I am staying in downtown Brooklyn, close to many subway lines, for $200/night (after all taxes) in late August at the Aloft - not at all a shabby place. Keep hunting for deals.

Try airbnb

Oh....and if he can wait 'till January, the price on that hotel drops even more and he can get it below $200/night...

If he can wait till the week of Thanksgiving (Sunday Nov. 23-Tuesday 25) he can get the Fairfield Inn Manhattan Chelsea for $208/night.
I stayed there a couple years ago. The room was tiny but clean, and the staff was wonderful. Free breakfast included each morning. Neighborhood was very slightly sketchy. I felt ok walking around (and I had my young child with me) even late at night, but I wouldn't have just "hung out" at night.

Try the lincoln harbor suites in weehawken New Jersey. The ferry is right outside the hotel and includes free bus service to main points in NYC. That will get you closer to $200/nt.

Try hotwire but $200 will be tough if you don't want a dump. Even airbnb will be unlikely at that price.

Op here, Thanks PP's. I'll let him know.

Yeah, that's not possible in midtown. Other than the Y or hostels.

Ha ha ha. Less than $200? In nyc? In september? No. Does he want to stay at the Y? Couchsurfing? Or perhaps in Jersey City? He could try hotwire, but he's not going to be staying in Manhattan.

A male friend of mine wants me to find him a hotel room in NY city for 3 nights at the beg of September. He doesnt want to spend more than $200 a night and wants his own room and bathroom.
He is seeing a play on Broadway but also wants to go to Coney Island on public transport.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.