Where to stay in New York City

🏨Where to Stay in New York City (and where not to) ➡️ Areas + Map + Hotels

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Choosing where to stay in New York City can make a big difference in your trip. The city is huge, and each neighborhood offers a different experience—in terms of atmosphere, prices, public transport connections, and proximity to major tourist attractions. Plus, the hotel that seems to be in the best location on the map isn’t always the most practical one for exploring the city. In this guide, you're going to find the best areas to stay in New York and which hotels we recommend in each one, but we’ll go a step further: we’ll help you choose the area that best fits your trip based on your budget, the number of days you’ll be there, whether you’re traveling with family or as a couple, and what you want to see.

You’ll also find the pros and cons of each neighborhood, information on public transportation, and details on nearby tourist attractions, so you can book with confidence and avoid overpaying for a location you might not need.
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Places to stay in New York City

What are the best places to stay in New York City: Summary Table

The truth is that there's no single answer to this question, since the best area will depend on your budget, how many days you have, the activities you want to do during your trip to New York City, the atmosphere you're looking for, and how much you're willing to get around using public transportation.

💡 If this is your first trip to New York and you're looking for a convenient location for sightseeing, our top choice would be Midtown Manhattan —specifically, the Pod39 hotel. Its location and excellent public transportation connections allow you to visit many of the major attractions without wasting too much time getting around. That said, it might not be the best area for everyone.

To help you decide quickly, here are the 8 best neighborhoods in New York we recommend for staying, along with the types of travelers we think they’re best suited for:

BEST NEIGHBORHOODS TO STAY IN NEW YORK
AREATOP 3 HOTELSIDEAL FORPRICEVIBETRANSPORTATION
Midtown Manhattan1. Pod39
2. Pod Times Square
3. Moxy Times Square
🥇 First-time visitors, those looking to be close to tourist attractions, Broadway shows, and travelers with only a few days💰💰💰💰Touristy and lively👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Chelsea1. Hyatt Place Chelsea
2. Towne Place Suites
3. INNSIDE by Meliá New York Nomad
🍣 Great atmosphere and a wide variety of restaurants💰💰💰💰Modern and bohemian👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Upper West Side1. Riverside Tower Hotel
2. Hotel Lucerne
3. KAMA Central Park
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families and peacefulness💰💰💰Residential and quiet👍🏼👍🏼
Financial District1. Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center
2. The Cloud One
3. Placemakr Wall Street
🤑 Good value for the location💰💰Modern and quiet at night and on weekends👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Soho1. SoHo 54
2. Sohotel
3. Nolitan Hotel Soho
❤️ Couples, shopping, and restaurants💰💰💰💰Elegant and lively👍🏼👍🏼
East Village & Lower East Side1. Moxy NYC East Village
2. The Allen Hotel
3. Holiday Inn Lower East Side
🍸Nightlife, bars, and restaurants💰💰💰Residential and lively👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Queens1. LIC Hotel
2. The Local NY
3. Wingate by Wyndham Long Island City
💵 Tight budgets💰Diverse and residential👍🏼👍🏼
Brooklyn1. Hampton Inn Brooklyn
2. Pod Brooklyn
3. NU Hotel
🌃 Local atmosphere and views💰💰💰Creative and modern👍🏼👍🏼

How to choose where to stay in New York: a Checklist to keep in mind

Choosing a place to stay in New York isn't easy, and while price is important, it's not the only factor to consider. Before you book, we recommend checking the following:

🚇 See how far away a subway station is and how many lines run nearby

The subway will be your main mode of transportation in New York, so the distance between the hotel you choose and the nearest station is important. In a city where you’ll be doing a lot of walking, it’s best not to add extra miles. Early in the day you might not mind, but after walking some miles, the last thing you’ll want is to have to walk another 20 minutes to get to your hotel.

