Trump reportedly made Garden City Hotel bid

During discussions by its owners to sell the iconic Garden City Hotel, a bid came in quietly from a generally unquiet man — Donald Trump — according to two sources knowledgeable about the matter.

"Trump was serious about his bid," one of the sources said earlier this week. The other source said Trump had made his offer, but the winning bidder — a group led by Morris Moinian of the Manhattan-based Fortuna Realty Group — was considered "a better fit" for the 280-room, nine-floor hotel. An announcement of the sale was made in late June, but a purchase price for the hotel has not been disclosed.

The Trump Organization did not return calls seeking comment.

Trump owns hotels in Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New York City, Toronto, Waikiki, and Washington, D.C.

Just last week, Trump and state officials resolved a five-year dispute, allowing The Donald to begin construction of a proposed Jones Beach boardwalk catering hall, to be called Trump on the Ocean.

Trump, never considered shy about his development deals, kept the Garden City bid close to the vest. Steve Rushmore, president of HVS, hotel consultants in Mineola, said he had not heard about Trump's interest in the Garden City Hotel.

Rushmore said that Trump generally "brands" a hotel with his name. "I'm sure he would be happy to brand" the Garden City Hotel, he said.

Patrick S. Smalley, the hotel's executive vice president and managing director, said the hotel was under a "confidentiality agreement" and could not comment on any bids.

Any changes that might be in store for the hotel, originally built on the site in 1874, are still unknown. Moinian declined to comment on any immediate plans.