>>No, I wouldn't blindly bid on accommodations, I would do that on car rental, even flights, but not a hotel.

Well, as I said before, different people have different priorities. I always say I'd rather sleep in a brand new Motel 6, rather than an old, worn-out Sheraton. This is not in theory, btw, this is based on real experience, I slept in both...

You're right about different needs for different people. If I were really limited by budget I would want someplace clean - but then location is by far the most important factor (perhaps because I'm from a very big city and know how awful commuting can be). Decoration of rooms and having new furniture is totally unimportant - since I'm just staying a few days - not buying it.

(In my early traveling days we stayed in some VERY modest hotels in the center of Paris and Rome - some looked like the furniture had been thrown out by my grandmother - but we could walk out the door and just BE there.)

As you say, when one is limited by budget.... It's always about compromise, if I can combine a clean, new or lately-renovated, quiet (!!!) accommodation, with central location, or a short commute -- I'm happy.

....Back from NYC. The Box House was a good choice, indeed. It's very modern, clean, at a good location (3 Subway stops from Times Square), with young and cheerful staff. They have several style rooms, some larger than others, some duplex, some more susceptible to outside noise, others totally quiet, but all in all -- we were happy. There's a nice exercise room and even a Sauna... The hotel own couple old "Checker Cab" vehicles that are used to shuttle guests to and from the subway stations (though half the time we walked), or to the nearby grocery stores, all for free.

Thanks for all the help we got here, folks!

Nice of you to return and report your experience!

Thanks for sharing. Glad your trip went well and that your lodgings worked out. When you get a chance, consider posting a trip report with the things you enjoyed doing or places you went out to eat.

Nothing exciting, really. We joined our daughter to NYC, visiting her grad school she was accepted to.

Just couple places we would recommend:

The Neue Galerie at 1048 5th Avenue

The 9/11 Memorial

The High Line and Chelsea Market

Grom Italian Gelato, several locations in Manhattan (we loved it in Italy, and were excited to taste again, even with the limited number of flavors).

In Little Italy, on Mulberry street, an absolutely superb Italian pastry shop, La Bella Ferrara (just North of Canal).