We would try to choose a hotel that’s a 5- to 10-minute walk from a subway station. Also, not all subway stations in New York are the same, as some are served by multiple lines and others only by only one. The first option will give you a wider range of possibilities for getting around Manhattan and the surrounding areas, so it’s best to check the New York City subway map to see which lines run through the area.

💡Recommended: 10 travel tips for visiting New York City (and don't mess it up)

🍽️ Check if there are any restaurants or grocery stores nearby

Having amenities near your accommodations—whether they're restaurants, coffee shops, or supermarkets—can be very convenient in New York.

After spending the whole day sightseeing, there may be days when you don't feel like traveling far for dinner and would rather eat at a restaurant near your hotel, or just pick up a few things at a supermarket. This will give you more freedom, especially if you're traveling to New York with children.

💯 Check the hotel's rating

Before getting carried away by an attractive price or beautiful photos, check the hotel's rating. In our case, if we see a place to stay with a low rating (usually below 7), we rule it out right away, since that's a sign that something's wrong.

In the case of New York City, where standards aren't the highest in the world, we would try not to book hotels with a rating below 7.5.

🤓 Read the reviews, starting with the most recent ones

Although the rate is helpful, we think it’s very important to read other travelers’ reviews so you can uncover potential issues with the hotel that you might not notice at first glance. You don’t need to read all the thousands of reviews each hotel has; what we do is filter by keywords or start by reading the ones written in our language, but we always sort them by the most recent ones.

In New York City, we think it's very important to read reviews about the location, noise levels, room size (rooms are usually small), the comfort and size of the bed, cleanliness, whether it has air conditioning and/or heating depending on the time of year you’re visiting, the attitude of the staff, whether they charge a deposit, and whether it has an elevator.

Hotels in Soho, New York City
Soho, New York City

💸 Check if taxes are included in the price

This is an especially important consideration when booking accommodations in New York City, because the price you see when you book may not be the final cost.

For this reason, make sure to check whether taxes are included in your reservation so you don't run into any surprises later. For example, Booking.com is the search engine we always use to make reservations, and this information is clearly stated both at the beginning and at the end of the booking process; in the vast majority of cases, everything is already included in the price!

Here are the taxes on accommodations in New York that you should be aware of:

  • 14.75% of the total hotel price
  • $3.50 per night in city tax
  • Resort fee: some hotels charge this fee for the use of their facilities. It can range from $10 to $50 per night, and although it is optional, an increasing number of hotels are charging it.

In addition, some hotels may charge you a deposit once you arrive; in fact, this is a fairly common practice in the United States. This is a refundable deposit that you provide via card in case you cause any damage to the room. Unless you’ve completely trashed the room, they’ll refund it to you, but sometimes it can take a little while for the refund to show up on your card.

Lodging in New York City
Example of lodging taxes in New York City

❌ Check the cancellation policy

It’s very rare for us to book a hotel that doesn’t offer free cancellation; we only do so in exceptional cases where there’s no other alternative. We highly recommend choosing a hotel in New York that offers free cancellation, especially if you’re planning your trip several months in advance (which is usually the case). Although these rates are slightly higher than non-refundable ones, we believe it’s worth paying the extra cost.

In addition to being useful in case you have to cancel your trip and want to get your money back, it can also be helpful if you find a better rate in the future. Just be sure to always check the terms and conditions, since cancellation policies vary widely from one hotel to another.

🥐 Check if breakfast is included in the rate

If breakfast is included in your lodging rate, that's great. But if it's something you have to pay for separately, we don't really recommend doing so in New York City because hotel breakfasts are generally expensive, and there are plenty of options in the city that cost less.

