Beacon Hotel isn't super fancy but has good rates and the location--on the Upper West Side, between 75th and 76th--is perfect for accessing Central Park, Lincoln Center, etc--and it is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square to give you a flavor NYC the way its residents --not tours-ist--experience it! Rooms are relatively small as with all NYC room but a room with a small kitchen is a great choice if you can get it. http://www.beaconhotel.com/ Very safe nieghborhood, not touristy at all.
Here is another UWS hotel: On the Ave, around the corner from the Beacon, 76th St off Broadway. TINY rooms in general but...still good for the budget, clean etc. My friend Ronda stayed here with her daughter...the room was large enough for a bed and that was it! But it was clean and new: http://www.ontheave-nyc.com/
Comfort Inn on 71st off Central Park West is another decent budget option: http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-new_york-new_york-NY209
The Lucerne Hotel: More expensive, very nice, 79th and Amsterdam: http://www.thelucernehotel.com/
If you want to go high end, stay on Central Park South or Central Park West,or in upper midtown 57th St area, not in Times Square.
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