Riverside Tower Hotel
It took about 30 minutes to get there from JFK by cab at night.
The rooms are small and mine had a slightly musty smell, I would consider the accomodation to be worth the money though if you consider where the place is and how quiet the rooms are.
The closest train station is a 5-10 minute walk away and you can get to most tourist atractions in a few minutes from there.
There are grocery shops and laundromats within walking distance, Central Park West and the Natural History Museum are within walking distance. There is a park across the road from the hotel from which part of the Hudson River can be viewed..
There are brochures in the lobby suggesting tourist activities for less well planned tourists and the staff are friendly and willing to help out where they can.