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!

@Narwhaleahoy we also loved the hotel Beacon. Really calm area, kitchenette so we could reduce cost of food by buying from Wayfair supermarket opposite and eating some meals in. We've been this summer and loved it but eating out was very expensive, 5-6 dollars for a coffee etc. Subway five minutes walk from hotel and felt very safe indeed. Didn't like Times Square, only place I felt uncomfortable.

Is that the one that is over the High Line? That’s a place to visit too - but get a guide to what you can see from up there - it’s really interesting.

Yes Times Sqaure - grotty, smelly, noisy and full of tatty-costumed Elmos and supermen characters handing out leaflets/trying to get you to buy a photo taken with them. Leicester square x a million.

I guess it’s worth a walk through to have a look - but try early morning!

Like pp we stayed in the Hilton Garden in midtown. We had the Empire State building right outside our window. It was relatively cheap, quite small rooms (common for New York) but great for a base and a comfy bed.

I've been three times, and would also say do mid town for a first visit. I would be very comfortable now to stay off the beaten track but not the first visit.

We've been and seen pretty much everything from Brooklyn to the Bronx, two Yankees games, two Broadway shows, dinner in the Rainbow Rooms at Top of the the Rock, all the regular tourist sights, been on the Staten Island Ferry, hired bikes in central park and watched Pride and the celebration of 50 years of Stonewall (if only I knew then what I do now 🙄) and all have been easily accessible from mid town.

We have stayed at The Empire, The Park Central and what was called Thirty Thirty (30, East 30th Street) but I think it has closed down. Park Central was my favourite location.

What was the favourite thing you've done?

We love the high line.

Metropolitan Museum of Art was amazing and Statue of Liberty (with plinth access pre-booked) was fun.

Just back. Highline was great, Brooklyn Bridge and shore areas of Dumbo( Juliana’s pizza is worth a visit), bike round Central Park cheaply. Walk along the waterside at Battery Park. The buses are air conditioned and cheap and felt safer than the subways. Take much more money than you think. Food and drink is expensive.

We stayed in financial district which was quieter and cleaner than midtown. Plus close to the water which is lovely for a walk in Battery Park.