New York accomodation. I'm so overwhelmed

[HEPolicy]

My best friend and I have made a rash last minute decision to head to NY in mid September and I just don't know where to begin.

I've wanted to go for decades but because we're going so soon, have no time to plan and lots of the hotels are booked.

Advice on here is avoid Times Square, and Mid Town. So that leaves Soho/downtown I guess?

We could do a package with BA or Virgin; anyone recommend a good package company for New York?

I'm treating her to the accommodation and can essentially spend as needed but don't want to waste money . Only real requirement is we need a room with two beds, or a suite.

Help! Please!

I've looked recently and struggled to find anywhere less than £300 a night for a twin room no breakfast. That was at your Hilton garden inn type places so nothing special. Hotel prices in NYC are high now.

Midtown by its defination is pretty central so personally i wouldnt discount it.

i usually stay at the holiday inn express on west 36th street, breakfast is included, its a 5 mins walk from macys, empire state, close to about 6 subway lines

We stayed in the financial district and it was great, quick subway to where most of the action was happening but was pretty relieved to leave Times Square when we'd finished what we were doing there, that was a bit overwhelming. Just felt a lot quieter, but close enough to everything else. Also walking distance to Brooklyn bridge, Staten Island ferry and the 9/11 museum.

Stay in Jersey city downtown - easy train over the river (PATH) that goes downtown or mid - lots of great restaurants and bars in pedestrian area that is easy walking. A lot cheaper and you get to see real NJ/NYC life.

i always get an Airbnb in Brooklyn, it’s a great neighbourhood and easy access to Manhattan.

Look at the Shelburne Sonesta, it’s mid town, close to Grand Central and quieter than time square.
loads of nice restaurants nearby too. We had a great experience there

Head to the upper West Side. The Empire hotel and the Arthouse are both nice. Used to live in that area and that’s where we stay when we visit every year.

Shelburne is consistently good: www.affinia.com/shelburne-hotel-suites/
It's not a very glamorous neighbourhood but safe and quiet and the location works for us (near the 35th st ferry). It's near Grand Central Station and the Morgan Museum (which has an excellent cafe): www.themorgan.org

We usually stay in the Park Lane (right on the bottom of Central Park). It’s nice, clean, good location.

I've always stayed in Midtown and loved it, so I wouldn't rule it out!

And check out Virgin Atlantic for flights.

We liked financial district. Loads going on. Plus used to get subway up to central and walk back the way. Worked well

Have a look at Long Island City, just across the river. It's very quick to get back to midtown on the subway (5 mins or so) but you get a lot more for your money than in Manhattan. We had a view of the Manhattan skyline from our room and also liked that it was a calm walk to the subway rather than emerging into the bustle straight away.

This is not helping me, you're widening options

Upper West Side is my recommendation too. Lovely places to eat that are reasonably priced compared with the more tourist trap areas.

I don’t know why anyone would say avoid Midtown!

If you’re on a budget look at Tui for packages.

It’s quite bustle and noisy there. It’s a very walkable city, so we prefer to be slightly ‘off’ the main bustling areas (we live in central London so are used to noise and crowds). The Park Lane has cityscape or park view rooms - we once for a room on the corner and had both views - amazing!

My friend and I stayed in the midtown moxy, two double beds, very decent price for NYC very clean and nice style/vibe. We liked it and I found midtown handy

I work in travel, the vast majority choose midtown and to be fair there is good reason to as it's well located for most of the attractions. I always choose midtown myself as like to walk to most places. I agree with avoiding staying in Times Square but even a block off is fine.

We stayed at the Hilton doubletree downtown and it was perfect 👍

We love Murray Hill and stay in a hotel called The Redbury. Would highly recommend it.

We always stay in Times Square

Central location always wins imo

New York is a overwhelming city! Based on your comments, I would seriously recommend Hotel Beacon on Broadway/75th Street. It’s slightly out of the tourist way, but is easily walkable to Times Square and is is only 3 blocks away from the subway. I’ve stayed there and found it perfect (and I’m a very anxious perfectionist!) as it has suites, cooking faculties and an amazing supermarket over the road. We went with Virgin, before Covid, and have started to look to go there again next year, I think Tui/First Choice also offer it.
Wherever you decide, enjoy your trip.

If money was no option it would (for me) be mandarin oriental or 1 hotel Central Park- with park views of course

the great thing about nyc is everywhere is accessible so it doesn’t really matter where you stay, although I’d avoid Times Square it’s not very nice at the moment

enjoy, it’s incredible.