We will be in NYC in late-May. I am starting to look for a hotel, but not really sure which area to focus my search in. We will likely do some traditional tourist stuff - Museums, Central Park, Empire State Bldg, etc. Maybe also a show. Any suggestions for which area of the city would be the best place to stay for a short trip? Specific hotels suggestions are welcome too, but just trying to figure out how to narrow the search.

Thanks!

Below is where we have stayed several time. It is very very basic but clean and well positioned. See google map for its location. Easy walk to Central Park, 15 minute walk to Times Square. One block north of Carnegie Hall.

Park Savoy Hotel
www.parksavoyhotelny.com
158 West 58th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 245-5755

We've stayed at the LaQuinta - I think it's on 32nd St? around the corner from Macy's and Empire State. Wonderful walking area and lots of shops and restaurants and parks.
A short walk from Time Square. Reasonably priced with a nice breakfast included. Friendly staff.

The typical tourist sights (like the ones you list) are all over the city so no one location is going to be "better." Rather than focusing on a particular location, I'd focus on hotels that meet your needs in terms of price and bed set up and then use location as a way to narrow choices. May can be a pricey time for hotels. If we had a better idea of who's traveling and budget, we could make specific recos. Travelzoo.com and travel-ticker.com often have good sales (although it may be early for May). Quikbook.com and kayak.com are good sites to "shop" hotels.

We have had good luck staying at the Hampton Inn on 8th Ave. Very clean, good size rooms and a nice breakfast which is included in the price(cereals,breads, juice, coffee, tea) We like the convenience of this hotel to the shows and shopping. Not sure if price will be right in May. In Feb. when we stayed it was super cheap ( 139.00 per night I think)

We are staying at the Hilton on 51st and 6th in May- special deal for $150 per night. Call and check on that- will need to sit through an hour of listening about their time shares--

Have a wonderful time in New York- we love it all year long (well not in July /Aug)

You can start narrowing the search by telling us how many of you there are and what your budget is.

The sights you want are all over the city - so key factors - besides the above are if you want:

Frantic - times Square
Busy but residential - upper west side
Trendy - Chelsea or SoHo

The subway will make getting around the city from any of these areas quick and easy.

Midsc: I'm unsure if you're a couple or a family or what kind of hotel you like...these details would be helpful, but here are my suggestions:

The Flatiron/Herald Square area (no man's land between 19-32 streets, or so!) has some nice hotels, access to subway lines or quick walks to many main attractions and is less built up and crazy than Times Square, less expensive than Soho or Chelsea.

-My husband and I LOVE the Ace Hotel on W 29th Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway. Its very central to "touristy" areas but on a quiet side street. Easy access to many subway lines, etc. April Bloomfield just opened the Breslin restaurant off the spacious lobby which has received a lot of press so it can be a bit buzzy but the lobby is wide open and amenable to excellent people watching. Stumptown coffee is adjacent as well - excellent java.
http://www.acehotel.com/newyork

-If that's too scene-y for you, we've also stayed at the Hotel Chandler, a boutique hotel around the corner from Ace on E 31st St: http://www.hotelchandler.com/index.cfm
Much more low key & subdued. Very friendly staff, same excellent & accessible location.

Good luck & have fun!

3rd Avenue at 53rd Street Marriott Courtyard - great location! It has many options for breakfast and has a drugstore located next door. I would also recommend "Bike the Big Apple" one of the best things we did while there last summer. It is a great way to see sites and is good for all fitness levels. Have fun!

Marriott Courtyard at 52rd and 3rd is close to subway too!

Thanks so much for all the helpful suggestions!

mldsc,

It sounds like you have never been to NYC before and if this is your first trip..I would recommend the Times Square area. Yes, it's busy and crazy but it is quintessential Manahattan! The theater district is right there for shows, subway will link you to everywhere else in a jiffy. It's a bit more pricey than other areas, but if you want to "taste" NYC, then you will enjoy it.

Look on NYC map for location of Park Savoy. I'm telling ya, it's a bargain.