Where to stay in Manhattan?

D&J_052408

Hey ladies!  I'm planning my first trip to NYC in May.  Can anyone give me any tips on areas to avoid when finding a place to stay?  I found a loft for rent through HomeAway and it's located at 7th Avenue between West 27th & West 28th Street.  Do you know anything about this area?  I know that I need to travel safe regardless of where I stay, but I'd like to stay out of a bad area if possible.  Thanks for any help that you can give.

GlowingintheCity

That's not a per se unsafe neigbhorhood, but it's really not the best.  I'd generally avoid staying around Penn Station (34th and 7th), and stay away from Port Authority (40th and 8th) as well.  My parents recently stayed at a budget hotel near Central Park, it was pretty good: http://www.parksavoyhotelny.com/

 good luck!

Liza3394

There are very few 'unsafe' areas right in manhattan. Just areas that aren't as 'touristy' and maybe a bit more 'grungy'.  My ILs have stayed at The Skyline hotel on 49th & 10th in the city. It's actually right in our old neighborhood - we used to live on 49th between 10th & 11th. And trust me - I have walked home in that neighborhood at all hours, sometimes just a tad too tipsy and was never 'bothered'. That being said, it is a big city and you should always use common sense. You are within a few blocks of times square, Rockefeller center and access to all the major subway lines. I'm pretty sure the prices compared to other hotels is very affordable and the hotel is nice. I've been in it as well.

plus - 9th ave (one block away) has tons of restaurants of every kind. You can walk there from Port Authority - but you'd take a subway or cab if you came from Penn Station or Grand Central (also depends on how much luggage you have!)

 

D&J_052408

Thanks for your help!  I've found a few other places.... one is at 235 W. 48th which I'm thinking will be more convenient to everything.  It's at the Ritz Plaza (know anything about it?).  Then I have another on 92nd between Madison and Park.  I think that will be a little far from everything.  I will look into the other 2 that you all suggested.  I'm hoping to find a place that has a kitchen area so we can eat breakfast in and save some money. 

gorjush

the original location you posted is NOT bad- it's right across from FIT. there are tons of people there and it should be totally safe. the only pain might be the fact that it's on an avenue (a main thoroughfare) and not on a side street (hence noisier than usual).

you might also want to look into these places that are in the garment district and located b/w herald square and times square (plus, i think they are brand new):

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/nycws?&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-ex-_-nycws

 

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/NYCMT/main.wnt?cid=ROMLZWYND

 

http://wingatehotelnyc.com/

 

http://thegemhotel.com/midtown/index.iml (there's another location in chelsea)

 

i also just walked by a holiday inn on 45th (i think?) b/w 5th and 6th. might be inexpensive.

 

this hotel is on 8th ave in the 50s, so might be more $ since it's close to times square, but worth a look:

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=NYCMTHX

Nova726

I've actually been working in the area that you originally posted about for 10 years (holy sh!t, it's been 10 years!) and I think it's a great area.  It gets crowded around 5-6 because everybody's trying to get into Penn Station to get home, but otherwise I think it's great.  There's tons of shopping on 34th St and Times Square is only a short walk.