Iregeo, I don't know how to reconcile the at-variance descriptions of the Excelsior. If you look at the Fodors contributors' ranking and descriptions of the hotel (http://www.fodors.com/rants/rrread.c...=name&pg=2), you'll find a considerably more generous group than on tripadvisor. I consider myself a finicky traveler and have had some (ahem) unkind things to say about other New York hotels on other occasions. So, read the reviews and follow your own instincts -- and definitely pay for the park view.

mclaurie, batting cages right in the city? My kid will think he died and went to heaven! Thank you so much!

You can always check www.quikbook.com for hotels in NYC under $200. Friends have found good deals there. You should keep checking back from time to time if you don't find anything the first time. Good luck.

The Milburn Hotel at 252 West 76th Street, upper west side is excellent. See at www.milburnhotel.com. Subway is close by. I have stayed here. Good value for your $$.

You may want to check out The Hampton Inn at 108 West 24th Street. If you click on my name there is a detailed post back in January when I was searching for a hotel for our upcoming trip in May. This hotel has quite a few good reviews now at tripadvisor and includes a free breakfast.

We decided on The Inn at 23rd for our upcoming May visit and this is in the area you are interested but is more $$ than The Hampton Inn.

Sandy
P.S. Anyone know why this post is so spread out and hard to read?

Sandybrit - thanks for the suggestions. BTW, your post appears fine and is not at all hard to read.

Well, while playing around, I seem to have had a Priceline bid accepted! I got the four star Grand Hyatt N.Y., 109 E. 42nd St. (Park Ave. and Grand Central Station) for $110/nt.

Be honest--how'd I do?

Are you kidding? You can't get a hooker hotel for that price.

There's nothing special about the Grand Hyatt. It's a fairly typical convention-style hotel with plenty of hotel-scented, wall-to-wall carpeting and tarnished brass everywhere. However, for a NYC hotel, the rooms can be quite large and some of the views are terrific.

Grand Central is a busy area but much nicer than anything near Madison Square Garden. It's fairly easy to walk to many fun places and public transportation abounds. You done good.

Irego, I have stayed at the Grand Hyatt - great location! Super conveninet for transporation. Be sure to sign up for the Hyatt's Gold Passport program before they check in (go the hyatt.com to sign up) - even though you booked on PL you husband & son will get a complimentary newspaper and free coffee every morning (they will probably have an alternative beverage available for your son). They MIGHT also get some type of room upgrade. Our last PL bid for this hotel provided us with a large room overlooking 42nd St, 2 king beds, etc. The room was very clean, staff was great, and the elevators were fast.

The Hilton between 6th and 53rd is also a great location. Stayed there a few weeks ago and it was perfectly suited to explore all areas of NYC. We took the subway or walked absolutely everwhere very easily. I would highly recommend it. DH got a rate of just over $100 on Priceline, I think.

Iregeo, $110 a night for the Grand Hyatt is a major-league accomplishment; congratulations. For what it's worth, here's my look at the hotel from 2000: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;tid=476863. I've stayed there since and found that some rooms have been renovated, but the lobby lines are as long as ever.

PS: Also, the room had two double beds. And while just walking down the hall and seeing into other rooms with open doors, there were MANY rooms with two double beds. Very clean too, and never waited too long for the elevators!

There's also some brand new batting cages at Pier 25 in Tribeca, near North Moore Street (west side) $2 for 15 pitches). The pier is a community park I believe funded by a private trust.

Even though the room is booked, please keep these baseball tips coming. I am taking notes! Thanks again!

See www.manhattanusersguide.com today for links to several NYC baseball venues, and also some great trivia.

Im staying in NYC with kids in middle of june, I just booked at the Waldorf-astoria off of expedia, $199 a night. Good LUck.