We are planning a first trip to NYC in August with two teenage boys. Most seem to suggest staying Midtown, but the price of about $150 at the Embassy Suites seems too good to pass. How remote is it,it looks to be fairly convenient to places we'd visit either way. Should we avoid the financial district for our hotel or does it make that much difference?

My family just stayed at the Embassy Suites-New York this June. It is true the Embassy Suites is right next door to Ground Zero and work is still being done in the area, we had no problems getting around and never felt *remote* at all. The hotel is fairly new (it had barely opened before closing again due to Sept 11) and the staff was wonderful. There is an area near the harbor where you can take walks or run or ride a bike (don't know where you can rent one though). Also, this area of New York is hurting and could use all the help it can get. I recommend it.

OMG... Two teenage boys!
Do you realize how much money you can save on food by staying at the Embassy Suites?
The free b'fast is wonderful and the kids can eat enough to satisfy for a good while!
There are also evening snacks.
The fridge and micro help you save even more!
We always stay at ES hotels when we travel as a family (5 Kids!)

Thanks for the replies. Could you expand on the immediate area a little? Are there any shops, bars or restaurants nearby? Did you use the Sports Club or the Battery Park City shuttle bus?

My teens enjoyed the South Street Seaport - lots of shops, great Nathan's hot dogs & fries for lunch, and then take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry past Liberty.

Isn't the South Street Sea Port a ways from the Embassy? Is there anything right by the hotel?

I've stayed at the Embassy Suites ..right in Times Square(across form the MArriott).

Comfortable and quiet. Plenty of room for 2 teens.

Location of embassy suites downtown is convenient for a nice long (15-20 minute) stroll to other downtown locations but is somewhat set apart from other locations. Subway service has still not been restored to parts of lower Manhattan---the World Trade Center was the hub for many subway lines--, so you'd have to walk a bit further to access a subway than from most other locations. Also, the immediate area is probably dead at night.
Breakfast included is, of course a good deal (though you could do a diner breakfast for about $5-6/person if you stay elsewhere) but don't count on saving money with "evening snacks"--because of the location, you're not likely to go back and forth to the hotel from your sightseeing--just leave in the A.M and return at night. Besides, NY is a great cheap filling food city--there's no reason you can't keep to a reasonable food budget even with teenage boys!

The rate does indeed sound good if you're talking about a room for all 4(?) of you--this may or may not be reason alone to go for it despite the inconveniences.

Oops, hold the phone. While the Expedia site showed a rate of $150 for the four of us, when I went to book it, they then added $40/night for our two kids. Seems when you plug in the number of people going, the prices they then show should reflect that number. Might have to do some thinking.