This post is about how to choose where to stay in New York City, particularly for first-time visitors and even those coming to the city for a return visit.
With hundreds of NYC hotels to choose from, up may be feeling overwhelmed!
- Overview
- Where to Stay by Area
- Best Hotels for Families
- Hotels with Special Features
- Tips For Choosing A Hotel
- Suggestions From Locals and Travelers
If this comment posted on our NYC Travel Tips Facebook Group sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place!
How We’ve Organized Our Recommendations
Our hotel recommendations are broken down by neighborhood.
First, we explain a bit about the area, what makes it special and who might enjoy staying there.
We list the best sights and attractions in that neighborhood.
We then break down hotels into price ranges: budget (under $200 per night), mid-range ($200 - $400 per night) and luxury ($400 - $600 per night).
Note that we do not include NYC occupancy tax of 14.75% or resort fees that may be added to your stay in our price brackets.
Lastly, we make recommendations for some of the best places to stay in New York for families, for a quiet stay, for free, delicious breakfasts and amazing rooftops.
TIP: If you are on a tight budget, take a look at our post on 15 Ways to Find Cheap Accommodation in NYC as well as this list of 25 Best Cheap Hotels in New York City.
Why Trust Our Advice?
Why should you rely on our information? Because we speak with tourists every day during our walking tours.
They tell us what they like and don’t like about their accommodations around the city. Some rave and some rant.
We listen and then share what they tell us with our readers.
We learn even more from the hundreds of detailed comments and recommendations from visitors on our Facebook group which has over 91,000 members!
These comments are filled with up-to-date hotel recommendations with detailed information from actual hotel guests.
WHERE TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY BY AREA
Below are some of the best hotels in New York City selected from popular neighborhoods.
We also include hotels in nearby New Jersey.
All of these areas are relatively safe places to stay. We also have a post on how safe New York is for more details.
There are many other great hotels in lots of neighborhoods in NYC, but we can't cover them all here.
For more recommendations, join our NYC Travel Tips Facebook Group.
Times Square - Bright Lights! Big City!
If you are looking to be within walking distance to great attractions and you love an electric vibe, then Times Square is where to stay in New York City!
You’ll find a wide range of room prices and a variety of hotel styles. Some hotels have rooftop bars with great views.
While it is true that the neighborhood is not as pretty as others, it is a one-of-a-kind atmosphere!
Recommended Hotels
You can also view all hotels in the Times Square area and set filters.
Budget
- Hotel Edison Times Square
- Hilton Garden Inn Times Square
- Row NYC at Times Square *As of Jan 2025, the Row is closed. This will likely change in the future at a date to be determined.
Mid-Range
Luxury
For Families
Attractions within Walking Distance
- Broadway shows
- Three observation decks! Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and SUMMIT
- Rockefeller Center
- Grand Central Terminal
- Museum of Modern Art
For more things to do in the area and restaurant recommendations, read our post on things to do in Times Square.
Midtown Manhattan - The Heart of New York City
Midtown is one of the best areas to stay in New York City, with both posh and pricey hotels and minimalist-style hotels with lower prices.
Midtown Manhattan is a large part of Manhattan and encompasses several neighborhoods like Chelsea, NoMad, Murray Hill and others.
Staying in Midtown Manhattan is a good choice if you’d like to be close to major attractions you can reach by foot or by relatively short subway rides.
The vibe is lively with tourists and businesspeople day and night. But late at night, it is somewhat quieter, depending on what part of Midtown you stay in.
Midtown Manhattan is also one of the best photography locations in NYC.
Recommended Hotels
You can also view all hotels in Midtown Manhattan and set filters.
Budget
Mid-range
Luxury
For Families
Nearby Attractions
- Four observation decks: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, SUMMIT, Edge
- High Line
- Chrysler Building
- Roosevelt Island Tram
- Free TV show tapings
- and the same great attractions near Times Square listed above.
Read our post on things to do in Midtown Manhattan.
Central Park and Upper West Side - Nature and Elegance
Staying near Central Park is a great idea if you want to get off the tourist track and see how the natives live.
