Hotel 17...

My favourite place to stay in the Big Apple is Hotel 17. A quaint little hotel tucked about two blocks from Union Square in the East Village and within a block or two of a subway station, Hotel 17 is a unique and budget-friendly place to stay. The decor is chic and funky and it is easy to see why Woody Allen chose to film the Manhattan Murder Mystery on site. The rooms are very clean, and at an average price of $100/night for a double room with a shared bath, it is a steal in the heart of the Big Apple! I have stayed at this hotel twice, and loved it just as much the second time around. Website: http://www.hotel17ny.com/
Carla, Edmonton, Canada

Hotel 17 is the best place to stay in New York - on 17th Street near 3rd Ave, it's clean, affordable and funky. The bathrooms are down the hall, but if you're a seasoned budget traveller, you know this is a great trade-off for a great deal! Website at: http://www.hotel17ny.com/
P.S. Another favorite place of mine is the Village Guest House in the middle of Greenwich Village between 6th and 7th Aves - near lots of restaurants, subway, etc. There is a four-night minimum stay - choices of rooms including a two bedroom loft. Website: http://villageguesthouse.net
Joan, Mill Bay, Canada

Marmara Manhattan...

My favorite place to stay in NYC is the Marmara Manhattan located on the stylish, historic Upper East Side of Manhattan (301 East 94th Street). It's much homier than regular hotel rooms, especially for stays longer than a couple of days. The staff is also excellent -- perfect for a woman on business. I may live here in New York, but I recommend this hotel to everyone who needs a place to stay (when my own home isn't available). Website: http://www.marmara-manhattan.com/
Nancy, New York City, USA

Doubletree Suites...

Surprisingly, my favorite hotel in New York City is the Doubletree Suites in Times Square. This chain hotel is centrally located, has an excellent security system downstairs to keep out the mass of humanity that is looking for a bathroom in Times Square, an affordable quality restaurant (not too large) with a full service bar, and amazing views. If you ask for a high level floor, you don't even need to go to the top of the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center for that birds eye view of NYC's big apple. This central location allows you to regroup during your day in NYC. Click here for their website.
Barrie, Lawrenceville, USA

The Belvedere Hotel...

My favorite place to stay in New York is hands-down The Belvedere at 319 W. 38th St. Their phone number is 212.245.7000. The location is fabulous - close to Times Square and the theater district, but tucked away on a side street just a block off of Broadway. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and one of the best features is that every room has a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker! They also feature a lot of items important to the female traveler - full-sized ironing board and iron, hair dryer, a safe, and excellent bath products. I have stayed there several times and never been disappointed.
Website: http://www.belvederehotelnyc.com
Libby, Milwaukee, USA

The Larchmont Hotel...

My out of town friends swear by The Larchmont Hotel in Greenwich Village (www.larchmonthotel.com) - the rooms are small and the bathrooms are shared but all are clean. If you're planning on spending most of your time outside of the hotel anyway, it's a good deal (it used to start at $80 or $99 per night, depending on whether it was a weeknight or weekend, which is phenomenal for NYC) and includes complimentary breakfast.
Marilyn, New Jersey, USA

My favourite New York hotel is the Larchmont Hotel. My reasons include the reasonable nightly rate, close proximity to several subway lines, great bagel place around the corner (Murray's Bagels), an interesting nearby coffee place (Jack's Coffee), beautiful treed street. A great place to stay! Website: http://www.larchmonthotel.com.
Diane, Saint John, Canada

At Home in New York...

In my opinion the best New York B&B has to be found at At Home in New York, a bed and breakfasr reservation service. I celebrated my 80th birthday by giving myself two weeks in New York City, and this wonderful site found me an ideal place, from the standpoint of location (Upper West Side), cost (under $100), and specific requirements (private bed and bath). It meant a lot to me to have safe, secure accommodation within easy walking distance/good public transport to several major museums, Central Park, Lincoln Center, theaters, and many wonderful shops and restaurants. I am planning to return for my 81st.
P.S. Forgot to mention the owner provided a marvelous breakfast each morning, tailored to my requirements which she requested by e-mail a couple of weeks before I arrive. How thoughtful was that! Website: www.athomeny.com
Polly, Sydney, Australia

Bonus! Dim sum in New York City...

Yesterday I joined my family at Dim Sum Go Go, 5 East Broadway, New York, NY 10038. We were 12 adults (including teenagers and one five year old) plus a baby at a long table in the rear of the restaurant. Though my daughter and her husband know this this place well, it was my first visit. As the consummate native New Yorker, I have eaten in many local restaurants, and I would rate this as excellent, especially for those who prefer simplicity to grandeur.

First, from a printed menu we selected an assortment of individual fried, baked, steamed rice rolls, steamed, vegetable dim sum; the restaurant also offers 10 pc. platters, plus desserts. We also ordered other food. Instead of the usual heavily fried chunks of vegetables, chicken in most Chinese restaurants, we ate diced and slivered selections with light sauces. The waiters were very patient and helpful, and one remained at the table to assemble the ingredients for Peking Duck for each person. The restaurant is in one room, medium-sized, not noisy, and clean. Located near Chinatown's Chatham Square, it is easy to find. Telephone: (212) 732-0797.
Shirley, New York City, USA