Good Hotel Prices in August??

I%26#39;ll be coming to NYC for a genealogy conference in August 2006. The conference will be at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. The rate the hotel is offering is $200/night. That seems pretty high especially for August in the city. I%26#39;d like to stay ten days. What suggestions can you give me for finding a place to stay for a lot less either at the Marriott or someplace near Times Square.

Good Hotel Prices in August??

Actually, that rate sounds amazingly cheap to me. If you go to their website, rates in August even with an AAA or senior disocunt start at $299/night. Even the Belvedere, a much touted budget hotel in the area appears to be around the same rate in August (but check your exact dates). If that%26#39;s too much though, there are plenty of cheaper options in the area including

the Comfort Inn Midtown

the Quality Times Square

the hotel QT

the Milford Plaza (not my reco but cheap and only a block away)

Another option would be to rent an apartment, a nice option for a 10 day stay. citylightsnewyork.com has some apts. in a newish apt. complex on 42 st %26amp; the Hudson River. It would be about a 10 minute walk to the Marriott. They may have something even closer. Other apt. agents are

nyhabitat.com

subletinthecity.com

The Salisbury is a nice hotel with mostly apartment type rooms. I see on quikbook.com they have a ';standard queen'; for $172/night, but describe the room as having a kitchenette. While the location isn%26#39;t right near the Marriott, it%26#39;s better imo and an easy walk (15 mins) or quick bus or subway ride.

Good Hotel Prices in August??

Forgot to mention, it wouldn%26#39;t hurt to register to receive specials from the Marriott (and join their frequent guest club for free online). While I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll find a deal better than $200, you never know.

Also remembered, someone here found the website

http://www.apartments2book.com/

They have many of the apt/hotels at prices better than the hotels themselves and they also have some regular (non=hotel) apartments. I think they may have the Belvedere (west 48 st) at a better price than the Belvedere%26#39;s own website. ;)

August is not a good time to be looking for a good deal in a budget hotel, because there%26#39;s a lot of competitition for budget rooms at that time of year with students, teachers, etc. out traveling. The best bargains on New York hotel rooms in August are found at luxury hotels normally used by business travelers, because they are not normally traveling to NY at that time.

I agree that the rate you have been offered at the Marriott is excellent. If you do succeed in finding a place in NYC for ';a lot less,'; you%26#39;d better be prepared for a lot less in your room as well (most important, make sure it has air conditioning).

I think the most likely way for you to find something of equivalent quality as the Marriott, for less, is to stay in one of the New Jersey or Connecticut suburbs or, as already suggested, look into apartments.

Thank you for these great responses!

Spirit