Okay, I've booked a room at On the Ave in the Upper West Side. Staying May 12-18 and got the sixth night free. With taxes it's still over $2,400 but what the heck, how often do we go to NYC!

Here's the problem, my sister and her husband will be meeting us there and will probably not want to pay that much. Can you recommend other hotels within walking distance to the Ave that are less expensive? We stayed at different hotels when we met up in Paris and it was no big deal. With cell phones you just call when you're ready to meet somewhere for breakfast.

Thanks a bunch!!

Very nearby are the Beacon, the Millburn, and the Belleclaire.
All are just a couple of blocks away , and should be less than On the Ave, but not sure exactly how much cheaper.
Relatively close are the Lucerne (probably as expensive as yours) and the Excelsior. Still easy walking distances.

I had a friend stay at On the Ave and she liked it. Budget minded relatives stayed at the Belleclaire, and said it was fine. but I never saw the insides of the rooms myself.

Thank you janie,

I'll start checking these out now.

If those won;t do try the Newton - 2 subway stops or about 3/4 of a mile stroll down Broadway. Basic but clean and reliable - and about as cheap as a decent hotel gets.

Thank you NYTraveler, that looks like a good one!

There's also a Comfort Inn on West 71st Street. Not sure what the prices are, but again a cheaper option. The rooms are tiny, but a great location.

Have a look at tripadvisor reviews on that one. I know there's one of the Comfort Inns that gets absolutely dreadful reviews.