I am planning a two-day, three-night trip to NYC in October. I am getting very tired of reading through the travel books and maps to find an appropriate hotel. Can anyone help? I will be traveling with my husband and two children, ages 8 and 11. We want to find something that's nice and convenient to most sites. My husband thinks he wants to stay in Midtown, but neither of us has ever been to New York, so we don't really know. I finally decided on the Holiday Inn Broadway, only to find that they are booked up when I need the room (Oct 1-4). I just found this site and read replies to Omar, so that may help me decide. Anything anyone else can offer will be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi, Kathy. I live in New York and gave hotel info to Omar. Midtown is a great area of the city to stay as you will be within walking distance to many places you might be interested in visiting: NBC Studios, Central Park, Lincoln Center, theatre district, etc.. If you want to concentrate on other sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, NY Stock Exchange, and Greenwich Village/Soho that is all located downtown and if you stayed in a hotel there instead you could save the travel back and forth for your short trip. While the train transportation can be fast between the two areas, for a two day trip you'd best stay one place and save the rest for another trip. It all depends on what you plan to do and see and what kind of budget you have. As I mentioned to Omar and others, if the hotel rate is too cheap, beware as it is not likely an area many people would be comfortable staying especially with families. E-mail me directly if you need more help.

Try the Grammercy Park. It's cheap (read cheap for NYC) and they have their own private park for the kids to run around in (ask for the key at the front desk).

My old neighborhood--Upper West Side (the neighborhood of movie "You Got Mail") is quite family oriented. The nice riverside park is only 2 blocks away from this very affordable hotel-- Westside Studio (at the corner of Broadway and W. 94th Street where the subway entrance is). It's a safe and convenient to Lincoln Center, metropolitan museum, Rockefeller Center and etc. by subway or bus. If you want to avoid touristy area such as Midtown, you can consider Upper West Side, Upper East Side or Gramercy Park is also a good choice. You will see more ordinary New York City than a city full of tourists. Good luck and have a wonderful New York City trip. I love Manhattan.

Just back from NY. Mid-town is a good choice for central location. Try contacting QuikBook reservation system. They book lots of hotels in NY and get the best rates. With your family I would suggest something with kitchen facilities - food in NY is very expensive (tuna sandwich $6.50). The savings on breakfast, lunch and taxis is worth a few extra dollars on hotel. The DoubleTree on Broadway (47th & 7th) is a wonderful place. Large units with bedroom and seperate living with sofa that makes into a bed. Kitchenette has micro, fridg, sink, coffeemaker, etc. They also have a childrens floor with special comforts for younger set. Others to consider in Midtown are any of the Manhattan East Suite Hotels - all are apartment size with kitchens. The Delmonico on Central Park also has huge apartment style accommodations. All can be booked through QuikBook 800-789-9887 or www.quikbook.com or Express Reservations at 800-356-1123 www.express-res.com Have you looked at the guidebook, ACCESS NY? It is wonderfully organized by neighborhoods and has special ideas for children in NY and inexpensive places to eat. If you have more questions, feel free to contact me.

Thanks for all the advice. I had already been thinking some about the Gramercy Park Hotel and so took another look at it, but finally decided that I needed to be within walking distance to the sites. TC, thanks for your suggestion of Quikbook etc. That has been a great help to quickly find info. I am starting to narrow it down, so any ideas about the Ameritania, Warwick, Hampshire or Salisbury would be appreciated. Thanks again!

I've stayed at the Salisbury many times over the years. (Its across the street from my company's NY office) It is kind of a gamble as to the room/suite you get and many seem pretty down-at-the-heels compared to what you might get at the same price elsewhere. It is also pretty noisy (street noise) because of Planet Hollywood and several big restaurants on the street. Three years or so ago you could get a big suite w/limited kitchen facilities that would be very suitable for a family for $159/night. However, I know those rates have risen to over $200. If I'm going to pay that much, I'd rather stay in a smaller room at the Radison Empire near the Met (Opera House).

I just saw you noticed the Hampshire Hotel and Suites in my rec to Omar -- I thought their rooms were more up-to-date, and the bathroom, towels & "supplies" much better than the Salisbury -- I don't think they (HHS) had kitchen facilities, however. Also, there isn't much of a lobby, and the hallways are kind of asymetrical. But I kind of liked it. On the otherhand, check out the Radisson Empire for specials. If you will be staying over a weekend, you should be able to get a deal. It is pretty "fluffy" and would give the kids a kick. Be sure to at least make a pilgrammage to visit the Plaza Hotel off Central Park. WOW.