Those hotels here in New York often have "short-stay" rates available (if you catch my drift). [/b][/quote]oh a pay by the minute

Now I know lol

Oh!!!! I get it now!!! I'm in "blonde" mode this morning. :p




TIS

As far as Manhattan goes, I'd agree.

But as I've said, I've stayed in Philly many weekends the past several years, and always paid around $100-125 a night.

I juust checked both Orbitz and Travelocity, and all of the hotels seem to have their regular rates listed.

I think the problem is that we are looking way too far in advance. Hotels don't start offering discounts until they have an idea of what their occupancy and availability is.

If a hotel can sell out all of its rooms at its regular rate, why should they offer any discounts? But by next June or July, when a hotel sees that they are only maybe half full for a weekend in August, they becoming willing to offer lower rates.

Our problem, though, is that we can't wait until June or July of next year to figure out where we are going.

Or can we?

I might also add that the town in which I live, Secaucus, NJ, has more hotel rooms than any other town in New Jersey except Atlantic City.

The reason is that I am located literally 10-12 minutes (if no traffic) from midtown Manhattan, and there is regular bus service to and from the city at all hours.

Almost every one of the mid-priced hotel chains has a property here, and the rates are well under $100 a night.

Since so many of us live in NY/NJ, there will be plenty of cars for transportation in and out of Manhattan, and even if you factor in the toll and parking in the city - which can run about $30 a day in a midtown garage - if three or four people go in one car and split the cost, it's not that much more than the round trip bus fare (about $5).

Once in the city, everyone could go their own way if they chose to, or stay together, or whatever, and we could all meet somewhere for dinner.

Not the same as staying in Manhattan, of course, but considerably less expensive.

And in terms of things to do, etc., you absolutely cannot compare Philadelphia to New York City.

Of course, I'm thinking more here of those members who are coming from afar. I can understand that for some of us Philadelphia would be a nice change of pace, and we could feel like tourist/vacationers too.

I also thought about Atlantic City, but there are a few problems with going there.

If you're not a regular gambler who can get free or discounted rooms, the rates on the weekends in the casino/hotels are ridiculous, and there is no "middle ground". The hotels/motels that don't have casinos are all relatively inexpensive, however they are also all total dumps unless you stay outside of town.

And while there are several very good restaurants in the major hotels, if you don't gamble, unlike Las Vegas, there is really nothing to do there.

Here's another idea, though:

I thought about the possibility of renting a house somewhere on the Jersey shore for a week.

Depending on how many people/couples we had coming, I know that you can rent, say, a 5-6 bedroom house for a week for maybe $2-3,000. Split 5 or 6 ways for a week, that's pretty inexpensive. You have the beach, the nicer shore towns have plenty of good restaurants, and there will be enough people with cars for day trips to Manhattan, Atlantic City, or even Philadelphia.

Of course, living in a house together for a week is a far cry from everyone going to their own hotel room at the end of the evening, but we would certainly get to know each other.

PLaw I see your point on the hotels and you are right. If we wait, a better deal is likely. Although there is still plenty of time IMHO, I wouldn't mind setting at least a date/place by say the first of the year. Being the only one thus far flying in, I can try to book a flight before the airfare skyrockets like I expect it will. If it gets too pricey to fly, then that would put a damper in my budget.

Just for a quick count...so far those expressing a desire to go are:

PLaw & gf
SC & Lori
Geoff
DMC & gf
DC & wife
SB & Hubby
Myself
Don Smitty & wife
Apple (if in NYC)
Mig & daughter

That's 17. Not bad!!

Possibly Zia??? What about others in the NY area like JL and DJ???
Who am I missing?
Ha ha do I get bonus points for traveling the farthest??

TIS

You get unlimited Cute Little Blue Drinks for your entire stay!


Don Cardi

What do you get for coming in 2nd traveling the farthest?

Becky told me about a Hampton Inn in the city center. 1 room 2 Double beds-$129.10 AAA Discount $116.10 She said they have a free breakfast. But no lounge and you have to pay $15.00 a day to park. She told me she would do some research on the other Hilton chains and get back to me.

All the Deli sandwiches you want during your entire stay.


Don Cardi

Fuggedaboudit!!

That is a good Idea Plaw. Just a thought why don't we stay at that Double Tree in Somerset. Maybe Becky could get us a group rate. That hotel was great except for the no wireless and Tuscany's but we wouldn't have to eat there. I liked that lounge and it was big enough for this group of bber's. Someone told me and Becky that we could take the train to the city. We didn't go but that is another story. Any thoughts? Or is somerset to far away from the city?

Mig,

Are you talking Philly or NYC???

You might also ask Becky if there are "group" rates as well. If I'm correct, we'll have at least 5 rooms and that's what I've been seeing the minimum is for group rates.


TIS

Thoughts do come and go.


