Econo Lodge Times Square. It's located on 47th Ave. near 8th Ave. Close to Times Square, close to 3 subway lines, so really centrally located. We were there in late June and paid an average of $160 per night. The room was clean, but very small! Free breakfast in the lobby. I would recommend it.

Just google the hotel name to find it.

Lizzie, why is it harsh? I wasn't being mean at all.

We stayed at the Excelsior last month (http://www.1excelsior.com/index.cfm) because I was able to get rates for $229 for the last two days of June and $169 for the first two nights in July. I just put in some dates in October on a weekend, and got rates under $300. I'm not sure what days of the week you are going though.

The hotel is on the Upper West Side, directly across from the Museum of Natural History, and 1/2 block from Central Park. It must be an absolutely gorgeous location in the fall. It was also 1/2 a block from the Subway and we didn't find it to be a hassle to get to the "action" at all. I liked staying in our little quiet neighborhood with the tree lined streets and cute cafes. It was nice to get away from the craziness of Times Square/Rockefeller/5th Ave. areas at the end of the day.

I second Amelie's (on of my favorite movies, by the way) suggestion of neighboorhood. Times Square is a big toursit trap, with the exception of Broadway theater which we are big fans of. The Upper West Side, on the other hand, is one of the cities most beautiful neighboorhoods and a short subway ride to anywhere of interest (walking distance to museums, Central Park, Lincoln Center, etc.). Great restaurants as well! We live in Brooklyn and spend a lot of time in this area ourselves.
Hope this helps,
John

I third the suggestion for Hotel Roger Williams! Great hotel - location on Madison close to Empire State Building but it's a nice, more quiet residential area.

Also W Hotel the Court, in the same general area as the Roger. I paid $199 for a special travelzoo rate last January and I know theyre running it again but I believe it is only through Sept 22 or so.

Frankly, I would never stay right in Times Square, it drives me insane just trying to get thru the crowds of people!

Wow..thanks so much...lots of folks to thank....
Amelie-Excelsior not avail on dates I need unless I want to pay for a suite ($369-379 or 399). DH is having a hard enough time with NY prices! Thanks for the help though!
MFNYC-Affinia hotel is interesting and the price is OK...but, there are no pictures of rooms, etc. that I can find on the website so that makes me nervous...$299 for a studio suite (not even sure what that is)...so, jury is still out on that one...

Christine27, Flygirl and mpkp: The Michaelangelo only has $525 room rates for the the end of Oct. and that is with AAA!! Yikes! Too rich for my blood! Thanks though!

Wantsomesun and Imitationof Christ: The Roger Williams is running $450-560 for my time frame....Yikes again!! Thanks too for the info...
Also, thanks to Mclaurie and jlm_mi, NYTraveler and JJBhoy....

I am still working on some of the other recommendations....

Looks like late Oct. is a very popular time! And, folks out there have money to burn I guess...that's just how we see it because we've wanted to see NY for years, and years and years!! So, I expect we'll get up, get ready and out the door we'll go...we probably won't even get back to the room until late on most nights. The "theater night" we'll come back to shower and change, etc. but I don't think that will happen too many nights-maybe twice I think...

So, keep any ideas and advice coming and I'll keep working on it and let you know what we decided on!!

Thanks,
Shadow

Shadow - you may be able to see candid traveler photos of the rooms at the Affinia hotels at www.tripadvisor.com

A studio suite is a one-room area (of course, the bathroom is enclosed), but it includes a sitting area in addition to the bed. It may also include a kitchenette (the hotel website should say). But unlike a traditional suite, the living/kitchen/bedroom areas are not separated by walls.

October is definitely a popular month for NYC - the weather should be great for walking, and the trees will be changing color.

If you can find a good hotel at a price you like, I wouldn't worry too much about which neighborhood it's in. It's easy to get around, so even if it's not your first choice neighborhood, you may come to love it more than you expected. :)

Also, I'd recommend booking something when you find anything reasonable, even if it's not perfect. Prices may go up, so you'll be insured against that. But if you book something cancellable, you can change later if you find a good special somewhere like travelzoo.com

Did you check quikbook.com?

jml_mi...thanks for that information...I will check into that...I am obsessing on this hotel/motel situation I know but I so want to have a great first NY experience!
So, here's what I have found so far:
Holiday Inn Express (BOOKED IT but can cancel by day before) $332/night

That is a lot I think but its for a King bed and coffee maker in room (DH likes that in hotels) and Cont. Breakfast.
Location: 5th ave. Midtown (45th street)

However, I am still researching:

I can get Hampton Inn (near Madison Sq. Garden-though we won't be going there) for the same price as HI Express...but, Hampton has hot food as well....is location better or not?

Or Quality Inn Times Square for $252-281
Or
Econo LODge Times Square (actually has good reviews) for $179 (AAA rate)...
also, con't breakfast but no breakfast room to eat it in.

My Dh would be more than happy to stay at Econo Lodge I will say now....he is the KING of cheaper hotels...he never complains of anything and could live in a box....
I am just not wanting to have a "dismal" stay....I don't need the Ritz BUT....I don't want to be miserable either.
Don't know if it would be worth it to save half the money and use it for other things or stay at the Holiday Inn Express? I know we won't be in the room much but still...
I am sure most of you can't make up my mind for me and I understand that....but, would the locations make any difference? Or anything else?

