Best For Ethnic Restaurants: Hells Kitchen
This is a neighbourhood located in the west side of Midtown. It is known for its numerous ethnic restaurants, and is home to many aspiring young actors / Broadway performers. A fantastic value-for-money accommodation here is The French Quarters Guest Apartments, a boutique hotel that provides classy and comfortable rooms. And it is just a five-minute walk from Times Square!
Where To Stay In New York City: A Complete Guide To Picking The Best Place To Stay
On my last visit, I spent a full week in New York City and stayed in three different neighborhoods during that time.
Prior to that, I had been to NYC for roughly 36 hours for work, and spent the entire time locked in a conference room. I really didnt get a chance to explore at all, so I was stoked to have a full week to walk around and uncover some hidden gems and explore the city on a deeper level.
The first thing I was struck by was the buzzing energy that fills the streets of NYC at all hours. 6am? Tons of people out and about. 2am? Same same. It boggles my mind, but I guess thats what happens when you pack millions of people into a place the size of Manhattan.
The second thing that blew my mind was the size of the buildings and the density. It truly is a concrete jungle.
I grew up in Seattle and live in San Francisco, and in both places there is a downtown area with massive buildings, and once you get out of that relatively small area, the tallest building is roughly three stories and you find green spaces around every corner. In New York City, I regularly looked up and saw a 40 story building when I was staying on the Upper East Side. The density is incredible.
Here are my top picks for the best areas to stay in NYC for all styles and budgets.
Psst! If you need to eat gluten free, youll want to read my guide to gluten free NYC to find the absolute best gluten free eats.
Why Is Brooklyn One Of The Best Places To Stay In Nyc
If you want to know what its like to live in New York City, spend a long weekend in Brooklyn among commuters and local residents eating and drinking after work in a varied selection of bars and restaurants throughout Brooklyn.
Brooklyn only has a slightly lower population than Chicago, which would make it the 4th highest population in the US if it were its own city.
Most tourists will visit Brooklyn on a first visit to NYC and leave thinking Yeah, I could live here!
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Where To Stay In Upper East Side
The Upper East Side has been home to dynasties such as the Rockefellers, Whitneys and Astors since the 1890s. A world aptly portrayed in Breakfast at Tiffanys, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, it still boasts the plushest hotels, the most elegant cafés and the swankiest shops.
Best for tasteful elegance: The Sherry-Netherland
Absolute luxury since 1927. The ornate lobby is modelled after the Vatican Library and room service comes from the in-house Harry Cipriani restaurant.
Best for a step back in time: The Surrey
This plush Relais & Châteaux hotel has hosted guests such as Bette Davis and JFK since 1926, sports its own modern art , and contains the Coco Chanel-inspired Bar Pleiades.
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Chelsea: Best Place To Stay In New York City If Youre Young And Hip
Chelsea is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York. It is wedged firmly between Midtown and Greenwich Village, making it easy to get around and explore. It has pretty cobbled streets and plenty of quaint cafes to meander your way through.
Plus theres the most unique garden in New York, the Highline, to wander slowly through and enjoy the greenery and art installations. Get up there in the early morning to take it in before the rest of the tourists show up.
Another big draw to the area for tourists is Chelsea Market which is packed full of little eateries and market stalls.
Things To Do In Chelsea
Where To Stay In Chelsea
The Jane: Best Affordable Hotel in Chelsea
The is steeped in history, first as sailors quarters, then to house the survivors of the Titanic. Now its ballroom bar is the place to on the weekends, and it is located near plenty of great cafes and restaurants. The rooms are a little small, but if you are looking for somewhere to stay in New York City that is reasonably priced and a home base, this hotel is a great choice.
The Standard, Highline: Best Overall Hotel
The Standard at the High Lineis perfect if youre looking for that extra glamour for your stay in New York. All of the rooms have floor to ceiling windows overlooking either the Hudson River or Highline Park. There is a German beer garden, two rooftop lounges, and a jazz lounge that is open for brunch until late at night.
The Maritime Hotel: Best Boutique Hotel
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Why Is Lower Manhattan One Of The Best Places To Stay In Nyc
Lower Manhattan might not be the first place you think of when considering where to stay in New York City. However, it is filled with tourist attractions and access to unmissable landmarks.
Also, the financial district area is booming with tourists after new shops and hotels have been developed in recent years around the 9/11, One World Trade Center and Oculus area.
