Hotel near Penn Staion
 

Found 2 hotels near Penn Station, LaQuinta, & Red Roof Inn. Coming by train from NJ for a few days in June. Any recommendations? Also, how far are the NBC & ABC morning shows from this area, and what about touring the Statue Of Liberty? Are the lines long to get inside? Nanette

Have you tried the Hotel Pennsylvania?

Other than convenience to Penn Station, there is little about that area that would encourage anyone to stay there.
The Today Show is a little less than a mile and Good Morning America is a about 3/4 of a mile away.

I'd suggest staying at the Ramada Inn on 34th and 8th over the other two you are looking at, both are right in the heart of Little Korea, and will be noisy most of the night.

The Ramada Inn, is large and alot of the rooms have been rennovated recently, and it is less than a block from Penn Station, the other two are 3 blocks away.

Staying on 8th Ave, walk one block to 7th Ave and straight up to the GMA location on 7th and 44th(?) or over to 6th and straight up to 48th (turn right and walk half a block)for The Today Show.

The Statue of Liberty, I don't think you can get indside anymore, security reasons, and yes the lines can be long for the ferry. I would suggest staying on the ferry and going over to Ellis Island and touring.

Have a fun time while you are here.

This is not the most pleasant area of the city to stay in (a primarily business district that tends to be empty and dreary at night) - so unless there is some special reason (the things you want to do are not nearby) I would look at some other areas.

Midtown west would put you much closer to the studios - and the downtown area much closer to the Statue of Liberty - so - depending on what else you want to do - I would look at other options.

I agree with the above posters that midtown would be a better area to stay for tourism. However, if you are still specifically looking to stay near Penn Station / Herald Square, I can recommend Hotel Stanford. Additionally, although I haven't stayed there myself I have heard good things about Red Roof Inn.

These two hotels aren't in a completely desolate area for night time, but they aren't in an area that is quite as populated as midtown, either.

The Statue of Liberty is, indeed, now open to tourists after being closed for a very long time due to 9/11. I would STRONGLY rec. NOT staying in the area around Penn as it's pretty crappy and really not going to provide any enjoyment whatsoever.

I will agree with the chorus that says don't stay near Penn Station. I will also scream LOUD at Tandoori Girl. The Pennsylvania hotel is a D U M P. Why would you recommend it???

The Today Show is at Rockefeller Center (Fifth Ave. & 48-51 st) If you're looking for affordable places to stay, the Radio City Apartments is right near there, centrally located and not bad. (radiocityapartments.com) You should be able to get a room for 1 or 2 for $139 and it will have a ktichen. Get a taxi from Penn Station. You'll be happier I think.

Good Morning America is in Times Square area, another decent place to stay. The Comfort Inn Midtown is owned by the same group as the La Quinta and the Red Roof and is a much better location.

The Statue of Liberty is open but you can only go as far as the pedestal. If you want a tour, you MUST reserve in advance. Security is very tight and takes a while. If you want to go, look on their website and make a reservation. Best time seems to be first thing in the morning (first ferry at 8:45, get there at 8). The Ellis Island Immigration museum is for most, more interesting.

If you just want to see the SOL, consider a free ride on the Staten Island ferry.

Hotel Pennsylvania is horrible. The rooms are tiny and so are the beds. The hotel is old and cramped.

I used to work at 2 Penn Plaza right across the street and my company had us stay there overnight so we could attend an early morning function. Never again...