New York

New York: A Times Square Weekend at The Knickerbocker

A weekend at The Knickerbocker for a group in two rooms: breakfast and a hotel credit on a refundable partner rate, and both rooms rebooked lower when the price dropped four weeks out.

Nights2
SeasonSpring
StyleBoutique and luxury
PaceRelaxed
SuitsA group of friends sharing two rooms
Based onA trip I booked for clients

Where to stay, and why

The Knickerbocker

Times Square, Manhattan · 2 nights

Two Premier rooms on the corner of Times Square, each with two queen beds, about 425 square feet, a city view, soundproof windows and Diptyque bath products. The Knickerbocker is a Leading Hotels of the World member, and the partner rate that comes with booking through me adds breakfast for two each day, a food and beverage credit and a welcome amenity on each room.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Times Square

    A late Friday arrival, with the hotel told ahead to expect the group late. The evening is free in Midtown.

  2. Day 2

    Midtown Manhattan

    Left open. Breakfast for two per room comes with the rate, and the credit covers a drink or a snack back at the hotel. The theater district is the hotel's own neighborhood, so an evening show is a short walk from the door.

  3. Day 3

    Times Square

    Breakfast again. Standard checkout is noon, and a later one is possible on this rate when the hotel has space. Then home.

What made it work

  • Two nights in Manhattan leaves no time to recover from a bad room, so the hotel had to carry the weekend, and a partner rate rather than the public one put breakfast and a credit on both rooms.
  • A refundable rate, so booking was not the end of it. Both rooms stayed on a price watch, and when the rate dropped about four weeks before arrival, I rebooked them at the lower price with the same perks.
  • Before arrival I wrote to the hotel to reconfirm the perks on both rooms and flag the late arrival. The upgrade, early check-in, a 2 PM checkout and a welcome note in each room depend on the hotel, so they were asked for, never promised.

Timing a short stay

Arriving. Check-in is from 3 PM. If you land earlier, ask for early check-in when you book, not at the desk. It depends on what is free that day.

Leaving. Checkout is noon. This rate allows a later one when the hotel has space, so ask ahead, and plan the last morning as if the answer is no.