Travel Challenge: A weekend in the Big Apple

Each week we invite three competing travel companies to give us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: a two-night trip to New York between 20 and 22 May. Prices are per person, based on two people travelling together.

Virgin Holidays

£499: The Hotel Metro

Includes accommodation at the three-star Hotel Metro on a room-only basis, return flights with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow to JFK airport in economy class and transfers. The hotel is located in midtown Manhattan, near Fifth Avenue and Central Park. "Oozing Art Deco chic and located just yards from the Empire State Building, the Hotel Metro puts you in the heart of the Big Apple," says Nick Cutmore, of Virgin Holidays (0844 557 3859; virginholidays.co.uk).

Lastminute.com

£612: The Affinia Shelburne Hotel

Includes accommodation on a room-only basis and return economy flights with Delta Airlines from Heathrow to JFK. "The Affinia Shelburne sits amid the 19th-century brownstones of historic Murray Hill and offers spectacular views of the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline from its rooftop garden," says Eva Bojtos, of Lastminute (0871 222 5969; lastminute.com).

Directline Holidays

£677: Royalton Hotel

Includes accommodation at the four-star Royalton Hotel on a room-only basis and return flights with Lufthansa in economy class from Heathrow via Frankfurt to Newark. "This represents a particularly good-value deal, as flights alone would cost about £500 at this late stage," says Charlotte Cumming of Directline. "The Royalton is located on one of the most prestigious blocks in midtown Manhattan, just steps from Fifth Avenue shopping and Broadway – making it a perfect choice for holidaymakers on a short break who want to be in the heart of everything. Many of the rooms have working fireplaces and it also features the critically acclaimed Restaurant 44, Lobby Lounge and Long Bar." (020-8239 3399; directline-holidays.co.uk).