I would recommend the Abingdon Guest House in Greenwich Village. It's in a 
great area, close to the subway (on 14th street, a good hub for connecting 
anywhere) and there are a lot of great community parks nearby and too many 
restaurants/ cafe/bars to count within walking distance. Not to mention the 
charming, historic building in this neighborhood, the largest historic 
district in New York City!

http://www.abingdonguesthouse.com/index.html

Rates depend on the room, but there are several under $200, although that 
does not include tax. As it's so small, I would even ask if there any 
discounts.

Local Museum in the area, newcomer the Rubin Museum http://www.rmanyc.org/.

Hope this is helps.

Best,
Sheryl Woodruff, Director of Operations
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

>
>Hi. We're visiting Manhatten for the first time in many, many years. We 
>used
>to know the city very well and are still quite familiar with it, although
>the 'scene' may have shifted.
>
>I used to stay up by Central Park or near 2nd Avenue at 51st (the good old
>Pickwick Arms). But, of course, everything is now terribly expensive.
>
>We'll be there just for a few days at the end of this month and are looking
>for a nice, clean, affordable hotel (or inn, or B&B), with a private room
>and bath. We want to be able to walk out for meals and jump on buses to get
>around. No specific things we need to see, but museums are certainly on the
>list (and everywhere).
>
>We imagined something down towards SoHo, or up near the Park, but perhaps 
>my
>suggestions are no longer where we should be!
>
>Character, cleanliness, location and, of course, affordable (the absolute
>tops is $175-200US, if that's possible today).
>
>Thanks for your help,
>
>
>
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