We recently stayed for a long weekend at the Marriott Residence Inn near Times Square and found weekend rates at $195 for standard and $210 for deluxe, which included a full breakfast buffet. Check out Marriott.com. Hotel is only 1 year old. Rooms are not very spacious, not as spacious as a typical residence inn, but certainly acceptable. Rooms include a sofa bed and a kithenette. Location is 39th Street at 6th avenue, just 4.5 blocks from Times Square. The 6th Ave/ 42d Street subway station is onel-half block away, and Macy's Herald Square is any easy 5 blocks in the other direction.

I agree with everyone who has advised that you should book your hotel and let the others book theirs. No need for everyone to stay at the same place. If the others in your group are so fussy, if you make their hotel plans, you will be the one to blame when they don't like their hotel!