New York... again

[Greedyfly]

Having had no experience of the big apple and wanting to save money where we can when we go I wanted to ask about accommodation. We are going next summer and it is a very special trip for us both so would like some luxury with regards to where we stay but obviously would like to save money where we can.

I have absolutely no clue what is reasonable for a hotel to cost for 6 nights in any city let alone there.

I have looked at apartment rentals and would consider them but we would prefer to stay in a hotel. I know staying further out of the city would be cheaper but we would really like to be in the thick of it if possible.

Can anyone suggest somewhere they have stayed that was good quality and good service but at a reasonable cost? Also if you have any horror stories of places to avoid that would help too.

Thanks so much

[237SJ]

You want to be in Manhattan really. You don`t want to be traipsing miles out of the city every night. Hotels aren`t cheap - I would say $200-$400 per night. When I went for a long weekend I stayed at the Helmsley hotel on 42nd street but it wasn`t long after 9/11 and the prices were better as they were desperate for business. I have been in the couple of Fitxpatrick hotels on Manhattan (one at Grand Central and one on Lexington up by Boomingdales) and they`re OK. No idea of the prices though. You`d probably be better going through an agent who can get you a good price.

[237SJ]

Sorry, meant Fitzpatrick not Fitxpatrick!

[Mosaic]

The hotel we stayed in is now the Manhattan Hilton on east 42nd street. I've no idea what it's like now but it was fine then - walking distance from bus and subway, easy walk to Times Square.

The staten island ferry is free. Just go along to the ferry terminal on the east end of the Battery, into to the big cream-coloured building and up the stairs. It is very regular, and takes you right past the statue of Liberty so you can get all your snaps of the city and the skyline. When you get to the terminus, everyone just gets off, marches round the corner and gets back on for the return journey. Worth taking a picnic with you and it's the best value in New York!
Battery Park is lovely (well I like it).

[Mosaic]

But you can't sleep overnight on the staten ferry.

[Greedyfly]

Thanks for your answers guys - I will check them out!

[jno]

there are some suggestions here

http://gonyc.about.co.../tp/topcheaphotel.htm

Note the bit about adding taxes. US hotels generally charge per room rather than per person, so depending how many of you are going the prices may be cheaper than they look.

[spudqueen]

I stayed at the Milford Plaza which is just one block from Times Square. I would avoid the Penn (Pennsylvania) as it was dowdy and had no security, a bit nasty really.

[Dee Sa]

I stay at the Marriot Marquis [ where Arnie went up in their lift on a white horse in a movie] its right on Times Square. Its a bit pricey but then you dont need to spend money coming into the centre of town and very handy for the hop on hop off bus and the cheap theatre ticket shack etc you cant get lost as everyone can direct you back to Times Sq.They do deals for the weekend too.another hotel I liked was the Doral Court but it meant a 10 mins walk every day to get to the attractions.
If you use a US airline remember its 2 suitcases each they dont check the weight,but check before you buy in case they have changed the rules.

[allpacked]

The Mondrian Soho hotel is a good affordable 5 star hotel in Lower Manhattan that you might want to look at. Details are here:

http://search.costeff...tel/Mondrian_Soho.htm

This is a fashionable hotel in a nice central location. When I stayed there, I found it was particularly well placed for shopping.