If you guys are really serious about Staying in New Jersey, across the river from Manhatten, then look into this Hotel :
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=EWRAHHH

They have a lounge for SC , and wireless internet for Don Malta.

Here are the rates : https://secure.hilton.com/en/hi/res/choose_rates.jhtml;jsessionid=55HXBLPYFOUDUC SGBIW2VCQKIYFCVUUC?_requestid=446439

Don Cardi

I still say Wash DC.

DS

When you really think about it DS, there really isn't much to do in Washington DC. Not the kind of area that you would walk around in at night. Of course during the day there's a lot to see, but then at night you're locked down in your Hotel.


Don Cardi

They do have a lot of night tours threwout the city that are nice.

DS

DC,

I'm in. How far is that away from the city? I'll ask Becky about group Rates. Are you gonna be our tour guide in the city?

This is YOUR gig, Mig! You're in charge of this one.


That Hotel is right near Newark Airport. And a tunnel's ride to Midtown Manhatten.


Don Cardi

I don't know how I got to be in charge of this gig but ok :rolleyes: So who is ok with the Newark Hilton? Show of hands please DC since you are a local you can be my Consigliere you can be in charge of the itinerary. Is that a deal ?

Possibly. And if I come, I beat you for the farthest distance by like 80 miles. I know how you feel about your Windex-in-a-pretty-glass... maybe I shouldn't come, I'd ruin it for you.

So is Vegas out of the question now? I don't know, I mean you guys are saying good hotels, internet connections, and nice lounges that are open late-- it all sounds very much like Vegas to me. Although still, Philly or NJ/NYC sound great too.

Possibly. And if I come, I beat you for the farthest distance by like 80 miles. I know how you feel about your Windex-in-a-pretty-glass... maybe I shouldn't come, I'd ruin it for you.

So is Vegas out of the question now? I don't know, I mean you guys are saying good hotels, internet connections, and nice lounges that are open late-- it all sounds very much like Vegas to me. Although still, Philly or NJ/NYC sound great too. [/b][/quote]And that will put me and Becky in 3rd place now :rolleyes: Hey I'll settle for 3rd if that means you will come Zia

Aww thanks! How sweet. I'll make it worth your while, Mig.

You and Becky are about the same age. I know you will get along fine.

Sounds good! How come she doesn't post, by the way?

Possibly. And if I come, I beat you for the farthest distance by like 80 miles. I know how you feel about your Windex-in-a-pretty-glass... maybe I shouldn't come, I'd ruin it for you.

So is Vegas out of the question now? I don't know, I mean you guys are saying good hotels, internet connections, and nice lounges that are open late-- it all sounds very much like Vegas to me. Although still, Philly or NJ/NYC sound great too. [/b][/quote]As far as I know everything is open to discussion Zia. However, as you know, most of the members are from back East, and unlikely would be able to or would want to venture out as far as Vegas. Although as far as hotels, you can't beat the price for what you get in Vegas.
Anytime you're heading out that way, let me know there's always a pretty good chance I could meet up with you there.

Anyway, I do hope you do go to NYC, Philly or wherever we end up. I would love to meet you.
But damn, did you have to ruin my chance to get free blue girly drinks? Oh, okay, so we'll buy you the windex drinks.

TIS

TIS, that's true, you and I are a lot more willing to travel far than they are. To me, whether or not I come depends on the exact weekend-- as long as nothing comes up that weekend, it doesn't matter if I'm going to LV or NY. Although like a lot of you said, if it's NY, I want to stay longer than the weekend, so I'd have to have a good week to ten days free around the dates.

Good question Zia. You're guess is as good as mine haha

TIS-

Since you got bumped to 2nd place I hope you like Deli sandwiches

S'cuse me but I drove over 2k+ miles to go that shindig in August. And will do it again to.

Wow, I never realized it was that far! How long did that take you?

Yea! What Zia said. :p I never realized it was that far either. We Californians don't have any concept of distance when it comes to the Eastern part of the States.

Mig, why didn't you fly??? That's one hell of a drive.

TIS

If you guys are serious about staying in Jersey, we're much better off here in Secaucus.

There are at least two or three hotels that I know of with a "lounge" :rolleyes: and it's much closer to Manhattan than Newark Airport.
Plus, we can have a big party at my place.


I'll do some checking into prices and stuff when I have a chance.

Looks like you found your consigliere Mig. Plaw is more familiar with the Jersey "Territories" than I am, so he's much better qualified than I. And if he picks a Hotel that is anything like the restaurants that he has picked for several of our dinners, we're in good shape!

I handle Staten Island and Manhatten. SC Handles The Bronx and Queens, and we share Brooklyn. SC's father used to run Molasses out of Canada, with trucks provided by my father.

This can really become another Appalacin! We'll have representatives from New York, New Jersey, California, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia and possibly Chicago.


Don Cardi