Most of the affordable hotels near Central Park are on the Upper West Side which is a lovely and safe part of Manhattan. The area is family-friendly as well.
However, most of NYC’s best attractions will not be within walking distance.
Also, many of the hotels closest to Central Park are some of the most expensive hotels in the city.
You will pay more to be near Central Park than if you stayed in other neighborhoods and used the subway to get to the park.
Recommended Hotels
*Price brackets are higher than for other neighborhoods
Budget
Mid Range
Luxury
For Families
Nearby Attractions
Join one of our pay-what-you-like guided Central Park tours.
Lower Manhattan - Where Old Meets New
Lower Manhattan is where New York City was born back in 1624!
The area is a combination of historic buildings, old narrow streets and modern skyscrapers with the graceful 9/11 Memorial in the center of it all.
Just about every subway line runs through it which means you can get anywhere in the city easily.
While the streets are bustling by day, at night it is fairly quiet. You can find some pretty great prices in the area too!
Recommended Hotels
Budget
- Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center, New York
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott/World Trade Center Area
- World Center Hotel
Mid-Range
Luxury
- Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York
- AC Hotel by Marriott New York Downtown
- The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
For Families
Nearby Attractions
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- One World Observatory
- 9/11 Memorial
- Brooklyn Bridge
- and much more!
Read our post on things to do in Lower Manhattan or join us for our pay-what-you-wish Lower Manhattan guided walking tour!
SoHo And The Lower East Side - Chic and Historic
SoHo’s streets and historic cast-iron buildings are charming. The Lower East Side is edgy and eclectic.
Both offer fantastic food, non-stop nightlife and trendy shopping. They also happen to be rich with history!
Both neighborhoods are within a quick subway ride to Midtown Manhattan, Times Square, and Lower Manhattan and are within walking distance to Little Italy, Chinatown and Greenwich Village.
Note that if you are traveling with children, it can be noisy at night, so you may want to look at some other areas of the city.
Recommended Hotels
Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury
For Families
To find out all the great things to see and do in these neighborhoods, read our posts on SoHo and the Lower East Side.
Check out our pay-what-you-like Lower East Side Food Tour and our pay-what-you-like walking tour of SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Tour.
Brooklyn - Skyline Views And Charming Brownstones
If you don’t mind taking a subway to Manhattan to see the sights, consider staying in Brooklyn.
At some Brooklyn hotels, you will pay less for more space than you would in Manhattan, especially those located in Downtown Brooklyn.
The best Brooklyn hotels fall into the mid-range to expensive price category.
That’s because many of Brooklyn’s hotels are in the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg and have amenities like rooftop bars with amazing skyline views!
Recommended Hotels
Budget
Mid-Range
- Hampton Inn Brooklyn Downtown
- New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
- EVEN Hotel Brooklyn, an IHG Hotel
Luxury
For Families
Check out our pay-what-you-like Brooklyn tours including our Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO Guided Walking Tour or our stand-alone Brooklyn Heights Tour.
New Jersey - More Space For Less
If you are a large group, like a family of four or more, or you are coming by car, staying in New Jersey might be right for you.
You will also love the breathtaking views of Manhattan and New York Harbor.
If your only reason for staying in New Jersey is to cut costs significantly you may be disappointed.
Room prices are lower generally, even for the nicest hotels that are a quick PATH commuter train or ferry ride to Manhattan.
But prices are not dramatically lower.
However, New Jersey occupancy tax is about 50% less than NYC hotels, so you save money right there.
If you are arriving by car, you will still have to pay for parking, but you won't pay as but not as much as you would in Manhattan.
See our post about parking in New Jersey.
Recommended Hotels
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY FOR FAMILIES
When deciding where to stay in NYC with kids, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
You will want to stay in a hotel that is close to subway lines so those little legs don't have to put in overtime!
Next, you will want a hotel that does not attract party people. Also, if you want to save money on food, look for a hotel with a kitchenette.
Lastly, decide if you would rather be in a neighborhood that is family-friendly or busy night and day.
Look for hotels on the Upper Side and Midtown Manhattan. Brooklyn is also one of the best places to stay in New York City when traveling with kids.
