David

I will be visiting New York for the first time in October. Which is the best area to be based in order to walk to most of the sights? Could anyone recommend a hotel in the moderate (not budget) range which is convenient?

Many thanks for your help.

mg

an OK hotel is Thirtythirty.com.
It looks really slick b/c it was just renovated, but used to be a hostel.
You have new fittings and quite comfy, but all rooms are TINY.
you cann't beat 30th street for access to uptown & downtown. don't stay in midtown - its touristy and boring - and I live in manhattan.
go to 3030.com

xx

Midtown may be "boring and touristry" to a NYorker but it is not likely to be boring to a first time visitor. Stay in the Times Square area and do all those things that tourists do to enjoy a visit to the city. The area that provides walking access to many things you want to do and see would be midtown - 42nd to 59th Streets. Lexington Ave to 8th area.

Statia

I agree with xx. You will probably prefer the Times Square or Herald Square areas if you are a first time visitor, since they have a lot to offer tourists. I also find both locations good for walking to either uptown or downtown in order to see all the sights that I wish.

What price range are you looking for in a hotel? I know you said moderate, but tell us what do you consider moderate and maybe we can toss out more suggestions? I usually pay $150 a night in NYC (including taxes) and consider that moderate for the area.

arhay

Times Sq/Grand Central areas are about as convenient as you can get, from a transportation/walking standpoint. BUT...they are noisy, crowded and full of NY hustle-bustle. Which may be exactly what you're after, David - the full NY experience. If, on the other hand, you prefer a modicum of quiet, you'd do better considering a neighborhood a tad less frantic or a hotel with a sidestreet location a block or two out of 'the action.'

carolyn

The last hotel I stay in was the Doral Park Avenue. It's in a relatively quiet residential neighborhood on 38th and Park. Very clean and rather upscale furnishing for a moderate hotel, it ain't a cooky cutter chain. Around $150 a night.

The Paramount in the Times Square area is also good moderate hotel, and their Whiskey Bar is a good place for a drink. They used to have some $99 rooms.

A few years ago I used http://www.express-res.com. They offered the best rates I could find for New York Hotels.

I'm jealous, I love NY!

Paul

Hey David!
We ALWAYS stay at the Travel Inn on 42nd Steet near 10th Avenue. Clean, reasonable, very convenient and free secure parking yet. Try http://www.newyorkhotel.com/flashintro.htm
Good Luck!