This hotel was voted the cheapest budget hotel in Manhattan & it lived up to its reputation. We arrived in NYC after a long haul flight from Sydney, Australia. We were greeted by Monica, she was extremely pleasant and helpful. We were allowed to check in early 9am which was a welcomed relief :)

Our room was surprisingly spacious and clean (thanks to Ursula our housekeeper), the bathroom was large and had a huge bath for those long soaks after a big day out sight seeing. The bedding and mattress were very comfie! Complimentary tea/coffee machine downstairs, no kitchen facilites. Laundry & dryer were also available onsite.

Yes our room was on the noisey side (street frontage) but hey your in New York its loud, busy and bustling so its to be expected.

Would we stay here again...? most definitely! do we recommend this hotel to other travels....? for sure!! if your on a budget and looking for a central location (2 blocks away from Macys and Penn Station) then Herald Hotel is for you :)

The Hotel is a few block from The Empire State and Macy's, a few block down to Times Square and you have all kinds of stores, restaurants, electronics nearby. You don't have to walk long distances to get anywhere.
The Hotel is clean and safe.
You don't have to worry about anything.

My wife & I stayed in this surprising hotel upon the recommendation of the Chelsea Hotel (which had interrupted service, which kept us from overnighting there) 01-05AUG2011. We weren't sure of what it was going to be like, but it was an amazingly great, pleasant, surprise! We walked the short distance(3blocks) from Penn Station to 19 W. 31st Street (Herald Square Hotel address), midtown Manhattan, and were buzzed through the main door. We were in room 9 on the ground level in a queen bed with private bath. The loudest sound was the soothing white noise of the essential A/C. There is a deluxe coffee machine dispensing between (06:00-10:00, 15:00-19:00) with chocolate(mini- Snicker/Mars/Butterfingers/etc) What a wonderful place! This is the home of "LIFE" magazine!

My reasoning to choose this hotel was: it was promised as value for money and it was close to Penn station. It fulfilled both: price $170 per night and 5-10 minutes walk from station.
Hotel is quiet basic, but my room was large enough. Bath tube was quite used but generally room was clean, quiet and had all necessary things. Important for me: free wi-fi.
One possible problem, as room was "L" shaped with small window on the upper tip of "L" opening into inner shaft of building, it was dark all day thru. As I didn't stay in hotel daytime that didn't bother me much. In case if it is important for you- ask for different room.
To leave your baggage after check-out you have to pay $5.
I spent 4 very nice days in NY and this hotel helped me a lot.