I have read the sticky and a lot of threads in this forum and now need some advice from those in the know.

First trip to NYC, will be there for 3 nights in either June or July (am I crazy going in July?). No hotel preferences with regards to chains and am willing to do the priceline thing to keep it in the $200-$300/night range but I don't know what neighborhoods to look in. I have read about the horrors of Times Square/midtown area but it does have the walkability factor going for it. I may be alone (woman) or husband might come along so the ability to walk home from a subway station by myself is a must. Just want to do all the usual touristy stuff so near a subway line which will get me around quickly and easily. Don't want to vote myself off the island so no Brooklyn, Bronx or LI City, even though I have read good things here about the latter. If you know a great hotel in LIC, you might convince me.

What neighborhoods should I focus on as I start the hotel search? And if you have any hidden gem hotels you want to pass on, I am all ears. Clean, safe and bedbug free are the only musts. Small rooms are expected - I used to work on a cruise ship so I know from small. Don't need a lot of facilities like bar, restaurant, gym etc. as all that is out there in the city. So a nice boutique hotel would be great but I am open to anything you have to suggest, even if it turns out that a generic, white bread, Holiday Inn in a great NY neighborhood is what you all say. I am not purposely trying to be vague but I truly am open to the experience and want to hear about those cool, hidden places you only tell your friends about. Thanks to all for any advice.