What are some cheap hotels by times square?

Beware, some of the hotels metioned previously here are dumps and dumps w/ a shared bath.
Here are two hotels, both one the Hampton Inn on 35th, brand new, $ 159 -199, with breakfast. the Stay Hotel, a boutique hotel from $ 165, you can’t beat it.
Link:
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/new-york-hotels/

Also, more info from another one I answered:

Also as far as what to do, from another answer of mine:
Met Opera, $ 20 tickets are available before each show, check website for info; metopera.org Feinstein’s at the Regency always has great shows, I have seen his Christmas show twice, great but spendy, The Rockettes Christmas show is great, don’t waste your time at that 1/2 price artixs booth, it wastes hours of your tourist time, just go directly to the box office of what you want to see, I got tickets for the last Raul Esparza play for less than $ 20, it doesn’t matter where you sit, most of the theaters are pretty small.Also, the Met. museum of art, Central Park, of course, the Statue of Liberty/ Ellis Island tour, the Cloisters (upper west side, same day admission w/ a met museum ticket), Cafe Taci, where they sing while you dine; Saturday nights, lots of fun; http://www.caffetaci.com/ lots of fun bars in all parts of town, depending. other ideas, check tripavisor.com also has good user reviews on hotels and restaurants. Check there before you check in; lots of dumps in NYC.