New York hotels: Find out where to stay for less

By Samantha Chapnick

Spring is always the ideal time for a New York vacation. But this year's economy is making it an even better destination. Restaurants, theaters, and even stores, are falling over themselves to make good deals, and to make you happy. Hotels are as well — especially on weekends!

New York hotels are offering deals that I haven't seen in 10 years or more. Very upscale boutique hotels like the Muse are less than $300 a night, trusty chains such as Doubletree are ringing in at $209 night, and for those willing to do bare bones and share a bathroom, you can be steps from Central Park and Lincoln Center at the Hotel Alexander for less than $100/night.

Below is a list of my favorite New York hotel deals for spring:

LUXURY

Hotel Plaza Athenee
Want to feel like a true New Yorker but still be close to all the attractions? The Hotel Plaza Athenee is an upscale, intimate New York hotel reminiscent of Paris' finest 16 Arrondissement properties. It's on a quiet tree-lined street in the hush-hush elegant Upper East Side, less than two blocks from Central Park (and the Zoo), two subway stops from Times Square, and a nice walk to Museum Mile. At $345, this is the city's luxury steal of the century.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
Statue of Liberty or a visit to the Gold Vaults in your plans? Want an expansive view of New York Harbor or a nice romantic walk along the Hudson River? Downtown has been hit hard, sad we know, but it makes for some great deals. And one of them is the Ritz Carlton for an amazing $295 per weekend night (weekday: $395). If you call ahead, you might even be able to negotiate in one of their memorable brunches!

VALUE

Ithink the Hilton New York is unquestionably the steal in this category. At $189 on weekends, with luxury bed linens, my favorite hotel gym, and a central location, there is no topping this.

The Paramount
OK, so the hotel was hip before Steve Jobs came back to Apple. And the rooms make our apartment look like Versailles. BUT, at $189 its a chance to tell your friends you've finally stayed at an Ian Schrager property, had a drink at one of the coolest bars in town (Whiskey), and slept with a masterpiece (the headboards are old Master paintings). Besides, modernistas, or post-modernistas, will never get a New York hotel deal this good for less than $200 smack in Times Square.

Grand Hyatt
The Grand Hyatt is running a spring promotion that makes it absolutely irresistible. With a "Stay 3 nights, get 20% off and Stay 4 nights get 30% off," I found rates around $204 for a weekend night (weeknights are less of a steal at $319.) Still, to be right next to Grand Central and the UN, have a clean room and usually a good view, this is the Midtown East hotel that's my best spring bargain.

BUDGET

The Hotel Alexander, mentioned above, is a place for people who want to spend less than $100/night in Manhattan to get a safe night's sleep. It's bare bones and you'll share a bathroom, but it's in a nice neighborhood and well located to Central Park and the subway. If you don't plan to spend too much time in your room, it's the deal of deals.

Flatotel
This New York hotel used to be an apartment building, which makes it an amazing deal for larger parties. Most of the rooms, although an odd configuration for a hotel, have at least two living areas and some even include a kitchen and two bathrooms. At less than $200 per night, and with a free night promotion, this is a Midtown steal.

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