September 10, 2004 - Frank Sinatra couldn't have said it better: "Autumn in New York/It's good to live it again." Just plan your fall visit carefully; hotel prices jump up in September and October, come back down for a short period in November, and then bottom out in January.
E Leisure Link
E Leisure Link (888/801-8808; www.eleisurelink.com) has at least three New York hotels on their books for the period from September through November, and beyond. Although the offers change constantly, at time of writing they were offering for September what they coyly call a "5-Star Hotel at the corner of Park Avenue and 42nd Street" also described as a "grand hotel located next to Grand Central." Prices from now through September 30, 2004, are from $205 (plus tax) per night, about 50% off regular rates. From their description, I am guessing they mean the Grand Hyatt.
A "four-star hotel at the corner of Lexington and 48th Street" costs from $225 (plus tax) per night, a 55% savings, from now thorough November 3, 2004 and several dates later in November. The four-star New York Helmsley ( 212 East 42nd Street; newyorkhelmsleyhotel.com/), goes for $235 per night plus tax from now through November 3, 2004, and some nights later in November.
Bring Your Tired, Your Hungry, Your "Gently Worn"
You may remember we've talked about odd gimmicks used by hotels to attract attention? Sometimes they serve a noble cause, as at the Westin New York (888/627-7149; www.westinny.com) at Times Square, which is celebrating its second anniversary. Since the traditional gift for the second anniversary of a wedding is cotton, guests who bring donations of "new or gently-used" sheets or clothing to the hotel will get a special weekend rate of $179 per night, when booked between now and October 31, 2004, for weekends-only (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights) travel January 1 through March 31, 2005. The hotel will donate all gifts to the Coalition for the Homeless. When booking, ask for the BOOK rate plan.
The Westin New York has a history of reaching out. On its first anniversary (paper), guests donated 175 books to Reach Out & Read, and at the 2002 opening, guests brought "housewarming" gifts amounting to about 500 pounds of non-perishable foods and clothing, which the hotel donated to the Coalition for the Homeless.
The Westin New York at Times Square is right on Theater Row and is in the deluxe category.
Movin' On Up to the Eastside
For the entire month of September, the Franklin Hotel and the Roger Williams Hotel are offering a "sneak peak" rate of $195 per room per night. The special price is to celebrate the reopening of these hotels after extensive renovations (described as adding "playful d?r") to the old buildings.
At the Franklin, near the Museum Mile, European delicacies are featured at breakfast. (164 E. 78th St., 800/607-4009, www.franklinhotel.com). At the Roger Williams, you'll be in the heart of Midtown but still on the East Side. (131 Madison Ave., 888/448-7788, www.rogerwilliamshotel.com).
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