Flushing is not convenient for non-Flushing activities. You'll spend AT LEAST 45 min. or so on the subway every time you want to go to Manhattan, and depending what your final destination is you might have to change trains, etc. There's plenty of hotels in Manhattan (at all price points) not located in Times Square. More on reddit.com

Flushing is dirty, but not dangerously violent at night, just move in the right direction and don’t stop to talk to anyone, you’ll be fine. It’ll look scarier than it is. Edit: This is my own lived experience as a 6’2, 300lb man. My significant other made me aware that women may have a different experience than me walking alone at night. More on reddit.com

Stayed there once and never again. Horrible customer service from staff and management. HVAC was broken in our room and the window wouldn't stay closed so we had city noise all night. They refused to move us to another room as they said they were fully booked. As a card holding, Diamond Elite member, I will never stay there again. More on reddit.com

I don't know if I'd recommend it for your first trip, but I love Flushing. Sometimes I book a night at the Hyatt or Indigo for a staycation. It's one of NY's Chinatowns, the streets are very bustling, and the food is often top tier and not expensive. (I'm looking at you, Shanghai You Garden) But, it's a bit out of the way. You can get to Manhattan in about 25 minutes via LIRR, or about 45 via the 7 train. Getting to Brooklyn is going to be a trek. And you won't have that "I woke up in NYC" experience. Wandering around near your hotel will give you a taste of a thriving Chinese enclave, but you won't get that typical NYC vibe that people typically visit for. If you're visiting for New Year's, hotels are gonna be ridiculous, so if this is kinda your only option you'll do all right. But it's not what I'd recommend for first timers. It will also depend on how you travel. If you've spent a lot of time navigating a variety of cities on foot, you'll do fine, but if you're kinda a fresh-out-of-the-midwest tourist making a first trip to the big city, you probably won't have the best time. The Hyatt is nice and conveniently located. Indigo is also nice but a bit of a walk. I haven't stayed at the other hotels, but some of the less fashionable ones seem to be frequented by sex workers. Flushing is also super convenient if you fly into LaGuardia. More on reddit.com