Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
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.
It's undeniably cool, combining a hip, slightly gritty feel with some luxe touches, but don't expect a lot of space to spread out—guest rooms have exposed distressed-cement ceilings and walls, with minimalist modern decor; north-facing rooms have unobstructed views of the Empire State Building (ask for a room with a terrace during warm months). A curtain separates the shower from the sleeping area.
The hip-yet-affordable NU, on one of Brooklyn's main nightlife and shopping streets, is perfect for visitors seeking a perch near the best of the borough. Flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and hookups for your iPhone or laptop are pluses in the above-average-size rooms, and the minimalist white-and-gray color scheme is punctuated with eco-friendly flourishes like cork floors and organic cotton sheets (a few suites even have cozy hammocks). An on-site marketplace offers a selection of local Brooklyn snacks and drinks, including beer and wine.
This historic, century-old building that was once the stage of the Marx Brothers and Harry Houdini in the early 20th century, has found new life as a beautifully renovated hotel that captures the essence of its former glory. Originally designed by New York architect George Keister, who completed the building in 1913—the same year he also did the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem—this present-day hotel is a great value for exploration of the Bronx, with straightforward subway access into Manhattan.
In a beautifully transformed 1906 office building, this contemporary hotel is a great vacation base: comfortable and convenient but basic enough to be good value. Guest rooms feel smartly modern, though they've retained some period details, while the updated lobby is a comfortable place to lounge.
The cheap and cheerful sibling of Pod 51 (on 51st Street) has tight quarters and trendy amenities, including a rooftop bar and ground-floor restaurant and martini bar. Single, bunk, full, and queen pods maximize space, fitting in private bathrooms with rainwater shower heads, room safes, work desks, and flat-screen TVs. The pods are tech-friendly, too, with free Wi-Fi and a media center that allows you to easily connect your devices to the TV and speakers. Common areas are spacious: the rooftop lounge and bar has stellar views while the lobby lounge, complete with games and a fireplace, is another appealing place to kick back. The adjacent Allerton Club is a martini tavern with shareable plates and a daily happy hour from 3 to 6 pm.
If cramped quarters don't bother you, this hostel-like hotel is one of the best deals in town, with rooms that borrow space-saving ideas from mass transit, including sink consoles like those in an airplane restroom and built-in shelves under the beds. Some rooms have standard queen beds and private baths; others have twins or spotless stainless-steel bunks with pull-out, flat-screen TVs. All come with amenities like iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi. The location is convenient, and common areas are cheerful and modern, with an outdoor bar-café and a stylish rooftop deck, but don't expect luxe linens or toiletries. Clinton Hall, its dining option, is a craft brewery and restaurant space with card and board games. Book well in advance, as stylish thrifty folk of all ages keep this hotel hopping.
Importing much of its sensibility from Japan, the Kitano has international touches that include a bilingual concierge and a high-concept Japanese restaurant called Hakubai—it also makes for a notably service-oriented stay. What is not classically Japanese, though, are the good-size guest rooms, decked out in neutral hues or with pops of red. Head downstairs through the quiet lobby to rub Fernando Botero's rotund sculpture of a dog for good luck—it's the hotel's mascot. The property's Hillside Cafe is open only for breakfast and lunch, and the Roof at 66 Park has such views of the Chrysler Building.
Ian Schrager's buzzy Lower East Side hotel has the same sleek modern design, state-of-the-art technology, destination dining, and hot bar scene that define every property he touches. The rooms are on the small side but the views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows, the active lobby, and in-house eatery, Peruvian-accented Popular, make up for it.
Convenient to the action without being smack in the middle of it, the bohemian-chic Redbury is a stylish hotel with three Roman-inspired dining venues by acclaimed restaurateur Danny Meyer, including the pizzeria Marta (reserve ahead) and wine bar Vini e Fritti. Guest rooms are cozy, with whimsically colorful decor.
This Renaissance adds some chic urban style to a prime Times Square location: the lobby feels like it's been designed for urban court jesters, with oversize furniture; curved, abstract art; and dangling, filament-like sculpture. Rooms are comfortable, and decorated in soothing earth tones; bathrooms have mosaic tile showers. Though the hotel's R Lounge space is more about the view than the cuisine, it's a great place for breakfast overlooking the crossroads of the world.
