Please recommend me a good budget hotel in NYC.

[Papersen]

I`ll be staying in Manattan for a week by the end of March.
Since I`ll be going with my wife and toddler (18 months old) I need a clean, simple hotel.

My basic requirements are:

- Well located (close to a Metro Station)
- Under $200 per night
- Family friendly, not business oriented
- Private bathroom

Until now, my favs are Gershwin Hotel and Murray Hill Inn.

[Tony G]

If I could make a suggestion, how about staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Secaucus, NJ. There is a bus stop right out side the hotel that takes you right to the Port Authority terminal. The nightly rate should be well under $200, and is MUCH nicer than anything actually in Manhattan for that price.

http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi...tyhocn=EWRSCGI

[vbsurfer3001]

I was just going to suggest Jersey, take a PATH train in and then use the subway to get around, no need to pay Manhattan prices...

[Ed Fuqua]

I always recommend the Gershwin Hotel, but there's a bucnh of DOUBLETREE, BEST WESTERN etc chains that are around. If you see something that the price looks right (website wise) lemme know where itis and I'll tell you about the neighborhood...

[MakiSupaStar]

Look in Brooklyn.

[NJL]

I always stay in Hotel Edison... cute little place.

[Papersen]

Originally Posted by Tony G

If I could make a suggestion, how about staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Secaucus, NJ. There is a bus stop right out side the hotel that takes you right to the Port Authority terminal. The nightly rate should be well under $200, and is MUCH nicer than anything actually in Manhattan for that price.

http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi...tyhocn=EWRSCGI

Nice suggestion.
The point is that since I`ll be walking around the city during the whole day don`t know if it`s a good option to begin / end the day. My main concern is obviously the practicity to carry my toddler around the city.

How long does it take to get there from Manhattan ?

Edit: Forget my question, I`ve just read it`s 15 minutes away.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Papersen

Nice suggestion.
The point is that since I`ll be walking around the city during the whole day don`t know if it`s a good option to begin / end the day. My main concern is obviously the practicity to carry my toddler around the city.

How long does it take to get there from Manhattan ?

Depending on traffic, it was about 15-30 minutes. I have my first child on the way, and it is very likely that I will visit NYC many more times and take the kid along. I will likely continue to stay at this hotel, as I guess I don't see what the concern is that you see. Could you explain?

[MakiSupaStar]

Brooklyn. Near J-Street. I think it's a Hilton. Right across the street from the courthouse. Two stations within walking distance that allow you to take the train into Manhatten. If you get stuck too late in Manhatten (which i doubt with a toddler) cab fare is reasonable too.

[Papersen]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Depending on traffic, it was about 15-30 minutes. I have my first child on the way, and it is very likely that I will visit NYC many more times and take the kid along. I will likely continue to stay at this hotel, as I guess I don't see what the concern is that you see. Could you explain?

I imagined that coming back to the hotel from 5 to 7 PM would be easier withing a walking distance than taking public transportation, mainly considering I`ll be taking a baby carrier and some other stuff.

[5andFretless]

Originally Posted by Papersen

I imagined that coming back to the hotel from 5 to 7 PM would be easier withing a walking distance than taking public transportation, mainly considering I`ll be taking a baby carrier and some other stuff.

Nope, Walking will be just as bad as taking the Metro, and the Metro runs 24/7.

I live on Long Island and work in the City. I have never taken a cab anywhere for any reason. Stay anywhere in Metro NY with in walking distance of a LIRR, Path, Subway, or Bus Stop (although I don't recommend buses) and there is no difference from staying in Times Square, except for the time you set on something to get there.

All trains (PATH and LIRR) go to Penn Station and/or Grand Central Station. 6 subways go through Penn, at least that many go through GCS, and they connect to every other subway in some manner or another. Every station has a color coded map that shows routes and streets.

To find a hotel, find a prospect, then go the google maps and type in the address. The subway and train stations will be shown on the map. There is even a google map hack that shows the subways in detail somewhere.

PM me and we can discuss it in even more detail. I can even give you my phone as an emergency contact, just in case you get yourself somewhere that you shouldn't be.

Mark

[Sir Edward V]

Budget? NYC? blasphemy!

P.S. I thought your name said papsmear

[Papersen]

Originally Posted by 5andFretless

Nope, Walking will be just as bad as taking the Metro, and the Metro runs 24/7.

