Bargain Prices for NYC Hotels Tonight

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Those of us who live in the path of the predicted blizzard are bracing for this storm which has been described as “monster” “severe” and “historic.”  Frankly, this feels very apocalyptic.  I live in New York City and the news is dedicated to “severe weather alerts” with frequent mentions of threats of  “thundersnow” and “power outages.” 18 – 24 inches?  Oh my god.  I’m not a cold weather girl, but I’ve always wanted to try snowshoeing – can anyone lend me a pair?

Last night, the lines were almost out the door at Fairway.  I’m busy lamenting why I have 20 Lean Cuisines in my freezer and wondering whether the travel blogger event at a the Hyatt Times Square tonight will go forward.  I have plenty of canned tuna and soups and I filled a few pots with water.  I’m wondering whether I have sufficient flashlights and candles if we actually lose power (I still haven’t put away the Chanukah menorah filled with pretty unlit candles…).

Curiously, I was wondering what the availability and prices were for Manhattan hotels tonight. Frankly, I thought the prices would be high, but the rates are surprisingly low.   I looked on Kayak and saw that many recognized 3-star hotels are $100-$150 tonight, and many 4-star hotels are $150 – $200.   In other words, rates are $100 to $200 less than the typical rates.   On Hyatt’s website, the Grand Hyatt is $160 and Hyatt Place Midtown-South is $129.  On SPG’s website, Sheraton Times Square is $179, and on Hilton’s Website, Hilton Times Square and Hilton Midtown are $199, Hilton Manhattan East is $119.

I was surprised to see this, but I am assuming there were many cancellations due to the advance warning of this storm.  Existing vacations were probably cut short or and scheduled vacations were canceled or postponed.  Meetings were likely rescheduled.  And yet, notwithstanding the above, I know of week-long conferences that were not rescheduled.  And, there are plenty of  professions that do not stop for the weather.  Stated otherwise, I thought that there would still be a fair amount of demand for New York City hotels tonight, from visitors as well as residents who would otherwise commute to Manhattan for work.  However, hotel rates for tonight are far less than I expected.

p.s. it’s 9 am and already snowing….   Wish me luck on the subway to and from work today…