we stayed at east 93rd, btwn madison and 5th avenues, for our first stay in manhattan and it wasn't too far on the subway at all into the heart of the city. it does get dramatically different though in harlem.

DRaegirl13,

You have obviously misunderstood my posts. I truly appreciate everything that everyone (except for you) has written. Ultimately, I think that we are going to try and find a different place to stay. That is, of course, why I came here seeking everyone's opinion.

Just so you understand, my husband and I didn't foresee a problem with the guesthouse itself. Although, we might have had a problem with the neighborhood that it is in. Regardless, it isn't much of an issue now because we will probably be staying somewhere else.

Kristin

And thanks for understanding MikeT!

I would suggest finding another hotel as well. That area of Manhattan, especially at night is not a great area, and since I live North of there, I am on the bus heading uptown regularly and go right through. It is being refurbished and alot of the brownstones have been purchased and are being rennovated, but the area is not great yet.

There is a lovely B&B very close to me on a lovely tree lined street and it is between the #1 and the A train. I will see if I can find the name and phone number for you, but you might try and google it, the address is W 147th St between St. Nicholas and Convent.

This area of the city is up and coming all of the brownstones here are being rennovated and some of the buildings are really beautiful.

You also might want to check www.hotels.com for ideas of prices of hotels in the city.

You also might want to try the Travel Inn on W 42nd St, and the Hotel Grand Union on E 32nd St.

Have a great time while you are here.

There are 2 "Ys" that have private rooms that get fairly decent reviews on tripadvisor, the Westside Y and the Vanderbilt Y, both in midtown. Hostel International on the upper westside gets good reviews as well. Check on hostelz.com and tripadvisor.com on these.

Another option you might try is a hosted apartment through citylightsnewyork.com

I think they go for about $75/night. Second Home on Second and Chelsea Lodge are other options. Good luck.

I just came across a new place, Central Park Hostel, which looks nice, at least it does online. Run by the same co. as Union Square Inn. www.centralparkhostel.com.