💡Recommended: 15 Free and Unique Things to Do in New York

How to find cheap hotels in New York City: Key Tips

Cheap accommodation in New York City doesn't exist, but there are some things you can do to find less expensive options. We know we aren't going to reveal you the Coke formula, but for sure these are useful tips:

  1. Travel during the off-season. Christmas, Holy Week, summer, and public holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween are usually the most expensive times to travel to New York City. Traveling during the off-season—for example, from January through early May (excluding Holy Week) or from mid-September through November (excluding Halloween and Thanksgiving)—can mean finding hotels at half price.
  2. Sharing the room and/or bathroom. Your idea of an ideal trip to New York City is probably not to share with strangers, but you can find good options for private rooms with shared bathroom (or shared rooms) that aren't so bad either. One example is the KAMA Central Park.
  3. Staying in areas farther away from tourist attractions. Here, it’s important to consider how much time and money you’ll spend on transportation to determine whether it’s worth it. One example would be the hotels we recommend in Queens.

What are the best neighborhoods and hoteles to stay in New York City

New York City consists of a total of 5 boroughs: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

Of all these, Manhattan is the best place to stay in, specifically from Battery Park (south) to the north-central part of Central Park (around 96th Street). There are also neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens that aren't bad options, as we'll explain later.

Here are what we consider to be the best areas to stay in New York City, with the prons and cons of each and a selection of the best hotels. At the end, you'll find a map with all of them marked!

1. Midtown (Center of Manhattan): the best area for first-time visitors to New York

Midtown is the heart of the city and, therefore, the most convenient area to stay in New York for a first-time visit. It's also the most popular, which means prices here are high. Within Midtown, there are smaller areas such as Hell's Kitchen, the Flatiron District, Union Square, and Gramercy Park—any of which are good options for a place to stay.

It’s a very lively, tourist-friendly area that’s bustling practically all day long, with a wide variety of dining options, as well as shops and hotels. It’s not the neighborhood we’d choose if you’re looking for peace and quiet or a particularly local experience, but it is one of the most convenient places to make the most of your time.

👍🏼 Ideal for: first-time visitors, if you only have a few days, if you're looking for plenty of tourist attractions within walking distance, if you're going to a Broadway show, or if you want plenty of transportation options nearby.

Pros: central location, well-connected (several subway stops), close to many attractions and a wide range of services (hotels, restaurants, shops...).

Cons: very touristy, crowded, and not very authentic; high prices; noise at night, depending on the location.

😎 Nearby attractions: Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, St Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Broadway, MoMA, Madame Tussauds, SUMMIT, Empire State, Chrysler, Flatiron, Bryant Park and Fifth Avenue.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in Midtown Manhattan here, but we've selected the best ones to make your search easier:

  • Pod39 ➡️ Modern hotel with rooms of a decent size and comfortable beds. Very pleasant common areas and a terrace with panoramic views (including the Empire State Building). Complimentary coffee and tea are available all day, and there are several subway stations within a 7-10 minute walk. There’s a bar and restaurant, and the staff is very attentive. Book it here.
  • Pod Times Square ➡️ A modern hotel near Times Square with small but very well-designed rooms. It features a bar with a terrace, a subway station less than 5 minutes away, and complimentary coffee and tea all day long. Some rooms offer views of the Empire State Building. Book it here.
  • Moxy Times Square ➡️ A very modern hotel geared more toward adults. The rooms aren't very large, but they're well-appointed. It has a terrace with great views, several subway stations less than 5 minutes away, and they give you a discount at the cafe next door if you want to have breakfast there. Book it here.
  • Da Vinci Hotel ➡️ A slightly cheaper option than the previous ones, with older facilities and rooms. Still, it's clean, very close to Central Park, with subway stops less than 5 minutes away and several Italian restaurants nearby. Book it here.
Moxy Times Square, a hotel in New York
Moxy Times Square, a hotel in New York
Pod39, good hotel in New York City
Pod39, good hotel in New York City
Pod Times Square, a hotel near Times Square
Pod Times Square, a hotel near Times Square

2. Chelsea (Center of Manhattan): great atmosphere and a wide variety of restaurants

Chelsea is one of our favorite neighborhoods to stay in New York because of its great balance of location, atmosphere, and dining options. This area is located south of Midtown, and it has a very distinctive character, blending the modern with the bohemian.

