Finding hotel room deals in New York

Finding a room for $250 a night — the average rate for a hotel room in New York City — isn’t easy. Once upon a time, you could get a discount by walking in or calling the hotel directly. Now getting a deal is a whole new ballgame, thanks to the Internet.

Room rates in New York peak in November and December, then dip in January and February, the best time to bag a bargain. For instance, a superior king at the stylish new Strand Hotel on West 37th Street is priced at $385 in early December and $215 in mid-January.

Keep your eye on https://www.nycgo.com, the city’s official tourist information site, for special offers such as Get More NYC, a program that runs Jan. 2-Feb. 28, offering discounts of as much as 25% at 100 hotels, including the Hotel Plaza Athénée, the Carlyle and the new James in Soho.

New hotels often feature introductory rates when they open. With New York City slated to get 5,000 to 7,000 new rooms in the coming year, you may find some debut-rate opportunities; check the hotel website or call the reservation number.

Travel sites such as https://www.travelzoo.com and https://www.kayak.com sometimes offer NYC package deals, including accommodations at rates you can’t get by booking independently.

The city sleeps on Sunday night, as far as hotel occupancy goes. Book then for the lowest rates of the week.

A slew of budget and moderately priced hotels such as the Aloft Harlem, the Sheraton Brooklyn and the Holiday Inn Long Island City have opened recently in interesting neighborhoods outside the city center. All it takes is a subway pass to get into Midtown.

Hotel loyalty programs offer great savings. Take Kimpton in Touch: Members earn a complimentary night for 15 stays (or 45 nights) at any of the chain’s hotels, plus perks such as free wireless and mini-bar credits.

— Susan Spano