Best Western Manhattan
17 W. 32nd St.
212-736-1600

Comfort Inn Midtown
129 W. 46th St.
212-221-2600

Red Roof Inn Manhattan
6 W. 32nd St.
212-643-7100

Quality Hotel & Suites Midtown
59 W. 46th St.
212-719-2300

Quality Hotel Eastside
161 Lexington Ave., at 30th St.
212-545-1800

applecorehotels.com

The goal of these five Apple Core hotels is to provide inexpensive accommodations in very central locations — and they're more affordable than practically anywhere else in Manhattan. The rooms are generally charmless, but clean and well-appointed. Plus, all locations have fitness centers. Summer rates start at $89.


Chelsea Savoy Hotel
204 W. 23rd St.
212-929-9353
chelseasavoynyc.com

Despite its burgeoning arts scene — not to mention the onslaught of trendy restaurants and bars — Chelsea's hotels remain few and far between. The Chelsea Savoy Hotel's 90 rooms are bare-bones, but if your guests want to be in this lively area, the address is ideal, and, at less than $150 a night, so is the price. Summer rates from $125; group discounts are available.


Howard Johnson Express Inn
135 E. Houston St.
212-358-8844
hojo.com

Perfect for budget-conscious travelers who don't plan to spend much time in their rooms, the brand-new Howard Johnson in the East Village has cookie-cutter accommodations at just the right price. Opened in December, the 46-room hotel offers a clean bed in a clean room — just a stone's throw from SoHo and the East Village. Summer rates start at $139.


Mayfair New York
242 W. 49th St.
212-586-0300
mayfairhotel.com

Located at the heart of the theater district, the Mayfair has all the basics covered. It's hardly trendy, and there's no bar on-site, but the small rooms offer good mattresses, comfortable bedding, and clean bathrooms. Note: All guest rooms have one bed, king- or queen-size. Summer rates from $110.


Quality Inn on Broadway
215 W. 94th St.
212-866-6400
qualityinnbroadway.com

There's not much going on this far north on the West Side, but the Quality Hotel is a clean, inexpensive place for less-picky travelers to rest their heads. All 242 rooms were renovated in 1999, and basics — comfortable beds, decent closets — are covered. Summer rates from $89.