Recommended Hotels
Check out our post on things to do with kids in New York City.
NYC HOTELS WITH SPECIAL FEATURES
Choosing a hotel is more than just picking a location. The amenities hotels have to offer are important considerations.
Below are recommended hotels that meet some of the most frequent features people seek when deciding where to stay in New York City.
Where To Stay In NYC For Peace And Quiet
Where To Stay In NYC For Free (And Good!) Breakfasts
Where To Stay In NYC With Amazing Rooftops
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HOTEL IN NYC
- Make a list of the NYC attractions you want to visit then plot them on a map. This way you can see what neighborhoods you plan to spend most of your time in and choose a hotel in that area.
- Pick a hotel near a subway station. Don’t add extra walking time to your day of NYC exploration. If this is your first visit to NYC, you may find our post on navigating the NYC subway helpful.
- Look out for resort fees. A resort fee is an additional fee per day added on top of your room rate. Resort fees can be high, so before booking, check to see if the hotel charges one.
- If you are traveling in a big group (over four people), make sure that the hotel offers rooms that can accommodate your entire group. Otherwise, you may have to book two rooms. In that case, remember to request that the rooms be next to each other, or even adjoining rooms.
- You can save money on weekend rates if you stay at a hotel that caters to business people. During the week, they charge a premium for people who are in tow for work. On weekends capacity is low and prices may be lower to fill rooms.
- Look into booking your hotel through a website like Hotels.com. See why we like Hotels.com below.
SUGGESTIONS FROM TRAVELERS AND LOCALS
If you're looking for the advice of people who have actually stayed in New York City multiple times, our Facebook Group is full of helpful suggestions.
There are always travelers asking about where they should stay while visiting this city, and you'll definitely find some great recommendations in our New York Travel Tips group!
Here are some of their thoughts on the best spots to visit in each neighborhood of NYC.
Times Square
Several members recommend staying at Riu Plaza if you want to be near Times Square, while others feel M Social has a much better view of the area.
That said, there are also a few comments indicating that this might not be the best place to stay in New York City.
As this user notes, Times Square is very crowded and noisy, and it doesn't really give you an idea of what the rest of the city is actually like.
If you want a more authentic New York experience, consider one of the other neighborhoods instead.
Midtown Manhattan
When it comes to this neighborhood, travelers who use our Facebook Group are far more divided.
While some feel the Edison is the best Midtown Manhattan hotel, others recommend the Hilton.
Although you will find other suggestions from time to time, these two are arguably the most popular among those who use our New York Travel Tips group.
The one thing you won't find much of is anyone trying to convince you not to stay in Midtown, as there are a lot of great options in the area and it's a great neighborhood.
Central Park
When it comes to hotels near Central Park, travelers and locals alike note that the Empire is not a good choice.
However, it seems like a lot of people agree that the Park Central is an excellent option.
Other members of our group recommend the Warwick Hotel, noting that it has a lot of history.
Ultimately, a lot of the popular Midtown Manhattan hotels are close enough that most travelers suggest sticking with some of those options instead.
Upper East Side
There aren't a lot of amazing options in this area, but if you're looking for more of a traditional New York experience, you might want to consider some of these locations.
As Tracey notes, the Pierre is one of the few hotels remaining in NYC that offers elevator operators who provide white glove service.
That said, others recommend the Gardens Sonesta ES Hotel instead, noting it's close to a subway station and great for budget travelers.
Lower Manhattan
Although this neighborhood isn't as well-known for its hotels, those who stay in Lower Manhattan don't often complain about their accommodations.
Alicia notes that the Artezen not only offers excellent service but the hotel is located very close to a subway station, making it easy to get around the city.
That said, there aren't really any stand-out hotels that travelers recommend in this part of the city. Whenever anyone asks, the most common recommendation is to consider a Midtown Manhattan hotel instead.
SoHo and Lower East Side
If you're wondering whether or not SoHo is a good place to stay, this is not an uncommon question in our New York Travel Tips group.
As you can see, most locals and travelers alike report that SoHo is not only a safe location, but it's also far less touristy and quieter than other parts of Manhattan.
