New York City hotels last month benefited from the highest average occupancy rate in four years, according to the latest figures from NYC & Company.

The city's tourism office reported an average occupancy rate of 92.4 percent in August. The average daily rate edged upward about a buck from July to $285.84.

That's $20 higher than in August 2007, but still about $40 less than this past June, when a typical night cost $325.94.

Hotel rates should only increase over the next several months, as the city's various lodges hit peak travel season.

Last September, the average overnight stay cost $340.33. Rates last November and December hovered around $370.

“I haven’t slept in forever,” a visibly traumatized Michelle Hopkins announced last week.  read more »

In an effort to keep up with the hotel development explosion in the city, The New Yorker Hotel announced today that it will undergo a $65 million renovation.

Located at 481 Eighth Avenue, The New Yorker was the largest hotel in the city when it opened in 1931. The expected renovations include a complete overhaul of furniture, carpets, wallpaper and fixtures as well as a serious clean-up job on the front of the building, according to a press release. Oh, and the historic hotel will step into the 21st century by improving Wi-Fi service and television programming.

There is one other big reason for the renovations: The expansion of the Javits Center. The massive convention center/event space, which sits just three blocks west of the hotel, is expected to double in size by 2010. The New Yorker will already be all cleaned up by then as the revamping is expected to be finished by 2008.

The full release about the project is after the jump.  read more »