Reduced room rates and hotel packages to celebrate St. Patrick's Day Big Apple-style, or explore the city that never sleeps in April and take advantage of a discounted sightseeing cruise.
Apple Core Hotels, from $228 per room per night
The Circle the Big Apple package includes one night with breakfast at one of Apple Core's five midtown Manhattan hotels: La Quinta Inn Manhattan at 17 W. 32nd St., Red Roof Inn Manhattan at 6 W. 32nd St., the smoke-free Comfort Inn Midtown at 129 W. 46th St., Super 8 Hotel Times Square at 59 W. 46th St., and the Ramada Inn East Side at 161 Lexington Ave. Each offers fitness facilities, in-room Wi-Fi Internet access, video games, on-demand movies, and free long-distance calls. The hotels are within walking distance of some of New York's biggest draws, including the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and Macy's. The package also includes a 25 percent discount on a two-hour Circle Line sightseeing harbor cruise for two to learn about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and to enjoy postcard-perfect views of the city's skyline. (Regular price of adult tickets is $25.
You can find more ticket information here.) To purchase the cruise tickets, available at the Circle Line booth at Pier 83 on 42nd Street and 12th Avenue, use the code Apple Core08. Room rates start from $228 per person per night.
When: April 1-30, 2008
Details: Taxes are an additional 13 percent, and there is a $3.50 service charge. Based on single occupancy; add $16 per night for each additional adult (up to four occupants per room). Children under 13 stay free.
Contact: 800/567-7720, applecorehotels.com
The Westin New York, from $339 per room per night
The St. Patrick's Day at Westin package includes one night at the 45-story Westin New York at Times Square and Irish Fry Up breakfast for two, featuring two eggs, Irish black pudding, soda bread, and bangers. The 863 rooms, with views of the city and the Hudson River, provide wireless Internet access in addition to other standard amenities. Located at the corner of 43rd Street and 8th Avenue, the property is only a few blocks from the start of the famous New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, held on March 17. The hotel is also within walking distance of major shopping outlets, restaurants, and Broadway theaters. Rates start from $339 per room per night.
When: March 16, 2008
Details: Taxes are an additional 13 percent and there is a $3.50 service charge. Based on double occupancy; no single supplement.
Contact: 888/627-7149, westinny.com
Plus: Our recent story, Sunday Savings in New York City, has details on 35 hotels that offer a 20 to 30 percent discount for bookings on Sunday nights. And you can learn about hotels whose room rates are a good value year-round in New York at a Price That's Right.
Getting there: According to a recent search on Kayak, the lowest round-trip fares we found to New York City in mid-March were $350 from Miami (United/US Airways), $376 from Chicago (US Airways), $549 from L.A. (AirTran), and $558 from Houston (multiple carriers). Rates for mid-April departures start from $179 from Chicago (Delta), $179 from Miami (Continental), $236 from Houston (Delta), and $299 from L.A. (United).
Read these guidelines before booking any Real Deal, and check the local weather forecast before you hit the road.