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How to Find Cheap Hotels in NYC

How to Find Cheap Hotels in NYC
Although New York City is often called "the city that never sleeps," at some point, if you stay more than a single day, you will need to retire, at least for a few hours. While hotel rates are traditionally high for the Big Apple, it's possible to enjoy significant savings in a comfortable home-away-from-home that is accessible to all the activities you want to enjoy while in New York.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • ID showing out-of-state address Credit card Local map Metropolitan Transit Authority information
  • ID showing out-of-state address
  • Credit card
  • Local map
  • Metropolitan Transit Authority information
Step 1
Know your borough: Hotels in and around Manhattan are the most expensive. If you're willing to be further out, Chelsea, Brooklyn and even New Jersey offer rooms at lower rates. Just be sure the hotel is located near transit stations or bus stops that serve routes you'll use to get where you want to go. Don't be too cheap, however. A bargain is very costly if you're unable or afraid to leave your room.
Step 2
Gauge your interests and activities: Even if your trip is primarily for business, you'll want to amuse yourself during off hours. New York is a walking city, so it's reasonable to expect to walk to at least some of your activities, depending on the location of your hotel. For example, if you plan on engaging in outdoor activities, there are a number of hotels near Central Park.
Step 3
Consider hostels, bed and breakfasts or renting a short-term apartment: If you're willing to cook, you can save a lot of money on food. Many hotels offer kitchenettes in the rooms or communal kitchen facilities. On the other hand, New York is the location for many world-class restaurants, so be realistic about whether you're willing to forgo eating out altogether.
Step 4
Decide on desired amenities: Some low-priced hotels feature free breakfasts; almost all have Internet service available. For rock-bottom rates, hostels offer the traditional backpacker's special: shared rooms with bunk beds, and bathrooms down the hall. However, many hostels also have private rooms with private baths, although often only with a shower rather than a bathtub.
Step 5
Use locally oriented search engines to generate a list of options for available rooms: Lists can usually be sorted alphabetically, by price, by location, by available amenities or by rating. Check out travel guides as well as user ratings. Consistent high (or low) ratings are a fairly reliable gauge for the overall quality of a hotel. Once you've made your choice, you'll need a credit card to guarantee your reservation.

Tips & Warnings

 
Book early, especially if you're traveling during high season, which runs June through September, and the period right around Christmas. Good deals are snatched up early, and waiting too long may mean you can't find a room at all. Hostels are not just for the backpacker crowd. Guests in their forties, fifties and older who want reasonable accommodations close to transit and other activities also choose hostels, especially those which offer private rooms.
 
Book early, especially if you're traveling during high season, which runs June through September, and the period right around Christmas. Good deals are snatched up early, and waiting too long may mean you can't find a room at all.
 
Hostels are not just for the backpacker crowd. Guests in their forties, fifties and older who want reasonable accommodations close to transit and other activities also choose hostels, especially those which offer private rooms.
 
Many NYC hostels do not accept in-state identification. Ask if your hotel accepts credit cards for payment. Some hostels require cash payment upon check-in. Travel booking engines such as Expedia.com or Travelocity.com often require payment in advance to secure reservations.
 
Many NYC hostels do not accept in-state identification.
 
Ask if your hotel accepts credit cards for payment. Some hostels require cash payment upon check-in.
 
Travel booking engines such as Expedia.com or Travelocity.com often require payment in advance to secure reservations.

Resources

Article Written By Chris Blank

Chris Blank is an independent writer and research consultant with more than 20 years' experience. Blank specializes in social policy analysis, current events, popular culture and travel. His work has appeared both online and in print publications. He holds a Master of Arts in sociology and a Juris Doctor.

Write for Trails.com

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