Originally Posted by
wiredboy10003
Jonathan, I know you don't go out late very much so the location works for you. I just think maybe JeauxBleaux can find something a little more centrally located. Short of taking the subway, a taxi coming home late at night from Chelsea or Hell's Kitchen could be $15 a pop.
took the words right out of my mouth....
To the OP, If you plans are to be "touristy" and to go out every night, you're going to want to be somewhere more central then the FiDi or Brooklyn. Otherwise you will be blowing a ton on money on taxis over the course of your 8 day trip. And also, although the FiDi is perking up a bit now at night, it is relatively dead compared to the rest of the city so you'll really only be sleeping there....not much else to do during the evening in those parts. Brooklyn, FiDi, Battery Park, etc. are all great places you should put on your list to visit while you are in town, but you may find them inconvenient to base yourself out of those areas.
I like the recommendation of the GEM hotel, which has locations in Chelsea, "Soho" (really the East Village/LES) and Midtown West at good values (under $200). You also may want to check out The Jane, which is on the far west side of the Village, but still very accessible, and offers many different levels of accommodation (e.g. tiny "cabins" at $99 or so).