We are taking a vacation to New York in September. Currently we have a reservation at the Marriott Financial Center for $119.00 per night. I know the hotel is pretty close to Little Italy, The Village and So Ho, however, how long is the subway ride to Mid Town?

If you take the A train, which is the 8th Avenue Express, which will be about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the station on Church and either Vesey or Park Place, it'll take maybe 10 minutes. The E train local, with take a bit longer. (It'll leave you off at or near the Port Authority bus terminal.)

Thanks for the info Ryan

As far as 'pretty close' to little italy, etc., it's about 2 miles. It's also a few block walk to the 1,2,3,9 trains which would take you to midtown as well. The train ride is about 10 minutes. West St. is a bit off the beaten path. The views are nice and the Hudson River park is a very pleasant and peacefull area. It's becomes very quient around the financial district evenings and especially weekends.

It's actually only a 1-mile walk to Little Italy and 2 miles to the Village. SoHo is in between.

On Mapquest, the distance between 85 West St (hotel address) and the intersection of Mulbery and Canal Sts (the southern most point of little italy), is 2 miles.

Oops! Sorry, I was confusing it with the Millenium Hilton. The Marriott IS a little out-of-the-way.

Thanks for all the reply's. I realize that the Marriott is a little out of the way, however, the price of $119 per night is really good. Do you think that its so far out of the way, that even for that price we wouldn't enjoy our trip??

I think you could get good value elsewhere. Check expedia, travelzoo, orbitz, etc. I just booked my mom in the Shelburne suites hotel (very near grand central) at $105 thru priceline, but I just discovered a special for $109 on travelzoo for a 1 bedroom suite. It's a 3* that gets excellent reviews and each room has a small kitchen area. There are other good deals in different neighborhoods as well. Marriotts are without a doubt, very nice hotels and I'm sure the one you have booked is lovely, but it is out of the way. You'll end up spending extra $$ just for trsansportation (especially if you end up taking cabs in the off hours).

Thanks for the other suggestions MFNYC. I'll look at those websites as well.

You'll still enjoy your trip, but not as much as if you stayed in mid-town!

Use Priceline or Hotwire and you'll get an equally nice hotel for less money (stick with 4* rated hotels).

Go to BetterBidding.com for help with using Priceline or Hotwire.

I agree -- it's inexpensive because it's inconveniently located for tourists.

I'm not sure why people are telling you that downtown isn't a great area for tourists. There is a ton of stuff to do in lower Manhattan and the Financial District.

South Street Seaport, St. Pauls Chapel, Trinity Church, Wall Street, Century 21, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, take the Staten Island Ferry for a great view of The Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, The Museum of American Financial History, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Museum of the American Indian, The Woolworth Building, City Hall and City Hall Park, South Street Seaport Museum, New York City Police Museum, and the Fraunces Tavern Museum to name a few things to do.

GoTravel is so right! There is so much to do and see in lower Manhattan. Have to add: the entire World Trade Center site and Chinatown. Strolling along the river at Battery Park is great and there are shops and restaurants all over. Taking the subway up to midtown is very easy, cheap and quick.

Also, downtown business need your business, as they are still trying to recover from 9/11. Last but not leat, the Marriott Financial Center is kind of a landmark in itself, as it was hit by one of the engines from the airplance that hit one of the towers, and sustained damages. The hotel employees worked heroically to get everyone out, and 3 hotel employees died while making sure that all guest rooms were empty and all guests were out. If for nothing else, this hotel (and Marriott after Jakarta) deserves your business!

Cicerone, "The entire World Trade Center site." Have you been living in a remote location the last 23 months?

We head up to NYC every 6 weeks or so for a weekend and like to vary where we stay. I enjoy both downtown and midtown locations and have stayed at both the Marriott Financial Center and Millenium Hilton, the Marriott in the Spring of 2001, and the Hilton just last weekend. $119 is a good deal (as was $125 for the Hilton) and the $109 suite deal from Travelzoo is also a good bet (I use Travelzoo myself). Cabs are not horrendously espensive, figure about $10 to midtown. South Street Seaport is an easy walk, as is the Staten Island Ferry, and of course, Ground Zero. Do get yourself a guidebook with maps of the subway and bus systems. You'll be a pro after two or three trips. And get a week pass if you are there for 5 or more days -- good on both subways and bus.

Yes, I have been living in Hong Kong since 1996 and now live in Switzerland. Why do you ask? I know it is a big building site and a hole in the ground, but I think it would be worth seeing and plan to go myself when I am back in the NYC area for Christmas.