When it comes to specific hotels in the area, the main thing travelers note is that a lot of the accommodations listed as being in SoHo are actually just outside of the neighborhood.
Sarita here was responding to a post asking for advice about the Sohotel, and ultimately they note that while it's not technically in SoHo, it's close enough that the location is convenient.
Greenwich Village
If you're looking for a quieter neighborhood that isn't as close to all of the action, this might be one of the better neighborhoods in New York City.
That said, it's not going to be the best choice for everyone. Some visitors might want to be close to popular attractions, and Greenwich Village is traditionally seen as less touristy.
While Katy here was hoping for a spot close to Times Square, Donna notes that the Walker Hotel is a bit further than they might realize, but suggests that's a good thing.
We agree! Especially for those who have been to New York City before, a quiet stay in the village could be just what you need to recharge.
Chelsea
Like many other neighborhoods that border more popular areas such as Midtown or Times Square, a lot of travelers recommend Chelsea for those who want more of the traditional NYC vibe.
As Deane notes, the Cambria is reasonably priced and within walking distance of several notable midtown attractions.
Even if you're not interested in this specific hotel, many locals recommend staying here to enjoy a less touristy experience in New York City.
Downtown Brooklyn
When it comes to Brooklyn, there's one unlikely hotel that members of our New York Travel Tips group frequently recommend: The Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge.
As you can see, even those who like this location note that it's just your standard hotel, but it's very close to a lot of the best attractions in this neighborhood.
Shawn has a bit more advice, recommending a taxi or Uber after a long flight to NYC if only to give yourself a chance to relax and unwind.
Williamsburg
This isn't necessarily one of the more popular neighborhoods for hotels, but there are a few locations worth considering.
Even so, you won't find many people talking about Williamsburg in our Facebook Group, and when they do, it's usually to note an issue of some kind.
For instance, Olaf here notes that while Hotel 42 is a high-quality place to stay, there aren't a lot of breakfast or dinner options.
However, as Kelly recommends, you can always plan on getting a meal wherever you plan to go during the day.
As luck would have it, most of the popular attractions in New York are close to a variety of excellent restaurants, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place to eat.
The Bronx
The truth about the Bronx is that a lot of people insist it's not a great place to stay in NYC, indicating there are better spots where tourists won't stick out like a sore thumb.
Even so, many locals suggest that there's nothing to be worried about in the Bronx, and staying in that area could even be a good way to save money on accommodations.
As you can see from Mike's hotel room, the Opera House looks like a very reasonably priced and well-kept hotel in the neighborhood.
New Jersey
Given the cost of hotels in New York City, a lot of travelers try to save money by staying in New Jersey.
While it is technically possible to get a good enough deal to make it worthwhile to stay in Jersey City, but some locals and travelers don't agree with that assessment.
Christopher recommends that you only consider New Jersey hotels if you're saving an extra $50 a night.
He also notes that the cost of transportation between NJ and NYC can easily eat up a lot of that money you might think you're saving!
However, as Mackenzie says below, the cost for a metro ride is technically only $2.75, so in most cases, you shouldn't have to worry about transportation.
For even more tips and advice regarding which hotel to choose, make sure to read our New York Travel Tips group on Facebook.
BENEFITS OF USING HOTELS.COM
Of all the online hotel booking companies, our pick is Hotels.com to find the best places to stay in NYC. Here’s what we like about them.
- Free cancellations! Most rooms allow you to cancel, without any penalty, even up until the day of your arrival. You get a full refund!
- The price you see is the price you pay. Do look to see if local tax is excluded - some cities have high local hotel taxes - so you will want to make sure you see the total price before booking.
- Their loyalty program, Genius, is great! After you book a certain number of hotel stays, you get deductions on hotel prices, free breakfasts, and other perks. It is free to create an account.
- Hotels.com’s app is awesome. This user-friendly app has your confirmation information, so no need to print anything. Manage your booking through the app. You can even chat with your booked hotel through the app.
- They have a price match guarantee. If you do find a cheaper rate, Hotels.com will match it, though you will need to show proof of the lower price you found elsewhere.
- Over 93 Million Reviews! Unbiased reviews help you decide what hotel is good for you.
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