Hi All

Hubby and I are heading to the US for the first time next year and it includes a 4 night stay in NYC at the end of September.

I've been researching areas to stay and feel like I'm still lost. I'd love some recommendations on neighbourhoods to stay.

We typically prefer to stay in more authentic areas that aren't overrun with tourists. I'm also not a fan of lots of people. But we do need to balance this with access to transport for sightseeing (the only must do's at the moment is the 911 memorial). We enjoy areas that have a cafe culture (I love finding new coffee places), an eclectic feel and cruisy. I have a feeling NYC is going to be a little overwhelming for me so being able to come back to a quieter or more cruisy area after sightseeing is ideal.

Typically we spend on average $250AUD a night. However, I have realised this is not going to cut it so we're open to expanding this to $300-400AUD a night.

Thanks in advance.

Look at hotels in Long Island City. Only two subway stops from Times Square. We are from New Zealand, an found this was one way we could afford to stay at a hotel in NYC. The first time we went we booked Radio City Apartments in mid-town but think the price has gone up substantially since we were there 10 years ago. If you are booking a long way out there might be still some decent prices. We are fortunate that now our daughter lives in Harlem and we stay with her.

Would you mind sharing the specific dates you will be in NY? The end of September is getting into the very expensive season, so it might be best to search booking.com or another booking engine to see what's available in price range and then sort out the neighborhoods. Many neighborhoods in Manhattan have great transportation nearby (how far are you willing to walk to get on the subway?).

I just checked on booking.com, and chose random dates at the end of September - there are many hotels still available, close to your price range (you do have to include hotel taxes, which are high) and in neighborhoods that might suit you.

We like the Chelsea area for our 1-2x per year long weekend visits to the city. We typically stay in one of the Hilton, Marriott, or Holiday Inn family of hotels near 26th St or so.
This area is NOT overrun with tourists, but I would not describe it (or perhaps anywhere in the city) as "quiet. Not sure what cruisy means, so no can't comment.

It's nearby the Greenwich Village, East Village, and SoHo areas that have a lot of cafe's you may be looking for. Staying closer or in one of those areas may be an option you should look at as well.
We typically walk 10-15miles a day when we're in the city - typically eat a light breakfast in our hotel room (get cereal/yogurt from a grocery store), then head out for the day to play, and return to room before dinner and find something simple & very nearby to eat - sometimes it's takeout food.

Your daily plan may vary, so there is no one size fits all plan or location.

I wonder if that's a typo on wanting a cruisy area. Maybe not, have no idea. Take your pick

https://australian_slang.enacademic.com/2010/Cruisy

I don't think NY in general is the place to go if you don't like a lot of people. But I think Chelsea is a good idea. There are certainly plenty of neighborhoods on the upper West Side I'd call quieter and with some cafes, but I don't know a whole lot of hotels around them. LI City isn't what I'd call cruisy.

I'd suggest the Lucerne on the upper West Side
https://www.thelucernehotel.com/

When comparing hotel prices be sure to figure in any "resort" or "facility fee." Unfortunately these are becoming more and more common

Your budget currently = approx $200-$275 US. So with taxes and resort fees you are really looking for properties between about $150 and $250-ish (depending on that resort fee thing) -- So Long Island City may very well be your best option.

Our dates 27 Sept to 01 Oct. Thanks.

Sorry, yes, cruisy for us means a little more low key and a more relaxed vibe (probably not what New York really is - which is why we're only there for a few days as I'm not sure I could cope with anything longer)

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions and taking the time to reply. I will research the areas you have mentioned.

I was going to recommend the Hampton Inn Chelsea but it is sold out for your dates. Looking at rates under $300, the Hampton Inn South Street Seaport/ Financial District is available, as are a few Times Square options.

I would book something that offers free cancellaiton while you look for a better rate or location. NYC falls can be very busy.

Edited to add - Hampton Inns offer free breakfasts and wifi.

I think you can find a place in Manhattan for your dates if you do some searching. Chelsea Pines Inn has been recommended by a couple of posters here. I just checked your dates and a queen bed is coming in at $215 pre-tax on the hotel's own site.

https://www.chelseapinesinn.com/

Besides Chelsea, Murray Hill can be a little quieter for Manhattan. The hotel we stayed in is now condos so I'm not sure of your options.

We almost stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Upper East Side on our October trip. I found a sale on its website early last summer and booked a refundable rate that would be in your range. We were flying into LGA and as it got closer to our dates I saw how the construction prevented taxis from reaching our terminal, so we rethought our transportation, canceled the reservation, and chose a Midtown hotel near Grand Central Station we could access via subway (Iberostar). While densely developed, the UES is quieter than Midtown, but has fewer subway lines. I don't know about cafes.

