New York City
 

My daughters (18 & 21) and I are coming to NYC for the first time in May. I have been checking out hotels on a budget. Does anyone know anything about the Newton? It looks nice and very affordable. Is Juniors really the best cheesecake? I've seen some bad reviews lately...is there a better place?? What about inside info on Broadway tickets?? How about scoring tickets to daytime shows?? We're three women alone....any tips???!!

Welcome to Fodor's.

First tip: Search these forums. Much of what you are asking has been answered before.

Juniors? It depends on what kind of cheesecake you like. Some think Veniero's is the best.

For Broadway discounts, try broadwaybox.com, playbill.com, and theatermania.com

You won't find discounts for May performances for quite a while. Check the three sites mentioned on the previous posting around February or March.

Tips: subscribe to Travelzoo and keep checking back for hotel bargains. Several web sites offer discount tickets to Broadway shows...not yet for May, however. Don't forget the TKTS booth when you are actually in the city. Most shows also offer rush and student discount tickets (but get to the box office early on the day you hope to see the show.)

The Newton is a good budget hotel but a bit far north. Beaconhotel.com is nicer in that same general area. If it's much cheaper than other options, certainly worth considering if the bedding sounds right.

The Comfort Inn Chelsea is one of the few hotels with rooms with 3 single beds. About the same level as the Newton I think and maybe a bit better location. A hotel that has 2 queen beds or 2 beds and sofabed might also be better than 2 doubles. The Courtyard Marriott Midtown east has rooms with 2 doubles and a sofabed. The Hotel at Times Square is one of the cheapest decent places with rooms with 2 queens (usually at best prices on quikbook.com) and includes free continental breakfast. The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square & the Hampton Inn Times Square North are also good value with 2 queen beds. The Affinia.com hotels are all suite hotels with apartment type rooms, most with kitchens.

If you're coming for Memorial day weekend, there are sure to be sales closer to your trip so book something that's cancelable in case you see a better deal.

The Newton is basic but realiable and in a mid/upscale residential area with a ton of restaurants - and right on top of the subway. Unfortunately they are reconstructing Broadway right in front of the hotel - so don;t expect it to be quiet (I would think they should be done by May - but it's alredy been going on forever.)

Assume you are looking at a double double room (I'm not aware they ahve any with 3 singles). If you hed alittle further downtown (Beacon, On the Ave, Lucerne) you are a little closer to some of the museums - but I think the prices will be higher.

Definitely look at all of them for internet specials - and look on the discount web sites - but make a cancellable reservation first so you're not shut out of your room options (some at the Newton are shared bath).