I'm looking for some nice hotels in the Manhattan area. Price range between $100 to $150. Friends have told me it worth the added expense to stay in Manhattan as opposed to the surrounding areas. Any suggestions????

Try doing a search here on Hotel Beacon; also look on the 'rants and raves' section of Fodors' main page for NY hotels. I've stayed at this hotel which will be, more or less, in your price range. The location is great unless you want to be in Times Square/Theatre district, rooms are decent sized, and it gets consistently positive ratings here.

Postscript: be sure to add approximately 20 percent to any hotel rate you're quoted for taxes, or ask whether taxes are included in the quote - not likely! So that means your $150 rate will be more likely $180 or thereabouts.

Try quikbook.com for good rates. Yesterday when I checked there were several in your price range. The Roosevelt is in mid-town-close to grand central station, and was going for about $130/night

Hi Kris, Yes, you definitely want to stay in Manhattan - not only is it convenient, but it is a wonderful experience. If you can, try to narrow down your search to an area that you would like to stay, i.e. midtown east/west, upper west/east etc. Then look at the hotel reviews on the rants & raves section of Fodors.Com and see what others recommend. If you have a few places in mind, you can look at the rates listed at quickbook.com hotelkingdom.com and other on-line reservation services. You can try priceline.com but please do your homework before bidding so you don't overbid or bid for an area you later decide you don't want - on Priceline, you bid - you buy, no canceling! For budget accommodations try http://habitatny.com prices start at $85 (shared bath) and go up from there (rooms with private bath are available). Excellent location, clean rooms although they are VERY small, but remember, you're not moving in for a lifetime stay! Also try the DaVinci http://www.davincihotel.com Keep us posted in your search - we're happy to help!

I've just come back from a 4-day trip to NYC, where I stayed at the Beacon. I really liked it. It's on the upper west side, and I got a good rate through Expedia, although I would check all of the recommended discount sites because these things can change from day to day.
One of the big advantages to the Beacon is that every room has a kitchenette with a 2-burner stove, a microwave, and a refrigerator. There's a fabulous supermarket across the street. I probably saved about $100 by having breakfast and a few other meals in my room. The supermarket (Fairway) also has a great cafe upstairs if all you want is a light lunch. The neighbourhood is a mixture of residential and some upscale shopping, and if you're energetic, it's not difficult to walk to the theatre district, Times Square, Lincoln Center, etc. There's a subway station 2 blocks away.
Another place I've stayed at and liked, and the discount sites might be able to help you here too, is the Salisbury. That's at 7th and 57th, across the road from Carnegie Hall and within very easy walking distance from the theatres and Times Square.
I will point out that the Beacon is not luxurious by anybody's standards but it's perfectly acceptable, not a thing wrong with it as far as I could see, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The Salisbury is a bit more upscale; I haven't stayed there in a while so can't vouch for what the staff are like but my experiences there have always been good. Have a great time!

Thanks for all of the suggestions thus far!

Try the Best Western -President on W. 48th. We stayed there a couple of years ago and other than having a fairly small room would give it two thumbs up. The location is great, the price was around $100, and the place was very clean/safe.

Kris:

I just topped another thread for you, too. It's called "Manhattan Hotels." If it gets bumped to the next page, just do a search for it.

You might also find additional suggestions and info in that thread, along with what you're finding here.

I've checked out quickbooks.com and found several hotels. I'm looking at the Ameritania Hotel, Moderne Hotel and the Clarion Hotel on 5th Ave. - does anyone have any advice/experiences with any of these?

Thanks for any responses!

Look for other hotels to consider! Some of the reviews for the ones you've looked at don't look good.

Hi Kris check out the Habitat Hotel at 130 West 57th between Park and Lexington. Great location, modest rooms but price is great, rooms clean and most of all excellently situated if you want to be in Midtown. Have fun.

Kris, a very picky friend of mine stayed at The Metropolitan, she paid $139/nite. She liked it.

Be sure to check the price for a 4 star on HOTWIRE.com
I have found absolutely awesome bargains!
A 4 star is a 4 star... don't worry about the integrity of the ratings.