Bwino - there are legitimate bed and breakfast places in NYC
try these:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...rk-Hotels.html
this is a list of the current B&B's in NYC that are rated on Trip Advisor and seem to be legitimate.

Thanks Millie, they are mostly the same names as have been coming up in my searches as well. How do you know if they are legitimate? Good ratings and reviews does not necessarily mean legal and legitimate from what I have read.

If they charge you taxes on the price then they are legal. Most real B&Bs do. Illegal lodgings don't.

And I don't think you have winter in Australia - I wasn;t aware that you got snow and nighttime temps near zero (farenheit - not centrigrade). You really will need a heavy coat, hat, scarf, gloves and shoes or boots that are waterproof and have non-skid soles (to deal with ice or sleet).

Thanks NYT, I have only been in temperatures of about 6 below 0 degrees Celsius. We are certainly expecting it to be cold, I am looking forward to wearing, a coat, hat, scarf and gloves, it will be a novelty for me and then we will be home to the tropical heat for Christmas :). We do have snow in Australia in certain parts and at the right time of the year plenty of skiing - just not the parts where I lived.

Last December I was in my New York with my grandchildren. They disembarked from the Staten Island ferry carrying their coats. A policeman said that they must be from Minnesota (where they were born) because New Yorkers would be wearing their coats. They consider the weather in December to be cold

HI Bwino
I am not sure if all on the list are legal, but I do know that the top ones are. I am also going in December and have booked 'Wyman House'. I have never been to NYC and am excited too. I don't know what it is about B&B's but we australians tend to gravitate towards them.
This one is definately legal and all communication has been very good. I also know that 'country in the city is legal' and around the same area. WestEleventh is legal too. Maybe someone else can comment on the others.

It certainly is exciting planning a first trip to NYC Millie. We have an Australian friend who lives there and they may have found us an apartment near 10th Avenue and 48th Street which I think is Hells Kitchen, we are waiting on photos but sounds great. Wyman House looks very nice, it is one I have looked at as well. Good luck with your planning.

"they may have found us an apartment near 10th Avenue and 48th Street which I think is Hells Kitchen"

hahahahahahaha

Bundle up! With the skyscrapers blocking the sun and windy conditions, it really can get chilly. And you'll want to spend a lot of time on foot, so be prepared.

BTW, if you end up exploring Greenwich Village, we ate at Otto's (pronounced OH-toes) and enjoyed it. Food, service, atmosphere -- all good. And reasonable prices.

Bwino, that's a great location.
If it doesn't work out I have another suggestion.

BWino-I guess everyone was so busy telling you about possible illegal B&B's that they didn't tell you that apartment rentals in NYC are illegal for anything less than 30 days. This has always been the case but now a law has been passed. So please don't stay in an apartment. Many of them are scams and if they aren't, you still risk getting tossed out because of the new law. Trying to find a reasonably priced room at the last minute in December would be impossible.

Also although I love the Hells Kitchen area, I wouldn't want to stay on 10th Ave. I would book a hotel now that is cancellable while you keep looking for B&B's.

http://www.fitzpatrickhotels.com/manhattan/ These are less than large but not quite as small as a bed a breakfast. I haven't stayed personally but my brother has and I think the locations are great, either right near Grand Central Station or on Lexington between 56th-57th Sts. Both great locations though I'd probably opt for Lex 56th-57th. Having lived in NYC for about 20 years I think Times Square is WAY to crowded and if you go far upper east or west it's really out of the way. Enjoy!

Bookmarking.

The FitzPatrick looks very nice, but at $450 per night for a 300 sq ft queen room in December.....ouch!

The FitzPatrick looks very nice, but at $450 per night for a 300 sq ft queen room in December.....ouch!

Yes, but I think you get a cookie.

If you decide you will do a hotel room, take a look at the Hotel Newton. I've not stayed there but I love the area - UWS. The rooms include a fridge and microwave so you'll have a place for leftovers and a way to zap them ;)
http://www.thehotelnewton.com/
Check out the great reviews on tripadvisor - over 800 reviews showed up on my google search. Rates were decent for the dates I checked for in December.

If you are interested in staying in the village, consider this one -
http://www.incentravillage.com/
I have stayed there and loved it. There are rooms in the inn but they also had "overflow" rooms in a modern building next door. Mine had a kitchenette. I'm not sure how/if the new regulations impact the apartments next door, but it looks like the studio I stayed in is still listed on their website.

Auduchamp1 <i>Yes, but I think you get a cookie.</i>

Oh...well then....that's different. ;)

I am preparing to rug up. Have just finished knitting myself a wool hat. Something that I just do not need in Melbourne. Not worried at all about the weather. However, very concerned about Qantas and their plane problems!!!

Lots of walking will keep us warm Millie and burn off the calories from all the food I am planning to try :)

vjpblovesitaly ????????
K9korps - I am sure we will get to Greenwich Village
Paula1470 - why not 10th Avenue?
lek523 - more than we want to spend on accommodation
Audchamp - do you think it is a very large cookie with gold chips?
Starrs - Thanks, those recommendations look OK and in our price range, will keep them on the list.