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There are more hotel rooms than ever in New York City, as exciting new properties continue to open their doors not only in Manhattan but in Brooklyn and the outer boroughs as well. But does that mean that New York is cheap? Well, we wouldn’t say cheap, but you can still find some deals, especially if you’re not set on a specific property or neighborhood, and if you don’t mind a few extra minutes of commuting time.
Hotels continue to slash rates based on market sensitivity—especially if you and all of those other Internet-savvy shoppers are willing to wait until the last minute. That said, if you want to stay in a specific place and the rate seems reasonable, book it—it's just as likely to go up, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall).
How to choose? The first thing to consider is location. Many New York City visitors insist on staying in the hectic Midtown area—and options are improving there—but other neighborhoods are often just as convenient. Less touristy areas, such as Gramercy, the Lower East Side, the Upper West Side—even Brooklyn—provide a more realistic sense of New York life, too.
Also consider timing: the least expensive months to book rooms in the city are January and February. If you're flexible on dates, ask the reservationist if there's a cheaper time to stay during your preferred traveling month—that way you can avoid peak dates, like Fashion Week and the New York City Marathon. Be sure to ask about possible weekend packages that could include a third night free. (The Financial District in particular can be a discount gold mine on weekends.)
Another source of bargains? Chain hotels. Many have moved into the city and charge reasonable room rates. In addition to favorites like the Sheraton, Hilton, and Hyatt brands, there are Best Westerns, Days Inns, and Comfort Inns. These rates aren't as low as you find outside Manhattan, but they're certainly getting closer.
Tall and luxurious, this apartment building with plenty of undeniable historic glamour also has a limited number of hotel rooms, many with decorative fireplaces, antiques, and glorious marble baths. There's a marble-lined lobby, crystal chandeliers, and wall friezes from the Vanderbilt mansion. You can use the private hotel entrance to access Harry Cipriani restaurant—come for lunch and enjoy some of the best people-watching in town.
The stalwart Soho Grand has defined the neighborhood for decades, and as new properties crowd the field, the Grand's low-key sophistication continues to stand out. The Grand Bar and Lounge, on the second floor, is an oasis of low-lying velvet sofas and leather armchairs, with a fireplace and a well-stocked bar. Upstairs, comfortable, contemporary guest rooms have an industrial-chic design and are mainly focused on the view out the ample windows. A great seasonal pleasure is Gilligan's—a large outdoor space where you can have a drink or meal and then spread out on teak lounge chairs. The staff is professional, polished, and more experienced than at other fashionable hotels.
Amid TriBeCa's historic warehouses and trendy art galleries sits this boutique hotel, a fashionable addition to the neighborhood. Light pours in the loftlike windows of the comfortable rooms, which have hardwood floors, compact desks, and bright, modern furnishings. Sophisticated bathrooms have slate floors and rain showers. The Sonder hotel brand prizes technology, so expect options for contactless check-in, fast Wi-Fi, and streaming entertainment from your personal devices (in lieu of cable). Rates vary greatly depending on the season; and Sonder usually adds surcharges upon booking that hike the final charge.
In the low-rise East Village, this giant, 21-story glass-and-steel building soars above everything around, providing gorgeous views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The vibe is chic but casual, and there are several easygoing dining options on-site. There's no gym in the hotel, but access to Crunch Bowery is provided.
Combining the comforts of a dependable large hotel with suave, mid-century-modern elements, this well-located hotel keeps visitors coming back. Rooms are sleek and most are surprisingly spacious, with platform beds, velvet sofas, and D.S. & Durga bath products. It's worth asking for a Central Park view, though city views are also impressive. At ground level find the iconic burger joint New York, which serves one of the city's best no-frills burgers in an incognito space off the lobby; or enjoy the divine menu of Indian Accent.
Built more for convenience than to elicit any sense of joy, airport hotels can be bland, cookie-cutter places, but not JFK's TWA Hotel: built in the airline's original, mid-century modern terminal, it's a celebration of the Jet Age—complete with primary colors and Jetson curves. Even between-flight nonguests will find plenty of draws, from the Sunken Lounge cocktail bar to the ice and roller skating rinks and the TWA Shop with its retro souvenirs. Mid-mod furniture and vintage posters decorate the soundproofed (of course) rooms, some of which have runway views, as does the rooftop infinity pool, heated to 95 degrees in winter. If you're just passing through and need a few hours' rest, inquire about Daytripper rates from 6 am to 8 pm.
Small and charming, this boutique hotel is on a quiet, tree-lined residential street a short walk from Central Park, the Met, and other Museum Mile attractions. While the nine-story building is a 1930s almost-landmark, with its neon marquee, the interior has been updated with contemporary and unfussy furnishings, and the lobby contains a self-checkout marketplace with an adjacent coffee bar. Although the hotel is pet-friendly, the smallish rooms may not be suitable for families but can be perfect for solo guests. There's no on-site restaurant, but nearby 3rd Avenue has many dining options.
The W Times Square stands out in the craziness of Midtown, thanks to its iconic 57-story exterior—if you want to be in the thick of the action, this is the place to stay. Rooms are small but sophisticated in the W's trademark glossy style, with pink and purple accents, hideaway cabinets, platform featherbeds, and sleek bathrooms. The more expensive rooms on the higher floors have impressive views to the west over the Hudson River. The modern Mexican restaurant Dos Caminos and the Living Room bar remain popular, if pricey, offshoots of the eighth-floor lobby, which is always bustling.
This elegant hotel, formerly a Ritz-Carlton, provides good-size luxury accommodations—along with some of the best views in the city, including rooms with sweeping vistas of the New York harbor that include the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The neighborhood is quiet, especially at night, but the Battery Park City location invites travelers to feel like resident New Yorkers for a spell. There's American bistro-style fare at 2 West, and a spa offers specialty treatments like Reiki and Ayurvedic massage.
The sleek, 23-story tower of glass and steel dazzles newcomers (and even a few old school residents) with stylish rooms—each of which has its own balcony. While the hotel has big spaces for weddings and events, the city's longest outdoor pool, Little Fino (an all-day bar and café), and it's flagship Italian restaurant Leuca under the helm of a James Beard award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini, its biggest selling point is its outstanding view of the Manhattan skyline—practically in perfect alignment with the Empire State Building—especially from its 22nd-floor restaurant, Westlight.
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