re: Where to stay in NYC...

you will never be or feel unsafe in midtown at any time of day.

OP, add artichoke to your list if you haven't been there yet.

I go several times a year and spend a night with gal pals seeing shows. Unless I'm with an out-of-town friend who wants to see things all over the city, my reason for being there is Broadway so I stay right in the Times Square area. Even though it may be safe to walk long distances late at night---especially if you're a guy--- women have a different mindset about walking at night for good reason. The avenues stay very busy and are not worrisome to me. The cross streets however, are sometimes very quiet late at night. There are many dark doorways and always construction scaffolding or plywood sidewalk "tunnels" . I don't mind walking the avenues late at night but I am not comfortable on the streets. And no to the subway late at night either...I'm ok with the subways during the day especially rush hours when you have a lot of business people with you.