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, you may be feeling overwhelmed.
Hopefully, this post will help you find a hotel that's right for you.
As a New Yorker, I know which areas are nice to stay in, so I grouped the hotels by neighborhood.
For the most part, these hotels are located such that you can reach the city’s top attractions easily.
Within each neighborhood, you’ll find hotels grouped by price range - budget, moderate and luxury.
Now, onto the good stuff!
- Overview
- Where to Stay by Area
- Best Hotels for Families
- Hotels with Special Features
- Tips For Choosing A Hotel
If this comment from our NYC Travel Tips Facebook Group sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!
How We’ve Organized Our Recommendations
As I said above, these hotel recommendations are broken down by neighborhood.
First, I'll tell you a bit about the area, what makes it special, and who might enjoy staying there.
I will also tell you some of the top attractions in that neighborhood.
Then, you will see a list of recommended hotels in each neighborhood broken down into price brackets: budget (under $200 per night), mid-range ($200 - $400 per night), and luxury ($400 - $600 per night).
Below the price brackets are hotels that are especially family-friendly.
The prices listed are mostly for standard rooms and not for apartments or suites, which will cost more.
Note that prices do not include mandatory NYC occupancy tax of 14.75% nor optional resort fees.
So keep that in mind and do some calculations before picking a hotel.
Lastly, you'll find recommendations for some of the best places to stay in the Big Apple for families, hotels for a quiet stay, hotels with amazing rooftops and those that offer free, delicious breakfasts.
TIP: If you are on a tight budget, take a look at our post on 15 Ways to Find Cheap Accommodation in NYC and our list of 21 Best Cheap Hotels in New York City.
Why Trust Our Advice?
Why should you rely on the information in this post?
Because my fellow local tour guides and I 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.
Their feedback plays a big role in our hotel selection process.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY BY AREA
Below are some of the best hotels in New York City in popular neighborhoods as well as some nearby cities in New Jersey.
As someone who has lived in New York City her whole life, I can tell you that all the neighborhoods included are safe.
Before diving into the hotels, I should say there are many great hotels in other neighborhoods, but they won't all fit in this post. The list is endless.
Times Square Hotels
If you want to be within walking distance of many attractions and you love an electric vibe, then Times Square is for you!
You’ll find a wide range of room prices and a variety of hotel styles. Some hotels have a rooftop bar with great views.
While it is true that the neighborhood is not as pretty as others, it is a one-of-a-kind atmosphere!
I think all visitors to NYC should see Times Square and even stay here if they want to be in a convenient neighborhood that's always active.
Some of the city's top tourist attractions are within walking distance, like the Broadway theaters, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and more.
You can also check out our more in-depth post on Times Square hotels which includes over 70 options.
Budget Hotels
- 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 Hotels
- M Social Hotel Times Square New York
- citizenM New York Times Square
- Riu Plaza New York Times Square
Luxury Hotels
- Arlo Midtown
- New York Marriott Marquis
- Knickerbocker
For Families
- Hotel Edison Times Square
- InterContinental New York Times Square
- Millennium Times Square
For more things to do in the area and restaurant recommendations, read our post on things to do in Times Square.
Midtown Manhattan Hotels
Midtown Manhattan 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.
A few have really nice rooftop bars with views of the sparkling city at night.
I think staying in Midtown Manhattan is a good choice if you’d like to walk to many major attractions or, at most, take fairly short subway or bus rides.
Midtown is a huge part of Manhattan with dozens of neighborhoods including Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, NoMad, Murray Hill, Gramercy Park, the Flatiron District and more.
Just a few of these include landmark buildings like Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Empire State Building.
You'll also be near the Museum of Modern Art, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Restaurant Row, and more.
The heart of Midtown is lively with tourists and businesspeople during the day, but unlike Times Square, there are some quiet areas if you want some downtime from the buzz of the city.
If you like taking snapshots as a novice like me, or professionally, you'll appreciate that Midtown Manhattan has amazing photography locales and is ripe for your camera!
Budget Hotels
- Pod 39
- Leo House
- The Paul Hotel NYC-Chelsea
Mid-range Hotels
- Arlo NoMad
- Tryp by Wyndham
- Hilton Garden Inn West 35th Street
Luxury Hotels
- Moxy NYC Chelsea
- Hyatt Place New York
- Bryant Park Hotel
For Families
- The Muse Hotel
- Residence Inn New York Manhattan
- Freehand New York
Read our post on things to do in Midtown Manhattan.
Central Park and Upper West Side Hotels
Staying near Central Park is perfect 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 so if you are here with the kids, check out this part of town.
The downside to staying in one of the affordable hotels near the park is that many of NYC’s best attractions are not within walking distance.
You will be able to walk to these attractions: the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Carnegie Hall, and Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
The closer you stay to Central Park, particularly Central Park South, the more you will pay for a room.
Some of the city's most exclusive and expensive hotels are along the park.
I suggest that before booking a hotel, make a list of the places you want to visit, plot them out on a map and see what part of the city they are clustered in.
If most are several subway stops away from W. 86th Street, you might want to look into other areas.
