On The Ave is in a great location, and they're currently running a sale via their TripAdvisor page. You might want to browse through their reviews though, which run the gamut.

The nearby Beacon gets much better reviews. A friend stayed there so I got to see the rooms, which are big, clean, and come with a kitchen. That would be my pick. Other nearby hotels to consider are the Belleclaire, Milburn, Excelsior. About a mile up Broadway is the Newton, a budget alternative.

Regarding tipping, I generally tip $2 a bag, and I leave $5 a day for housekeeping. Tipping in restaurants and taxis is 15-20%.