Originally Posted by
nerd
OP, don't be dissuaded from investigating short-term apartment rentals -- there are many legit options, despite the fact that they are technically illegal.
Agree with this comment, so long as caveat emptor like with everything else.
Originally Posted by
ijgordon
There really aren't any areas to avoid from a safety area in Manhattan (where hotels would be), so it's really just a matter of convenience. So anything from Midtown East/West down through Garment District/Chelsea/Flatiron/Grammercy would be good. Greenwich Village/Soho/Tribeca is fine too, probably a bit more "hip" (for better or worse) but all a little further downtown. I probably wouldn't bother with the Financial District, it's kind of dull.
I'm not sure I would ever have agreed with this statement and I certainly don't in 2020 New York. While overall Manhattan is quite safe, particularly during the day, there are plenty of places tourists are best served not venturing and certainly not staying. As general advice, I would keep you below 96th Street, and avoid areas near projects (certain parts of Chinatown/the far corners of the lower East Side/far west Chelsea/certain areas west of Hell's Kitchen) below 96th St.