Going to New York for the first time, where abouts should I stay?

[newyorknewyorkk]

I'm going to New York for the first time in January next year, and have been trying to look for where to stay. I'm going with a friend, and we'll be doing the typical tourist things as it's both of our first times visiting. We were thinking near Times Square as it seems pretty central, but I've read a few posts on Mumsnet saying not to stay in Midtown.

We don't want to spend too much, we found a hotel in Midtown for £690 for 6 nights in a package deal with BA, so ideally want something around that kind of price if possible. Ideally, we would want two separate twin beds rather than sharing but it seems like not many hotels in NY offer this, especially within our budget.

Does anyone have any recommendations of either general areas to look at, or specific hotel recommendations? Thank you in advance

we used to go a lot as my husband had a lot of work trips there.we always stayed at a budget hotel near times square. I think it's a holiday inn. not fancy but clean very good area to reach everything else and a good reasonably priced place on the ground floor for breakfast.
his office changed and is now way downtown not as good fir tourists TBH i no longer go with him as I just find it soo expensive.

I wouldn't stay in Times Square, we stayed on the Upper east side I think, very close to Central Park and the subway was a short walk away. Much more relaxed than midtown area.

Assuming you are both able bodied, Manhattan is surprisingly walkable so you don’t need to be right next to anything. Personally I dislike Times Square itself but find the area near Central Station/Chrysler building convenient or Tribeca also has a nice quiter vibe. Look for somewhere near a subway station and you’ll be fine. Most “typical” toilet US hotels have two beds so not sure what you are finding? Check your bed terminology as single not a common term. Have fun!

Midtown is a good area to stay, because it's in the middle so easy to get uptown, downtown, change subway lines, etc. It's not the most characterful or attractive area of Manhattan, but it is handy and £690 for 6 nights accommodation is a very good price.

The Upper East Side is more attractive, although tbh I'm not a huge fan and the subway lines are much more limited up there so it will longer to get around. I think you'll be fine staying in Midtown OP, particularly as this is your first time and you'll want to do lots of exploring.

I would stay in midtown.

What is the name of the hotel?

January will be freezing cold. Work out where you want to go and stay within the central zone if that’s handy for the majority. Just off Times Square would be ok but check subway and rides to what you want to see. 911 and Brooklyn Bridge would be a hike. Upper East side ok for Met Museum and Central Park but little else.

The hotel sounds too cheap! What are reviews like? Get a guide book like Lonely Planet and plan your days. The $/£ will be horrendous and don’t forget tax is extra snd tips are double the tax. It’s an expensive place!

Been twice, stayed in Washington square which was very handy and near Times Square which was excellent location.

Washington Square Park is 8th Steet. Nowhere near Times Square. Washington Square hotel is nearby.

We have just come back this week and stayed in Midtown near to Times Square. Was absolutely fine. We used the subway a lot and did ALL the tourist things on our list (pretty 'normal NY tourist list I suspect!) in three days but was advised not to use subway at night. To be honest we went out very early (7:30-8:30ish) and were knackered and back in hotel room pretty early each evening.

We had a great time.

Is that £690 including flights? It sounds too his to be true, which hotel is it? I'd check it out on Trip Advisor first.

Midtown is OK, but I would avoid the area around Port Authority.

£690 for 6 nights! That place must be not very nice or an amazing deal. That's crazy cheap for NYC!

Thats a very cheap price for six nights, have you checked the hotel reviews? January is cheap but that’s exceptionally cheap. I’ve been in January before, it is bitter but pack thermals and waterproof boots and you’ll be fine.

I don’t mind midtown because it’s convenient but I did stay in a hotel next to the Parole office and that felt a bit dodgy. Someone did point out it was probably the safest block in NY though.

I think Midtown is fine for your first stay In NYC. I've been twice, first time was near the public library, v close to Times Square, and was perfect (Andaz Hotel if interested, but won't be cheap!). Second time we stayed in the Financial District. It was a Easter weekend, so really quiet, and that was re-elected in pricing! Beautiful hotel, and easy enough to use the subway to get around.

I stayed in Midtown for my first NYC trip this year and didn't regret it. I was closer towards Central Park than Times Square which people say to avoid and had no issues at all. Most importantly the hotel was 5 minute walk to a well connected subway with multiple lines which made getting around so easy and I hadn't realised how valuable I would find this beforehand.

All that being said I seemed to gravitate towards Soho and Greenwich Village areas, and that's where I would stay next time. I feel they are still close to the main sightseeing areas for a first timer.

Midtown is a good location to stay for your first ever visit. Being near Times Square is fine, Ignore the snobbery on here. It's a bit like staying near Leicester Square. Lots of people will sneer and tell you it's awful and so busy and noisy but it's what a lot of tourists want to experience, especially on their first ever visit.

You can get some good deals with BA Holidays for NYC, including some hefty hotel discounts if your timing is right and you know what you're looking for. Just always check back to TripAdvisor before you book just to be on the safe side. Also make sure you check the small print of the hotel deal before you book as a lot of NYC are now charging a resort fee on top of the advertised cost (so you pay extra at the hotel, on top of what you'll pay BA). This can easily add an $30/day on to your stay.

Jan will be cold but it can be a good time to visit as its much quieter - and if you're lucky you can catch the tail end of the sales. Although with the current FX rate, bargains will be hard to find.

We stayed a couple of blocks from grand central station, location was perfect. Hotel was St Giles The Tuscany.

midtown is fine, some people are too snobby about the area
depends where in midtown as long as the hotel is close enough to subway lines then its a good location

January in NYC is freezing, can easily be -10 degrees and colder with the windchill, so it probably the quietest month of the year in terms of visiting so theres a lot of deals to be had

Greenwich Village, we usually stay at The Marlton.

Midtown is the right place to stay for a first time visitor. The rates can be excellent in the dead of winter (as you can see). For subsequent visits, somewhere like Chelsea seems like a good bet from my point of view. Hudson's Yards seems to have a few good options nowadays. UWS if you are a museum person.

Midtown is huge! It’s not just Times Square. That isn’t a square! Be near transport and what you want to see. Central Park to 911 is a stretch!

Soho is my favourite but not a first timer location. It’s got a great neighbourhood vibe though. As I said earlier: map out what you went up see and go from there!!

Have been several times (and just back a few days from most recent trip).
I personally don't think it overly matters hugely where you stay in Manhattan - the subway gets you everywhere easily.
We stayed in Lower Manhattan this time (Financial District) as we found a reasonable deal on a hotel. It was surprisingly nice actually.
Midtown is fine.
But I definitely preferred staying in Chelsea, West Village and Soho areas.
They just have a nicer vibe about them and are nicer areas to be in imo near your hotel when you're not sightseeing.

this is not answering your question about accommodation, but I found that everything was much more crowded in NY over the weekend. Obvious really, but I vowed if I ever went again I would go Mon - Fri and have more space and less queuing

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I'd avoid Times Square. It's possibly the worst bit of Manhattan and the only part where I felt (was there in august) that I really needed to keep my wits about me.

Almost anywhere else is fine. Around the Flatiron/Empire State/Central Station all good places and accessible to everything.