I typically use the NYCC hotel block to get access to the discounts. That should open up sometime soon.
I have stayed at:
The New Yorker
A courtyard by Marriott on like 38th
Yotel
The Fairfield right by Port Authority
The Element by Marriott Times Square West
The top two had some pretty small rooms,. Yotel is closest to the Javits and the room is pretty nice but the location for pretty much anything else it is better at the last two. We stayed at the Element last year which was one of the less expensive options and it was really nice. I think that where I am going to try for this year as well.