New York - midtown hotel
 

Planning a trip to NYC Oct 16 - 21 with hubby. We are looking for a hotel in Manhattan - Midtown - he wants near Times Square - I am thinking not too close. We are trying to find something under $300 - I know this might be tricky but if its possible I know someone on here would know!

Also can anyone recommend a good travel guide??

I was recently in New York for a conference held at the Hilton New York. It's an easy(ish) walk to Times Square from there and is a really easy walk to Rockefeller Center. Rooms were available for around $300 a night, excluding tax. A friend stayed there so I saw her room. It's ok. Not great, not bad, just...adequate. Starbucks across the street (with free wifi), some decent restaurants within an easy walk.

Through a bit of hotel reservation confusion, I ended up at the Sofitel, which I LOVED. It was like night and day between the Hilton and the Sofitel. However, that love came with a heftier price tag -- my room was $427 a night, excluding tax. It's a bit closer to Times Square than the Hilton, but not right on top of it. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat, although to be honest I wish it were a little farther uptown. I'm not the biggest fan of the Times Square area.

I recently stayed at The Strand. Loved it, but not quite Times Square.

If you don't already belong, join Jetsetter for daily emails with great deals in NYC and elsewhere.

Maybe I should start with where would you guys recommend first timers stay in NYC

To be midtown but away from hectic Times Square, look at former Millenium UN Plaza, now One UN, mid-town east. You'll have to walk over to Grand Central to get trains but easy enough to walk to Times Square.It was originally a Park Hyatt and has spectacular views of the city from all exposures.
Quiet as hotel rooms are on high floors.

I've stayed at the Marriott Mid-Town East a couple of times, it's on 3rd. Nice big rooms, handy subway on the 6 line. Easy walk to Rockefeller Center.

Prices people are getting now is immaterial. Oct is well into high season and rooms will cost much more. I would start looking at discount sites now to see what is available at that price point in Oct. It will not be the Sofitel or the Hilton.

Prices people are getting now is immaterial. Oct is well into high season and rooms will cost much more. I would start looking at discount sites now to see what is available at that price point in Oct. It will not be the Sofitel or the Hilton.

http://mansfieldhotel.com/
any thoughts on this one?? weekly rate $275 a night

The Mansfield is close to Times Square, but the cheaper rooms are very small, though nice. They do not however have separate closets, just a hanging bar in the corner of the room.

In October you will be very lucky to find any room in Manhattan for $300 (in a decent hotel that is).

Search first for price then location. Almost any midtown hotel in Manhattan on either the east or west side will have a convenient location. As will any hotel in Murray Hill (east 30s).

Good luck. Hotels are very expensive in October.

We prefer Murray Hill area.

Check the Omni Berkshire, close enough to everything, right around the corner from St Patrick's Cathedral. The best prices I've seen for their large, beautiful rooms have been from their own website. Great hotel that's perfectly situated for the first time visitor.

Smaller rooms but very nice on west 44th and across the street from the Sofitel, is the Algonquin. I'm running tepid on the Mansfield these days.

Just noticed and so checked your dates, the Omni is 2x the budget.

I like The Library...

Here are some choices for your dates on quikbook.com Don't be afraid of the secret sale hotels, they're great deals. Bidding on priceline will be another option. Here are the quikbook discounts: http://www.quikbook.com/availability...arketId=46&arr

The Library is a pleasant hotel in a good location. But the small room (1 dbl bed) starts at $430 per night and the regular rooms start at about $500.

Agree to definitely check out quikbook and don;t delay - since best rates may already be gone for some hotels.

Also, check out travelzoo.com. They offer discounts about a month ahead so check around early September.

I did stumble upon quikbook - wondering if it was the way to go!! I've done secret sales on hotwire with good results - I saw Jolly Hotel for good rate on quikbook - I need to just pick and be done!!

booked tonight!! The Mansfield for $283!!

Enjoy! Ask for an upgrade when you get there. The hotel is perfectly situated for visitors. There's a good Greek restaurant nearly next door to the Mansfield and the Red Flame diner across the street is ok for a quick, but not particularly memorable, breakfast. Have a drink in the historic Algonquin lobby bar. I like west 44th.