Best time to book hotels in NYC?

Ms.Sunshine

With thanksgiving coming up in America would there be Blackfriday deals on hotels??! I am travelling at the start of Feb!

jaymcg91

I've never heard of that, but hotels for February are notoriously cheap, on account of the horrendous weather. I usually sign up for emails from eBookers, they can send out decent discount codes.

Atlantic Dawn

If you have the flights booked already I would go ahead and book the hotel now, little chance of any drop, if anything they could go up. If a major sporting/concert event is announced (unlikely this near the date) the prices will rise.

Ms.Sunshine

Thanks for the replies! Just another quick question, If I get a photo taken with one of the many characters in Times Square, how much are you required to tip them?! Also how much should you tip hotel rooms for the maids?!

IrishPhoenix

from what I've heard it's a dollar or two a day for the maids.

coylemj

Ms.Sunshine wrote: »

Thanks for the replies! Just another quick question, If I get a photo taken with one of the many characters in Times Square, how much are you required to tip them?!

Best to ask the individual street performer before the photo is taken, that will avoid any misunderstandings! It's a private transaction so it's totally down to the two of you.

Yamanoto

May be worth checking out the 'Name Your Own Price' function on Priceline or even their 'Express Deals' which also involve an element of blind booking.

To pinpoint the hotels you're likely to bag at significant discount, use:

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=254

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/forums/68/New-York-State-New-York-City/New-York-State-New-York-City#.VHNopIusXgU

naughtysmurf

Ms.Sunshine wrote: »

Also how much should you tip hotel rooms for the maids?!

If it's just yourself or you & partner, then $2 minimum per night, if there is four in the room then $1 per person per night minimum

Berserker

IrishPhoenix wrote: »

from what I've heard it's a dollar or two a day for the maids.

Been to NY on many occasions and stayed in the top hotels in midtown and I have never had to do it. Don't recall ever bumping into them, to be honest. As others have said, a dollar or two is more than enough, if you have to. Get on good terms with the concierge and all will be good hotel wise. If you need event tickets etc, they will sort it out for you.

naughtysmurf

Berserker wrote: »

Been to NY on many occasions and stayed in the top hotels in midtown and I have never had to do it. Don't recall ever bumping into them, to be honest. As others have said, a dollar or two is more than enough, if you have to. Get on good terms with the concierge and all will be good hotel wise. If you need event tickets etc, they will sort it out for you.

Please tip the people who clean your room & tip them every day, if you have an issue with how your room is cleaned, bring it to the attention of hotel management....to not tip is rude, they have a tipping culture, there are reasons for it,,,,, when in Rome and all that

braddun

https://www.google.com/hotelfinder/#search;si=;av=l


last minute use hotwire or priceline auctions


look at trip advisors for hotel reviews also look at airnb private houses

naughtysmurf

braddun wrote: »

also look at airnb private houses

Be careful with this, AFAIK, short term private tourist rentals are illegal in NYC, people getting ripped off with this is a regular topic on tripadvisor

Berserker

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Please tip the people who clean your room & tip them every day, if you have an issue with how your room is cleaned, bring it to the attention of hotel management....to not tip is rude, they have a tipping culture, there are reasons for it,,,,, when in Rome and all that

I have no problem tipping people when I am in the USA. However, if I do not meet the cleaners, how am I supposed to tip them?

naughtysmurf

Berserker wrote: »

I have no problem tipping people when I am in the USA. However, if I do not meet the cleaners, how are you supposed to tip them?

Leave it in the room on the table

braddun

restaurants ,door men, barmen get tipped the rest not,you could leave money with a note for the maid

it will be bitterly cold in feb in new york