I live on Long Island and work in the City. I have never taken a cab anywhere for any reason. Stay anywhere in Metro NY with in walking distance of a LIRR, Path, Subway, or Bus Stop (although I don't recommend buses) and there is no difference from staying in Times Square, except for the time you set on something to get there.

All trains (PATH and LIRR) go to Penn Station and/or Grand Central Station. 6 subways go through Penn, at least that many go through GCS, and they connect to every other subway in some manner or another. Every station has a color coded map that shows routes and streets.

To find a hotel, find a prospect, then go the google maps and type in the address. The subway and train stations will be shown on the map. There is even a google map hack that shows the subways in detail somewhere.

PM me and we can discuss it in even more detail. I can even give you my phone as an emergency contact, just in case you get yourself somewhere that you shouldn't be.

Mark

Thanks a lot Mark.
I appreciate your help. I`ll probably PM you sometime later.

I`m seriously considering the NJ option. I just gotta make sure that I`ll be finishing my day there, cause I don`t think I`ll make the trip back to Manhattan late at night.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Papersen

I`m seriously considering the NJ option. I just gotta make sure that I`ll be finishing my day there, cause I don`t think I`ll make the trip back to Manhattan late at night.

If you do decide to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Secaucus, NJ as I recommended, just make sure to ask the front desk for the directions on taking the bus to Manhattan and back. Last time I was there they had these little paper cards with the detailed bus info about which bus number to catch into Manhattan, and which bus number to catch back. The first time I went, I wasn't aware that you don't take the same bus number back to the hotel as you do to get into Manhattan. Luckily the bus driver on the way back was nice enough to explain our error and make a special stop for us at our hotel. It was embarassing, but we made it back safely and the bus driver was really very nice about the whole thing.

[Barkless Dog]

NJ

[Papersen]

Originally Posted by Tony G

If you do decide to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Secaucus, NJ as I recommended, just make sure to ask the front desk for the directions on taking the bus to Manhattan and back. Last time I was there they had these little paper cards with the detailed bus info about which bus number to catch into Manhattan, and which bus number to catch back. The first time I went, I wasn't aware that you don't take the same bus number back to the hotel as you do to get into Manhattan. Luckily the bus driver on the way back was nice enough to explain our error and make a special stop for us at our hotel. It was embarassing, but we made it back safely and the bus driver was really very nice about the whole thing.

I`ve been reading many reviews about this and other hotels these days. This Hilton seems like the best in terms of quality/price.

The only thing that worries me a bit is location and comments like this:

"The only bad point has already been mentionned by other contributers. If you return from Manhattan the bus will drop you at Home Depot. It's only a 3-5 minutes walk to the hotel but you need to cross a large street with a lot of traffic and walk along the street without any lights at night. So watch your step."

... the bus from New York drops you at the other side of a road the width of the M1, luckily we always came back after 9pm when there was hardly any traffic so we didn't have a problem but I wouldn't like to cross it at rush hour.

If you are not in good walking health or have young children, you may want to consider another hotel as crossing the main street to get to the hotel often involves jogging between traffic

It`s not a big thing but I wonder how risky it could be with a toddler.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Papersen

I`ve been reading many reviews about this and other hotels these days. This Hilton seems like the best in terms of quality/price.

The only thing that worries me a bit is location and comments like this:

"The only bad point has already been mentionned by other contributers. If you return from Manhattan the bus will drop you at Home Depot. It's only a 3-5 minutes walk to the hotel but you need to cross a large street with a lot of traffic and walk along the street without any lights at night. So watch your step."

... the bus from New York drops you at the other side of a road the width of the M1, luckily we always came back after 9pm when there was hardly any traffic so we didn't have a problem but I wouldn't like to cross it at rush hour.

If you are not in good walking health or have young children, you may want to consider another hotel as crossing the main street to get to the hotel often involves jogging between traffic

It`s not a big thing but I wonder how risky it could be with a toddler.

I know it sounds like a hassel, but I honestly don't remember it being bad at all. As mentioned, in the evening hours the traffic is pretty calm. The only time it really busy is during the week days mostly during rush hour times. There are a couple of other hotels in this area if this is really a deal killer for you. I just happen to really prefer the Hilton Garden Inn chain. I use them all the time for work travel (as well as vacations), and they are very clean, modern, and comfortable.