New York hotel, for me and two kids

[S8QUATTRO]

Hi, any advice on a reasonable priced hotel for myself and my two teenage kids, first one to New York, will be sight seeing and shopping, usual stuff.

I know it's New York and it will be pricey, so upto £200 a night really, ideally Manhattan as I've been told most tourist attractions are easily accessible from here.

Staying five or six nights

Any advice from people who have been welcome.

Many thanks

[audidoody]

Six nights is a lot. Three nights and three days is usually enough to do Manhattan as a tourist. I would;t have thought you would a=want to stay in any of the other boroughs.

The lousy exchange rate means you won;t get a lot for £200 a night now.

Try Holiday Inn or Best Western around Broadway/Times Square.

Edited by audidoody on Wednesday 3rd August 16:27

[S8QUATTRO]

Thanks for the reply, it's five nights, just checked. But will have another look around the Times Square area

[andy_s]

AirBnB? Lot more flexible for your combo?
We did a week there as a family last year, stayed in Lower Manhattan (Greenwich Village/SoHo) in an characterful apartment in an old building and walked to all the usual sites easily; the local neighbourhood was away from the more touristy areas but full of 'one off' places to shop and eat, get coffee etc. Cheaper than a hotel too, especially with the facilities the apartment offered (two rooms, living/dining/kitchen/terrace).

[AdeTuono]

audidoody said:

Six nights is a lot. Three nights and three days is usually enough to do Manhattan as a tourist...

Can't agree with that. We've been visiting Manhattan every year for 10 years now, and don't even feel like we've scratched the surface.

Though I suppose it depends what you're into.

[kiethton]

Second the 5 days being enough - was there for a week 6 weeks ago, enjoyed it but could have dine it in half the time - spent some days chilling/drinking as a result

We stayed in The Bronx, but only 2 stops from N Manhatten but especially with kids would say to avoid doing so (ours cost ~£110 per night) - the hotel was brilliant (Opera House Hotel) but some of the things you saw/heard in the 300m between the subway and front door had to be seen to be believed:

Numerous drug ravvaged beggars
Guns on open display
Constant preachers on street corners

and to cap it all of

an argument between two "locals", both likely ~60 where the bloke (on a zimmer) was accusing the woman (who had st herself) of "running about town with her pussy out" - not a nice mental image!

[S8QUATTRO]

Thanks for the reply, it's five nights, just checked. But will have another look around the Times Square area

[dci]

Stayed in the Hilton garden in Central Park south over just before Christmas. Was in a decent location a minute from Central Park, just off Broadway and not far from Times Square.

[S8QUATTRO]

Wow thanks for the responses, like minded people on here so advice is appreciated from you. Dates are last week of this month, I found one that looks pretty good called the Manhattan at Times Square. I just wasn't sure if Times Square was worth the extra cash, but I think I might stick with it. Thanks again

[Olivero]

I have lived in NYC for the last 8 years. Times Square is horrible. Only the tourists go there. Overpriced and not the real New York.
AirBnB can be a good option if you are on a budget.

What are you most interested in and I can give you some better options of where you might want to stay.

[S8QUATTRO]

Olivero said:

I have lived in NYC for the last 8 years. Times Square is horrible. Only the tourists go there. Overpriced and not the real New York.
AirBnB can be a good option if you are on a budget.

What are you most interested in and I can give you some better options of where you might want to stay.

Thanks, much appreciated..we would like to see the tourist main attractions, Empire State, trade centre memorial, history museum, toy shop from movie BIG, and really to have a look around and walk a bit. Maybe the movie tour, we will be doing a Tuesday to Sunday. I'll have a look at what you advise and take it from there, also want to check our little Italy and china town. If there is something you think we should definately see, please do say. It's my daughters 16th birthday present too.

[BlackST]

If I went back to New York I wouldn't stay close to Times Square.
The attractions are spread out all over Manhattan and the subway is pretty good.
I paid £820 for the Ameritania which was inbetween Times Square and Central Park.
Was ideal for Central Park and to see Times Square. Theatres were close by also but still had to get the subway to the Statue of Liberty/ brooklyn bridge/Wall St/ 911 memorial/ Empire State building/Madison Sq gardens.

[Fluffsri]

When we went we were on a budget and stayed in the New Yorker. Its cheap, clean and a bed for the night. Best bit though was the attached diner!

[4Q]

It's worth checking out big apple greeter before you go. They'll arrange a (free) two or three hour guided tour for you whilst you're there. The guides are really knowledgable and take you to visit things/places you wouldn't normally see as tourist.

[Rollin]

Comfort Inn Lower East Side.

[malks222]

I agree with trying to stay away from a hotel in time square. Time square is basically a massive junction, with loads of tourist shops, selling 'branded' stuff with chain restaurants round about (and it kinda smells). you definitely need to visit it at some point on your trip to experience it, but I wouldn't want to stay there.

all the major tourist stuff is quite spread out, you will be travelling about all over Manhattan (probably by subway, its quick and cheap).

I stayed down in 'meat packing' district which is between Chelsea and Greenwich village, lovely place to spend time. lots of little cafes, bars restaurants. nice feel about the place.

Also, there's absolutely tons of stuff to see/ do in new York. you can visit most tourist attractions and 'tick' them off your to do list. but you'll spend 3 days constantly moving, constantly chasing yourself to the next thing to do on your list and not experience or enjoy any of it. We were there for a week last year, we had a hotel with rooftop pool (the dream downtown, awesome hotel) so had some busy tourist days, a couple of relaxed afternoons by the pool, but still loads I want to go back and see.

[S8QUATTRO]

Thanks for the feedback so far, I'm going soon so needed to book somewhere as the prices were going up..

Booked the Salisbury hotel, looks old but reviews look balanced and it's near the park but about 15 min walk from Times Square so hopefully this is close enough and still
Gives us a little space.

Thanks

[Olivero]

S8QUATTRO said:

Olivero said:

I have lived in NYC for the last 8 years. Times Square is horrible. Only the tourists go there. Overpriced and not the real New York.
AirBnB can be a good option if you are on a budget.

What are you most interested in and I can give you some better options of where you might want to stay.

Thanks, much appreciated..we would like to see the tourist main attractions, Empire State, trade centre memorial, history museum, toy shop from movie BIG, and really to have a look around and walk a bit. Maybe the movie tour, we will be doing a Tuesday to Sunday. I'll have a look at what you advise and take it from there, also want to check our little Italy and china town. If there is something you think we should definately see, please do say. It's my daughters 16th birthday present too.

I am out of town this weekend but will put my thinking hat on and get back to you.



Your daughter would love this place. Stylish restaurant that you get to through a Pawn shop. Best to get there early and dressed up.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/fashion/24boite....

[AdeTuono]

malks222 said:

Also, there's absolutely tons of stuff to see/ do in new York. you can visit most tourist attractions and 'tick' them off your to do list. but you'll spend 3 days constantly moving, constantly chasing yourself to the next thing to do on your list and not experience or enjoy any of it.

Didn't you read those posts up there ^^^? Three days is all you need to 'do' NYC....

[Wacky Racer]

I would recommend taking a couple of different open top bus tours...you get to see a LOT you would otherwise miss. Ours visited Harlem and Brooklyn amongst other places...

We were based on Fifth avenue, a minute or so from Central Park.

Try and fit in a visit to Coney Island on the underground if time allows...