Good hotel in Manhattan, and Saturday flea markets

Try either the Library Hotel or the Hotel Giraffe! Both are amazing boutique hotels right around your price point. 

For flea markets, Brooklyn Flea Fort Greene is probably your best bet, though there's also the Artists and Fleas at Chelsea Market and Columbus Ave Flea Market if you want to stay in Manhattan. Enjoy!!

Hotel Pennsylvania has pretty good rates around ($150-$190) a night and is in a great location everything is really close by.

As far as flea markets go, you're definitely in the right place! My favorite is The Garage Flea Market in the Flatiron District. The selection here is incredible and just about all the dealers will bargain (just make sure you have cash--almost no one here takes credit cards). Literally nothing you can't find here--vintage clothing, jewelry, ephemera, prints, etc., etc. Great people-watching, too. 

Hi Thomas,

I'm guessing by capitalizing CLEAN you've had a bad experience or two in the discount end of NYC's lodging options in the past.  Not to worry, the summer is the cheapest time of the year to visit New York, so you'll be able to find even 4 and 4.5 star hotels for a +or- $300/night. Just note that the prices of hotels in NYC vary tremendously day-to-day, not just seasonally, and so it is impossible to say what will be $300 and when.  Thus, you may find the Hampton Inn for $500 on Wednesday, but Thursday you can check into the W New York Union Square for $275.

Because of the sheer size of Manhattan alone (many boutique hotels are popping up in Brooklyn and Long Island City), perhaps you could share a little more in what kind of neighborhood you want to stay. Midtown will be cheapest, but the least interesting. SoHo and Greenwich Village might offer something with a bit more trend and the boutique feel, but will be more expensive.

Despite all the above, one particular hotel, Jade Hotel, comes to mind and I think would be right in your crosshairs for style, price, and cleanliness (they've only been open for over a year), and the location is spectacular for a local's experience. I pass it daily and can vouch for it's boutique-ness. Just looked at a random date in July 9, and with advance purchase you can secure a room for $260. Jade Hotel.

As for a Saturday flea (mind you New York style, which means everything is hipster and 20x the price) you absolutely can't go wrong with the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene. Within blocks any direction of the flea are probably 40-50 terrific places to grab brunch or a drink after. A couple goodies are The General Greene, No. 7, The Smoke Joint, The Brooklyn Sandwich Society, and tons more.

We stayed at The Franklin Hotel on the upper east side. 1930s small adorable hotel. Not sure the price in July but just around the corner from the subway (lexington line) Warning: they aren't kidding about the "Petite" guest room. Very small but still an amazing hotel.

Paramount Hotel, very good. Is a trendy hotel nearby Times Square.