City Lights B&B & Short Term Apartment Rental

This bunch wants a $650 deposit on a credit card, then $1,000 CASH to the host, plus a $400 CASH deposit for a place that is on E57th St (large studio on 24th floor). Price seem fine but $1,000 CASH to host? Also, $400 CASH deposit - might be hard to get back after we return to Seattle? Advice? thanks

City Lights B%26amp;B %26amp; Short Term Apartment Rental

It%26#39;s impossible to respond without knowing how long you%26#39;re staying, how much the total rental is etc. The co. is legit. If you don%26#39;t like their policies, either try to negotiate them or go elsewhere. I don%26#39;t understand all the 3 deposit amounts and what you%26#39;re supposed to get back.

Sounds like 650 to hold the reservation (then is this billed toward the stay ?) Then the host evidently wants $1000 in cash for the rental? And a $400 security deposit in case of damage to the apt. I think the real problem is the owner%26#39;s request for cash. Doesn%26#39;t sound kosher to me.

City Lights B%26amp;B %26amp; Short Term Apartment Rental

The stay is for eight nights (10/7-15) so the price is OK from what I have found elsewhere. The $650 is a deposit but also part of the total cost of about $1650. The host wants the rest of the cost ($1000) in cash PLUS a $400 CASH damage deposit. Is this a normal type transaction for a B%26amp;B in NYC? The REAL stumbling block for me, I guess, is the $400 cash deposit. City Lights says there is no predetermined withholding, such as cleaning, etc, from that deposit and they have not heard of anyone not getting it all back. Still, we will be in Seattle hoping for our deposit back!

I have looked at perhaps 50 places in NYC for those dates and am getting burned out. The Murray Hill Inn is our next choice - they take credit cards for the whole bill. Anyone know about Murray Hill Inn?

There are reviews of Murray Hill Inn here

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d80093-R鈥?/a>

Several people use the term ';hostel';. I%26#39;d give it a pass.

I don%26#39;t know how many of you there are, but a large studio for 7 nights for $1650 doesn%26#39;t sound bad, but it also doesn%26#39;t sound like a bargain. So when you say you%26#39;ve looked at 50 places, is the problem with the others they%26#39;re too expensive?

Here%26#39;s an apt. a friend stayed at. It%26#39;s a 1 bedroom on a high floor in the west 50-s. The price may have gone up (it was $225/night plus a cleaning fee).

http://www.greatrentals.com/NY/13369.html

Also, have you tried NYhabitat.com?

I%26#39;ve also recently been looking at cyberrentals.com which are direct through owners. There%26#39;s someone on this board who will be staying at this place which sounds fantastic.

cyberrentals.com/USA/鈥137574.htm

I notice they want a security deposit equal to the price of the 1 week rental but they%26#39;re not asking for cash. I would date the deposit check for after the stay (and tell them you%26#39;re doing so). I do have a problem with the cash aspect of the deal you%26#39;re considering. Just doesn%26#39;t sound kosher.

Don%26#39;t know if you need to be in midtown, but A Greenwich Village Home is another option. They have a studio apt. for $158/night. Read the end of this thread with message from the owner

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k672923-鈥?/a>

SORRY, that should read $185/night! Typo.

First - that cyberrentals is a real ';keeper'; 2nd-booked Murray Hill Inn @ $200/nite for delux Q 1-bdrm with only a 48 hr cancellation notice at no cost. Leaving tomorrow for Europe so wanted to have something - will revist options when returning in a month - thanks all for your help.

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