don't do so much scag you don't know what you're doing then stab your girlfriend up.

Sorry I couldn't resist.

I have heard it is all gentrified and full of ghastly hipsters (as opposed to the actually hip) these days, but only heard that third hand so don't take it as gospel.

- liked it plenty. Had a look in the lobby of the Chelsea - very bohemian, I liked it, also good for history the Algonquin and the Iroquois, though, again, I've never been further than the lobby.

... 3 weeks ago. Had an absolute blast. When I'm finished my 'work' for the night online (this is a distraction) I'll send you some info which you can choose to ignore if you want. I was there for a similar length of time as you will be. Never saw half of what I wanted to see before I went, but saw a milion other amazing things.

I'll be in touch...

- but stay elsewhere.

Where exactly depends on budget and where you want to be in the city. The Gramercy Park is cool - and in a great laid back area.

Staying across the river in Hoboken is a great budget option - great views of Manhattan and a cheap ferry to get there. Pain in the arse to get back to late night though.

Mid/high-range - Hotel Rivington is light, airy and tres hip. Great Lower East side location too.

If budget is less of an issue - the W and the Mercer do what they do very well. If money is no object - then Essex House.

However, if you're not fixated on a particular hotel and can be fairly flexible on location you can get some seriously good deals on t'web at mo.

about 10 years ago. It was awful, but great. Sid, Leonard, Janice, two Dylans - I was happy just to sleep under that roof. But be warned, a roof is just about all you get.

Mrs Underpants was bloody furious. No sense of history, my missus.

Never stay anywhere historic in NYC because they'll take the piss out of you. Last time I was there I stayed across the Hudson in the Sheraton, Weehawken and I would do it again. It has the following going for it:
* A view of Manhattan, which you don't get in Manhattan
* It's a lot cheaper
* YOu can take the regular waterbus across the Hudson to the City.
* Sully Sulberger regularly lands passenger jets outside your window.
* Genuine Sopranos ambience in the bar overlooking the water
* If Weehawken was good enough for Sinatra, it's good enough for me.
* Here's your view.

… The Chelsea Lodge is very good value ($129 a night). But book as soon as you can.

my source says the Chelsea is mostly uber-rich Eurotrash now, and would be incredibly expensive; he recommends the Bowery instead which is "really nice".

the Chelsea - can't really comment, though.

Last stayed in 'On The Ave', Upper West Side, which was good - can't remember how much it was. The UWS is worth more than a look - it has an 'urban village' feel about it but is within walking distance of Times Square, if you're so inclined. We were across the road from the wonderful Manhattan Diner and the unforgettable Big Nick's Burger Joint, which is all the NY you really need. All that and Seinfeld too ...

I also recommend some places in Jersey City. You can also get to Manhattan very quickly with the PATH train and it's a city that's improving a lot.

(Oops this was agreeing with Mr Hepworth)

I would recommend serviced apartments in Hoboken.
I spent some time one summer living above Pier Platters record store (it's a restaurant now) in the town of Sinatra's birth and would often just go on the roof with a few scoops just to look at the view, magical.
You're only a few stops away from downtown on the PATH, as Dai says.
The magnificent Maxwell's is also there with great shows and the chance to bump into Steve Buscemi as we did more than once. (Just checked the shows for November - Glenn Tilbrook, Fiery Furnaces, Laura Viers. December/ Jan - The Wrens, Brendan Benson & Roky Erickson)
Beer's cheaper and you can smoke there too, if you care for that.
Always Jersey for me.

less history - but fantastic value -
http://secaucus.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/place/index.jsp
my wife and kids recently stayed here - 4 of them in a room for $99 - 10 mins bus ride to the Port Authority

really helpful, thanks one and all. Any further comments gratefully recieved.