Visiting NYC Dec. 20-24. Looking for midtown location. 2 rooms for 4 adults. Clean hotel a must, around $100 per room. Good access to transportation. Our focus will be on activities. Room is just a place to rest. Please advise. Thank You

Do a Fodor's search on "Midtown" or "Times Square" and tons of info will appear including Portland Square Hotel, Comfort Inn Midtown, Broadway Inn, etc.

I don't know if you've considered using Priceline or not, but that would be my suggestion. You'd have no trouble getting a wonderful three star hotel at that price or less.

That is probably the busiest week of the year in NYC. To get something decent for $100 I would think you would have to do Priceline.

I have just spent the good part of a day trying to get my wife a room in early Oct. in NYC. I can tell you that there's nothing listed on biddingfortravel.com as having been booked for pre-Christmas week; so PL availability so far out is probably nil or very low (hotels don't release inventory to PL until they're sure there's little chance of someone paying more.)

I would book a cancelable room right now, then start fishing on PL around the second half of Sept. or the first of Oct. But frankly I think you're way too low for that period. We've stayed there then and as nytraveler says, it's a peak period, hence no bargains.

Good luck finding a decent hotel in high season in midtown, nyc for $100.00. I think you might want to increase your budget!!

What about the week between Christmas and New Year's? Is that really busy too? I'd like to take my niece and nephew to NYC at Christmas break. My nephew is a huge fan of NYC, including the NY Rangers hockey team. I thought Christmas time would be great with all the holiday lights, etc. but it may just be too difficult to get reasonable accommodations.

Sorry - anytime through New Years is prime time. And there are bargains to be had on Priceline (may not be up yet) - but $100 is really pushing it. You might get something for $150 or so if you look carefully - although hotels have been filling up more and more over the last year.

Priceline sounds like a good option.
I have stayed at the Habitat Hotel before which I would consider a no frill hotel.Check out their website..www.habitat-ny.com. Sometimes you have to check on Expedia, Hotels.com and other websites as they sell blocks of rooms to each...if you call them direct and they are sold out this is what they have advised in the past.
The location is great it is at 130 West 57th between Park and Lexington.
Good luck...

One of the best deals we've had in New York was receiving a mailing from Marriott a couple years ago for a $159 special which was good from Dec. 24 to 30 at the Marquis, so we flew up for a week. Of course, we had to leave on New Year's Eve day when the rate on the room went up to something like $600. So the week between Christmas and New Years and even a couple days before Christmas can be a good deal.

I can't think of any place in midtown that's safe, clean with private bath for that price at any time except using Priceline. People often bid 2.5 stars midtown east for $75 and get the Courtyard Marriott Midtown East. Check their website. Some other thoughts

applecorehotels.com
The Avalon Hotel
The Metro Hotel
The Bedford Hotel

Look on the upper west side
On the Avenue Hotel (try their website)
The Beacon
The Milburn
The Lucerne

Consider sharing a one bedroom suite (one couple will have to use a sofa bed of the 4 of you share a bedroom with 2 double/queen beds)

affiniahotels.com
The San Carlos

Thanks, Patrick, $159 for the Marriott Marquis sounds like a real deal! I have a Marriott Rewards card and maybe could even use some points--don't know if they have blackout periods though at Christmas. Marriott sends me e-mails from time to time so I'll keep my eyes open for NYC specials. The kids will want to do everything so I'd rather spend less on accommodations and more on activities.