This fall, over 9,000 New York City Airbnb condo rentals disappeared after the city enforced new short-term rental laws. Tourists who previously booked on Airbnb, Vrbo, or other platforms are now rushing to find home-like accommodations elsewhere right before peak holiday travel.
“As a traveler with several dietary restrictions, I booked stays at Airbnb properties in New York City so that I could cook some of my own food,” shares Bella Bucchiotti, travel blogger at xoxoBella. “In the future, I will be looking for hotels with kitchenettes, and hope there are enough available so I am not left scrambling to find suitable lodging.”
“Without these options, I will have to look at hotels that offer suites, which is harder to find,” explains Alex, Founder of Delish Knowledge. “Or, when our in-laws travel with us, we’ll have to book two hotel rooms, which is much more expensive than booking a two-bedroom Airbnb rental.”
“For a family of four, not having the option to rent an Airbnb is devastating as many hotel rooms in the city are limited to two people,” adds Tamara White, Founder of Thrifty Apartment. “The city already has limited options to book reasonably priced accommodations. This change will not prevent me from visiting the city, but it certainly puts a damper on my options.”
By exploring other options in New York City, travelers can still secure condo-like rooms in time for their visit.
Take Another Look at Hotels
According to Priceline Consumer Travel Expert Christina Bennett, larger rooms and kitchens rank among the most prioritized features. Chain hotels have noticed travelers changing preferences and are increasingly adding this accommodation type to their properties at various price points, including for destinations like The Big Apple.
One of the top hotels in New York City, Conrad New York Midtown’s rooms are more similar to pied-à-terres than hotel rooms. Their 496 suites feature residential decor and separate living and sleeping quarters. Additionally, Conrad’s downtown sister property is less than 10 minutes from the city’s most iconic attractions, including One World Trade Observatory, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, and SoHo, and offers the same spacious room layouts.
DoubleTree by Hilton has two-room units for those with a smaller budget in both their Chelsea and Downtown Financial District properties. Both offer spacious suites with a separate living area, and rates start at $349 a night.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Times Square, opening on October 16th, gives tourists another option in the Broadway District. Their suites feature a moveable wall to create different spaces throughout the day for relaxing, cooking, working, and sleeping. The living room area features a sofa bed and a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, sink, and dishwasher. Guests can request an induction burner cooktop to prepare meals or heat leftovers to save money.
Rent a Timeshare
“Timeshare accommodations provide travelers with the spacious accommodations that include multi-bedrooms and full kitchens like you would find in an Airbnb but mixed with resort amenities like pools, on-site restaurants, fitness centers, and maybe most importantly, on-site professional management,” explains Jason Gamel, CEO of ARDA, the trade association for the timeshare industry.
New York City travelers can book a resort condo from the property directly or from another timeshare owner who is not using theirs. Trusted rental platforms such as RedWeek or KOALA have timeshare rental listings in New York City starting at $199 per night for a one-bedroom condo and $325 a night for a 2-bedroom unit.
“Travelers might not think New York City is a timeshare-rich destination, but plenty of units are available for rent in the Big Apple. RedWeek, the largest and most trusted online timeshare marketplace, currently has 60 timeshare rentals available in the greater New York City area,” outlines Maurice Aubrey, RedWeek Founder. “One of those timeshare options is The Manhattan Club, located in Midtown and features convenient access to the theater district, museums, dining, and shopping. Guests enjoy spacious suites, a private Owner’s Lounge, and useful amenities like a business center and valet parking. That’s a better experience than most private condos could ever offer.”
“Timeshares are a viable alternative to private rentals in many places, and now that New York’s regulations have changed, they can be a lifeline for travelers who want the extra space, quality service, and home-away-from-home experience when they visit the city,” Aubrey adds.
The Quin, a Hilton Club, is located on “Billionaire’s Row” in vibrant Midtown Manhattan across the street from Carnegie Hall and steps to Central Park, Fifth Avenue, MoMA, the Metropolitan Opera House, and Lincoln Center. This timeshare property re-opened in 2021 following a $50 million top-to-bottom renovation. The luxury resort features 207 studios, one-bedroom spacious suites, a private owners’ lounge, a fitness and business center, and a restaurant. The newly expanded 18th and 19th floors include dramatic penthouse suites with outdoor terraces overlooking Central Park and provide the perfect spot to get up-close views of the Macy’s Day parade.
“Located in the heart of Manhattan, Club Wyndham Midtown 45 is a serene, sophisticated oasis and a welcoming place to rest and recharge before heading out for your next Big Apple adventure,” says Andrew Wooten, General Manager, Club Wyndham Midtown 45. “Our resort features one- and two-bedroom suites, studios, and hotel-style rooms. Guests staying in our suites and studios enjoy full-size gourmet kitchens, and our suites also offer separate living areas with plenty of space to kick back and relax.”
Don’t Wait To Book a New York City Room
“The strong demand for travel continues as we look forward to the holiday travel season,” shares Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “Fears of recession, inflation, rising gas prices, and a new COVID-19 spike have not slowed consumer desire to travel.”
An October Forbes study reveals that people are still setting aside money to travel for the remainder of 2023. 83% of people polled plan to take at least one more trip this year, 38% plan to take two, and nearly 30% say they will take three or more trips before 2024. High travel demand combined with thousands of less available accommodations could drive up prices in New York City.
This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Monica Fish helps her fellow adventurers live a financially savvy life so they can travel and explore our beautiful world no matter their budget. She writes about smart timeshare ownership, vacation tips and tricks, NYC Metro Area trips and activities, and frugal, yet rich, living at PlannerAtHeart.com.