Hi guys, I signed up for the NYC event in August, and am looking around for accommodation options now.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a place to stay during the event without having to burn a hole? As I will be flying in from another country, will need a place for 8 nights…
Thanks in advanced!
I don’t have any cheap recommendations, the expensive places are all too great. But if you book through expedia or orbitz etc you can find something - i’d go with a brand you recognize (eg Marriott). The good news is that there are approximately a bazillion places to stay in midtown NYC and the city will not even flinch at the additional 5 to 10 thousand people in town for ironman.
Don’t know what your idea of “burn a hole” is. There is a wide range of hotels in NYC; price depends on size of room, cleanliness, location and amenities. Great bargain but has it’s challenges is the YMCA–a hostel like stay, with no locks on the doors, shared dorm baths. You can usually find something for 100+ at Milford Plaza in midtown, but the rooms are a crap shoot. I gave up staying there because it usually took 2-3 room changes to get one that wasn’t gross. Salisbury Hotel on 57th also has rooms in the 100+ range, and they might work out a discount for you for 8 nights. Large rooms, a bit run down but reasonably clean, pillows suck. Used to have a free breakfast where you could at least scrounge up some yogurt, hard boiled eggs and a banana.
Lately I’ve become a fan of Kimpton Hotels. Boutique chain, the rooms are reliably well kept and service is always wonderful. The free wine hour is a plus for some. Rates are pricier (usually 230+), and rooms tend to fill up. I’ve stayed at the Park Ave location and Ink48. The later is within walking distance of the tri start.
Lastly, if you haven’t read up on precautions to take regarding bed bugs, do so. It’s a real issue at most hotels in NYC, regardless of price.
The other option is to stay in northern NJ where the race actually starts. You would have access to 9w for training on the bike and I assume some place to run. The swim is another question but I assume there may be pools in the area. Granted it is not NYC but would be cheaper if the race is your focus.
Priceline!
Had friends visit the city and score some super nice rooms for 50ish% off. Might have to be a semi last minute booking though which you probably wont want to do. Regardless, I’d check out priceline.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies!
I took a look at the locations for the race, and it seems like the race transition is at the NJ side, whereas the race expo is at NYC (W. 55th Street iirc)
In fact I was taking a look at some motels at the NJ area but reviews seem to be pretty bad.
Perhaps to put my question in another way, how much should I budget for accommodation for 8 days there? Just need a no-frills place, but with reasonable security (don’t need the surprise of going back to the room at night to find the bike missing haa)
if you stay at a hotel, you are potentially spending least $1600 a week. Maybe a better thing to do is to see if you can rent a room for a week, and that should give you many options.
Another option is the Union Theological Seminary Guestroom. It meets all of your requirements: relatively cheap, secure, no frills. Slightly far from midtown, but it’s a 15 minute ride by subway at most. NJ is 25 minutes away on your bike.
If you do decide to stay in NJ, there are regularly-scheduled buses that go into the Port Authority Bus Terminal, located at 42nd & 8th ave.