Where to stay for overnight NYC

I would look at booking.com or some such and filter for 'shuttle' and whatever your price range is.

If you want to stay near JFK, I have stayed at both the Courtyard by Marriott and the Crown Plaza. Both are fine. Not cheap. Both offer 24 hour free shuttle

Be aware, hotel shuttles cannot pick you up at the terminal. You have to take the Airtrain to Federal Circle. It's free. The hotel shuttles can drop you off at the terminal.

If you are going into Manhattan give yourself lots of time and don't expect prices to be lower.

Sounds like you just want a place to sleep by JFK. You know your budget. Look online using any 3rd party website.

You will want something by JFK with a shuttle to Federal Circle Airtrain station. You would then take the Airtrain for free to the terminals. Make sure before you board that the departing train goes to the terminals and NOT to Jamaica.

Hilton JFK
Hampton Inn JFK
Crown Plaza JFK
Radison JFK

We have stayed at the Hilton near JFK as we had a late flight in, early flight out. It was an OK hotel, had a restaurant which was key. No really terrific hotels out there, though. I booked a flight out of EWR instead of LGA or JFK this winter as the hotels there are better, especially The Marriott.

I'm just looking for a backup plan. As long as my Brussels Air flight is not more than 3 hours late I will not need to stay over in NYC

I'm just looking for a backup plan. As long as my Brussels Air flight is not more than 3 hours late I will not need to stay over in NYC

Aha, the corollary question to "Do I have enough time to make the connection between independently booked flights"

What did you decide, Roger?

Continental,
Our trip is not until November. We will not make any decision until we return from Italy November 26. We have family in the Philadelphia area with whom we plan to stay November 26 and 27 unless our flight arrives too late for us to make connections out of Penn Station. That would cause us to consider laying over somewhere in New York for one night.

European flights arrive in the afternoon so I'm sure you'll have no issue transiting to Penn from JFK for Amtrak to Philly. Any questions about that part, feel free to PM me.