Maybe a hotel somewhere a bit less hectic will suit better. Any suggestions for a hotel?
Hoboken, if you’re staying right by the PATH station, is only a 20 minute ride to Penn Station.
Are you looking for cheaper? Or Somewhere in Manhattan?
Somewhere Manhattan. Penn Station area seems always too busy, I’d prefer something quieter, a bit more residential as in upper east side? Doesn’t have to be upper east but that give that feeling, I am guessing I should give up walking to Penn Station.
The Courtyard Marriott at 135 W30th St. is within walking distance to Penn station. Many friends have stayed there visiting NYC. The street is not that busy and within walkable distance to Macy’s, Herald Square and numerous subway lines. It’s safe as there’s a police station across the street.
My wife stayed at the New York Marriott in midtown East side late last year. That’s a really nice place, but it costs a lot ($350 a night?). I think there’s a bunch of hotels in upper and Mid East side but I feel they are all very pricey. Me myself I would stay in Hoboken/Jersey City or Brooklyn unless I was staying at that Hotel Penn I was talking about earlier.
I’ve had good look with this website (it’s an app too) for last minute hotel rooms. Just put in Penn Station NYC and you should have some choices. www.hoteltonight.com
I agree that The Courtyard is a great location/hotel. Great Korean food and all.
There is no way you could take an Uber for $25 from NYC to JFK, more like 60-75.
I take the E train instead of LIRR because E train is closer to me. Public transportation is a lot easier/predictable than a car. I usually take a car from the airport to home during non-rush hour, especially late at night.
Best way to do it if you don’t have a lot of luggage is to take the LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica. Almost every train stops there–the ones that do have a little airplane logo (Ronkonkoma trains don’t)–and they leave every few minutes. It’s 20 mins to Jamaica and huge signs right on the platform direct you to the AirTrain. If you go on the weekend, buy a City Ticket at Penn Station which is a cheaper fare. Then the AirTrain itself is $5 using a MetroCard.
I’ve lived here 30 years and if you’re traveling with luggage you can easily carry, this is hands down the way to do it! (And don’t take the A train - it will take you forever!)
If you’re into saving money, you should check out the Pod Hotels in NYC. There are several in great locations! My D and I were not expecting anything great because their rates are so ridiculously low – and we were pleasantly surprised and super-impressed! Will be staying at Pod Hotels from now on in the city.
It’s just one night. I can splurge a bit. We have a Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to see and do things.
We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel last year and really liked it. It’s just around the block from Penn Station. It was quite convenient to stay there and catch a train to the airport in the morning.
in that case I would go for Lotte Palace (formerly Helmsley Palace) on 50th in Midtown East.
Following @OldFort’s suggestion, if I take E train instead of LIRR, would I have. a better option for lodging?
Different options, not sure if better. You could stay near Central Park, for example, or near the World Trade Center. I think the train cuts over to Queens before it goes very far north.
Where you would pick up E train is Lex & 53rd, which is a quieter part of town relative to Korean town. It’s close to Bloomingdales and Saks. 
Here are some hotels to consider:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsNear-g48080-d9577753-Lexington_Ave_53rd_St-Long_Island_City_Queens_New_York.html
It probably makes more sense to take E if you’re anywhere around or above 53rd St. on the East Side. Similarly, if you’re down in lower Manhattan it would more sense to take A.
To compare apples with apples, both A and E are going to be about 10 maybe 15 minutes slower than LIRR at Penn Station if you were getting right on in Manhattan excluding transfers. It feels a lot longer because it’ll probably be way more crowded and there are more stops.
Helicopter ??♂️
Have fun! Let us know how it works out.
Thanks @colorado_mom, will do. I am looking at Courtyard marmot and Hilton Garden near 53rd and Lexington. Is one better than the other? Or any other place to look into?