Hello,
Do you know of any cheap hotels in the New York City area that are also safe? thanks.


Ben

Ben, everyone's definition of cheap is different. Why don't you tell us how many nights you need for how many people and what you'd like to pay. Priceline is the absolute best bargain but only works for 2 in a room (who can share a bed) and generally only good for 5 days or less.

RIVERSIDE TOWERS - an excellent inexpensive hotel in a very safe area (off riverside park at about 80th- 3 blocks from broadway). a very plain/spartan, european type hotel. haven't stayed there in about 5 years but excellent location. used to stay there before our daughter got a place big enough for us.

Well the neighborhood is fine and you certainly can't beat the price - from $94 up. It appears to be a converted apartment house and doesn;t mention anything about hotel services of any type - so I would assume it is all do it yourself.

You don;t say when you're coming - but it certainly seems worth looking at if that type of accommodation will meet your needs.

And the only thing I can imagine cheaper than that is a hostel.

We will be going there from about june 25-june 31 and wanted a convenient location. There is 2 adults and 3 teenagers. Thanks

Last summer, we stayed one night at the Oxford Theater Hotel just off Time Square. We booked it off Expedia or Travelocity or one of those and it was very interesting. There wasn't a front desk. We checked in at the alternations/tailor shop 2 doors down, walked back out on the street and in another door. Our room was on the 4th floor and there wasn't an elevator. When we checked in, there was still a maid in our room. She left soon after we got there. However, when we got back from dinner, we found out that our key didn't work in the lock! While sitting in the sweltering stairway, we had to call my friend's husband who emailed the management who came over and sorted things out. Not a typical hotel experience.

On the plus side, it was $150/night. The location, a couple blocks off Time Square, was convenient. We found some reasonable places to eat nearby and walked all over from there. It was more of an apartment than a room. It had a separate bedroom, a sleeper couch and a full kitchen. If you were there for a few days, that would be very worthwhile. The surrounding area seemed fine. As 2 women with our daughters, we felt safe. I think there was a Super 8 motel across the street. It was a bit noisy at night but hey, you are in NYC!

Hope this helps.

Well you still haven't given budget and with 5, you might have to get 2 rooms depending on where you chose and whether the teens are willing to share beds. The Travel Inn is a good, inexpensive clean hotel near Times Square. You might need 2 rooms there though. Radio City apartments is terrific but not available for a room large enough on your dates (btw, there is no June 31 ). Best Western Hospitality might be a good option to try. They even have 2 bedroom suites. Eastgate Towers would be another suite hotel that's often not too pricey.

Checking your dates on quikbook.com (btw, there is no June 31 )the Salisbury is $297/night for a 1 bedroom (that's high--you're coming at an expensive time)The Belleclaire is also around the same price. I don't think that is good value. The Salisbury is nice.

Just a few thoughts. Some hotels won't accept a booking of 5 to a room for fire code reasons. Others won't accept 5 in an online reservation but might if you phone them. Also, depending on the age of the teens and whether they're boys, girls or both, you might be better with 2 rooms for more bathrooms and more beds.

I was recently told about Riverside Towers. While the prices do sound good, you'd probably need at least a suite and a single. Not sure it will be so comfortable for a 6 night stay.

The Beacon or the Milburn would be good options on the upper westside.

It's really not fair if you refuse to tell us what your budget is - and not saying up front that there are 5 of you (very difficult in NYC) has caused people to waste time giving you info that may not be helpful.

If you really want practical help you'll just have to be more open.

Ages and genders of teens

Are you flying or coming by car (and need a place to park).

Any special needs?

Any other surprises?

If staying within (undisclosed) budget is important, you could try getting a family room at the Hosteling International facility at 103rd & Amsterdam Ave, 2 blocks east of the 103rd/Broadway stop on the 1/9 lines.

http://www.hinewyork.org/

Last time I checked, they have family rooms for something like $130 with private bath, or $105 if you used the dorm-type bathrooms "down the hall". Think of it as kind of like staying at a KOA campground!

No one is allowed in the dorm area unless they are a guest; each room uses the electronic key-card locks, and it's safe and in a moderately-priced neighborhood. Not exactly convenient, but won't you spend most of your time out sightseeing anyway? And the hostel usually has organized activities and a number of discount tickets for its guests. Rec room and outside patio area, often a number if international students that you and the kids may enjoy meeting. I think everyone gets their own twin bed too.

Just a suggestion

since ben hasn't been back, and he's only made one previous post a number of months ago, does anyone else suspect that he provided his email address so that these answers could be sent to him directly?

I'd suggest www.hotels.com for alot of suggestions and that way you can see what the going rate is for lots of hotels intown.

Also check The Travel Inn on W 42nd ST. They offer free parking and have a pool, which would be a hit with your teens.

Another suggestion would be the Hotel Grand Union on E 32nd St. Good rates and nice rooms with convenient location just off Madison Ave and close to the subway on Park Ave.

Neapolitan -

You're correct. Perhaps he left his email address to collect other posters personal e-mail addresses.

Can't imagine he thinks people will actually provide them to a stranger with no history of posting.

Ben came back to the thread about 12 hours before you posted, Neopolitan. The email address thing is simple - you're given the option to display it or not, and many people choose the option to leave it without expecting others will use it.

We stayed at the Carlton Arms and were happy with it. Click on Hotels on the Fodor's headings and specify the listing by price. It will be the first one to come up.

As a local, it's really difficult to recommend places as few stay in same:
I'm the designated TA honcho for SMdA, Gto.,Mx and rely on recent visitors feedback, despite my strong opinions.
That said, we got good (Executive Vintage Court) to VG (Chancellor) feedback from Fodors and TA for our recent overnights in San Francisco.
Those were inexpensive ($92. and $109. + tax of course) and great bangs for the buck.
We'll be in Manhattan 25 - 30 April for DIL's new book release celebrations and may need a similar Hotel. I think we may stay in a friend's apartment, but...
The Sohotel is nearly next door to son and dil's house, but a dump, I'm told. Location is not a serious issue, but we would like to stay under $200./night if forced to the hotel route so we'll look at some recommended here and Priceline as recommeded by mclaurie (btw, how are you? When are you going to visit San Miguel?)
M

Triple Ben should be using PRICELINE, bidding for TWO ROOMS, and perhaps opting for mid-range hotels near the two NYC airports. A 3-star place near JFK could be had at a reasonable price per room.

A 3* hotel near JFK will take 3 to 4 hours per day traveling to and fro the City and require treking out there late in the evening (since these hotels don;t really have access to local restaurants).

If price is really a tremendous issue I would much rather take a large private room in a hostel in Manhattan.

But since the OP won;t provide any more info we'll never know.

One of the hotels in Jersey City like the Regency Hyatt or the Doubletree Club would be a much better option than anything near JFK. There's a PATH train in Jersey City that makes traveling
fast(er). These 2 hotels are regularly being "won" on Priceline for under $100/night but I'm not sure whether a Priceline bid will yield a room for 5. But 2 rooms at $75/night might be better price and space-wise than 1 in Manhattan.