Manhattan hotel.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

The Carlyle or the Parker.

[Gogar]

I'll buck the popular opinion and suggest that staying in the right iconic hotel is pretty fun sometimes.
If you're trying to choose between the Radisson and the Holiday inn Express then it all gets pretty samey but everyone's suggestion of "get near the things you want to see" is absolutely true.

[Scott Douglas]

I've actually stayed at the Algonquin, although it was in the late '80's if I remember. It's a nice old hotel or was then, I imagine they have kept it up since. Our room wasn't big or modern, but was cozy. Window had a view of an open area created by the building itself, with other rooms having windows open to it. Not much of a view, but I imagine in pre-A/C days it would at least give you access to fresh air, sort of. It is within walking distance of Times Square, which we discovered when we took a taxi from the hotel to a theater just on the other side of the Square.
If this is going to be your first time in NYC, I highly recommend taking an express subway ride, just for the experience. Best "E" ticket ride I've been on yet. And no seat belts either!
I recall we had one dinner at the hotel restaurant. Very classy place if I recall correctly. For a young guy whose co-workers said "Be sure to take a gun", it was a good trip. It was cold too as we went in late Oct-Nov, wish I could recall the date better. No snow but it did get chilly for this California guy.

[pdxfj]

When I was in NY on business over a weekend I stayed at the Royalton. Nice hotel, good location. I did take cabs to museums and such since it was a bit far to walk in the NY summer heat. Did walk down to the Intrepid and restaurants in the area although being there in December, walking very far doesn't sound too appealing.

https://www.royaltonhotel.com/