Bruce, did you say you like the Doubletree Inn in NY and the location is great? I want to stay someplace where I will feel comfortable walking around by myself at all hours. Maybe that is impossible, but at least until bedtime.
If I may chime in here too...
The Doubletree is, as DR Noel mentioned, right smack in Times Square. -If you get one of the #00, or #01 rooms, your windows look right out onto Times Square. When I was there last year, Bernadette Peters was waving her GYPSY hands at me everytime I looked out my window. It's a very convenient location if you want to walk around Times Square.
I've stated before that I prefer the Skyline Hotel over on 50th and 10th. Not too far from all the action of Times Square, and there are some nice restaurants and cafe along 9th Ave in that neighborhood. And it's nice and quiet at night with no bright neon lights sneaking through your curtains at night. *And if you get a room in the newly remodeled wing, there's a nice view of the Empire State Building. **And they also have a rooftop pool which is nice - and also has great views of the city. It all really depends upon how much walking you want to do.
There are a few small hotels in Chelsea and the Village you may want to look into, but some of their rates have started to creep up to the usual mid-town rates further up the island. And depending upon how late you stay up and walk around, parts of Chelsea and the Village can feel a bit sketchy at times.
The Doubletree does have some deals, but the rooms usually start at $199/night - plus the 17% NYC occupancy tax. Or whatever the tax rate is. It is an older hotel by current New York standards, but all the rooms are suites, and they have a small wet bar set up in each room with a mini-fridge and a small counter. You truly are paying for the location.
When are you planning on going up? The rates in New York really start to climb around this time of year due to the Fall Shopping season. And then just keep climbing as you get closer to the Holidays.
Times Square is generally safe to walk around at all hours - there's just always people out and about. The East Side has some nice hotels, but since the East Side - at least around the financial district is so 9-to-5 based, there's usually not much to see after the close of the business day.
Oh, and one other option for a reasonably priced room around Times Square is the Broadway Inn Bed & Breakfast. Small, but very serviceable rooms - just make sure NOT to get the one of the nightclub/bar - AAARGGGHHH!!! Nice friendly staff too. I believe it's at 46th and 8th -
Sorry I can't remember exactly where it is right now.
Now, if you really want to splurge, I'd suggest the newly renovated Omni Berkshire Place on the East Side, or the Mandarian Oriental in the new Time-Warner complex - at least two(!) plasma TVs in each room!
