i stayed in the new yorker hotel
http://www.newyorkerhotel.com/
on April for 10 days good location opposite madison square gardens, short distance to macys quite easy to walk to times square from here too
the rooms are pretty basic but were clean enough, who really cares what the room is like you'll be too busy out sightseeing!
If flying in to Newark you can get the train straight into Penn Station which is about 10 mins from the hotel. Subway stations nearby, walked most of new york!!!
If you like film locations google new york film locations suggested this to someone else who posted about New York, we didn't take a tour we found most of the locations our self if you have a good map or travel guide my favourites were the friends apartment block and the house from Breakfast at tiffanys!
Find more useful tips at www.tripadvisor.com and www.virtualtourist.com
:)