Last time I was in New York I stayed at the Best Western President; it's pretty inexpensive by New York standards and in a good location, two minutes' walk from times square, and more importantly, Gallagher's steak house
It's here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...8969&z=16&om=1
and their website is
here
Rooms are from about $250 (remember the exchange rate is very favourable now so that's not too bad)
As for Paris, my last trip there I stayed at the Holiday Inn
Paris Opera - it's a beautiful Belle-Epoche style building, with a fabulous interior.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl...5874&z=14&om=1
Rooms are from about £120 a night. Friendly multi-lingual staff etc...
