NYC in late May: Any good/affordable hotels in Midtown?

Trying to plan a late-May trip to NYC for my very first visit. Want to get the full experience but not break the bank account for a hotel room. Any suggestions on where to stay that is close to all the touristy stuff (Times Square, SATC Tour, Broadway shows, etc.)?

NYC in late May: Any good/affordable hotels in Midtown?

Just remember everything is close in Manhattan. The

key is to get comfortable with the subway and bus

system and to get a metro card for your stay. This

approach opens up a lot more hotel opportunities in

all price ranges.

NYC in late May: Any good/affordable hotels in Midtown?

Staying near a subway station but away from the tourist ';hubs'; will give you both more value and a more NY experience (ie locals don%26#39;t head to times square for much, except TKTS and the theater). Add to your budget the cost of a rental car that you would need almost everywhere else. Then get back to us with your nightly budget (inexpensive to you might be mid-range to me)

Alf

Update: I am not planning on renting a car..planning on using the subway and cabs...Budget is limited (less than $200/night for hotel,due to outrageous flights to NYC from LAX right now)..trying to get the whole NYC experience (incl. a clean, comfy, safe hotel) that is close to all.

do not need cabs--- use public transportation everywhere. Budget is pretty low if you are including

tax which is high here. Do search on TA hotels section

and rank by dollars. Start with your budget and see

what it buys you at the time you are going to be here.

Repeat--- do not need cabs

check Travelzoo. there are some great deals out there right now. Just realize that as long as you are close to a subway station, everything is ';close';. Don%26#39;t feel like you have to stay in Times Square, etc.. Sometimes, smaller boutique hotels away from all the tourist locations are so much better .. less noise and more interesting surroundings to explore.

Also going in late May.

Travelzoo.com has the millenium UN plaza on for $149. Looks like a nice spot, but four blocks or so to nearest subway station. However, I imagine buses run even closer.

We%26#39;re currently booked at the Hilton Garden Inn on 35th for $139 a night, but might change.... I Keep checking Travelzoo in case I find something better!

munchsmom--

at 44th and 2nd you are easily walkable to

Grand Central Sta. Or on 42nd st there is a crosstown

bus M42 that can get you to Times Square in about

10 minutes.

General rule-- going cross town look for buses on

major streets. Going up and down town look for

trains at major avenues. And if it close enough

and a nice day or night- walk and enjoy the sites.

I don%26#39;t know what you think outrageous airfare is, but I see some prices at or below $300 for roundtrip airfare which I%26#39;d consider a bargain. Look on kayak.com

Travelzoo.com and quikbook.com are good places to look for hotel bargains but not all the May offers will be posted yet.

It should be noted that both Country Inn In The City and Wyman House are illegal hotels. They%26#39;re zoned as walk-up apartments, which means that the owners are legally obligated to rent the spaces to long-term tenants, not transients.

Buildings zoned as single-family homes are allowed to rent rooms out, but good luck trying to find one of those in Manhattan. Your best bet is really the aforementioned hotels.

pores