Can someone recommend a hotel near Hammerstein Ballroom....within walking distance or somewhere where I'll be able to easily get a cab. I've a very important concert coming up there and would like to stay nearby. I was considering staying at Times Square because I've never been to New York, but not if it's going to make it difficult to get to the venue. Again, the concert is my priority. Your recommendations would be appreciated.

Hammerstein Ballroom, a fantastic venue for live music, is on West 34th Street near 8th Avenue, around the corner from Madison Square Garden in a nasty part of Manhattan. I can't think of anywhere remotely decent to stay in that area, unfortunately.

The good news is that taxis are everywhere in Manhattan (except Times Square after a show) and the public transportation is the best in the world, so if you stay anywhere in midtown (not Times Square), you'll be fine. Try Priceline for a good deal.

(If you're so inclined, a great bar near Hammerstein for a pre-concert beer is Tir Da Nog. Good food also.)

Enjoy NYC and the concert!

THe closeset hotel to the Ballroom is the Ramada which is located at 34th and 8th AVe. It's is in the process of being rennovated, so if you make reservations there, ask for a nicer room.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy!!

Times Sqaure is convenient to Hammerstein.

34th & 8th isn't the nicest area in Manhattan, but far from nasty.

The area where the ballroom is located is a bit seedy but it is not "nasty". It is a less than a 15 minute walk from most TImes Square hotels.

First, AMC, please tell us about the concert & what instrument you play. Maybe some of us would like to come.

Now on to the hotel queery. As others have said, this is not the most attractive part of town. It's right at Penn Station (both commuter trains & longer haul trains). It's considered part of the garment center. None of the hotels in the area are particularly nice (although I haven't actually stayed in any of them so maybe that's not fair). It's the sort of area you travel through.

The Times Square area is just north of there & is usually considered to start at 42nd st so that would probably be the closest option. A 10 minute walk (if you don't play the bass fiddle LOL) or a short cab ride. There's a new Hilton on 42nd that gets good reviews (no personal experience). There's very little in the way of hotels just south of 34th worth recommending. (The W in Union Square gets good reviews but I think it's too far.)

Another option is to stay on the east side near 34th & cab or bus cross town from there. That area is Murray Hill for search purposes.

Sorry I can't help more.

"Nasty" is a relative term. I spend alot of time in that area and used to have an office 2 blocks north. For visitors, relative to other areas of Manhattan, it's nasty.

Tir Na Nog, by the way, is on 8th Ave between 33rd & 34th. Great Celtic bar & restaurant.

Others have pointed out - the area is a bit seedy in terms of appearance but perfectly safe in the day and evening. late at night I'd suggest walking in pairs if you are a single female but as a male who's comfortable in most any part of Manhattan, I've walked around there late at night (midnight or later) and never had a problem. My daughter has been to many concerts at the Hammerstein since she was 18 (she's now 22) and walked with her friends back up 8th Ave to Port Authority late at night - she also never had problems.

The Ramada New Yorker has some really nice rooms for a decent price but it's got lots of tour group traffic - check in and check out can be slow. The biggest down side of the lcoation is that apart from shows at the Hammerstein there's little to do there at night. Lots more to do downtown (Chelsea, the Village or the Lower East Side) or uptown (Midtown and Upper West side). Cabs are cheap and plentiful, subways are efficient and safe and walking is always an option. You can stay anywhere in midtown and walk to the Hammerstein in 20 minutes or less.

Great to know that this is a good venue, thanks for including that. One more question. AFTER the concert, I'm sure it will be difficult to get a cab back to the hotel. Please offer any suggestions.

Well, AMC, it depends on what time the show ends & where you're staying. If it's after 11pm, you might be able to find cabs who have let people out at Penn Station. 8th ave. goes uptown & 7th ave goes downtown. Penn Station covers the entire block & has entrances on both avenues. If there are too many people looking for cabs you can walk east, towards 5th ave. Again, 6th ave goes up and 5th ave goes down. If cabs aren't available or you don't want to walk to find one,I'd choose a bus. I wouldn't walk west-it's very bleak I think. Buses run on all the major avenues (except Park) in the direction of the traffic & stop every 2 or so blocks (unless it's an express bus which makes fewer stops). You need exact change though or a metrocard which can be bought at a newstand, some delis or in a subway station. I'd buy a metrocard or get exact change before the performance so you're not roaming around afterwards.

A subway is the other option but you'd have to tell us where you're staying to advise what train to take. I'd opt for a bus though at that hour.

Thanks. I'm not sure yet where I'll be staying. The concert is at night and I'm pretty sure I'll be going alone. So, I didn't want to walk into an area that I'll have to still my beating heart!