The hotel we stayed in is now the Manhattan Hilton on east 42nd street. I've no idea what it's like now but it was fine then - walking distance from bus and subway, easy walk to Times Square.
The staten island ferry is free. Just go along to the ferry terminal on the east end of the Battery, into to the big cream-coloured building and up the stairs. It is very regular, and takes you right past the statue of Liberty so you can get all your snaps of the city and the skyline. When you get to the terminus, everyone just gets off, marches round the corner and gets back on for the return journey. Worth taking a picnic with you and it's the best value in New York!
Battery Park is lovely (well I like it).