Here are FTF's recommendations for accommodations in New York City with rates under $150/N for a family of four, though prices may go above that during busy times, such as during the summer. These small, but clean hotels and hostels won't take too big a bite out of your family's budget. Consider one of these and save money for shows, sightseeing, and black and white cookies!

Uptown Hotels

Hostelling International
891 Amsterdam Avenue, New York NY 10025
212/932-2300
$
Housed in a fully-restored landmark Victorian building, this location is Hostelling International's largest facility in the United States, with 624 beds in various dormitory style rooms (4, 6-8, and 10-12 bed rooms, with communal bathrooms), along with six family rooms containing a queen bed, bunk beds, refrigerator, television, and a private bathroom. Linens, blankets, and pillows are provided free of charge. Clean, convenient, and very friendly, this American Youth Hostel welcomes travelers from around the world and offers a program of walking tours and an information desk staffed by neighborhood volunteers. A cafe is available, as is a guest laundry, gameroom and a communal kitchen, as well as a large, landscaped outdoor courtyard garden for relaxing or running around. Guest must live 75 miles or more from Manhattan in order to book a bed; rates are $29-$35/N per bed for members and $3/N additional for non-members. The family room rate is $120-$135/N for up to four people.

Coincidentally, the courtyard is adjacent to Family Travel Forum's offices, which are fortunate to be located in this great building. Be sure to stop in and say hello when you are staying here!

Jazz on the Park Hostel
36 West 106th Street, New York NY 10025
212/932-1600
$
This renovated five-story walk-up offers 200 beds in dormitory and private rooms in a clean, comfortable and affordable facility. Located within walking distance of Columbia University and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, this neighborhood has come up, as can be seen by the beautifully restored luxury apartment building next door. Rates including linens and breakfast range from $15-27/N per bed in rooms with 10-12 beds; private rooms cost $65-95/N and $125-200/N with private bath. This hostel welcomes anyone residing outside of New York State.

Amsterdam Inn
340 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street, New York NY 10024
212/579-7500
$
The New York Inns Hotel Group's Upper West Side location is close to Central Park, Lincoln Center, and the Museum of Natural History. Rooms, though small, have maid service, cable TV, and a concierge available around the clock.

Times Square and Chelsea Hotels

Murray Hill Inn
143 East 30th Street, New York NY 10016
212/683-6900
$
This New York Inns-managed hotel is in a renovated five-story walk-up close to the Empire State Building, the United Nations and Macy's. Rooms have daily maid service, cable TV, a multi-lingual staff and 24-hour concierge. Be aware that the rooms are rather small, and there are no adjoining rooms.

The Apple Core Group promotes an affordable line of hotels (see below) in central Manhattan. In December of 2007, the chain finished a long renovation project which has transformed more than 500 hotel rooms in three of their five hotels from old, turn-of-the-19th-century accommodations to modern, comfortable and tech-capable guestrooms with free WiFi and free long distance phone calls. Apple Core properties also offer access to on-site business facilities, and fitness centers featuring the low impact PowerVibe resistance training system. Guests enjoy a free continental breakfast and in-room coffeemakers, cable broadcasting on a 32" LCD flat screen television, refrigerators, microwaves and ironing boards. In addition, all of the furniture, soft goods and hallways were updated in the renovation, making for a friendly and cozy hotel experience. This group of hotels is located within walking distance of the city's greatest attractions, so you can see it all without getting stuck in traffic. All of their hotels, some of which are mentioned below, are midtown.

La Quinta Manhattan
17 West 32nd Street, New York NY 10001
212/736-1600
$
The hotel is conveniently located near Madison Square Garden and steps away from the Empire State Building and Macy's. All rooms have cable TV and free wireless internet, and guests get a complimentary continental breakfast with their room stay. There is also a bar on the roof of the hotel offering drinks and snacks.

Comfort Inn Midtown
129 West 46th Street, New York NY 10036
212/221-2600
$
This hotel is right near Times Square, making it easy to get to the many attractions in that area. It offers free wireless internet and continental breakfast and is the only totally smoke-free of the Apple Core properties. The Comfort Inn also offers reduced rate parking, useful for those driving in to the city, where parking can be expensive.

Super 8 Hotel Times Square
59 W. 46th Street, New York NY 10036
212/719-2300
$
Also located in close proximity to Times Square, the Super 8 is slightly further removed from the busy hub of the city, and is closer to Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. It shares many of the amenities of the other Apple Core hotels listed above, like wireless internet and free continental breakfast.

[Editor's Note: Both the Comfort Inn and Super 8 were recently renovated. The other Apple Core Hotels are the Red Roof Inn Manhattan (6 West 32 Street, New York NY 10001) and the Ramada Inn East Side on 32nd Street (161 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10016).

Downtown Hotels

Union Square Inn
209 East 14th Street, New York NY 10003
212/614-0500)
$
Another New York Inns hotel, this is a five-story walkup, small boutique hotel close to NYU, the East Village and the Flatiron District. All rooms are air-conditioned with private baths, come with continental breakfast, cable TV and maid service. Although this hotel does not include wireless internet in their room rates, they do offer it at $6.95/24 hours.