We are going to NYC in the end of September and need a place to stay. We don`t want anything fancy, just a clean room/shared bath in a safe area. Has anyone staid at YMCA West Side or Vanderbilt? Whitch one is the best? On internet we have also found hotels that are not so expencive, like Habitat(130 E 57th St), Belnord(W 86th St Amst.Ave), Aladdin(8th Ave 45th St)and Americana Inn(Ave of the Am 38th St). Has anyone been staying at any of these hotels? We are staying in NYC for five nights and about 100 $ pr. night is OK. A safe area is important.

How do we get to Manhattan from JFK Airport? (Easy and not to expencive.)
How is the weather in NYC in the end of September?

hiya Sissel:
I will be staying at Aladdin this weekend when I fly in from Singapore to NYC. Will post you a first hand impression of the hotel when I get back end July! I know the location alone is great: at Times Square.
If there are 3 of you; a taxi is cost effective over the airport shuttles; failing which cheap alternative is the subway. Will try out both modes and let you know also!!
Cheers!!

The one place mentioned that has received good reviews on this and other message boards is the Habitat. Go to http://groups.google.com/groups and enter Habitat Hotel in Search. You will get hits. All the hotels you mention are in good safe locations. Taxi from JFk to midtown to the hotels you mention will be around $40. Least expensive way is public transportation and cost is $1.50 a person - trip will take one hour or slightly more.
Weather at end of September should be fine. Shirt or blouse during the day and maybe a light sweater or jacket during the evening.

Belnord is on the Upper West Side about 2 miles north of Times Square. Unless you have a specific reason to be out of midtown, I wouldn't recommend it. The Americana Inn is in a central location, but considered the garment area, not the best. If you want to be in the theatre district, the Aladdin fits the bill, but 8th Avenue can be a bit seedy even after the current upgrade of the area. Habitat is by far the cleanest and most upscale of the areas, the hotel was gut renovated a couple of years ago and therefore should be relatively modern. Although a bit far east, it is close to Bloomingdale's and many good restaurants, movies and shops. A short hop over to the theatre's Rock Centre and the U.N. In my opinion the Habitat is the best of the lot.

Weather should be great in late September, excellant time to come to NYC.

If you don't want to spring for a taxi, you can catch a Bus Service (Carey) to Midtown it is probably the cheapest and most efficient.

I have heard only positive things about the Habitat, it has been favorably reviewed in travel magazines as a reliable budget lodging, the updated rooms have garnered positive comments, and it is in a very good location. I would go with that. I know they have some rooms with shared bath and some with private bath, which are more expensive.

The Belnord - walked by the hotel less than one hour ago. It is on W. 87th midway between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. 1 1/2 blocks from a subway station. It is on the upper west side, a residential area. HOtel seems to be very well maintained and lobby while small was quite clean. One drawback - it is a five story walk up - no elevator.
Aladdin - drove by this hotel earlier today. It did not look very appealing and based on what I saw it would be the last choice of the hotels you mentioned. Many windows were open indicating a lack of air conditioning. Speaking of windows - it looks like they haven't been washed in many years.
Habitat - would be my first choice. Have only read one negative comment in the past two years. New YOrk magazine in a recent issue called it "one of the best beds under $200". Check their web site www.newyorkmag.com to see if you can find this reference.It was in the Feb. 5 issue.