People are often asking inexpensive places to stay, so I thought I'd throw this in, for anyone with the initiative to do a search in the future.
I know there's been a Pod hotel in the East 50s for a long time, but I just ran across another one in Murray Hill, at 145 East 39th, and I think it must be relatively new. I'll admit that their desk staff seemed very young and not too bright, but their rates start at around $150, which these days is probably considered in the affordable range in Manhattan.
The Pod Hotel: Pod Sized Cheap Hotel Accommodation in NYC