Hotels near MSG

Hi folks. I'll be covering the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in December.

I have very limited familiarity with NYC. Any recommendations on which hotels to stay at near the arena? (Or, does it make more sense to stay near whichever airport I use and just commute in for the game?)

Cost IS a consideration somewhat, but I also don't want a hostel or fleabag place either.

 

Stayed at the New Yorker on 8th a few times recently and liked it. Steps from MSG.

 

I have friends who have stayed on the cheap at the Hotel Pennsylvania, across from the Garden. I've also heard reports of bedbugs there, so buyer beware.

 

Hotel Gregory on 35th. Stayed there this past summer. I will admit, it was free (sis-in-law canceled a trip, and gave us the room) so i have no idea what it costs. I also see that it got savaged on Yelp. But i had none of those experiences. It didn't suck.

also try the Ace Hotel on 29th (or 27th)

 

Stayed at Hotel Pennsylvania on our wedding night, but that was back in 2004. We got upgraded to a really nice room. My folks stayed there as well, decent room, good cost, nothing spectacular, no bed bugs for them or us. Since then I've had two family members stay there on different visits and they liked it (these are both within past 5 years). Great location, cost was good for them too. Their rooms were pretty plain, older, average. But worked great for them as they spent most of their time wandering around town.

That said, on Trip Advisor it's like 431st out of 477 hotels and the reviews are...not kind. So even though I had a good experience there and family have been fine, I'd think you can find something decently priced that will be -- at least in the eyes of the online reviewing public -- superior. And you won't be anxious in the days leading up to the trip wondering what in the hell awaits.

 

Don't stay at an airport hotel.

 

Just look for a Marriott

 

Stayed at Hotel Pennsylvania in 2009, which was my last trip to New York. Got a cruddy, small room with no working TV and few plugs for Internet or electronic devices.

The good news was when I told them, they gave me another room that was the largest I'd had in New York. Spacious bathroom, room to move around... all told, very good. I'd recommend the property.

 

Stayed here last year. Basically across the street from MSG. Rate was fairly inexpensive for NYC but it was also mid-winter.

Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station