If you are over age 30, I'd say stick with UES. East Village is great fun, but I am not sure I'd put my friends there, yet. I feel safe there, but if you're out-of-towner, everyone knows you're a tourist. And that may not be a good thing. By all means, visit there though. Great bar, great food.

There are a few botiuqe hotels on the UES. Try Franklin hotel, right next to the 86th street subway. http://www.franklinhotel.com
Or Hotel Wales by the park. It looks nicer from the outside. http://www.waleshotel.com/