I am looking for lodging for a family of 6, 2 parents and 4 school age kids, for a week during Dec 25-Jan1. We want something in Manhattan in a safe area with access to public transportaion. Our budget is about $250 a day. It seems the better known hotels raise their prices during this time, so we are targetting B&B's or private apartment rental. Any advice or direction would be most appreciate.
Thanks,
Olga

I always book through HotelKingdom. I think they have great rates. We are staying at the Best Western Convention Centre for 89/night. I did book it back in August though.
Last time there I stayed in the Grand Union and it was also the same price...not a large room, but clean and modern with a suprisingly large bathroom. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Empire State Building.

Go for the appartment. That is too many people for one hotel room.

The only advice I can give is to decide FAST. It's almost Thanksgiving, and Christmas is a very busy time, so hurry up or it won't be your choice anymore.

For families, my top choice would be to rent an apartment on the Upper Westside from the upper sixties to perhaps 100th from West End to Central Park West with prime consideration of those apartments off Broadway and in the 80's. With four kids, I would look for a 2 bedroom & you will probably find results ranging from 800-1000+ sq. ft.

I hope you are not waiting too long for advice & are just looking for confirmation of your suspicions because nicer properties will go quicker.

Go to http://www.manhattanlodgings.com/ for a listing of short term rentasl. If you can't find anything suitable at that site do a Google search . Type in "Manhattan Short Term Rentals" and click on "search the web".

You can also try New York's craigslist.org for a listing of temp sublets. They have current daily postings. Good luck!