Almost all short-term apartment rentals are illegal in NYC and many listed places are scams - so this is not really something you want to do.

Instead look at a hotel suite for more room and kitchen facilities. Feb prices should be dirt cheap. On the upper west side have a look at the Bacon hotel (you may have to call them about a suite) for a pleasant hotel at reasonable prices. It's 2 blocks from the Park in a great neighborhood.

This is primarily a residential area so there shoujd be a launderette nearby.

I think nytraveler meant the Beacon Hotel.

In addition to laundromats, most dry cleaners in NYC (which are particularly plentiful) will take laundry and do it for you for a per-pound rate. A lot of New Yorkers do this. Most laundromats also do washing for you, particularly in Manhattan. This service is usually next-day or at most two days.

I think the Beacon hotel will work. Most of the Affinia hotels have so-called "studios" (i.e., hotel rooms with a little kithenette of a microwave and mini-fridge). Radio City Apartments has full-fledged units with real kitchens, as does Staybridge Suites.

But I'd also caution you against VRBO, Air BnB, and Craigslist in NYC particularly. You'll find lots of apartments listed, but almost all of them are illegal, not a problem when things go right (you won't be arrested ... it's illegal to rent out most apartments in NYC for less than 30 days but not illegal to rent one yourself) but a disaster when things go wrong since you'll be on the street and have no legal recourse but to stay in an expensive hotel. Also Craigslist in particular is full of scams in NYC.

Yes - my typing that early is esp bad.

Thanks so much everyone! I checked the Beacon Hotel website and it looks ideal. I also checked www.oyster.com and there are lots of photos of the hotel facilities which include a huge laundry room! So I'll be making a booking there I think ...

Thanks again!

Chatswood:

You might also like the Milburn hotel in the same area as the Beacon http://www.milburnhotel.com - stayed there some years ago and it was nice. They now serve a continental breakfast which is a added plus. See reviews on http://www.tripadvisor.com

Sandy

Salisbury Hotel-57th St.

Chatswood, SandyBrit put me on to the Milburn a couple of years ago ( hi Sandy ) and I stayed there when I travelled also as a sole traveller. I had a studio room with its own kitchenette and a free breakfast. I was very happy there. It is in the same lovely area as the Beacon which gets great reviews on here . If you don't go ahead with the Beacon, I recommend you consider the Milburn. Enjoy that fabulous city!

Forgot to say the Milburn has a laundry which you are at liberty to use and also there is a laundromat almost next door to the hotel.