Chelsea features a mix of residential buildings, art galleries, restaurants, bars, markets, and a vibrant urban atmosphere. Here you’ll find well-known spots like The High Line and Chelsea Market, as well as some of New York’s most innovative attractions, such as the extravagant Little Island. Macy’s is also nearby, in case you’re interested in shopping.

We think Chelsea is a great option if you want to be relatively close to the main attractions while avoiding the chaos of the Times Square area.

👍🏼 Ideal for: first-time visitors looking for a central but less touristy location; couples seeking a lively atmosphere and a variety of dining options; and those interested in art and design.

Pros: good location between Midtown and Downtown, great local atmosphere, a wide selection of hotels, bars, and restaurants, and several subway stations.

Cons: high hotel prices, in some areas there may be traffic and noise, some parts of Midtown may be too far to reach on foot.

😎 Nearby attractions: Vessel, Little Island, The Edge, Chelsea Market, The Highline and Hudson Yards.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in Chelsea here, but we've selected the best ones for you:

  • Hyatt Place Chelsea ➡️ A lovely hotel with well-appointed rooms (those on the upper floors offer views of the New York skyline). Breakfast is included in the rate, and it features a gym, a bar-restaurant with a terrace, and several subway stations nearby. Book it here.
  • INNSIDE by Meliá New York Nomad ➡️ The rooms are quite spacious, modern, carpet-free, and offer great views, especially those on the upper floors. They offer complimentary water, juice, and coffee all day, and the hotel features an American-style restaurant with excellent reviews. Book it here.
  • Towne Place Suites ➡️ A fantastic option if you're looking for more fully equipped rooms with a kitchen and dining area, especially if you're traveling with kids (they also have standard rooms). Breakfast is included in the rate, and there's a gym and a small, quite pleasant terrace. Subway station is 1 min. away. Book it here.
Towne Place Suites, a hotel in New York
Towne Place Suites, a hotel in New York
Hyatt Place Chelsea
Hyatt Place Chelsea
INNSIDE by Meliá New York Nomad
INNSIDE by Meliá New York Nomad

3. Upper West Side (North of Manhattan): a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood

The Upper West Side is one of the best options for those who want to stay in Manhattan but prefer a quieter, more residential atmosphere. Located on the west side of Central Park, it combines classic buildings with tree-lined streets, restaurants, cafes, and more local shops.

For this reason, we believe it can be a particularly good area to stay in New York for families with kids, especially since it’s close to one of the museums that kids love the most. That said, although the Upper West Side has always been considered an affordable place to stay, we don’t see prices as competitive as they used to be.

Our advice is that if you choose this area, you should stay in the southern part of it (roughly from 56th to 96th Street) and near a subway station (the lodging options we suggest below meet all these criteria). The northernmost part offers no price advantage and is too far from tourist attractions.

👍🏼 Ideal for: families with children, if you want to be close to Central Park, if you prefer a more residential atmosphere, or if you're looking for peace and quiet at night.

Pros: a quiet residential area, close to Central Park, good selection of restaurants and shops, fewer crowds of tourists, and slightly more affordable than neighboring Midtown or Columbus Circle.

Cons: it's far from downtown and has less nightlife than other areas (if that's what you're looking for).

😎 Nearby attractions: Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, and the Dakota Apartments.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels on the Upper West Side here, but we've selected the 3 best options for you:

  • Riverside Tower Hotel ➡️ A well-located hotel just 3 minutes from the subway in a quiet area. The rooms are small but modern and recently renovated; there’s complimentary coffee and tea, a small gym, and views of the Hudson River. There are restaurants nearby. Book it here.
  • Hotel Lucerne ➡️ A more classic hotel that, at first glance, seems a bit dated, but that doesn't make it any worse. It stands out for its cleanliness and its location closer to Central Park and just 2 minutes from the subway. The rooms are spacious, but they don't offer any views. Book it here.
  • KAMA Central Park ➡️ This hostel offers private and shared rooms with capsule-style beds, making it a good option if you're looking for affordable lodging in New York and don't mind sharing. Breakfast is included, and it’s located next to the northwest corner of Central Park, with a couple of subway stops nearby. Book it here.
Riverside Tower Hotel, New York
Riverside Tower Hotel, New York
Hotel Lucerne, hotel near Central Park
Hotel Lucerne, hotel near Central Park
KAMA Central Park, a hotel in New York
KAMA Central Park, a hotel in New York

