I'm glad we were able to help you decide and resolve this..

You might want to clase out these threads and start a new one saying something like "NYC hotel july 3-10, UP TO $2000" so you can start fresh and get new suggestions., Some people might see these threads and without reading all the answers still comment on your original but now outdated questions.

You should be able to find something in your price range. Try to book something cancellable ASAP and then see if something better or cheaper comes up over the next couple of months. You will get a location that isn't exactly central, but since sites in NYC are spread out anyway, as long as you are near subway stations you will be fine.

One quick suggestion. If you like the neighborhood that you had originaly chosen, you could try the La Quinta (a budget chain in the U.S.) They have a location a couple blocks away (17 west 32nd street) at a cancellable (up to the day before) rate Of $160 per night for a room with Queen bed (king bed is $25 more per night), including breakfast. Total with taxes for July 3-10 is $1119.93USD

I think this is one of the hotels that has come up here before as a good value in a very central location. You can search on this forum and others, but consider booking right away if this or something similar looks good to you.

La Quinta is showing a rate of about $180 per night - assuming the 2 of you can share a double bed. Have no idea what the hotel is like - a budget chain.

But you might want to reserve and then see if anything better turns up.

(If it were me I would go for a more residential area, with a lot of restauarants and sidewalk cafes (upper west side, soho, chelsea, east village etc).

Since you will be taking the subway most places, what really matters is how close you are to a station.

Suggest you get good street and subway maps and start identifying your hotel and the sights you want to see.

The LaQuinta is fine. The rooms are very clean and fairly large for NYC. It's not a fancy place but a very nice option in Manhattan. I stayed there first on points and have returned as a paying customer. There's a subway station at the corner for easy access, Macy's and Herald Square is nearby. Their free breakfast is okay. On one trip I moved from there to the Hilton on 6th and really missed the size and free stuff at the LQ. I used their little business center to print out show tickets, etc. When I moved to the Hilton, the hotel was much fancier but really missed the free internet, free breakfast and free access to the computer and printer. There's a nice little rooftop bar with a view of the Empire State Building. It's a great option IMO - and since I've started staying there a lot of mid-range hotels have been built in the area.

It's one of the AppleCore hotels and a good value.
http://applecorehotels.com/la-quinta-manhattan/

Again, I "found" it using LQ points earned as a business traveler. The decor is a bit more dated than other LQs and mid-range options elsewhere (Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express) but the rooms I've stayed in are spacious, the staff friendly, the free amentities are a good value and it's a good location for visiting the city via subway. As it turns out, a young family member who was interning in the city was living literally around the corner. She's lived in virtually every area of Manhattan since then and she enjoyed living there a lot.

aussiebec we had a week in NY last year. Your room will only be to sleep. Manhattan is too exciting to be sitting in your room for any length of time. It really is the easiest place to walk around. We caught the subway to get places but often ended up walking back to the hotel from wherever we were and having dinner on the way. As a couple of aussies from inland QLD we have never felt safer walking in a city than we did that week.
We loved the place, the people, the food. Honestly, there was nothing we didnt like. It is THE most amazing place to visit.Comfy walking shoes are a must.
Have a great trip and I hope you find a room.

Thanks again everyone!! Starting to feel good about trip again!!

aussiebec, now I'm really curious. What did you say to the agency regarding the rental? I'm surprised she was "so friendly" with the response, but that's good to hear. Did you mention the idea of the "legality" of the rental?

Perhaps they're now having so much trouble with the city that they don;t want to pile up more complaints.

But, based on what I've heard about them I would believe in the refund when I saw it.