I know many have said stay away from Times Square...don't know if Econo Lodge is "right on top" of it or not...

Then again, HI Express really looks like a good location...just double the cost....

Me to self: make up your mind!!!
Shadow

The Econolodge is 1 long block west of Times Square, so not right in the middle of it, but easy walk to all theaters.

The HI Express on 5th Ave is also close to Times Square, but it's 2 long blocks east of there. This location is closer to other Manhattan areas than the Econolodge, by about 1/2 mile. Keep in mind, though, that from the 42nd street subway station in Times Square there is a subway shuttle that goes back and forth between Times Square and Grand Central, so it can easily and quickly get you to that side of town from the Econolodge.

I know nothing of the Econolodge beyond the reviews, but based on location and price, I can't fathom paying that much more for the HI Express. I don't know how many days your trip is, but $150/night is a lot of money!

Also remember about breakfast - you will be surrounded by about a million diners and delis and bagel shops/coffee shops that will have inexpensive breakfast options, anywhere from just coffee and a bagel or danish all the way to a full, sit-down meal. You could get a bagel and coffee from a street vendor for somewhere in the ball park of $2 each.

My point - I wouldn't worry too much about the quality of the breakfast in each location, or the breakfast room, etc. If you're saving $150/night on the hotel, you could afford to spend a few dollars on food if necessary. :)

I understand about obsessive planning - it feels like I spend every waking minute leading up to a trip trying to find the best hotel for the best price, planning activities, etc. It's part of the fun. But if it does get to be too much, putting location toward the lower end of your priorities might make the choices easier. :)

jlm_mi...gosh, thanks so much for the reply and especially for the understanding of it...sometimes the folks on here can be a bit NOT understanding! However, I have had wonderful replies from everyone!

I just looked into the Affinia again and there was all the info. I did not see the first time!! Anyway, looks lovely but alas is not to be since the rates are $299 and last few nights are $489!!

Again, thanks for the insite on locations and rooms and breakfasts, etc.
that really helps.
Yes, for the price difference we can do some other serious damage in NY!!

mclaurie...thanks, I'll keep trying that too...
Shadow

Hello, I have read all of this and wondered if you had thought about hosted accomodation. We are visiting NYC early October for the first time and also found the hotels very expensive so have booked a hosted room through City Lights Bed and Breakfast. They were very efficient and helpful and gave us a few choices. We have chosen a room with private tub/shower room; micro wave, fridge (filled with food by host) and coffee machine in the room, plus use of small garden in Soho for under $100 per night.

I plugged in the dates of October 18-23rd on Apple Core Hotels (Comfort Inn, Super 8, La Quinta, Red Roof and Ramada all in Midtown) and found rates from $209-$229.

Here is the link;
http://www.applecorehotels.com/apple-core-hotels/

You may want to stay in New Jersey. I'm going to NYC in October and just booked a room at Candlewood Suites in Jersey City for $199. It's a suite with a separate bedroom and includes a microwave and refrigerator. It's only a 10 minute train ride to the city. I always stay in New Jersey and love it.

Shadow has never been to NYC, i really don't think it makes sense for her to stay in NJ. Who wants to worry about having to take a train everywhere - plus, you want to have the whole NYC experience which imo, you simply can't get in Jersey City (not really a fan).

Especially if she can stay in Manhattan for $10 more.

Transportation to and from New Jersey would quickly eat up that $10 savings and quite frankly, it isn't worth my time.

roofr....thanks, that sounds interesting...I'll look into that today...
GoTravel:late last night I was checking into Comfort Inn...I will check out that link you gave me..
Gsidell...I do really want to stay in NYC...at least this first time...but, thanks for the suggestion I would never have known to do that..
Shortcake05479:yes, I do want all that NY experience....I've waited many years for this trip....in fact, I'm a bit irked at myself for not letting myself spend at least $350/night....that just sounds like so much money to spend to shower and sleep!!
Really, thanks everyone for the ideas!!
I'm still working on it so I welcome all the ideas and suggestions!!
Shadow

Shadow, go to www.Quikbook.com and plug in your dates. I plugged in October 18-23rd and The Park South came up for $205 per night.

The rooms are very small but it is a very beautiful boutique hotel with very lovely well appointed rooms. It is in an excellent location on the corner of 27th and Lexington in Murray Hill.

The neighborhood is also lovely.

Book this hotel!

I just got back last night from New York. We stayed at the Belvedere and had a great experience. The rate was 179/night(arrp rate). My room with a king bed was good size, the bathroom was small, although my sisters bath was a little larger. Very clean and the staff were very helpful. It's on 49th between 8th & 9th so it's easy to get to broadway shows,Times square and to subways. I would highly recommend it. It has a cafe but no bar. Ask for a higher floor. It was nice to come back to a tree lined street after a busy day in the middle of the city.

We always stay at The Travel Inn on 142nd street. A budget hotel with good reviews on www.tripadvisor.com - always clean and comfortable with good service. We're paying $634. including taxes AND PARKING for a double double next weekend although last fall we paid about $25 more than this per night as New York hotels are little more pricey in the fall. We've stayed at The Travel Inn on our last 4 annual trips to New York and we've recommended it to friends who have also enjoyed it.