4. Financial District (South of Manhattan): good value for the location

The Financial District is one of the best areas to stay in New York for several reasons: it offers fairly competitive prices for Manhattan (especially on weekends), has modern hotels, good public transportation connections, a lively atmosphere during the day (mainly businesspeople), and a wide variety of dining options.

Since it’s a fairly business-oriented area, it’s ideal if you’re looking for peace and quiet at night, which is when business activity slows down. The same is true on weekends, which is why there are often affordable deals on accommodations from Friday through Sunday. Don’t choose to stay here if you’re looking for a nightlife scene, as there isn’t much of one.

👍🏼 Ideal for: if you're looking for good value for your money, don't mind staying in a somewhat more impersonal area, and want peace and quiet at night.

Pros: modern hotels, sometimes at attractive prices, good public transportation connections, easy access to ferries, a quiet area at night, and a variety of dining options.

Cons: far from Midtown and business vibe.

😎 Nearby attractions: One World Observatory, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange, Charging Bull, Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge, and the ferry Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in the Financial District here, but we've already narrowed it down to the best ones:

  • Placemakr Wall Street ➡️ Hotel consisting of several modern, fully equipped apartments, ideal for families or groups. It’s a 5-minute walk from the subway, near the Brooklyn Bridge, and the building features a laundry room, gym, game room, and a rooftop with views—all included in the price. Book it here.
  • Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center ➡️ Hotel located very close to the ferry stop that takes you to the Statue of Liberty. It has several subway stops nearby, views of the Hudson River, a small gym, fairly spacious rooms, and some rates include breakfast. Book it here.
  • The Cloud One ➡️ Hotel located very close to the 9/11 Memorial and the World Trade Center, with several subway stops nearby. It features modern amenities, a panoramic rooftop, rooms of a decent size, and some with views of the skyscrapers. Book it here.
Placemakr Wall Street, apartments in New York
Placemakr Wall Street, apartments in New York
The Cloud One, a hotel in the Financial District
The Cloud One, a hotel in the Financial District
Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center, NewYork
Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center, New York

5. Soho (South of Manhattan): the best area for shopping and a great atmosphere

Soho is currently one of the coolest neighborhoods in New York City, with its distinctive wrought-iron buildings—we really love it! Here you’ll find cobblestone streets, art galleries, high-end restaurants, and a great atmosphere overall. It’s also a stylish shopping district, with boutiques, major brand stores, and galleries.

It wouldn't be the area we'd choose if you're looking for a quiet place to sleep, because even though it's nowhere near as noisy as Times Square, there are still quite a few bars and restaurants.

Furthermore, Soho doesn't really have any tourist attractions beyond the neighborhood itself, but it's true that you can walk to close areas like Tribeca, Chinatown, and Little Italy.

👍🏼 Ideal for: couples, if you want to go shopping, if you're looking for a variety of restaurants and cafes, and if you prioritize atmosphere over budget.

Pros: a picturesque neighborhood with distinctive architecture, well-connected by a couple of subway lines, plenty of restaurants and shops, and a lively nightlife scene if that's what you're looking for.

Cons: high prices, it can be noisy at night depending on the location, hustle and bustle during the day, few tourist attractions in the area, and the need to take the subway to get anywhere.

