Well, Hotwire, for one, is offering a 4* in Jersey City (most likely W, Hyatt, Westin) that weekend for $132 for 2 ($192 4 adults). Anything available on Hotwire is almost always available on Priceline for less.

It's a 20 minute drive to Brooklyn Tabernacle, where parking is available nearby for very reasonable rates.

Wow! Thank you for all of your suggestions! One thing I am discovering is that handicapped accessibility is going to be an issue at many subway stations. According to the MTA site accessibility is very limited in some areas. One of our members is wheelchair bound, so I need an accessible hotel near an accessible line. I'm going to push that we stay closer into the city to allow him to return to the hotel more easily than if we stay in New Jersey or any further out than Brooklyn. With the size of NYC hotel rooms we'll probably only do two to a room rather than 4. Several are married couples who probably won't want to share a room.

McLaurie,I'll check the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott and will definitely call direct. I'm just trying to narrow options and get a ballpark figure together so my fellow Ohioans can begin budgeting for their big trip to the Big Apple!

Travelbuff don't leave, you give some great information about NYC, and I might need this when we come and visit later in the year. . I plan on checking out the Ace hotel also.

You can't count on any subway being accessible. Many stations have no elevators and some that have an elevator are not working. Also, at weekends not all station entrances are open. For wheelchair you need either city bus (all kneel) but they are slow and routes tend to meander or a cab and a folding wheelchair.

If a subway station has an elevator, then it's going to be open on the weekend. But as many have pointed out, NYC isn't the most accessible subway system in the world. Most people in wheelchairs ride buses, and it's simply not practical to stay in either NJ or Brooklyn and get into Manhattan by bus. I think this is a big issue for you and may have a huge impact on your enjoyment of this trip. I would strongly urge you to stay in Manhattan and arrange to drive your wheelchair-bound friend to Brooklyn for the church service.

Even many restaurants are not wheelchair-accessible, so keep that in mind as well. NYTimes reviews do mention accessibility issues in restaurant reviews, so you may want to look at those.

It will also be an issue getting around Manhattan by subway too, even if they stayed in Manhattan.

There is a list of wheelchair accessible subway stations on the MTA website. But I can't remember the last time I saw someone in a wheelchair on the subway-it is difficult.

Buses are the way to go, it's very easy for someone to board with a wheelchair, to get off you just tell the bus driver your stop and the will help with exiting the bus.

To get to the Church service if you decide to stay in Manhattan a taxi/subway combination might work.

I agree with the above assessments of the subway system. It is highly inacessable for the handicapped. As a few pointed out, even if there is an elevator or an escalator, they are often not running.

I agree with the concern about using the subway with a wheelchair. It's all well a good to pick a hotel near an accessible station, but then you need an accessible station at the other end to get out again. Truly the bus (or a taxi) is the way most in wheelchairs move about in Manhattan.

ShariB, I appreciate your concern that the wheelchair user might like to return to the hotel to rest at some point. However, I'll bet many of the other "middle-aged" choir members would appreciate this convenience as well. Check the Manhattan options thathave been suggested.

Agree that bus is the transportation of choice for wheelchairs. They're all kneeling buses and the bus driver will gets out to help. Here's a bus map for Manhattan. http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf Agree with Doug on driving to Brooklyn if you can. Bigapplegreeter.com is a volunteer organization with an accessibility program. They may be able to help with hotel and/or transportation.

I'll get into the Ace fray, lol. I actually discovered it on Travelzoo. Though I'm only a 40 minute ride from Manhattan, I was looking for an inexpensive place to stay with my daughter. The rooms were $99 and $129 for a night. They seemed nice. I haven't booked yet because our theater plans fell through, but it seems like a nice enough place and at that price a parking garage wouldn't be unreasonable.
And I don't think Audchamp was being offensive. He's very knowledgable about NYC and was responding to the differences between rock band and church choir.

The rooms that are $99 & $129 at the Ace are MINISCULE. Have you had a look on their website? They're just big enough for the bed and that's IT.

Probably why they're not priced at $399.00, right? I don't mind a small room for a short stay when I have little luggage, but it does become a problem when there's no room for my suitcase.

OP: Have you thought about renting a mobility scooter for this city trip? At any rate, buses will be the way to go for those wanting to get around the city while using a wheelchair or scooter.

I saw that the rooms are small, but I've always been a light packer and rarely spend a lot of time in the room, so for me it wouldn't matter, though you're correct, Mclaurie to point that out for those who need more space.

The Ace is a boutique hotel with an interesting atmosphere going on. I would guess the 20 something crowd will really love the place; it looks like a less sanitized version of the Bryant Park Hotel. It doesn't look particulary edgy (it isn't the W) but the furnishings are IKEA like. Some of the beds are set really close to the floor which may be hard for some to access or to get up from.

But staying in Manhattan isn't a choice, is it?

Have you considered contacting a few of the larger mid-town hotels to see if they offer a 'group rate' ?

I honestly don't think finding a hotel within budget is going to be a problem for that weekend. It is tricky though to figure out what location is going to be the best for their needs with the wheelchair.

I'm going the same weekend and we are staying at Hilton Garden Inn-Chelsea $199 a night. Way worth it! And if you have AAA you can get a better discount. There are great prices out there you just have to have patience to know when to wait or snatch up a deal.

If you guys are interested in any On Location Tours, I found a coupon code for 20% off STMC20.

Well, I sat down and created a pro/con sheet and I've convinced our group to stay in Manhattan! I thank you all for your suggestions (eetaylor--the Hilton Garden Inn is on my short list). More that anything else, I'm learning just how difficult it is for those with disabilities to travel freely. Be thankful, fellow travelers, for your mobility that allows you to stay and go wherever your wallet will permit.

It's too bad accomodations haven't been made to the subway system to insure that everyone can access all public transportation! I would have thought the ADA covered this sort of thing.

Anyway: Congratulations on getting the group to Manhattan!

You might add Radio City Apartments to your short list too. They're a basic apart-hotel, but tend to be less expensive than the Affinias. The Beacon might work for you too.

Did I suggest checking quikbook.com and travelzoo.com for discounted rates? Travelzoo advertises good discounts about a month ahead, so if you've made a cancellable reservation somewhere else you can still check online for deals before you go to NYC. (probably not so easy to do with a large group!)

"It's too bad accomodations haven't been made to the subway system to insure that everyone can access all public transportation! I would have thought the ADA covered this sort of thing."

The requirements for existing structures are different for the requirements for new structures. Since much of the subway system was constructed in the early 20th century, the subway stations do not reflect the latest requirements. Also, it's difficult to add an elevator or escalator after the fact, since the elevator would have to rise above ground. Existing buildings, narrow sidewalks, and the position of the station underground in relation to the buildings and sidewalk prevent a simple solution.

If a sidewalk is wide enough to accommodate the addition of an elevator, then an elevator may be added. Also, when new construction takes place over a subway station, part of their building plan usually includes elevator access to the subway below.