No, that doesnt mean you should stay in Lower Manhattan because yes, you could just visit and then take a subway back to another area.
But anyone hunting the best NYC photography locations should consider this area because it is right next to Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and One World Observatory.
And another huge bonus in this area? Many hotels here offer discounted rates at weekends when business trippers vacate hotel rooms otherwise occupied at inflated rates during the week.
Hotels Near Jfk Airport Nyc
If you have an early departure or youre arriving in New York very late, finding accommodation near New Yorks JFK airport may be a good option.
I have to say that the area of Jamaica, which is where the airport is, is not my favorite one. There are few restaurants here and very few places to go, so Id only stay here if you really need to. I have done so a couple of times.
If you stay here, get a hotel with a free shuttle to the airport and with a restaurant to have breakfast and dinner, so you wont have to go out.
- Low-cost option: Super 8 by Wyndham Jamaica North Conduit
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Best For Tourist Attractions: Times Square
This dazzling square is famous for its bright billboards and neon lights, and we loved the bustling vibe here! This is a must-visit for anyone coming to New York the first time. The downside is that it can remain noisy late into the night due to the many tourists here. Hotel Edison Times Square is a decent budget hotel in a fantastic location right beside Times Square. If you can afford to spend a bit more, you can consider InterContinental New York Times Square, a great value-for-money hotel that is just a five minute walk away from Times Square.
Staying In New York With A Child
When vacationing in New York as a family with a child, the demands on the district are often quite different than when traveling without offspring. Although, on the one hand, you dont want to take long to be at the essential sights of the city, on the other hand, the normal New York is more in focus, with great breakfast spots, playgrounds and greenery around you.
We had excellent experiences in the West Village, Soho, Chelsea, the Meatpacking District and Murray Hill. In the first 4 neighborhoods, it was charming to have the Hudson River Park with its many piers, playgrounds and sports fields within walking distance and we as parents could enjoy the view of the New York sykline.
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Benefits Of Using Bookingcom
Of all the online hotel booking companies, our pick is Booking.com to find the best places to stay in NYC. Heres what we like about them.
How Do I Visit New York City For The First Time
Plan out your visit in advance and budget carefully when youre visiting New York City for the first time.
Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in New York City! Know that you might not get to do everything on your list during your visit, but theres a reason people come back.
Hopefully, this guide has been a helpful introduction to the different neighborhoods in the city. For more things to do and places to visit in the Tri-State area, take a look at our roundup of thebest places to visit in New Jersey.
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Most Trendy Neighborhood In Brooklyn: Dumbo
If youre looking for a trendy place to stay in New York City you need not look further than DUMBO .
Between the cobblestone streets and beautiful brick buildings, youll see why this is one of the best places to stay in NYC. Tons of the warehouses where repurposed into beautiful condos with striking views of the NYC skyline.
Youll also have a ton of great restaurants at your disposal, not to mention the epic Time Out Market !
There arent too many hotel options in DUMBO, so youll need to fork over a pretty penny to stay here. My favorite hotel in the area is the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
For Romantics: Chelsea & Greenwich Village
Chelsea and Greenwich Village are the right places to stay for you if youve been to New York before, have already checked out the main sights, and now want to immerse yourself deeper into New York life.
But theyre also great as an alternative if you dont want to stay in tourist areas, but would rather experience an authentic slice of New York life.
Greenwich Village is the art district and, just like Chelsea, its teeming with life. You can spend hours on Washington Square just listening to street musicians and watching passers-by without ever getting bored.
Or you can take a stroll through narrow, winding streets and admire New Yorks typical sandstone buildings, or enjoy a meal at one of the many cute little restaurants.
Greenwich Village also has some excellent comedy clubs, and you should visit at least one of them. If youre into jazz bars, then the Village is a dream come true.
If you like swanky clubs, youll find several of those in the Meatpacking District, which also belongs to this part of town.
Pros of staying in Chelsea & Greenwich Village:
- An authentic New York experience
- A large selection of great restaurants in every price range
- A wide range of very stylish hotels at reasonable prices
- The major sights in the south are only a short subway ride away
Cons of staying in Chelsea & Greenwich Village:
- The sights in Midtown arent within walking distance
- It can get a bit loud here in the evening and at night
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Lower East Side: Best Area To Stay In New York For Hipsters
The Lower East Side is everything artsy and creative. While trendy shops have moved into the neighborhood, the LES is still the place to find vintage shops and hidden-entrance speakeasies with artisan cocktails. The diversity in the neighborhood has also created a foodies dream with all kinds of ethnic cuisines and creative food options for some of the hottest restaurants in the city.
