There is an art to finding a cheap hostel or hotel in New York. Accommodation in New York City is among the most expensive in the US, and you’ll have to go beyond Manhattan for cheaper sleeping arrangements. I’ve picked out some tips for Manhattan accommodation – cheap, luxurious and good value for money.
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What to Know about Hotels in New York City
📅 Book Your Hotel in Advance
Hotel prices in New York City fluctuate significantly, with the highest rates during the summer months and around New Year’s Eve. Book your accommodation several months in advance. Booking.com offers hotels with free cancellation. This way you can book something for sure and keep an eye out for a cheaper one.
🗺️ Good Location Saves Time
For a convenient commute to the sights, it’s a good idea to choose a hotel within two blocks of a metro station. Staying in New Jersey and far outside Manhattan means losing up to two hours of time each day. The separately rated parameter on Booking gives you an idea of the quality of the location.
💰 How to Save Money on Hotels
A lower price comes with a tax in the form of lower comfort. You can save money by choosing a room with a shared bathroom, and breakfast included in the price makes accommodation unnecessarily expensive.
If you’re travelling with four people, it’s probably worth booking one room for four rather than two rooms for two.
🧾 Some Offers Do Not Include Tax
Some accommodation providers quote the price without tax.
As of 25 June 2024, accommodation is subject to a state tax of 8.875% and a city tax of 5.875%. This brings the total tax to 14.75%, plus the New York City tax of $4.00 per room per night and the New York State hotel unit fee of $1.50.
On Booking.com, all prices include taxes and fees. For prepayments, the amount charged may be net of taxes, with the balance to be paid at the hotel.
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Cheap Hotels in New York
For the cheapest accommodation in New York, you need to leave the confines of expensive Manhattan. The highest prices are especially in the Midtown area. When choosing a hotel, put a lot of emphasis on subway accessibility and commuting distance to Manhattan. In neighbouring Jersey City, for example, prices are significantly lower, but you’ll lose an hour once you’ve made the trip to Times Square.
The cheapest hotels in New York have a Booking.com rating up to 7.0. Expect poorer cleanliness and amenities, and they’re only good as a cheap place to stay. Choose establishments with at least 100 reviews, with fewer than that, you’ll see a gradual decline.
If you’re travelling with two people, it’s usually worth renting a whole room. For solo travellers, hostels tend to be more convenient. I last updated hotels and their reviews on June 25, 2024.
Hotel Rating Description Nap York Central Park Sleep Station 8,2/10 A great-rated and cheap hostel that’s a 2-minute walk from Central Park and 7 minutes from Times Square. Cleanliness is of a high standard. HI New York City Hostel 8,2/10 A well-rated hostel with a 24-hour front desk located just north of Central Park. It offers good value for money, with the subway entrance just around the corner. The Harlem Cascades 8,3/10 Very well rated accommodation in Harlem, the subway station is three blocks away. It has good value for money within the city. 1️⃣ Nap York Central Park Sleep Station
The hostel is a 5 minute walk from Central Park, with the subway station entrance just a minute away. Although it is one of the cheapest accommodations, it has a great rating of 8.2/10. The rooms are newly refurbished, the staff friendly and the beds offer plenty of privacy given the facilities.
2️⃣ HI New York City Hostel
This well-reviewed hostel (8.2/10) is located on the Upper West Side, one street block from a subway station. Broadway Street is a 1-minute walk, and Central Park is a 10-minute walk away.
The hostel offers excellent value for money, the reception is available 24 hours a day and the level of cleanliness is very good considering similar establishments. For better privacy, I recommend booking a room for 4 people. The negative comments echo the overly strong air conditioning.
3️⃣ The Harlem Cascades
After the hostel and the hotel, the third pick is the apartment with a solid 8.3/10 rating. A minor complaint goes to the poorly working wifi.
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Best Hotels in New York City by Value for Money
If you’re not looking for the cheapest hotels, I’ve picked out some great value for money. All three are in the heart of Manhattan, close to the most popular landmarks, and have above-average ratings.
Hotel Reviews Description TownePlace Suites by Marriott 8,3/10 Recently renovated hotel located 1,312 ft from Times Square, with the advantage of good room amenities and breakfast included. The Wall Street Inn 8,3/10 This historic hotel is in the heart of the financial district near the stock exchange; in addition to a good location, it offers an included continental breakfast. The high level of cleanliness is worth noting. Club Quarters Hotel 8,2/10 This well-rated hotel is close to the former World Trade Center, so many of the city’s attractions are within walking distance. 1️⃣ TownePlace Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square
Clean and recently renovated suites located just a three-minute walk from Times Square. All rooms include a continental breakfast, free wi-fi, and nice views of the skyscrapers from the rooftop terrace. The rating on Booking is 8.3/10, marred a bit by complaints about the slow elevator.
2️⃣ The Wall Street Inn
This three-star hotel is located in a historic building in the southernmost part of Manhattan. If you’re going for an experience and want to feel like you’re in an American movie, this hotel with its fabric wallpaper and traditional elevator is a good choice. It holds an 8.3/10 rating and some rooms include breakfast.
3️⃣ Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center, New York
This 4-star hotel with a rating of 8.2/10 is located in the financial district of southern Manhattan. The hotel is 100 metres from the former World Trade Center. The subway is a few minutes away, and if you like rooftop terraces, you’ll love it.
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Luxury Hotels in New York City
Five-star and boutique hotels with impeccable service and excellent reviews from former guests can be found mostly around Central Park. Well-known chains in New York include Sofitel, Park Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental. The following selection is worth seeing, if only in photos.
Hotel Rating Description Hotel The Plaza 8,5/10 A high-end hotel on the edge of Central Park made famous by the movie Home Alone 2, when little Kevin McCallister stayed there. The Wallace Hotel 9,3/10 This five-star hotel with exceptional ratings offers top-notch service in every respect. Worth noting is the 9.5/10 location rating. Crosby Street Hotel 9,4/10 One of the top-rated New York hotels on Booking.com, this hotel is on a cobblestone street in SoHo and puts a strong emphasis on design and sustainability. 1️⃣ Hotel The Plaza
“The Plaza Hotel, the most elegant hotel in New York City. Guests of Ding Dang Dong’s biggest celebrity stay at the world-famous Plaza Hotel…” you too can stay at the hotel made famous in Home Alone 2. It’s located on the edge of Central Park and 5th Avenue. Room amenities include 24K gold-plated lamps and rain showers, and the hotel’s renowned Palm Court restaurant.
2️⃣ The Wallace Hotel
This 5-star hotel with a 9.2/10 rating is surprisingly affordable. It is located in the Upper West Side in a building overlooking the city and within walking distance of Central Park. Rooms are newly renovated and spacious.
3️⃣ Crosby Street Hotel
One of the top-rated hotels in New York City (9.5) according to Booking. Located in SoHo a short walk from the Museum of Modern Art on a relatively quiet cobblestone street. Every room is a work of art.
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Airbnb in New York City
Short-term private accommodation is prohibited in New York City. This is also the case on Airbnb, where a large part of the offerings are hostels.
If you want to stay privately, I recommend looking for listings outside of New York City (in New Jersey, for example).
Do you have your own tips for accommodation in New York? Have you come across a unique hotel that has given you a wonderful New York experience? We’d be happy to hear from you in the discussion.
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