Looking for affordable lodging for 2 long weekend mid January.

Since time is a bit tight I was thinking of somewhere near Time Square or Theater District.

Any suggestions? Comfortable and clean are the priorities.

It depends on what you plan to do, how many you are (some hotels have rooms for families while others don't) and what your definition of "affordable" is. Jan. is usually a good time for hotel bargains. With the subway system, most locations are fine. We'd need lots more info to better advise you.

I have stayed at the Hampton Inn Penn Station. The location is good, the room was fine, but miniscule and the bathroom very modern. Also breakfast was included. If the Pearl Hotel has finally opened you may be able to get a good opening deal. I agree that if you are going to theatre, you should stay in midtown, in walking distance to the theatres. It makes it so much easier when you are in a hurry

We've had good luck using Priceline for hotels in NYC. Reading betterbidding and biddingfortravel will make you a smarter bidder.

Since there's just two of you, you should be able to get a great deal on Priceline in January. I'd bid on a 4* in midtown west (second choice midtown east) which would be close to the theatre but not right in Times Square. Also check out travelzoo.com for specials in January. You could book something now that cancellable now and then keep looking. After the holidays, the prices may drop even more depending on availability of rooms in the city.

Just checked betterbidding.com. It's a little early for Jan bidding but looks like someone got the Intercontinental Barclay in Midtown East for $116. That's a great deal. My daughter stayed there once with a Priceline bid and had a great stay.

My DIL just told me she got Intercontinental Barclay for $115 on Priceline. SO good deal! Glad to here is a good place to stay.

Check out New York Guest for great hotel deals in January. January is one of the cheapest months of the year to travel to NYC as long as you avoid MLK weekend. You should definitely find a great deal!!

New York Guest is a really nice alternative-- they are local New Yorkers and have great NYC travel deals, sometimes better than priceline or hotwire, plus you know what you are getting when you buy. http://www.newyorkguest.com.

You should also try to avoid when the NRF (National REtail Federation) is in town approx.the third week in January. They fill the large hotels, especially places like the Marriott Marquis, so to get shuttle buses to the Javits Center.

In the Times Square area, you might want to think about the REnaissance (good sized-rooms for New York; good location. Try to get a deal.)