😎 Nearby attractions: the neighborhood itself, Washington Square Park, Tribeca, Chinatown, Little Italy, NoLIta, and Greenwich Village.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in Soho here, but here are the ones that offer the best value for your money:

  • SoHo 54 ➡️ Quiet location, just a few minutes from two subway stations. The rooms aren’t very large but are adequate, although it’s true that the furniture is a bit outdated. They offer free coffee, tea, water, and hot chocolate 24 hours a day, and there’s a small gym. Book it here.
  • Sohotel ➡️ Located on the outskirts of Soho, with several subway stops nearby. It’s a historic and charming building, but that means it doesn’t have an elevator. Several of its rooms have been renovated, retaining a very New York-style look with exposed brick walls. They offer coffee and hot chocolate in the mornings. Book it here.
  • Nolitan Hotel Soho ➡️ A charming, modern hotel located in a quiet area between Soho and Little Italy. The rooms aren't particularly large, but many have a very nice balcony with a view. Book it here.
Sohotel, a hotel in Soho area
Sohotel, a hotel in Soho area
Soho 54, a hotel in New York
Soho 54, a hotel in New York
Nolitan Hotel Soho, New York
Nolitan Hotel Soho, New York

6. East Village & Lower East Side (Southeast of Manhattan): the best areas for nightlife

We have grouped the East Village and Lower East Side together because they are adjacent neighborhoods that share similar characteristics. Both are lively, multicultural, alternative residential areas with some of the best restaurants, bars, and nightlife in Manhattan.

Here you'll find everything from small restaurants and cafes to plenty of cocktail bars and live music venues, as well as low-rise residential buildings. We stayed on the Lower East Side and really liked it! It’s true that these aren’t areas with major tourist attractions, but that’s part of their charm—it lets you experience a more local, everyday side of New York up close.

👍🏼 Ideal for: young travelers, if you're looking for a lively nightlife, if you're traveling with a group of friends, and if you want to stay in a less touristy area.

Pros: a young, alternative vibe; a stronger sense of a local neighborhood; a great location for exploring Downtown; a good selection of restaurants and bars.

Cons: depending on the location, it can be noisy at night; there are fewer tourist attractions within walking distance; and it can be a bit difficult to find good-quality hotels.

😎 Nearby attractions: Tompkins Square Park, Essex Market, Chinatown, SoHo, Little Italy, and NoLIta.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in the East Village here and in the Lower East Side here, but we've selected two for you in each neighborhood:

  • Moxy NYC East Village ➡️ Modern hotel with several subway stops within walking distance. It features rooms of various sizes, a restaurant, a Mexican cantina-style terrace, and a small gym. Book it here.
  • The Standard East Village ➡️ Hotel in a great location, housed in a multi-story building that offers excellent views—both from its rooftop and from most of the rooms. It has a restaurant, and some rates include a very good breakfast; they also offer complimentary coffee every morning. Book it here.
  • The Allen Hotel ➡️ A more classic, old-fashioned hotel, but with an excellent location in an area full of cafes and bars where you can grab a drink. The rooms are larger than average for New York, and some have private balconies. It has a small gym but no restaurant, and several subway lines are nearby. Book it here.
  • Holiday Inn Lower East Side ➡️ An American chain hotel located near the previous one; it lacks character but generally offers better prices than the rest. It has a bar and restaurant, a gym, and a subway station right next door. Book it here.
The Standard East Village, hotel in New York
The Standard East Village, hotel in New York
Moxy NYC East Village, New York
Moxy NYC East Village, New York
The Allen Hotel, New York
The Allen Hotel, New York

7. Queens: best area for cheap accommodation in New York City

Queens is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City, so it's a huge area divided into different neighborhoods. It's one of the places where you can find affordable lodging in New York, but we recommend focusing on specific areas that are well-connected to Manhattan so you don't spend half a day on public transportation.

Our favorite area of Queens to stay in is Long Island City, located along the East River, where low-rise buildings are more common than skyscrapers. From a tourist’s perspective, it isn’t a neighborhood with many attractions beyond the local atmosphere, but it does have green spaces, a few museums, and great views of the Manhattan skyline.

Although prices in Long Island City are more competitive than those in Manhattan, it’s true that you’ll definitely need to take the subway to get to the tourist attractions—but if you book a hotel near a station, it won’t take you more than 15–20 minutes to get there.

👍🏼 Ideal for: travelers on a budget, if you want to save on lodging, if you've been to New York before, or if you're interested in a more residential experience.

Pros: more competitive prices, great views of the Manhattan skyline, and a stronger sense of being in a residential neighborhood.

Cons: you're not in Manhattan, and you'll need to take the subway to go anywhere; there aren't many tourist attractions beyond the views and the Contrasts of New York tour, which stops here.

😎 Nearby attractions: Gantry Plaza State Park, MoMA PS1, and Roosevelt Island.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in Long Island City (Queens) here, but we've picked out the best ones for you:

  • LIC Hotel ➡️ Very well-located hotel, with a subway station nearby and simple but spacious rooms. Everything is very clean and from some of the rooms you can see the Manhattan skyline, as you can from its rooftop. Breakfast is included in the rate, and the hotel has laundry facilities and a gym. Book it here.
  • The Local NY ➡️ Hotel with industrial and minimalist decor. It offers both private and shared rooms, in case you want to save even more money. It has a bar and a rooftop with a view. Book it here.
  • Wingate by Wyndham Long Island City ➡️ American chain hotel with very spacious, carpet-free rooms, several of which offer views of Manhattan. It features excellent amenities, a gym, and breakfast is included in the rate. Book it here.
Wingate by Wyndham Long Island City, New York
Wingate by Wyndham Long Island City, New York
The Local NY, a hostel in New York
The Local NY, a hostel in New York
LIC Hotel, New York
LIC Hotel, New York

8. Brooklyn: local atmosphere and views of the Manhattan skyline

Like Queens, Brooklyn is another borough of New York City and is made up of various neighborhoods. It’s becoming increasingly popular and is an interesting alternative for enjoying a local atmosphere without sacrificing the variety of restaurants, bars, independent shops, and cultural venues, in addition to offering some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

We recommend choosing a hotel in the Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO neighborhoods (located along the river) or in Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg; the latter is a more alternative area with plenty of nightlife. All of these areas have a subway station nearby, making it easy to get to Manhattan.

That said, keep in mind that prices are exactly the same as in Manhattan, which is why we wouldn't choose Brooklyn for a first trip to New York City —though we might for subsequent visits.

👍🏼 Ideal for: repeat visitors who want to enjoy the Manhattan skyline and are looking for a more local vibe.

Pros: local atmosphere, excellent restaurants and bars, magnificent views of Manhattan, a wide variety of accommodations, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Cons: you have to take the subway to visit Manhattan's tourist attractions, and prices are generally high.

😎 Nearby attractions: Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Jane's Carousel, Squibb Park Bridge, Domino Park, and Governors Island.

🏨 Recommended hotels to stay here. You'll find all the hotels in Brooklyn here, though we'd go with one of these:

  • NU Hotel ➡️ Located in Brooklyn Heights, this is a small, modern hotel with spacious rooms and comfortable beds. Breakfast is included, and there are several subway stations nearby. Book it here.
  • Hampton Inn Brooklyn ➡️ Bigger hotel in Downtown Brooklyn, located near the subway. It features spacious rooms (those on the upper floors offer great views) and comfortable beds. A buffet breakfast is included, along with complimentary tea and coffee available all day. Book it here.
  • Pod Brooklyn ➡️ Hotel located in Williamsburg, in a quiet area with plenty of amenities. It features several pleasant outdoor spaces. The rooms aren't very large, but they have everything you need. Keep in mind that the shower and toilet are in the same space and that the walls are made of glass. Book it here.
NU Hotel in Brooklyn, New York
NU Hotel in Brooklyn, New York
Pod Brooklyn, a hotel in New York
Pod Brooklyn, a hotel in New York
Hampton Inn Brooklyn, New York
Hampton Inn Brooklyn, New York

Where not to stay in New York City: Areas to Avoid

We like to be cautious when labeling an area as “unsafe” or “dangerous,” since this can vary even within the same neighborhood and may change over time. Furthermore, you might walk through one of the neighborhoods considered less safe and have absolutely nothing happen to you, but to have your wallet stolen right in the middle of Times Square.

That said, these are the New York neighborhoods that are generally considered less safe, but we want to clarify that we haven't been to any of them to verify this firsthand:

  • Brooklyn: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Brownsville, and East New York
  • The Bronx: Mott Haven, Hunts Point, and Fordham
  • Manhattan: certain areas of Harlem at night
  • Queens: South Jamaica and Far Rockaway
Times Square, New York
Times Square, New York

Map of areas to stay in New York City

To wrap things up, here's our map showing all the areas where you can stay in New York, along with the accommodations we've recommended throughout this article. We hope you find it helpful!

FAQs about staying in New York City

How much does it cost to stay in New York?

The price of lodging will depend on the time of year you visit New York and how far in advance you book, but a double room usually costs between €150 and €350 per night.

What taxes are charged at hotels in New York?

All hotels charge a 14.75% tax on the total room rate and a $3.50 per night city tax. Some accommodations also charge an optional "resort fee," which can range from $10 to $50 per night.

When is it cheapest to stay in New York?

The least expensive months are January, February, and March.

What is the cheapest area to stay in Manhattan?

There isn't a single area that's always the cheapest, since hotel prices vary greatly depending on the time of year, the day of the week, and demand. However, the Financial District usually offers some of the most attractive options in Manhattan—especially on weekends—if you’re looking for modern hotels and are willing to venture away from Midtown.

How far in advance should I book accommodation in New York?

The sooner you do it, the better, but we'd say the ideal time is about 8 months in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak seasons like Christmas or school breaks.

What's the best area to stay in New York City for a first-time visit?

For a first visit to New York, Midtown Manhattan is our favorite area, especially if you only have a few days, since its location allows you to walk to many iconic sights.

What's the best area to stay in New York City with kids?

If you're traveling to New York with children, the Upper West Side is one of our favorite areas. It's a quiet, residential neighborhood located next to Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History, and it has numerous restaurants and shops.

What is the safest area to stay in New York?

All tourist areas in New York are safe places to stay, including the vast majority of neighborhoods in Manhattan. The Long Island City area in Queens is also safe, as are the neighborhoods of , Brooklyn Heights, Downtown, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.

Is it better to stay in Manhattan or Brooklyn?

For a first-time visit to New York, it's best to stay in Manhattan, since it's the most central and convenient location. If you've been to the city before, Brooklyn is an option with more of a local vibe and is sometimes a bit more affordable.

How many days should I spend in New York?

We recommend spending at least 4 or 5 full days in New York to see its main attractions without rushing, although a week would be ideal. With 2 or 3 days, you can take a short trip and visit some of the must-see spots, but you’ll have to be very selective about what you want to see.

Is it worth staying near Times Square?

Yes, but you don't necessarily have to stay right in Times Square. Its main advantage is its location, but it's one of the most touristy, crowded, and noisy areas in New York, and some hotels can be expensive for what they offer. That’s why, for a first visit, we think it’s a good idea to stay in Midtown—but not necessarily in Times Square.

We hope we've helped you find your perfect place to stay in New York! 😀

Update date: 21 August 2026
Irene García

Co-founder and writer

I’m a pharmacist, but I discovered that traveling is my true passion in life. I spent 6 months backpacking through Southeast Asia and Australia, and more than 2 years traveling across the American continent in my camper, driving from Ushuaia to Alaska. As you can see, adventure is my thing!

I’m also addicted to dark chocolate, hiking, watching TV series, and I love all the animals on the planet. I’m the kind of person who rescues spiders that get into home!

United States is one of my favorite destinations—it seems to me like one of the most complete and diverse countries in the world! I hope you enjoy my USA travel guides, and if you feel like writing to me once you’re back from your trip, I’d love to hear how it went.

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