Under $80 pp per night???
After 1 month of hostelling across the US & Canada, my friend and I are finishing our trip in NYC in October 2005. We'll spend 3 nights in a hostel in NYC and on our last night(a Sunday) we want to splurge (sort of) and spend one night in a 'nice hotel' before flying home the next day. We'd be happy with just a clean, safe, twin share room with private bathroom, don't need anything fancy, just a step up from the shared accom we will have been experiencing on the rest of our trip.
We like the idea of the theatre distict as we will be seeing a broadway show that night also and would like something within walking distance.
Any suggestions much appreciated!

It's not going to happen at that price point.

The Edison is reasonable, and bidding on priceline is an option. I don't think finding a room for two people for $160 is impossible.

I noticed that too, abram. Did you really mean $80 PER PERSON, kbo?
The Belvedere is well under that and a pretty nice place. There are quite a few options. I'd avoid the Milford Plaza, though.

My bad. You're right, Abram. The OP meant $160 for two. I "read" $80 for a single. Sorry.

See what the Broadway Inn is going for nowadays. Just steps away from the theatres.

Yes I know I sound incredibly cheap!
I'm traveling from Australia and taking into consideration the currency exchange rate ($80 per person USD is around $100 AUD)and I don't really want to spend over 100 aussie dollars on one night's accom...
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out....

There is also the Travel Inn - not fancy but a budget hotel that has a good reputation. It is not quite in the theatre district but is walking distance.

Patrick - I was also going to suggest the Belvedere as that is where I stay. During Spring Break, I got a rate of $135 a night. Looks like for October 2005, though, the best rate is around $220. The first time I stayed at the Belvedere it was not well known but now has become a popular place to stay, so they are raising the rates.
Several people on this forum suggest the Super8 but looks like their rate goes up in October to $189.

Hotel 41 is another budget place with some nice amenities but rooms are small and may be hard to get 2 beds. It's best for couples. Hotel QT is a new budget place in the area that seems to get good reviews on tripadvisor.com The Radio City Apartments (radiocityapartments.com) while not IN the theater dist. is very near and right near Rockefeller Center. I think they should have rooms within your budget and it's like an apt with a kitchenette.

Your other option is to try bidding on Priceline. I had seen people getting the NY Hilton for $110/night but that was a while ago. Biddingfortravel.com doesn't list much succes under $200 in that neighborhood.

From which airport are you leaving? If it's JFK, if you pick something near Grand Central Station you could take the bus to the airport. (There's also a bus from Port Authority in the theater district but you're head out of town on the east side for JFK). The Bedford would work well for you. If you want to take the AirTrain to JFK, staying near Penn Station, not far from the theater district would also be convenient. Some others in that area, the Herald Square, the Stanford--both very basic but evidently ok. Applecorehotels.com is a good group too that includes the Comfort Inn Midtown.

I should have added there's a subway from Grand Central that goes to Times Square.

The Belvedere is now $220? You've got to be kidding. I thought it was a nice place to stay for the low 100's, but that's ridiculous! Sorry, guess, I haven't kept up!

The OP is talking about October - the start of the busiest season.

And NYC has been literally mobbed with european tourists so far this year - and its only the beginning of May. Hotel occcupancy rates are way up - and consequently rates.

Actually, Patrick, the Belvedere for Oct is $245 on their own website. The $220 was on another site that offers discounts. Prices definitely jump up in October.

nytraveler - We noticed all the European tourists when we were there in March. There were certainly alot of them staying at the Belvedere and we saw them on the subways and in the restaurants. We didn't even do the big tourist things (Statue of Liberty and Empire State Bldg) and we still saw them everywhere. I even was approached by four young people, I think they were German, asking for directions on the subway. Now that's the blind leading the blind!! But luckily, I knew where they were going and was able to help them.

Try www.hotels.com for more info on hotels and when you plug in your dates, you get the rates and can compare what is available.

Have a great trip.

October is a busy time in NYC. If you find a reasonable rate - book it now, don't wait. You could try Priceline, but don't depend on it; if your dates are during a big trade fare, or Columbus Day weekend, there might not be any PL inventory and you won't be able to scoop something up.

Thanks everyone
On visitnyc.org I found Herald Square Hotel for $149 a double room, with taxes the total is around $170 which my friend and I will split, so it's close to my budget! Reviews seemed good and site secure for credit card bookings....