Best Airbnb In New York Fully Furnished Studio Overlooking Magnolia Bakery
Perfectly located in West Village, this serviced apartment with every amenity you can imagine also has a shared garden with a bubbling fountain. It has a high-security monitoring system with 16 cameras throughout the buildings public areas and entry doors controlled by electric fobs. This place is recommended for where to stay in New York City if you want to have a home away from home.
If this is still not the right catch for you, check out the other amazing Airbnbs in Manhattan instead.
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Where To Stay In Queens
Long Island City We had a great time exploring this posh middle class estate that is known for its beautiful waterfront parks, upscale high-rise apartments, trendy bars and eateries, and burgeoning arts scene. A good hotel here is the Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Long Island City/ Manhattan View, which offers abundantly spacious rooms with a fully-equipped kitchen. There is even a microwave and full-sized refrigerator! Service is great and the vicinity around the hotel is very safe too. It is conveniently located beside the 39 Avenue Station, and is just a 20-minute subway ride from Times Square. The hotel price is quite reasonable considering its quality.
Upper East Side If You Want To Stay In One Of The Most Luxurious Hotels In Nyc
The Upper East Side is on the east side of Central Park and is where the most luxurious restaurants, shops, and hotels in NYC are. Its the perfect area to stay in New York if youre looking for luxury, shopping, and museums. Of course, all that comes with a cost, since this is one of the most expensive areas to stay in NYC.
3. Upper East Side, if you want to stay in one of the most luxurious hotels in NYC
If you decide to look for accommodation in the Upper East Side area, you can enjoy the Museum Mile, and visit the Guggenheim, the Met, MoMA, the Frick Collection, and other museums. You can also get on the Roosevelt cable car, stroll through Central Park, or go shopping.
These are the best hotels in New York City :
- Low-cost option: Bentley Hotel
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Accommodations In Midtown Manhattan
Midtown refers to the middle part of Manhattan and several small neighborhoods called Midtown East and Midtown West. All of them have the characteristic that the most important sights of New York can be found right here and therefore can be reached quickly. In addition, there is a wide selection of hotels, so you are guaranteed to find something suitable for you. Highlights include 5th Avenue, Bryant Park with the New York Public Library, Grand Central Terminal and the newest observation deck in New York: Summit One Vanderbilt!
Advantages of Midtown
Here are my recommendations for hotels in Midtown Manhattan.
Best Place To Stay In New York First Time
If it is your very first time visiting the Big Apple, you need to stay in places that allow you to truly immerse yourself in this iconic citys culture.
This means a place where you have easy access to things like the famous New York 1$ pizza slice and must-see attractions like The Statue of Liberty and Broadway.
In all of New York City, there are 2 areas that offer all this and more making them the ideal places to stay as a first-time visitor.
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Staten Island Best For Smart Travellers
Staten Island is one of the best areas to stay in New York City for people looking for accommodations at a reasonable rate and still want to stay in scenic locations, which offers a view of the NYC skyline. The area has great shopping malls and restaurants.
The Staten Island area is filled with parks on every corner and is the best area to stay in NYC for someone looking for a relaxing vacation. While staying in this area, dont forget to get on The Staten Island Ferry trip, a sight to see. For travellers who are exhausted from exploring the popular hotspots of NYC, Staten Island offers new and exciting places to visit like Staten Island Museum, Fort Wadsworth, and Snug Harbor Cultural Centre.
Pros and cons of staying in Staten Island
PROS
Best Area To Stay For Arts And Sightseeing Upper East Side
Museum Mile really does not disappoint in terms of attractions.
Museums, galleries and special exhibits are never in short supply in Upper East Side, so you will have your itinerary pretty full.
You have the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Smithsonian Design Museum, The Met Breuer, The Frick Collection and so many others.
The best part is the diversity in all these exhibits including everything from historical treasures to modern art installations.
The Upper East Side also has some pretty awesome must-visit restaurants for you to try out.
One of their finest is the Tanoshe Sushi Sake Bar.
Upper East Siders love their sushi and when you are in the Upper East Side you must live as they do. This restaurant is simple and serves a wide variety of delicious sushi.
Suggested accommodations in this area:
- AirBnb & Apartments: Upper East Studio , Central Park Apartments , Upper East Side
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