*Price brackets are higher than for other neighborhoods
Budget Hotels
- Empire Hotel
- Belnord Hotel
- Hotel Belleclaire Central Park
Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Lucerne
- Hotel Beacon
- Arthouse Hotel
Luxury Hotels
- JW Marriott Essex House New York
- 1 Hotel Central Park
- Park Lane New York
For Families
- Hotel Lucerne
- Hotel Beacon
- Arthouse Hotel
Join one of our pay-what-you-like guided Central Park tours.
Upper East Side Hotels
First, the Upper East Side (UES) is a huge part of Manhattan with many neighborhoods within it, and for the most part, they are not the most budget-friendly neighborhoods to stay in.
A lot of the UES is residential so there aren't as many hotels here as in other neighborhoods like Midtown and Times Square.
The hotels most central to many tourist attractions are very expensive.
Some are somewhat affordable, but you will find much better deals elsewhere.
If you have the resources and plan to go to many of New York City’s best museums, you will find staying on the Upper East Side convenient.
You'll be close to Museum Mile (which includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and six other museums) as well as the Frick Collection and the Neue Galerie.
Another bonus is that Central Park runs along the western boundary of the Upper East Side so you will be close to the park.
*Price brackets are higher than for other neighborhoods
Budget Hotels
- The Bentley Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
- voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- The Sherry-Netherland
- Loews Regency New York
Luxury Hotels
- The Carlyle
- The Pierre
For Families
- The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites
Read our post on things to do on the Upper East Side.
Lower Manhattan Hotels
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.
Many subway lines run through it so you can get anywhere in the city easily.
Top attractions here include the Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, the 911 Memorial and Museum, the Staten Island Ferry, and the Statue of Liberty Ferry.
What I like about this part of town is that it quiets down at night so you can have some respite from the hustle and bustle.
Plus, you can find some pretty great prices in the area!
Budget Hotels
- Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center, New York
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott/World Trade Center Area
- World Center Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- Moxy NYC Downtown
- Hampton Inn Manhattan/Downtown
- Artezen Hotel
Luxury Hotels
- Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York
- AC Hotel by Marriott New York Downtown
- The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
For Families
- Millennium Downtown
- Residence Inn by Marriott New York Downtown
- Smyth Tribeca
Read our post on things to do in Lower Manhattan.
SoHo And Lower East Side Hotels
SoHo’s streets and historic cast-iron buildings are charming, while the Lower East Side is edgy and eclectic.
Both offer fantastic food, non-stop nightlife, and trendy shopping. They also happen to be rich in history.
Multiple subway lines run between these neighborhoods and those with top attractions, like Midtown Manhattan, Times Square, and Lower Manhattan.
You can also walk to Little Italy, Chinatown, the East River, and Greenwich Village.
The Lower East Side has more affordable places to eat than SoHo, but it can be noisy at night since it is one of the most popular parts of town for nightlife.
SoHo, (which stands for South of Houston Street), connects to the Manhattan Bridge on its east side and the lovely Hudson River Greenway on its west side.
The farther west you go in SoHo, the quieter the area is, especially at night.
Budget Hotels
- SoHo 54
- The Allen Hotel
- Leon Hotel Lower East Side
Mid-Range Hotels
- citizenM New York Bowery
- NobleDEN Hotel
- Arlo SoHo
Luxury Hotels
- The Ludlow Hotel
- Crosby Street Hotel
- The Dominick Hotel
For Families
- Sohotel
- Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
- NobleDEN Hotel
To find out all the great things to see and do in these neighborhoods, read our posts on SoHo and the Lower East Side.
Greenwich Village and West Village Hotels
These adjacent neighborhoods (sometimes referred to collectively as “the Village”) are beautiful and lively, a match made in heaven for locals.
A hub of the area is Washington Square Park with surrounding streets filled with restaurants and music venues.
The West Village is known for its charming streets, boutiques, and historic buildings.
It’s also where the Friends apartment building is!
While I and tens of thousands of other New Yorkers love the Village, it is not tourist-friendly when it comes to accommodation.
There aren’t as many hotels here and the few that are lean toward the expensive end of the price range.
Regardless of whether you stay in the Village or not, it is one part of NYC you really must spend time in.
Read about all the fantastic things you can do in the Village.
For a unique stay, look into the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District, a small enclave between the West Village and Chelsea.
The Standard straddles the High Line and has floor-to-ceiling windows with outstanding views, but be warned...people on the High Line can see you too!
Budget Hotels
- The Jane
- Incentra Village House
Mid-Range Hotels
- Washington Square Hotel
Luxury Hotels
- The Standard Meatpacking
- Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
- The Marlton
Families
- Washington Square Hotel
Chelsea and the High Line
Chelsea is a perfect neighborhood if you want to be near Midtown but prefer a less hectic area.
The High Line, a must-see unique urban park, is located in Chelsea, as is the Whitney Museum of Art.
For foodies, you can drop by the Chelsea Market.
You can walk to Edge Observatory Deck and if you feel like walking more, do the City Climb at Edge, where you scale the skyscraper!
