What started as a mom and daughters trip for the NYCDA Dance convention is now turning into a family trip. The original plan was for only 3 of us but now, my husband and two other children will join us (6 total now), which puts us in that very tough category of finding a family suite or two adjoining rooms that will not break the bank.
The dance convention is July 2 - 9 at the Sheraton at 811 7th Ave. We are considering two things - 1. The girls and I staying at the Sheraton or very close to it while and dad and the boys staying close by at very budget hotel or even hostel/hotel within walking distance to say (they state that they do not care and only need AC and a bed).
2. Trying to find a family suite to fit 6 that will not cost more than actually getting 2 standard hotel rooms.
I very much prefer being within walking distance of the Sheraton. Any suggestions?
The only thing that really matters to us is clean, decent, and with a well working AC.
PS I have already checked into Radio City Apt (we stayed there in Feb.) but they are fully booked for July 2014!

What is your budget?

You could look at all the Pod Hotel with a shared bath room and bunk beds. That's the only low budget within even any walking distance if the Sheraton. The low budget hotels in NYC are in Long Island City Queens, exactly 3subway stops from the Sheraton. In july you can probably get a room at the Country Inn and Suites for $120 or close. That's cheaper than Radio City Apartments.

The Vanderbilt YMCA also had cheap rooms, but it's location is not so convenient, but it's in Manhattan.

I'd recommend making any hotel reservation you can cancel right now and then looking for a deal later. July 4 weekend is busy, and hotels fill up fast.

All hotel rooms in NYC have A/C, even the low budget ones.

I don't have a $ amount for a budget. Instead, I would like to figure out what are the cheapest possible options in Manhattan that are basic, clean, with a good working AC (I read lots of reviews for a variety of places that stated the AC didn't work well, was extremely loud, or cut in and out a lot) and in decent area.
Doug - I am going to keep the Vanderbilt YMCA as an option for the guys. It is $139 total per night (includes the tax I guess) for two, cheaper than Pod 51, which averaged to $192 per night (with tax).
I found a suite at the Salisbury for 6 people but there are a lot of reviews that state how loud the street noise, pipes and AC are.

Thing thing you have to keep in mind is that a lot of the older hotels in NYC have window AC units, so those are as loud as any window AC units. Others have the multifunction through-the-wall things that do both heating and cooling.

But street noise is going to be an issue in almost any older building in NYC, and most budget hotels are older buildings. Newer buildings have sound-proof windows and are typically high-rises. Older ones are not.

But I would reiterate that "basic and clean" gets you about a $200 room in NYC during most of the year. You will save a LOT more if you simply go 3 subway stops into Queens, which is closer to the Sheraton than, say, the Beacon on the Upper West Side, for example. I think people get too fixated on the idea of Manhattan.

Even some nice parts of Manhattan (the Upper East Side, for example), are not really all that convenient in terms of nearby subway service. There's a Courtyard on E 92nd St. that's a good 10- to 15-minute walk from the subway and not really that close to a crosstown bus.

I'd choose the family suite at the Salisbury over the Sheraton if I had my choice. You aren't going to hear loud pipes in the summer (those are just for heating).

You are not going to find quiet in NYC. This is not the countryside - it's a big city -with all the accompanying noises: police and fire engine sirens, commercial carters grinding trash in the middle of hte night (it's required they pick up then to avoid clogging hte street in daytime) and on and on.

Also many hotels, esp budget ones, are older - as in 1920 and on. Things will make noise (many ACs are retrofitted window units).

Fore real quiet you want a new hotel that's high rise and book a top floor - and will be top prices.

And Doug's reco is correct. The Salisbury is a great buy.

We stayed at Affinia Dumont our first trip then Radio City Apts. our 2nd trip, and for us, Radio City's location was far better (for people like us not use to navigating public transportation). It made for a much less stressful trip all around. I realized more about the subway and how it all works after the 2nd trip. Not having to cross town (from Midtown) and get on two different subway lines every time was far less stressful. I would rather go farther on one subway line than have to change to another line.
Actually, we did find "quiet" in NY last trip. Our room had a very ugly view facing a large parking garage, but I didn't mind at all. We were in the back of Radio City Apt and it was great in regards to noise.
About Queens - are there any hotels very close to the subway (a block or less)?
Or any hotels in lower Manhattan with a straight shot north on the subway?

Yes, the one I recommend, the Country Inn and Suites is 1 block from the subway, 3 stops from the Sheraton NY.

There are dozens of hotels ... hundreds even ... on a straight shot on a single subway ride from Times Square. But none of them is a budget hotel because those tend not to be on straight shots from anywhere ... hence their lower price point. The few that are scattered around NYC have their own pros and cons ... perhaps shared baths (The Larchmont) or very small rooms (the Pod Hotel). Even the Dumont is a straight shot up Lexington Avenue on the 6 train, which is 2 blocks away.

But if you aren't going to make use of the subway, then you aren't going to do well in Manhattan. I know this can all be a bit bewildering for the person who isn't used to a big city, but that's just the way it is in New York. There's noise, and you have to deal with public transit.

You can have as much quiet as you want and never go near a subway - you just have to spend a lot of money (take cabs and stay in a new high rise hotel on a high floor with a great view and double pane windows.

But when you're looking for a budget - other things have to give.

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in LIC this time last year. It is in an industrial area, but very close to the subway. We loved how convenient it was. Short walk to the subway and a short trip into Manhattan, what's not to like. You also get free breakfast and free Wifi.

This is our 4th time to NYC. We have only used the public transportation (mostly subways, bus from airport). There was a huge learning curve for us but we pressed forward and did it (wasted time going the wrong way or wrong subway a few times). The last trip in Feb was the easiest because of the straight shot and not having to cross town (stayed at Radio City). Even finding the subway entrance can be difficult for people not use to it. The focus and concentration can drain you, especially when also keeping up with 5 teens/kids! With all that said, we LOVE NYC and that is why we keep coming back.
I booked at Salisbury (one bedroom suite for the 6 of us so it will be tight) but I will continue to look for more options. The reservation can be canceled up until 48 hours before. They did take our request for a room in the back and were very friendly and nice on the phone. It looks like Salisbury one bedroom suites are a bit bigger than Radio City (based on the picture) and have closets. Does anyone know if they are bigger? Pics can be deceiving.

I have also stayed at Pod 51 near Times Square and we somehow expected the rooms to be small (it's called a "pod" after all), but we just got a cheap offer for it. Anyways, our small room didn't have AC, so it won't be suitable for you. As for the Salisbury - yes, they are a bit bigger. I haven't stayed there, only visited colleagues in both of them, and from what I saw, I'd say that they were a bit bigger. I'd suggest to take a look here - http://new-york.hotelscheap.org/ - they always state if the AC is in the rooms or just the public areas, we got fooled for that once in NYC.

I have never heard of a legitimate hotel in NYC that didn;t have AC. And the Pods are fairly new hotels.

Did you check with the hotel to see it wasn't just broken - or needing adjustment?

Or if it was central AC that wetasn;t turned on for the year yet (this is the case in some older apt buildings with central AC.)

The Salisbury also has 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suites. You might phone them and get a price for one of those and also see if 2 studio suites would work..would give you 2 bathrooms. The Westside YMCA is actually closer to the Sheraton than the Vanderbilt location and right near Central Park. They also have a pool you get to use by staying there. The Holiday Inn Midtown on west 57st is also worth pricing. Their rooms are large (but not big enough for 6) and they have a rooftop pool.

Thanks for these tips. I will have to call the Salisbury about the 2 bedroom suites. I didn't see that as an option on their website.