April 14, 2003 -- Even New York City hotels are becoming more aware of travelers' needs to save money, and they are quick to respond with innovative ways to help out. At the five midtown Apple Core hotels, guests will get a $10 MetroCard and free continental breakfast with their stay from May 4 through July 31, 2003. Rates start from $119 for a double room.
For those who don't know, the MetroCard is a credit-card-sized pass used to gain entry to subways and most buses in the city. This add-on to your hotel stay came about as a reaction to recent public transportation fare hikes that go into effect in NYC on May 4. A single fare, currently $1.50, goes up to $2 on that date; popular weeklong passes go from $17 to $21; and, sadly, this Sunday, April 13, was the last date to buy an actual subway token as they are being decommissioned.
This "Rest and Ride" package does not include tax and is subject to availability. You'll find the Apple Core hotels comfortable. All five have on-site fitness centers, free in-room internet access, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and boards, phone with data port and voice mail, cable TV and Web TV, on-demand movies and video games. Children under 13 stay free when sharing their parents' room, making a large room with two double beds a favorite choice for families.
Their properties include:
- the brand new La Quinta Inn at 17 West 32nd Street
- the Red Roof Inn at 6 West 32nd Street
- the smoke-free Comfort Inn Midtown at 129 West 46th Street
- the Super 8 Hotel Times Square at 59 West 46th Street
- the Ramada Inn East Side at 161 Lexington Avenue.
For more information or reservations, contact the hotels at 800/567-7720 or at 212/790-2710 and mention this promotion. You can log on to www.applecorehotels.com, but this promotion does not yet appear online.
Another property, the oddly-named On the Ave Hotel (odd because it's not on any avenue), has renovated the place to introduce 50 new double double rooms (two double beds per room), allowing four persons to share quarters. The new rooms start at $175, depending on the season, and feature Belgian linens, big European pillows, plush carpets and regular amenities of the hotel, as well as coffee makers, Frette robes and high speed Internet access.
On the Ave has a splendid location, at 2178 Broadway (at the corner of 77th Street). They can be reached at 800/497-6028 or 212/651-3351, website www.ontheave.com.
The On the Ave Hotel is part of the Citylife Hotel Group (www.stayinny.com), which also operates the shockingly affordable Habitat (www.habitat-ny-com) and Thirty Thirty (www.3030nyc.com) hotels. Citylife is co-sponsoring a "Roommate from Hell" contest with a grand prize of six nights' stay, $500 pin money and free grub for the week at any Manhattan Riese restaurant. (Riese is the other sponsor. It operates over 100 eateries in the area including the new Times Square Grill and myriad familiars like KFC, TGIFridays and hometown favorite, Nathan's Hot Dogs). To enter, you'll need to submit in 200 words or less, exactly why your roommate is indeed "from Hell." For complete details and entry requirements, go to any of the hotel groups' sites and click the "Roommate from Hell" logo.