My wife and I will be travelling to NYC for a few days in June to attend aconcert at Madison Square Garden. We have never been to NYC and were wondering what area of the city should we stay in?? Of course recommendations of hotels and B&Bs are most welcome.

There are many nice neigbrhoods in NYC - Madison Square Garden is not one of them. Go for the show, but eat and stay elsewhere. One place I really like is the Broadway Inn - a Times Square area B&B.

Forgot their website:
http://www.broadwayinn.com/

Agree the MSG is not in a great tourist neighborhood. But then I don't reco Times Square either - it's not much different IMHO thansleeping in the subway. Wince you want to go to MSG why not stay on the Upper West Side - a much more pleasant neighborhood with lots to see and do, tons of good inexpensive restaurants and a stright run on the subway to MSG.

Many places in NYC are great to stay in-- I disagree that Times Square is a problem-- I've stayed all over NYC (on business), probably 150 trips in the last 5 years-- I love the Times Square area, it's so vibrant -- also lower Manhattan for a different NYC experience. There is so much to see all over the City! Just get a good hotel.

I personlly like the Westin TImes Square. It is nice to be in a central location. IT is a newer hotel and very nice.

Don't know how much you want to spend, which is a factor.

Times S. isn't high on my list of reccs. Its not that it is dangerous; pretty safe and touristy these days. But it is crowded, overpriced and can be really annoying. SOme nice hotels though.

Agree that you prob don't want to stay right near MSG either. Pretty grim.

If you ae going to MSG there are lots of options. Personally, the Union Sq./Gramercy Park area is a favorite, especially the W Union Sq. or the Gramercy Park Hotel (which will give you a key to NYC's one remaining provate park).

If you stay in East 30s in Murray Hill/Turtle Bay area many nice hotels in a genteel townhouse home area, and its a quick subway ride across town.

Also, the area near the United Nations has some lovely hotels in a quiet residential area that is a quick walk to Grand Central Station which had a spectacular refurbishment. The Beekman Tower Hotel is lovely and has a terrific bar/restaraunt at the top with great views.

Village/Soho is also a favorite. The Soho Grand is great.

FInally, esp. on weekends you can get great deals in the Wall Street area, including MArriott Financial Center. Also A new Ritz Carlton opened in Battery Park City. Sometimes its a little harder to snag a cab but its much better these days.

If as first-time visitors you are interested in the (justly) famous main attractions, and in attending shows in the evenings, I'd stay in midtown somewhere - from 40th to 52nd Streets, between 6th Avenue and Lexington Avenue.

You can walk to many things from there - Rockefeller Center, theatres, Empire State building - take subways or buses to others, and you can walk home easily at night from a show.

For best bang for your buck I'd check out Pricelie - if you have the patience to learn the system it is really really worthwhile. I've used it many times in London. Go for 4* hotels; chack to see what part of town the Pennsylvania Hotel is in and do NOT bid that area as people seem to hate this hotel quite often.

Have fun here. Actually doesn't matter too much where you stay, you can get anyplace from anyplace.

If you relly want a B&B try CRaigslist, but maybe check here before you book - in this territory you could end up in a weird place.

The first time I went with my daughter we stayed at the Marriott Marqui in Times Square. It was right next to the theaters and within walking distance to many other attractions. We felt safe the whole time, so many tourists. The hotel was nice and didn't think it was overpriced. There are deals out there to be found!

For my husband's 1st trip to NYC, we stayed in midtown, and it worked out very well for us. We could walk to the theater, St. Patrick's, Times Sq., Rock. Plaza, etc., and were at least equidistant from stuff we wanted to see uptown and in lower Manhattan. We also liked that our hotel, the Michelangelo, was on a relatively quiet corner and is itself small and quiet, a nice respite from the bustle of the area. Next time we plan to stay someplace with a more neighborhood-y feel, but it will be hard to pass up another stay at the Michelangelo...

Try the Crowne Plaza Times Square or Novotel... right in the fun zone....