I'm going to NYC in March to check out a grad program at NYU and I need to find an affordable hotel in the area. I have looked at the hostels in NYC and as a last resort I am willing to stay in one of these, but I would really like a private room and bath. Does anyone know of a safe and inexpensive hotel in the NYU area?

how much are you willing to go? Priceline might be just the thing .as you can get the Marriott Courtyard MTE for at times $65 a night.. or other hotels for possibly slightly less. All on Priceline I would consider safe clean and reasonable... especially for one to two people.

For sure, check out www.biddingfortravel.com for bidding on Priceline and Hotwire.com

Staying nearby may or may not be more affordable, but staying within a reasonable subway ride may save you major $$$

We stayed at the Washington Park Hotel recently. It was a little over $100 a night -- right in the NYU area.

The Broadway Plaza Hotel (http://www.broadwayplazahotel.com) has reasonable rates and gets decent reviews on Tripadvisor. It's nearby, on Broadway at 26th St.

I know you'd prfer not to have a shared bath, but you may also want to check out the Larchmont Hotel on East 11th Street (in the heart of NYU neighborhood). It also gets good reviews but has shared baths. The nieghborhood can't be beat though.

The Larchmont hotel is on West (not East 11th), the website is www.larchmonthotel.com.