Where to stay in Manhattan in May?

[milosz]

I'm coming to NYC for the first time sometime in May. Looking for a clean, cheap place to stay for 8-9 nights with easy access to the subway/buses/things to do in walking distance. So I've pretty much eliminated staying in Brooklyn or Jersey, just so I don't have to worry about making a ferry or particular train to get back to the hotel as much.

Trying to keep it cheap - I could splurge on a $300-350 a night on a truly nice place (ie Hyatt Grand Central), but I'd rather have that to spend on clothes and toys.

Three I'm looking at closely are The Jane, The Chelsea Lodge, and The Pod Hotel.

Jane -
Pros: cheapest, renovated rooms, interesting theme
Cons: shared bath/showers, still SRO tenants in much of the place from what I understand, friend who wanted to visit for a couple of days can't stay with me

Chelsea Lodge -
Pros: not much more than the Jane, friend could stay, private shower, looks like a good location
Cons: not as recently renovated, some reviews have criticized the ventilation

The Pod:
Pros - sounds like the best amenities, fewest SRO/sharing drawbacks, cleanest
Cons: most expensive, friend can't stay

Friend staying with me is not a dealbreaker - she may not be able to come anyway, it would just be nice to have the option.

Any advice on these three? Other places to look at under $150-160 a night (the Pod comes in more than that, but that's stretching the limit) would also be appreciated?

 

[cchen]

Have you considered looking on Craigslist for a short sublet?

 

[randallr]

That's a good idea cchen.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

What the hell do you plan on doing here for 9 days?

 

[milosz]

Drinking, shopping, wandering, visiting friends a couple of nights, trying to see at least one game at the Brooklyn Cyclones stadium (guess I should check their schedule before I finalize anything), maybe one at the new Mets park (**** the Yankees).

I'll look at the sublet idea, that hadn't occurred to me.

Awww, the Cyclones are a short season rookie team, they don't even start 'til June.

 

[milosz]

Just put in a Priceline bid of $110/night for 3.5 stars in Midtown to see what happens. The Dream Hotel (which seems to pop up most often for the 3.5s) looks pretty damn nice.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Originally Posted by milosz

Just put in a Priceline bid of $110/night for 3.5 stars in Midtown to see what happens. The Dream Hotel (which seems to pop up most often for the 3.5s) looks pretty damn nice.

It's a "Hautel"

 

[Clemson]

There's websites out there that tell you what the winning bids were for priceline. Check out the below links. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=beat+priceline http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/for...York-City.html

 

[lee_44106]

Yes, try Priceline, Hotwire...etc and see what you can get.

I had Hilton on 54th/6th for $122/night.

 

[Cavalier]

Priceline might stick ya with the Millenium Hilton so be careful.....

If you don't mind spending $150-200/nt you can rent a small luxury condo some as well if you prefer not staying in a hotel.

 

[globetrotter]

my wife just stayed at the courtyard marriott on the upper east side for 107 bucks a night. I was blown away, I haven't had such a cheap hotel room in manhatton in almost 20 years

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by milosz

I'm coming to NYC for the first time sometime in May. Looking for a clean, cheap place to stay for 8-9 nights with easy access to the subway/buses/things to do in walking distance. So I've pretty much eliminated staying in Brooklyn or Jersey, just so I don't have to worry about making a ferry or particular train to get back to the hotel as much.

Trying to keep it cheap - I could splurge on a $300-350 a night on a truly nice place (ie Hyatt Grand Central), but I'd rather have that to spend on clothes and toys.

Three I'm looking at closely are The Jane, The Chelsea Lodge, and The Pod Hotel.

Jane -
Pros: cheapest, renovated rooms, interesting theme
Cons: shared bath/showers, still SRO tenants in much of the place from what I understand, friend who wanted to visit for a couple of days can't stay with me

Chelsea Lodge -
Pros: not much more than the Jane, friend could stay, private shower, looks like a good location
Cons: not as recently renovated, some reviews have criticized the ventilation

The Pod:
Pros - sounds like the best amenities, fewest SRO/sharing drawbacks, cleanest
Cons: most expensive, friend can't stay

Friend staying with me is not a dealbreaker - she may not be able to come anyway, it would just be nice to have the option.

Any advice on these three? Other places to look at under $150-160 a night (the Pod comes in more than that, but that's stretching the limit) would also be appreciated?

Rent a place using craigslist as others have mentionned. You'll also save on food.

 

[gdl203]

Ace Hotel just opened their NYC one

Hyatt Gd Central is nasty - not sure why anyone would want to "splurge" on such a place.

 

[dhc905]

The Paramount just opened from a renovation. I think rooms are around $150/night or so (probably less). Right smack in midtown, which may be a good base of operations for what you're looking to do. It's a pretty decent hotel.