Cyber Monday: Timing is everything for these New York hotel deals

Cyber Monday brings out the strangest hotel bargains, but we’re not complaining. These two Manhattan hotels make a winter trip to the Big Apple a bit more affordable. But watch the timing: One deal has a tiny booking period, while the other is wide open.

The Duane Street Hotel in New York’s fashionable Tribeca neighborhood plans to have a 29-minute sale on Cyber Monday (Nov. 29). Whew, set your stopwatches now! From 1:29 p.m. to 1:58 p.m. EST (10:29 a.m. to 10:58 a.m. PST), the hotel is offering rooms for $129 plus tax. Without the deal, rooms typically start at $329 plus tax. Reservations are good for stays from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, subject to availability and blackout dates. Contact: Duane Street Hotel, online only.

The Buckingham Hotel in midtown Manhattan takes a far different approach, deeming Black Friday rates to last through the end of the year. The Everyday is Black Friday Web page says the deal gives a 25% discount off room rates for stays in November and December. I spoke with a reservation agent at the hotel who said the deal continues into January, but didn’t have an end date for the offer. If you are seeking to book a room beyond December, I recommend calling to confirm the offer is still available.

I checked online and found a studio with kitchen on Dec. 14 for the discounted rate of $149.25 plus tax, compared with $199 plus tax without the special. Some blackout dates apply. Use the code “BLACK” when booking online or by phone. Contact: Buckingham Hotel, (888) 511-1900.