hi,
My partner and I are planning a 4/5 day trip to NYC-at last. i would like some recommendations on which areas to stay in. Also any recommended hotels that wont break the bank, We want to do a bit of sightseeing- but mainly shopping-sports/outlets/kids clothing etc.

We have a great public transportation system that will take you virtually anywhere you want to go as far as daytime activities (shopping, sightseeing). I think it's much more challenging to find an affordable hotel these days, so I'd be flexible about location and stay almost anywhere in Manhattan that gets decent reviews on tripadvisor.com What is your budget for hotels?

We stayed at the Omni Berkshire located at 52nd and Madison twice in the last three weeks. The location was great for shopping on Madison Ave, Fifth Ave-we walked everywhere, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, even to the fireworks on the 4th. The hotel was very nice, and the staff was friendly and helpful.

How much do you want to spend and what time of year are you going? Break the bank is a little vague.

A hotel room in August that costs you $200 will be $400 in October.

For the best deal, bid on Priceline. No one location is best, there are many good one, and as alrady mentioned, mass-trasnit can get you almost anywhere easily and quickly.

There aren't really any outlet stores I can think of in NYC. There are some great dicount stores like Century 21, and the usual chains like Filene's, Loehmann's, TJ Maxx, etc.

The closest outlet shopping to Manhattan would be Secaucus, NJ and ther are buses you can get from the Port Authority. Also Woodbridge Commons, also accessable by bus. There are over 100 outlets there.

Another store to add to your list would be Daffy's, great bargin shopping there.

If you come to NY, please try what Ny has small shops and ehnic food. There is no real malls in Manhattan although you will find some chains.

If you are looking for trendy women's clothing try East 9-11 Street from Ave A to 1st AVe. Owner designer small shops.

Sporting good-Paragon

teenage boy stuff-Forbidden Planet

Indpendent Bookseller-Strand

Storemade chocolate-Kee's, Jacques Torres.

Agree for outlets head to the Secaucus NJ malls/warehouses for more basi stuff. for moderate and more upscale you need to go to Woodbury Common - but it's an all day bus trip from Port Authority.

What is your hotel budget and when are you coming? Those are the key questions - the sooner you tie down the dates the sooner you can try for hotels and have a better chance of finding something pleasant at a decent price.

Avoid Times Square -- invariably, when visitors complain that NYC is dirty loud & crowded, they stayed in the Times Square area.

New Yorkers avoid that area like the plague (as well as the Penn Station area).

Enjoy!

<<New Yorkers avoid that area like the plague (as well as the Penn Station area)>>

ummmm . . . except when they want to go to the theater, buy discount tix, go to something at MSG, or take a train.

When New Yorkers go to the theater, few dine in the theater district. Get in, get out.

New Yorkers buy "discount tix" online or at the South Street Seaport, not in Times Square.

But, yes, sometimes one can not avoid Penn Station. In fast, out fast - always the goal.

thank you SO much for all the replys-great info about shopping!
I would say we are looking to spend min £100(app. $200) per night which seems to be the av. price low budget? Not that bothered about staying in luxury as long as we have own bathroom! Planning to be out and about as much as poss anyway.
The dates would be early september 10th onwards for 4/5 days
We live in London so travelling on the subway wouldn't be a problem in terms of getting lost etc!!

I think you'll be surprised to learn that finding a room for $200/night starting 9/10 is going to be a challenge. Right now quikbook.com, a website that generally has very good prices has nothing I would recommend for $200 or less in Manhattan and those prices don't include taxes which add another ~15%.

You might want to consider contacting
chelsealodgesuites.com for availability
or greenwichvillagehome.com which runs around $200/night.

For a regular hotel, the best thing I see is the Comfort Inn Midtown for 238/night plus tax for an internet rate on the comfortinn.com website. That hotel generally includes a free continental breakfast.

natty, I think you'll have to up your base price by about $50-$100 because that is fashion week and $250-$300 will get you a basic moderate hotel that week.

You must keep in mind that Manhattan doesn't really have any cheap ratty hotels. They've all been bought and either rehabbed or turned into condos.

Example, google Gramercy Park Hotel and look at the new $700 rooms that three years ago were $125.

For hotels I would definitely do Priceline - provided you can use the site from Europe, however, which I don't know. Go to Biddingfortravel to learn how to use Priceline.

I think Times Square hotels are fine to stay in, or midtown in general, especially if you plan to go to the theatre at night - you can walk home. No you wouldn't want to live there, but so what!! I agree, it doesn't matter where you stay, though if I were you I wouldn't go above 96th Street.

Shopping: for designer fashion and random stuff - Century 21 is the most thrilling. Daffy's is good for discounts. So is Filene's basement.

But all stores have some kind of sale going on all the time here, it's not that seasonal, so you'll find things at reduced prices in Macy's too, for example.

Embassy Suites - Financial Area is usually affordable. Also I like to stay in Secaucus, NJ. (Most people on this site don't) but I have found very nice hotels for 1/2 the price of NYC hotels and an easy morning trip (20 minutes) on the bus which leaves you in walking distance to Times Square. The only drawback is if you have to go back to your hotel often. Although I have gone back mid-afternoon to freshen up for the theatre. My choice for NJ hotels are Marriotts or Fairfield Inns which are a lower end of Marriott but with the same great service.