There’s certainly no shortage of places to stay in NYC, but if you’re on a budget, you can find that searching for accommodations in New York City can be a daunting experience. The more desirable the neighborhood, the most outrageous the price per night can be, especially during the warmer weather, when thousands of tourists flock the city. Finding a place for a family can be difficult as rooms tend to be on the smaller side, and even if budget is no option, how does a smart traveler choose from the hundreds of chains, boutiques, and homestay options?
These issues are common, and why we decided to gather the best places to stay while in the city. These places will satisfy different needs because we all know that not all smart travelers are the same.
The Solo Traveler on a Budget
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The Bowery House, in SoHo, is one of the most unique experiences when staying in New York City. The Bowery House has cabin-style cabins that can be small. Very small. The rooms can start as low as $70 a night.
Although in SoHo, The Bowery House is just blocks away from Chinatown, Little Italy, and Lower East Side. Iconic destinations like One World Trade Center, World Trade Center Train Station, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridge, are all within a 20-minute walk. It is very difficult to beat the price and location The Bowery House offers.
Pros: AffordableJust a few blocks away from the 6, F, J, Z, R, WNear restaurants and shoppingRooftopGreat Common Areas
Cons: Many Cabins Have no Windows, Small Cabins, Communal Bathrooms
Chelsea Cabins, obviously in Chelsea, are small, private rooms. They’re so small that there are only about two feet of space between the bed and the wall. The cabins have a small table for things like your phone and glasses. You’ll also find a shelf on top of your bed where you can place your suitcase. The bathrooms are shared as you would expect, and you are provided with a towel upon checking-in.
The experience is like being on a boat or a train. The spaces are compact but comfortable, which makes it the right size for a traveler on a budget looking to spend a lot of time out exploring the city.
Chelsea Cabins is located just two blocks away from Madison Square Gardens, which makes it the perfect place to stay if you’re visiting New York City for a concert. It is also only two blocks away from Penn Station, which can make your travels within or outside of the city much easier.
Pros: Two blocks from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station Price
Cons: Small rooms, shared bathrooms
Jazz on the Park is a hostel located on the Upper West Side just one block away from Central Park. It is a pretty standard experience when it comes to hostel, where you’ll find multiple bunk beds in a single room. Jazz on the Park also has private rooms which carry a higher nightly rate.
What makes Jazz on the Park unique is its vibe. The shared spaces have a rustic cafe feel while other rooms, like the staircases, have drawings that make you feel like you’re back in elementary school.
Jazz on the Park is located just four blocks away from the B and the C train, and about six blocks away from the 1 train. Within a few stops on the train, you can be at the Museum of Natural History, Times Square, and the World Trade Center. Walk across the park and you’ll find yourself right at the heart of NYC’s Museum Mile.
Pros: Sense of community with like-minded travelers, Price Central Park
Cons: Shared room lack, of privacy, Shared bathrooms
For the Traveling Family
Airbnbs in Brooklyn and Jersey City can offer the best bang for your buck. Entire apartments can offer the space a traveling family needs. And, in many cases, an entire Airbnb apartment can be as much as a single hotel room in New York City. Not only does an Airbnb apartment offer space, but it also has a kitchen! Families can take advantage of the kitchen to prepare meals which, in turn, saves tons of money.
When looking for an Airbnb, search for apartments with good reviews hosted by super hosts. In Brooklyn, the best Airbnbs would be in the Dumbo and Williamsburg neighborhoods for their proximity to Manhattan. In Jersey City, look for apartments close to a Path Train Station (Newport, Grove St, Exchange Place, and Journal Square.)
Pros: Space for families, kitchen and separate bedrooms, just minutes from Manhattan (depending on location)
Cons: Renting out entire apartments is not technically legal in Manhattan
When Money is not an Issue
Photo by Andrew Werner on Flickr
CitizenM, in Times Square, is not only located in the beating heart of Manhattan, but it is also a travelers’ technological paradise. The entire room, from your window shades, lighting, and the TV, is controlled using an iPad.
The hotel rooms are very small, but unlike the cabins in Chelsea and SoHo, they have their own bathroom. Unfortunately, the rooms are just big enough either for one person or a couple, not for families.
The hotel also counts two bars where friendly bartenders are waiting to make you a great drink. The first bar can be found in the lobby, however, this hotel’s rooftop bar is a destination in its own right.
Pros: Near the 1, 2, A, C, and E Trains, In Times Square (convenient to shops and sights), Rooftop bar close to Broadway Theatres
Cons: Can be pricey, Small rooms In Times Square (area can be very busy, loud and crowded)
1 Hotel Central Park is located in Central Park South, just blocks from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Columbus Circle. 1 Hotel is not like any other hotel since their motto is “recycle everything.” The hotel’s exterior does not go unnoticed. Their outside walls are covered in green plants which helps keep it cool in the summer. There’s a plant in every room giving it a splash of green against the earthy tones. The wood used throughout the rooms is reclaimed. Even the hangers are made out of recycled cardboard.
The rooms are spacious, which is a luxury in Manhattan. The staff is known for being super friendly, with the customer’s satisfaction their first priority.
Pros: Spacious rooms, one block away from Central Park, one block away from 5th Ave high-end shopping Four blocks away from the MoMa, two blocks away from Columbus Circle
Cons: Can be expensive
Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards, promises to be an out of this world experience. They just started taking reservations this past March (2019) but the hotel will not officially open its doors until June of 2019. If you’re looking for a new experience and to be one of the first guests to stay at this hotel, then you need to hurry.
What Equinox Hotel promises is the best sleep you’ll ever have. They’re investing in technology that will make every sleep experience you won’t be able to get anywhere else in the world. The beds have been designed with natural materials and have no metal springs. The rooms are soundproof and the shades create a total blackout room. Even their after-hours menu is designed to promote sleep.
The hotel is located on 10th Ave and 30th St., just blocks away from Time Square and steps away from the Hudson Yards Vessel. Hudson Yards has everything you want and need, from shopping to entertainment. The A and the 7 trains are just blocks away.
Pros: Located in Hudson Yards
Cons: Expensive
Yotel New York. There’s nothing ordinary or cookiecutter about Yotel New York in Hell’s Kitchen. The hotel is bathed in fun colors, playful carpets, funky decor, and neon lights. You get the convenience of checking-in yourself by using one of their kiosks. The rooms are small, which is expected in big cities like New York.
The hotel is located on 10th Ave and 41st St., which makes public transportation and Time Square very accessible. But if you want to hang out and relax, there’s a bar located on the fourth floor where you can grab a quick drink and meet some of the fellow guests.
Pros: Great dining options, great nightlife, close to Time Square
Cons: Small rooms
Tips from the Tiplr community helped us gather these amazing places to stay in New York City. Join our community and share your travel experiences and tips from all over the world so other travelers can benefit from it the way these tips are helping you make an informed decision on where to stay in this great city.
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Cover Photo by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash