattan in Long Island City off multiple subway lines that take you to the Theater District within 20 mins. Area has been redeveloped and hostel is located off main street so I felt safe walking the 3 blk (<5 min walk) from Subway to hostel alone 11PM at night after my evening show since there were other people out and about too. It was basic but clean and had just what I needed, shower to freshen up and bed to sleep on. For $40/night it's the best deal I found that's under <30min subway ride/good location. 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 12:25pm

^ I'll be sure to look into this as well! I really just want something clean. 

[mar6411]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 1:32pm

I checked Radio City Apartments for January weekends and you could get a studio with kitchenette for $300.  49th between 6th & 7th.  I doubt that inexpensive in November but I didn't look at those weekends.  

[Impossible2]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 1:41pm

Last minute deals are the way to go. Even when I come from London I only book the whole trip a day or 2 before I want to leave. You get all the people desperate to fill rooms that way.

This far in advance they are going to be charging outrageous amounts.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 1:51pm

So if I’m looking at a first weekend of November trip, do people suggest I book a room the week of? I’m fine doing so if people beleive this gets me best absolute price

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 2:01pm

My go to for lodging is the Flushing YMCA. It includes full access to gym, swimming pool, exercise equipment, sauna, steam room. Pack a combination lock. Pool cap required if swimming.

I've also stayed at the YMCA properties near Central Park and the United Nations. But the Flushing Y has a lower price and a more relaxing neighborhood feel.

I also love dim sum and Korean food - Flushing is ideal for food.

[JBC3]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 2:11pm

I am often in NYC during January and you can almost always get deals in your price range with one of the major hotel brands (Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott). My strategy is usually to book something at a rate that is acceptable and then keep checking right up until the cancellation deadline as rates often drop.

The other thing I have found is that doing one night in one hotel and one in another can often yield a great deal since different hotels have different occupancy issues. Of course that does mean packing up and moving again, but I've often saved $50 in doing so.

[sppunk]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:14pm

Mike Barrett said: "So if I’m looking at a first weekend of November trip, do people suggest I book a room the week of? I’m fine doing so if people beleive this gets me best absolute price"

November 3 is the marathon, many hotels already booked and the rest are high peak. Waiting probably best but good luck.

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 9:57pm

Wherever you chose, every single place will be much cheaper in January versus the height of the holiday season (November/December). 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 10:17pm

Is the New York Inn in Midtown still open?  I stayed there in 2015.  I wouldn't take my worst enemy there.  I hope it has been condemned.  Good news.  Apparently, the original New York Inn has been put out of its misery.  In it's place is this hotel:  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d12823041-Reviews-City_Rooms_NYC_Times_Square-New_York_City_New_York.html

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 10:17 PM

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 11:54pm

I stay at The Pod 42 in Times Square. I also stayed at The Cambria too. If I can't get The Pod I used Priceline. Ended up getting the Yotel for under $100 including charges and a resort fee for mid Oct.

 

I also stay at the LIC Hotel in Queens. Super clean and nice with a 7 minute subway ride into Manhattan. 

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 11:54 PM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/8/19 at 8:40am

Thanks to everyone again for all the advice and options. I forgot that from last year being there the first few days of November that the marathon was going on then, likely won't go that weekend. I'll be sure to take everyone one of these places into account! 

[Impossible2]

Posted: 10/8/19 at 9:13am

I stayed at the Ameritania on 54th my last trip and it was probably my favorite place I've stayed in NYC.

Cheap as chips (though I may have just got a great deal) fab room, lovely helpful staff and a great location.

I like the Yotel, but the rooms are bit too small and it's a little out of the way.