Can anyone recomend a comfortable hotel near to the NYAC?

And, what are you willing to pay for this comfort?

l am not fammiliar with the prices but was thinking a 3* hotel - not sure what to expect per night?

Rates for hotels vary wildly throughout the year, but I think the best you could expect would be about $269 per night at the Wellington. If you wanted to stay at one of the Central Park South hotels, then $500 to $800 per night. Occasionally, you'll see a special where weekend rates dip below $400 for these hotels. The NYAC (if it's the one I'm thinking of) is on Central Park South at 7th Avenue. In general expect to pay between $300 to $800 per night, depending on the season.

If you want to do it cheap, you can stay in the Pod Hotel for less than $200 per night. There's a new hotel at Columbus Circle that also has a few cheaper rooms, and I can't think of the name off the top of my head.

I should say that if you were coming in January or February, I would expect you could pay between $170 and $250 per night for a midtown hotel if you did a lot of shopping. But hotel rates in NYC are holding pretty steady now, with the average room rate currently at $303 per night.

Can you tell me if the Pen Hotel is comfortable? l gatherthat it would only be a short taxi ride to Central Park South? Thanks for the other suggestins - l'l check out the websites.

Pen Hotel? Hopefully you don't mean the Hotel Pennsylvania? Or maybe you mean the Peninsula Hotel (the roof top bar is called the "Pen-Top". Or is this a new hotel?

The Hotel Pennsylvania is among the worst hotels in NYC. I've stayed there, and while you certainly could endure it without making too many sacrifices, I'd pick almost any other hotel in Manhattan first. But it's a huge package-tour hotel, especially for Europeans, so it stays booked.

The hotel will almost certainly be closed and demolished during the coming year, but it's anyone's guess as to exactly when that will happen.

I'd always choose the Milford Plaza over the Pennsylvania, and the Milford Plaza is much closer to the NYAC and usually at a similar price point.

The Hotel Pennsylvania is so bad it's a running joke with locals. Don;t go near it.

If you want something superbudget check out the POD hotel - which was recently redone and has options at various price points (from rooms with bunk beds and shared baths to small doubles).

The Salisbury is near the NYAC and often affordable. Check not only their website, nycsalisbury.com but also quikbook.com and venere.com It's decor is dated, but rooms are large and clean. Many of the rooms are like apartments with kitchens. When are you scheduled to visit?

Carnegie Suites or whatever they are called are near.

Why not just stay at the NYAC? Do you know someone who is a member? If so just stay there.

There is also a Holiday Inn on West 57th.

l am to attend the Sixtieth birthdy of a friend who has resiprical membership -but l have looked at both the Salisbury and the Wellington Hotels and think l'll opt for one of them. Thanks for all the vauable input.