For lit lovers, stay in the landmarked Hotel Chelsea Hotel whose famed guests have included cultural icons Bob Dylan, beatnik Allen Ginsberg and author Arthur Miller.
Budget Hotels
- Leo House
- Chelsea Pines Inn
- The Paul Hotel NYC-Chelsea
Mid-Range Hotels
- Cambria Hotel New York - Chelsea
- DoubleTree by Hilton - Chelsea
- Holiday Inn Chelsea, an IHG Hotel
Luxury Hotels
- Moxy NYC Chelsea
- The Moore
- Courtyard by Marriott New York - Chelsea
Families
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Midtown Manhattan
- Hyatt House New York/Chelsea
Brooklyn Hotels
If you don’t mind taking a quick subway ride to Manhattan to see the sights, consider staying in Brooklyn.
Two neighborhoods that are near Manhattan with good hotel options are Downtown Brooklyn (near Brooklyn Heights) and Williamsburg.
Downtown Brooklyn Hotels
At some Downtown Brooklyn hotels, you will pay less for more space than you would in Manhattan.
This is usually the most important decision for those trying to decide whether to stay in Brooklyn or Manhattan.
The best Brooklyn hotels fall into the mid-range to expensive price category, but there are deals to be found.
Budget Hotels
- Holiday Inn Express Brooklyn
- Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown
Mid-Range Hotels
- Hampton Inn Brooklyn Downtown
- New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
- EVEN Hotel Brooklyn, an IHG Hotel
Luxury Hotels
- 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
For Families
- New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
- NU Hotel
- Sheraton Brooklyn New York
Check out our Brooklyn walking tours, including our Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO Guided Walking Tour.
Williamsburg Hotels
Staying in this hipster neighborhood of Brooklyn may cost you more than if you stayed in Manhattan.
That’s because many of the hotels in Williamsburg are boutique hotels.
Some have rooftop bars with amazing skyline views. The William Vale hotel even has a rooftop pool!
If you want to stay outside of Manhattan but still enjoy great street art, fantastic food and bars, cutting-edge music, and boutique shops, look into staying in Williamsburg.
While there aren’t any Williamsburg hotels that are especially good for families, some have pools!
Read about great things to do in Williamsburg.
Budget Hotels
- Pod Brooklyn
- Bogart Hotel
- 42 Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- The Williamsburg
- Moxy Williamsburg
- CODA
Luxury Hotels
- The William Vale
- Wythe Hotel
- The Hoxton
The Bronx
Visitors to NYC don't immediately think of staying in the Bronx, one of NYC's 5 boroughs.
That’s because some areas of the Bronx are a bit rough -- though that is changing.
If you are on a tight budget, consider staying in the Bronx.
There are a few well-rated hotels just a 20-minute subway ride to Times Square.
The Bronx does have some great attractions like Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden.
You won’t want to spend time in the area around your hotel and subways are just a block or two from the below hotels.
Note that there aren't any luxury hotels or specifically family-friendly hotels to recommend.
Budget Hotels
- Comfort Inn & Suites near Stadium
- Wingate by Wyndham Bronx Haven Park
Mid-Range Hotels
- Residence Inn by Marriott New York
- Opera House Hotel
New Jersey Hotels
If you are a large group traveling such as a family of four or more and are on a budget, staying in New Jersey might be right for you.
Rooms generally cost less than those in Manhattan, even at the nicest hotels.
The hotels below are all in Jersey City so you can get to Lower Manhattan in less than 10 minutes via the PATH commuter train ($2.90 per person one-way).
There is also ferry service, though tickets are considerably more expensive than the PATH train.
A big bonus is that the views of Manhattan from Jersey City are breathtaking.
But if your only reason for staying in New Jersey is to cut costs significantly you may be disappointed because prices are not dramatically lower.
On the other hand, New Jersey occupancy tax is about 50% less than NYC hotels, which keeps prices down.
Finally, if you are coming by car, you will save money on parking by staying in New Jersey.
New Jersey Hotels
- Hyatt House Jersey City
- Hyatt Regency Jersey City
- Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY FOR FAMILIES
Coming to NYC with the kids?
You might want to stay in a hotel close to the subway so those little legs don't have to put in overtime!
If you want to save money on food, look for a hotel with a kitchenette. Also, steer clear of hotels that attract party people.
These are excellent choices for families.
- The Gardens ES Suites New York (Upper East Side)
- Sohotel (SoHo)
- Homewood Suites Midtown Manhattan (Midtown Manhattan)
Also, the Upper West Side is family-friendly as is Brooklyn.
Find out about fun 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.
Here are some excellent hotels with features often sought after.
Where To Stay In NYC For Peace And Quiet
- The Benjamin Royal Sonesta
- The Kitano Hotel New York
- YOTEL New York Times Square
Where To Stay In NYC With Free (And Good!) Breakfast
- Embassy Suites By Hilton Times Square
- The Evelyn NoMad
- Hotel Scherman
Where To Stay In NYC With Amazing Rooftops
- Hyatt Centric Times Square
- The William Vale
- The Standard High Line
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HOTEL IN NYC
- Make a list of 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.
- You can also save money on accommodations by using a service like Trusted Housesitters.
