Yes I would definitely stick with hit unless you can get the Millenium for around the same price. NYC hotels are definitely unique and expensive. The first time I stayed at The Belvedere was in 2003-rates were still low after 9/11. It was around Easter time and I think I paid $135 a night. What a deal. In 2005, I paid around $265 a night for the same time of year. Now during certain times of the year (Christmas, etc) I have seen their rates in the $400 range. Is that crazy or what to pay that for a 2.5* hotel?

Many will differ but I love staying in Secaucus NJ. You can get the NJ transit and be right in Manhattan in 20 minutes. Hotels are much cheaper! Also check Embassy Suites at the Financial Center. I highly recommend the double decker tour bus- hop on/hop off. It is a great way to see the city and you can get off at places that interest you most.

Iss1, is NJ transit train or bus? And just like ferry wont the transportation cost negate any price difference in hotels?

It's NJ transit bus. The bus picks you up right in front of most hotels in Secaucus and takes you to the Port Authority (which is not too far to walk to Times Square). Also, if you take the 48 loop tour (hop on/hop off) they will meet you at the Port Authority and shuttle to the first stop on the tour (TImes Square) no charge. If my memory serves me correctly is what only about 5.00 or 6.00 USD each day per person to go round trip. BUt check the NJ transit site for the price. No advance booking is needed. I found the journey in and out of the city lovely and the cost overall to be effective. I think the last time we stayed in Secaucus, we stayed at Fairfield Inn (which always includes breakfast) and has free internet. Also Secaucus has the outlet mall, and the bus stops there. I have never visited it, b/c where I live there are a lot of outlets around. There is also a great bargain store in NYC near Battery Park, but I will have to look up the name of it and get back to you if you are interested.

http://www.njtransit.com/sf_bu_schedules.shtml
There's the link to NJ transit. If it doesn't work, just google search NJ Transit, the fares and schedules are listed. The bargain store I was thinking of is called Century 21.

On a quick scan of comparing Embassy Suites in Secaucus and NYC, Secaucus is about 1/2 price...same for Fairfield Inn. Give it a check..

Staying in Secaucus is fine if you want to visit Secaucus.

If you want to visit Manhattan - and see/experience everything that the big city has to offer - then that's where you should stay. (Otherwise you might as well be staying in any office park motel in any suburb in the country.)

Diversity is good I suppose as long as people realize their opinion is not the only ONE right way to do things. I have done it both ways.

I agree with NY traveler. I like walking out the door to Manhattan. It just won't be the same in NJ. You got a great deal at the Belvedere. We stayed there in 05 for $160 per night. The next year it went WAY up.

I agree stay in Manhattan, you will waste so much travel time getting into and out of the city, and you are dependant on bus and train schedules, also late night you will wait much longer the trains and buses are geared more for commuters than tourists.

Also any savings in hotel will be used in transportation costs.

I would certainly consider staying in Jersey City near the PATH train, but I would never recommend staying in Seacaucus. The bus service is, just like the ferries, aimed at commuters. By the time you pay a $5 charge each way for 4 people, this almost negates the savings of the cheaper hotel. And let's not even talk about the isolation and inability to visit restaurants and such. I'm also not sure how late the buses to Secaucus run, but service will be very irregular after 8. They'll run, but perhaps only 1 time an hour, and if you miss the service ... well, too bad. If you can stay in Manhattan for $200, that's a no-brainer.

Secaucus is also a very difficult city to navigate -- confusing signs, awkward layout, and few u-turns. If you're not familiar with the area it's easy to get lost.

I have decided on Belvedere. Now I can focus on the rest of the trip. Thanks all for the suggestions.