Is renting an apartment/studio in NYC instead of a hotel worth it?

Q. Hi,

two of my friends and I are planning on making a trip to NYC, just for a couple of days (3 nights more precisely). We compared prices between hotels and renting a studio/apartment and it seems as though the latter option is less expensive. Do you think there might be hidden fees? And also, is it worth it if it is just for 3 nights? Or should we go with the more "traditional" option and book a hotel room even though it is more expensive?

Thank you

A. For just 3 nights, I would suggest a hotel. You want to make a short visit count and not have potential complications. Not only is it now illegal, but three friends in a studio won't get the benefit of space (the average studio apartment in NYC is tiny) and you're probably not going to waste time cooking meals for such a short stay, so the kitchen isn't much of an advantage and there's always a chance that the place will be misrepresented or smell, have bugs (or worse) or not even exist. Places like Craigslist are crawling with scammers who collect deposits and then you show up and the address they gave you is it's someone else's apartment or not an apartment at all. Seriously, stick with a hotel unless you book a hotel apartment through a legitimate company and that won't be cheap (many hotels have apartment style accommodations). This link will help narrow your search: http://www.nycvacationstays.com/hotels.htm

Best website for hotel accomodations in Atlantic City NJ?

Q. My family and I ( total of 5) want to spend the coming weekend in Atlantic City NJ. We're on a budget so I'd like to know what are the best sites for comparing hotels online? We've got the transport covered so all we need is hotel info.

A. Here's a link to a site I've been using a bunch lately -- http://www.resideo.com/us/newjersey/atlanticcity/

Click the 'enter your travel dates' link, choose your dates, then submit the form. You can sort the results by price (cheapest places listed first), or by distance from a particular point-of-interest.

You can see the rooms & rates at a glance, read up on each hotel, & book online.

Good luck...hope that helps!

Anyone familiar with travelodge prices and bookings?

Q. I'm going to London for a few days, and I've been comparing prices for a few different travelodges (as these seem to be the best value option).
Finally got my choice down to two, but when I checked again both hotels prices had increased.

Is price fluctuation for travelodge common? Or does it just increase?
Is it worth booking now incase, the price continues to escalate or will it maybe drop?

A. I used to work as a receptionist at Travelodge 3 years ago when I was at uni.

Price fluctuation is very common after the sales/during the sales but with rooms still available. To be honest though, it is with all hotels.

What has probably happened in your scenario is, the rooms were reduced for the Winter sale, those rooms dedicated to the Winter sale have now been booked up. Now Travelodge wants to make some money back, by now allowing customers to book the other rooms at a higher rate - the rate you're seeing now.

More than likely, it will increase again after a few weeks (rooms do book out fast, especially at certain times of the year and always during the summer months or the school holiday weeks).
If those rooms haven't been booked within 2 weeks of the date you're wanting to stay, they will reduce it again - but it is risky to wait for them to be reduced, as the hotel could book out completely, more so in London, definitely if it's in the centre of London. So potentially you could be left without accommodation.

I'd recommend you book it now, unless you are willing to risk waiting and then run the chance of not having a room to stay in at all - you wouldn't save much money even if you waited.

Go for the family room too, you get more space but pay the same price.

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