I've also visited my niece in Greenwich Village and while some streets are shady and quiet, others are just as bustling and noisy as Midtown (but more locals than tourists).
I've stayed in LIC because of price, but it doesn't have much atmosphere that you are asking for.

Hi 5Alive, I am from Melbourne and my son lives in NYC. I have been a number of times to visit, and each time I am amazed as to how expensive it is to stay.
and these ridiculous resort fees are an added cost.. So be careful and try to find something that does not have these...
Chelsea Pines Inn is a really good recommendation for you... I would seriously consider this as a good option.
You might also like to look for something on the Upper West Side.
Hotel Belleclaire on the Upper West side would also be a good option and have the type of vibe that you would like.

I've been researching hotels and neighbourhoods in NYC too. Also Australian and when we convert to USD, accommodation costs can get scary. LIC might be an option for us - and you, sorry to hijack - but can someone who has stayed there give us a picture of what it's like? In the guidebook I have from the library, info on two LIC hotels, the Z Hotel and the Ravel, has a description of the area as 'industrial wasteland' and 'desolate' (2018 copy of Lonely Planet). That sounds so unappealing but there must be other parts of LIC that are nice? Or maybe not?

Kay

To see what the area is like try using google maps street view - you can virtually walk around the area near your hotel, or just about anywhere else for that matter.

Thanks J62, I thought of that after I'd posted. Good idea. I actually meant a word picture, about the buildings, what sort of people you see, the feel of the area etc. Is it wall to wall shops and cafes or hardly any about? Mostly locals or lots of tourists? Often hotel reviews provide useful info on the area.

Kay

My understanding is that LIC used to be an industrial wasteland and desolate it most certainly is not like that all over LIC. I've not seen anything like that. The nicest residential areas are right by the river with fantastic views directly across to the UN & Manhattan, by Gantry Park, close to 2 stops for the NY Ferry and Hunters Point Library. I think this description from Lonely Planet more accurately describes LIC as it is today.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new...3cb7696/362079

https://www.6sqft.com/see-inside-long-island-citys-new-public-library-designed-by-steven-holl-architects/

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...k.html#REVIEWS

I've spent quite a bit of time in this area of LIC, it seems to be mostly young well-off professional people, maybe with kids (and certainly dogs, everyone has a dog or two) in a well organised area with lots of facilities for families. No tourists to speak of or that are noticable to me, several upmarket coffee shops & gourmet type food shops, wine shops, chain pharmacies, local restaurants, good transportation links (love the NY Ferry). It's a lot less crowded than other areas I've been to, with large open green spaces, Jo-Lo performed in Gantry Park on one of the 4th July open air concerts couple of years back.

Having said that, the residential areas with the best locations are not where the hotels are. They are not waterfront, they are set further back into the areas that are not as nice but still within walking distance of facilities etc. I've been to the Hotel Ravel 2/3 years ago, for dinner on a rooftop restaurant with great views to Manhattan and Queensboro bridge. No idea what the rooms are like, but the area is fine, about 15min walk to Gantry Park.
These are some photos I took last September.

I thought I posted, so pardon if I repeat myself.

We stayed by the Queensboro Plaza station, further inland than the hotels you mention. Mostly low rise old industrial and office buildings or construction sites, some small hotels and street level retail and restaurants. During snow, we walked 4-5 blocks to hole-in-wall pizzeria that was open and it was fine. Lots of construction workers on sidewalks. Lots of auto traffic on major roads. Elevated train noise. So not the quiet riverside residential area Odin is talking about. This is about 1 mile east for the hotels you list.

We did use the ferries on our fall trip and enjoyed the views. The LIC landing is about 1 mile south from the Ravel and Hunters Point another .5 mile. Must buy ticket for ferry, not use Metro card. Schedule and hours online. According to the operators, they can get busy during rush hours with queuing and full ferries leaving riders for the next one.

There is a large public housing complex just north of the Queensboro. Although crime is declining there, I wouldn't wander there at night and I probably wouldn't walk to the subway station up there at night because I don't know the area well enough to know where to go/not go. Someone posted this website that is interesting: https://maps.nyc.gov/crime/

Thanks so much for all this info - links, photos etc. Much appreciated.

rellie2 - I feel guilty for taking over a bit. Hope you don't mind. We've stayed in NYC once before, on the Upper West Side at the Beacon Hotel and liked the area. We were living in London at the time so were more used to crowds but to us, the area felt fairly busy but not hectic.

Kay