Sherman's Travel

As if you need some convincing to see the bright lights of New York City, the soon-to-be-renamed Portland Square Hotel is getting a major makeover in spring 2010. By next fall it will re-open as the Sanctuary Hotel – a boutique hotel located in the heart of Times Square with rates starting at $309/night. A bit out of your price range? Don’t worry, little do people know, the hotel has already remodeled nine of the 125 rooms and is allowing guests to test out the four-star accommodations without the four-star price tag – at a special “dress rehearsal” rate of just $159/night until March 31, 2010.

The new guestrooms feature luxurious European linens, plasma televisions, and iPod docking stations. The overhaul also calls for exposed brick or metal beams in some rooms, as well as open-plan bathrooms and rain showerheads.

Guests who book a refurbished room at the low preview rate of $159/night and then offer the hotel feedback will receive a $50 credit towards a future stay.

If you’re interested in booking this dress rehearsal rate, visit www.portlandsquarehotel.com and use the code “DRESS1” or call 212-382-0600.