Hmmm, depending on your budget . . . I like The Benjamin, right around 50th and Lexington. Or the W Hotel, which is on Lexington and 52nd st.

Travelocity or priceline.com...with the warning that there ain't no CHEAP lodging mid-town.

I usually end up at the ramada new yorker which is usually reasonably priced, a little shabby but very handy.

New York Marriott Marquis Times Square is wonderful , overlooking Times Square, but $350-ish.

Were I to go again, I might try the Cosmopolitan Hotel (95 West Broadway, 212-566-1900; www.cosmohotel.com), not in mid-town, but Manhattan is small, take a cab or hop the subway.

Walk in comfortable shoes, with scuffed soles.

Please let us know how it goes, it your unique style.

I had a very pleasant stay a couple of years ago at The Library Hotel. Nice mid-town location (obviously located near the library), boutique type hotel based on books and literary tastes (can you tell I'm a book lover?) Their decorating theme is (tastefully) based on the dewey decimal system - kind of unique. http://www.libraryhotel.com/ Not particularly cheap, but then again it's mid-town Manhattan, so what is? Enjoy your trip!

I just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express a few weeks ago for work (and no, I didn't think I could suddenly drive a subway train). It was on w29th between 7 and 8. It's nothing special, but the hotel is brand new, the rooms were a decent size and very clean and it's pretty centrally located (4 blocks from Penn Station.) I think rooms ran between 225 and 250 a night. And if it means anything, Biricchino is in the same block. (the restaurant of one of the best sausage makers and meat-curers in the country)

I live in Midtown! You can come stay with me if you don't mind the fact that we have to move by May 31st and will be packing up all our crap for the next few weeks (unless, of course, you're coming after June 1st, in which case we'll be unpacking all our crap). =)

Otherwise, I would look on craigslist for a sublet. Totally the best way to feel like you're part of a city, and not just a tourist.

I'm pretty sure I stayed at a hotel on a corner in midtown. It was either on the north side, or maybe the south. I don't really remember, but it had a revolving door, a pretty receptionist, and the towels in the bathroom were juuuust big enough to dry you off (but not big enough to want to steal). The continental breakfast was ok. Anyway, I'm sure you'll find it. Good luck!

I love The Michelangelo (51st between 6th & 7th). I've always gotten really good rates using Quikbook.com.

We stayed at the Park Central hotel last year. It's on 7th and 57th, right across the street from Carnegie Hall. It wasn't super fancy, but it was very nice and clean, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

The Pod Hotel is new, hip, & super cheap. http://thepodhotel.com/

I love the Soho Grand - 310 West Broadway. Not in midtown. But close to lots of great restaurants and clubs.

Ah, Manhattan hotels. Not cheap, and there are so many of them. Midtown is perhaps the most expensive part of town, but if you can get in, the members only Club Quarters has rates around $100/night for perfectly nice rooms (check with your alumni ass'n to see if they're members, that's how I got in). Otherwise there's On The Ave. on 76th - a bit uptown, but a great neighborhood and much cheaper as well as the Lucerne in the same neighborhood. Otherwise, the Hilton (50th and 5th) sometimes has reasonable rates, and there are lots of little hotels around Times Square that aren't too bad (see the Crowne Plaza).

I'm a Manhattanite, so feel free to email if you want more info.

Hmmm, I usually just bring a blanket and once there, locate a nice box. Oh, and don't forget the pickle in a jar.

Biggles

We were just there at the beginning of March, got a killer rate ($159) at the Affinia Manhattan (affinia.com) through hotels.com. It was an excellent bargain, not luxury, but we weren't there for the hotel room - much better than the Hotel Pennsylvania, where we stayed last time. It's kitty corner from Madison Square Garden, by the Garment District, a few blocks from Times Square.

I like the W hotels. Midtown on Lex or Time Sq.
There is a Doubletree on Lex in the 40's or 50's that is nice.
Its NYC so its pricey!
I live here so Im used to the $$!

My husband, a native New Yorker, suggests the Algonquin Hotel.

I stay at the Hiton Newark, Penn Station- just over $100 a night, sign up for Hilton Honors online and get upgraded to club level..

It's right across the river in NJ...

The PATH train next door at Penn Station is about $1.25 and drops you off 3-4 places in Midtown

The Algonquin (on 44th near Grand Central and walking distance from Penn Station)is quaint and on club row. Also situated in midtown is the Radisson Martinique(Broadway & 34th) which was once the Hotel Atlantique and has a very cool lobby and fairly nice rooms- much better than the Hotel Pennsylvania (a hole!).

I like the Marriot in midtown on Lexington at 52nd. The rooms are surprisingly large for a hotel in the city, and it's close to everything.

just stayed at the Hudson on 58th or 59th last week right near central park (like one block). Very shi-shi and hip. It was probably pricey - but, yeah it's midtown and work paid for it!

I've stayed at the Affinia Manhattan. Excellent value if you want a little kitchenette and enough space to cram about 4 people in.

I recommend the washington square hotel -- reasonable and great neighborhood.

Also highly recommend the Sheraton in Jersey City -- the most incredible views of Manhattan from your room and an easy water taxi to mid-town. And if you fly into Newark, super convenient.

Going to the Fancy Food show? I always stay in a condo on 48th betwen 3rd and Madison (or is it Lexington?). Avra, a great Greek seafood place with a very pleasant bar (I bet they make great lemon drops!). You'd have your own kitchen, sitting area, answering machine, etc. And the FFS shuttle has a pick-up/drop-off just 1/2 block away. You can find into at www.bedofrosesnyc.com but the pix on the site are NOT necessarily of the very moderately priced location I am talking about!

Check out the Bellclaire Hotel on W. 77th. Not fancy, but clean and more reasonable then a lot of other places.
Terri

My husband and I were there for our honeymoon last September and we stayed in the Sofitel. It's a luxury hotel in the theater district and just a short walk to Times Square. www.sofitel.com. Where ever you choose to stay have a safe trip and have fun!