My son will be in NYC the end of March covering (hopefully) his college basketball team's game(s) at Madison Square Garden. He is sports editor for the school newspaper. He needs a clean, safe, budget hotel for 4 nights. The college has a small budget. He probably will try Priceline but does anyone else have any suggestions. His budget is not more than $150. (that's pushing it.) I don't really think he should stay near the Garden. Maybe Midtown West. As always, thanks Fodorites for your help.

Try craigslist - lots of options that would work. Look on the vacation rentals section for manhattan.

Try any of the Apple Core hotels; five budget hotels, all recently renovated and thoughtfully managed. They include the Comfort Inn MIDTOWN on 46 W, the only all-nonsmoking hotel in Manhattan.

When bidding on Prlceline try bidding for just 2 nights at a time, it's more likely to win than 4 consecutive nights. He can then try ot add the other 2 nights via PL's add a night plan or directly through the hotel.

Thanks - will try both ideas.

Travelocity is showing the Paramount on W 46th 2 nights last week in March for $134.10 per night, the Wollcott on W 31st for $140.00, and the Comfort Inn on W 36th for $149.99.

>Madison Square Garden is in midtown west.
>I hope he's over 21. Some hotels won't take anyone under 21.
>Priceline is a superb idea but he should book a cancellable back-up somewhere in case he doesn't get anything.
Strongly advise bidding 4* only. Prices for 3* are not much less.
>Some budget places that are near MSG are Red Roof Inn, the Stanford and the Herald Square
>Have recently heard several problems with the Super 8 which I think is part of the applecore hotels. Just a heads up NOT to pick that one.
>If he's staying alone, the Paramount is fine. Rooms are excrutiatingly small but fine for 1.
>In a pinch, the YMCA westside isn't bad and I think even has some private rooms.

He may want to look up the web sites of the village Voice and New York Magazine- they both had listings of the best cheap restauants in NYC - in case he gets tired of pizza and McBurgers.

Student + Budget = Hostel
http://www.hinewyork.org/

Clean, safe, most guests in his age group, they have discounts & organized activities.

Try checking www.hotels.com. YOu may be able to find something that works.

I appreciate all the responses. Unfortunately my son's basketball team did not win the necessary game in order to make it to Madison Square Garden. He and his friends were all so disappointed.