A colorful choice in a rather plain neighborhood, the Roger has a following among repeat visitors who appreciate its local vibe. The lobby, with its blue tufted couches and black-and-white photographs, is a great place to relax (natural light pours in from oversized picture windows), and rooms are similarly cheerful. The hotel's lounge serves American fare at reasonable prices, and the breakfast buffet includes local faves like H&H bagels and Petrossian smoked salmon.
New to the neighborhood in 2023, the Romer brand introduces a fresh, modern take on affordable lodging in the Theater District—rooms are surprisingly spacious and nicely decorated with artistic touches and retro-modern light fixtures and furnishings. While there's no in-room coffee maker, the first-floor Neighborhood Cafe serves quality java and baked goods, which you can enjoy in the cozy lobby. The hotel's Corner Store partners with local designer/retailers for uncommonly cool NYC souvenirs, and there's a convenient parking garage attached to the building (with its own pricing). With the hotel's Urban Fee, guests get complimentary bike rentals, access to the off-site Crunch gym, free hard-copy printing, and high-speed Wi-Fi; pets are welcome with a $150 fee.
A favorite of European visitors and business travelers who work in fashion and entertainment, Grace delivers high-design lodgings on a budget. The style here, as at other hotels in the chain, is modern and playful—Jonathan Adler reflective wallpaper, bright geometric patterns, and a check-in desk that doubles as a newsstand. Guests and locals gravitate to the glowing lobby bar and swimming-pool lounge (a real glassed-in pool, with sauna and steam room) for cocktails and eye candy. Rooms are smallish but smartly designed (comfortable beds are elevated on platforms, so luggage can be stored underneath) and well insulated from street noise. Room capacity varies from two to four people (in a quad bunk-bed layout—each bed with its own TV and headset), convenient for traveling with teenagers or kids.
Named after Teddy, not Franklin, this Midtown icon just steps from Grand Central has an ornate lobby with cushy couches and an old-school bar detailed in heavy wood that makes the place feel like it's from another time, and it is—the property dates from 1924. Happily, the amenities don't hark back to that era, though rooms are a little tired. Carpeting shows some wear, and the art on the walls is chain-generic, but the beds do have pillow-top mattresses. Bathrooms are nice and big. The rooftop lounge, mad46, offers nightly happy hour after 9:30.
Formerly the Tribeca Grand, the Roxy is a stylish downtown property with an emphasis on art, music, and culture that has made it a neighborhood gathering place. It's home to The Django, a jazz club, plus the Roxy Cinema, which screens mostly independent and retro films. Cozy rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, work spaces, gourmet minibars, and high-end bath products. Java fans will love the on-site coffee bar from Jack's Stir Brew and weekend brunch affairs, perfect after a late night at the exclusive on-site club Paul's Cocktail Lounge.
The Royalton's lobby bar is one of the prime Midtown meeting spots for local A-listers, along with a new generation of movers and shakers—so be prepared to run the gauntlet of the buzzing lounge before reaching your room. Updated guest rooms, designed by Charlotte Macaux, are comfortably sleek and elegantly outfitted with atmospheric lighting, fresh flowers, and candles changed daily. Some rooms have working fireplaces; all rooms have plasma-screen TVs and iPads. Luxe bathrooms have huge circular Roman soaking tubs and rainfall showers. The restaurant Forty Four is a solid locale for a quick bite, with a menu of global small plates and fancy cocktails.
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.
Located almost on top of a convenient subway stop, this thoroughly modern hotel with a comfy bar off the lobby makes TriBeCa a welcoming landing spot for visitors. Upstairs, the guest rooms are coolly functional with a sleek color palette and plush carpeting. Upgrade to a suite, and you'll get much more than extra space: some have soaking tubs in the bathroom. Downstairs, Smyth Tavern is a posh restaurant for hearty upscale dining.
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.
Among the ghosts of the literary salons and speakeasies of Greenwich Village is the Walker, a boutique property with an art deco sensibility, where gas lamps and an inconspicuous facade blend the new hotel with the old character of this tree-lined neighborhood. The exposed-brick, sunken lobby has tufted blue couches and a fireplace for relaxing with one of the New York–theme books on the shelves. Rooms are distinctly Greenwich Village with their tight space, but they do have nice touches like a retro rotary phone and C.O. Bigelow bath products. Some rooms have extras like terraces and separate soaking tubs and stall showers.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
