CHEAP HOTELS IN NEW YORK…..

We all wish that the above would be true. Reasonable hotel rates in Manhattan, at least for the better class hotel rooms, are a thing of the past. Hotel rates in New York were, for many years, reasonable compared with other major cities. Over the last 5 years, they have risen dramatically (30% or more). The reasons for these rate hikes are: Extreme increase in land prices and building costs; renovation of tourist class hotels to more luxurious levels; shortage of hotel rooms. All these issues have pushed the average hotel room rate in New York to $260 per room per night. Naturally there are cheaper rooms available, for less than $260, among the 70,000 rooms New York has to offer; but the high end is pushing $600 and more for a hotel room. So, the “old” $100 tourist class hotel room available in New York of a while ago has now become the US national average price for hotel rooms.

While there are hardly any more hotel room bargains to be had in New York City, reasonably priced rooms are available. These moderately priced hotels are in Manhattan or Brooklyn and not in the far suburbs as in many other major world cities!

Depending on the level of comfort, the time of year and size of group we can offer hotel rooms for around $100 or less for students and young people, for $180 and up in good tourist class hotels or “boutique” hotels and then all the way up to several thousand of dollars for suites in the top hotels. The “student class” rooms are often shared rooms and bathrooms, many with bunk beds such as in the centrally located Pod, Big Apple, West Side Inn, Continental Hostel, etc. Boutique and smaller hotels, such as Metro, Blue Moon, or 30/30, etc can be from classy to funky.

So, ask us, and we will do our best to find a hotel for the right price, at the right time and the right comfort among the 250 hotels located in New York City for your group.

Cheap restaurants in New York City are another matter. $50 for breakfast, per person, per day for a group in a special room at a hotel, sounds outrageous if one knows that McDonald sells an “Egg Mc Muffin” for a couple of bucks, or the corner deli has eggs and toast for less than $10. Employee (union) rules and other issues are at play here pushing rates high. But consider that the famous restaurant “Per Se” just increased the price of their nine-course-tasting-menu (you need at least 3 hours) to US$250 per person (from $150); at least the new price includes tip, bottled water and tea or coffee.

Never mind. If your passengers are on a budget, “Pavo Real” restaurant on the Upper West Side still serves “lunch” portions of roast pork or chicken on rice and beans for $5 (tax included) all day and night long!

Let me know when you visit. I’ll invite you for lunch!

Sincerely,

Beat Fischer

For more information please contact Beat Fischer at groups@visitamerica.com