Where to Stay in New York

With over 65,000 hotel rooms available, New YorkHotel Prices:
offers something for everyone. The city's top hotelsSome hotels offer seasonal promotional rates and
are not quite as expensive as those in Paris orthe other off-peak reductions. For example, business
London, but the best news for visitors is the increasetravellers vacate hotels at end of the working week,
in budget hotels. While many of these are basicand you can take advantage of bargain weekend
rather than charming, they offer good value. Otherdeals, even in luxury hotels, as prices drop.
budget Options are furnished apartments and studios,There is a growing number of all-suite hotels available
and bed and breakfast in private homes, as well asin every price category. Suites offer extra space plus
youth hostels and YMCAs. From an inspection ofcooking facilities and a refrigerator. Most suites can
over 200 hotels in New York, we have selected bestaccommodate up to four people, which makes them
of their kind. Many of the hotels have a websitepopular with families.
address to enable you to book a room via theHidden Extras:
internet.When calculating the cost of hotels in New York, it is
Where to Look:not enough simply to take into considerations the
The East Side, roughly between 59th and 77thquoted room price. Hotel rooms have long been
streets, is the traditional location for luxury hotels,subject to extra taxes, but the former sliding scale
but the renovation of certain landmark midtownwhich is favoured rates under $100, has now given
properties, such as the St. Regis, and new hotels inway to a blanket. 13.375% hotel tax, plus $3.50 per
famous chains from the Far East, such as thenight per room fee.
Peninsula Group, have considerably increased theSeveral hotels now include continental breakfast in
competition in this price range.the room price. This is a big saving,since standard
Business travellers tend to favour midtown, especiallyhotel continental breakfast prices,before tax and tip,
the moderately priced hotels lining Lexington Avenuestart at above $5 and soar to around $30 in some of
near Grant Central.the luxury hotels. To save money, head for the
Those seeking relative quiet with access to midtownnearest deli or coffee shop and leave the hotel to
should look in the Murray Hill area, while theatrebusiness people having power breakfast.
-lovers should note the revival of the Times SquareHotel telephone charges are always high; it is much
area. Hotels within walking distance of theatersless expensive to use the pay phone in the lobby,
offers an advantage, since performance tend to endparticularly when you are calling overseas.
at the same time and Cabs are hard to come by.Tips are expected - Staff who take your luggage to
There are a number of good, inexpensive hotels,the room are usually tipped a minimum of $1 per bag
around Herald Square, which is convenient for- more in luxury hotels. The concierge need not to be
shopping. Trendy boutique hotels have flourished intipped for normal services such as arranging
SoHo and the Meatpacking District, where there aretransportation or making dinner reservations, but
also plenty of good bars, restaurants, and upscaleshould be rewarded for exceptional services.
shops.When you order from room service, check the menu
New york & Co publishes a free, annuallyto see whether service charge will also be included in
updated leaflet called "The New York Hotel Guide,"the bill; if not, a 15-20% tip is customary. Solo
listing current rates, toll-free numbers, and faxtravellers will find that single room rates are usually at
numbers. Staff will offer advice about hotels but do80% of the double rate and are sometimes the
not make reservations.same as for two people.