Madison Square Garden area vs Soho

Hi everyone, I%26#39;m going to New York for the first time in June and I am so excited! However, I%26#39;m having trouble deciding between these two hotels/areas as the pros and cons seem to even them out. They both have excellent reviews so now it just comes down to the area. I was hoping you guys here would please be able to help me out!

Hampton Inn Manhattan Madison Square Garden Area

Or

Hampton Inn Manhattan Soho

Does anyone have any recommendations from one area to the other? From the research I%26#39;ve done it seems the first would be in a more touristy area, with more tourist traps, expensive restaurants etc, but very convenient as it is within walking distance to so many things.

Whereas Soho seems to be the edgier, less touristy area (more appealing) but would require using the subway on most days as it is further away from the sites (not as appealing)...

Has anyone got any recommendations? I%26#39;m also curious which area has more nightlight as I would prefer not to be using the subway at night.

Thanks for all your help!!!

Madison Square Garden area vs Soho

Soho%26#39;s a neighborhood and the area around Madison Square Garden is ugly as all get out. I%26#39;m sure you can guess which has more nightlife, but really think you should get over the idea of not using the subway at night. Everybody does it, and if you%26#39;re that drunk that you can%26#39;t, cabs are cheap.

Madison Square Garden area vs Soho

I stayed around Madison Square Garden last June and really hated the area. Stay in Soho. So much more choice for places to eat and drink! I just got back from NYC for a week by myself and rode the subway everywhere. It%26#39;s fine.

You%26#39;ll be fine on the subway at night, I also used it late at night on my solo trip in Oct. It%26#39;s very busy at all hours.

Thank you for you advice. It looks like I will go for Soho. I orginally thought that but when I saw the Madison Garden one I got tempted by how close is seemed to everything.

Public transport is so terrible in Melbourne that I wouldn%26#39;t rely on it to get me anywhere, and I definitely wouldn%26#39;t use it at night! I have to remember it%26#39;s pretty different in NY :)

Thanks again for your help!

If it%26#39;s any comfort, I wouldn%26#39;t think that Madison Square Garden is so close to everything. The area is tourist central, and even the tourists there seem to max themselves out after less than a day. If this is your first time to visit NYC, you%26#39;ll find out soon enough, and likely be glad you%26#39;re not staying there. If you felt hinky about it before you read this, you%26#39;ll certainly be glad.

Having just returned I will reiterate a great preference for downtown v. midtown. Soho, the Village, Nolita, etc. seem much better places to just hang out, not fight the throngs, and absorb a New York essence. We took the subway at midnight/1 am and were far from alone so you can be most anywhere you want, anytime you want without too much hassle, and without staying in places without a whole lot of soul.

I, personally, couldn%26#39;t figure out what all those people walking back and forth in the Times Square area were actually doing other than walking back and forth. We loved downtown (just to say it again.)

Soho is drastically different than the MSG (Madison Sq. Garden) area. If you are looking for a more peaceful area, then definitely shoot for Soho. If you want to be in the heart of where all touristy things are and noise and fast-paced NY, then MSG area is fine. However, it is important to note the MSG area is extremely crowded to the point where like others have said will become tiring quickly. There are a lot more restaurants that are decently priced around Soho than MSG. Both locations, however, are easy travel points to go and get back to.