So, I've booked the flights...now to find somewhere to stay....can anyone recommend some good hotels or even areas to stay in New York? I'm not looking for anything fancy, and am on a fairly low budget ($150/night?), as this is a shopping trip after all - mainly for a new digital SLR if anyone knows any good shops.

Ideally I’d be looking at staying somewhere where the main shops & tourist traps are easy to reach, but also somewhere that has some life at night…..is this too much to ask?

Oh, and I’m flying into JFK – it’d be great to know what’s the best way to get to/from there to the city…is there a train/metro?

Thanks!