I'll plug a hotel I was really tempted to try for a few nights on a recent trip before I ended up using a hotel award and it's the Pod39 Hotel which as the name suggests is built around a small room or pod concept so good thing small rooms don't scare you off.

The July rates for single start at a really low $155 or $205 for double and the location within blocks of Grand Central is very good and gets you out of the Midtown madness while still being close enough to walk to it. The roof top lounge also has a great skyline views. The renovations to the building were done quite recently so it isn't an old hotel and I really was tempted to stay in the winter when the rates were hovering around $100/night for a single room.

That's my suggestion FWIW and hope it helps.