What City To Stay In New York

Times Square And Midtown

Times Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Manhattan. It feels like the very soul of the city and reflects its character brash, in-your-face, unapologetic, exciting, loud, colorful, full of life and flashing neon. It is also one of the central connection points on the New York subway. You can get to anywhere from Times Square. Make sure to download a handy New York City subway map and plan your trip BEFORE you get on the train.

You will find a lot of craziness in Times Square people dressed as action figures asking for money in return for photos and a naked cowboy to mention just a few. But youll also find some of the best classic restaurants in New York, jazz clubs featuring top performers and, of course, Broadway and Off-Broadway.

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

What You Need To Know Before Booking A New York City Hotels

• Additional Fees: Most people are unaware that in addition to the cost of your hotel the city also implements a 14.75% hotel tax on the total cost of the room and an occupancy tax of $3.50 USD per day. When looking at New York City hotels make sure to see if these are included or not.
• New York City hotel rooms are small. I mean really small. It is not uncommon to pay $200-300USD for 160-170 square feet. This usually comes as a shock to most first-time visitors so pack accordingly.
• Room Rates are expensive. In fact, budget hotels are almost non-existent. You can expect to pay around $200 USD/night for mid-range hotels in a good location.
• Book Early. NYC is an incredibly popular destination and good hotels fill up fast. Our suggestion is to book at least 3 months out if you can. More if you are traveling during peak season.
• Try to stay close to a subway station with access to multiple subway lines. This will make getting around the city easier and faster.

Recommended Reading: Wax Museum In Manhattan

Where To Stay In Midtown East

Westgate New York City

Located 300 yards from the United Nations Headquarters, this Manhattan hotel is within 600 yards of Grand Central Station. It offers on-site dining and a 24-hour business centre. The Westgate New York City boasts a fitness centre with cardio machines and personal TVs. A sauna is located on site.

Lotte New York Palace

All rooms at this Midtown-Manhattan hotel come with a marble bathroom and some rooms offer a view of the Cathedral. A minibar and a desk are also included in the rooms. The property boats a 7000-square-feet fitness centre and spa. The Villard is open for breakfast and weekend brunches. Lotte New York also has an onsite bakery, two lounges and in-room dining options.

Lombardy Hotel

The elegant rooms of the Lombardy Hotel provide a flat-screen TV, plush bathrobes and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. A coffee maker, ironing facilities and kitchenette are included. An exercise room and a business center are open to all guests. Concierge ticket services and a full beauty salon are also available.

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.

Also Check: New York State Ticket Payment

Chelsea Union Square Flatiron: Best Area To Stay In New York For Foodies

Chelsea is on Manhattans west side and is one of New Yorks trendiest neighborhoods with great shopping, dining, and nightlife. The Flatiron and Union Square are a bit to the east but all relatively within the same 28th-14th Street range. Visitors will love the cobblestone streets with boutiques and cafes, the green market in Union Square and the overall modern urban chic vibe in these areas of Manhattan.

Best Cheap Mid Budget And Luxury Hotels Near Times Square New York City

Times Square hotels are plentiful and span the entire travel budget range. This area has the highest concentration of low budget rooms in NYC.

We stayed at AC Hotel for a night, which was great. It has a rooftop bar and affordable room rate. The Riu Plaza often runs discounted prices but our top pick for Times Square is CitizenM as long as you can get it at a good rate.

Top tip: If youre a photographer and cant afford to stay at Renaissance Times Square, go in to the lounge for a drink and youll get one of the most iconic views over Times Square.

Here are the best hotels for each budget around Times Square :

• 10. Luxury The Chatwal 9.1

You May Like: New York Toll Costs

Williamsburg Coolest Place To Stay In New York City

Across the East River in cool Brooklyn, youll find Williamsburg, a hipster hood that oozes cool around every turn.

Williamsburg isnt just the coolest neighbourhood in New York City it routinely ranks as one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world, characterised by its thriving arts scene and vibrant nightlife. This is the place to see and be seen in New York.

At the centre of Brooklyn, Williamsburg is well connected to Manhattan and easy to reach from the rest of NYC. Its home to eclectic restaurants, boutique shops, stylish bars, hip tattoo parlours, and rustic rooftop patios.

Greenwich Village Where To Stay In New York For Nightlife

Culture, historyand nightlife are the reasons travelers choose Greenwich village when they stay in New York. Washington Square Park is one of the few places in the United States where you can find a monumental arch, and it is also home to historic landmarks such as the Blue Note Jazz Club, the Stonewall Inn, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the expansive New York University campus.

There are not many places to stay in this district for this reason, booking a room can be tricky during music and film festivals as well as special exhibits at the Whitney. Long-term stays at temporary rental apartments may be a better bet, but they can also be expensive.

Here are a few hotel options in and around Greenwich Village

Upscale:The Standard, High Line New York is an amazing place for your stay in New York, and it is located in a very trendy part of town. Like all other properties developed and managed by The Standard Group, this one is very stylish and offers spacious rooms that feature minibars stocked with gourmet snacks. There is also a beer garden, an American steakhouse, a very trendy nightclub, and lots of free comforts such as bathrobes, and spa toiletries.

See also:Best places to stay in San Francisco, best places to stay in Boston, best places to stay in Washington D.C., best places to stay in Chicago

Recommended Reading: Wax Museum Time Square

More Places To Stay With Easy Access To New York City

Jersey City is one of the top places to stay outside of NYC. It is a city in New Jersey, but its rapidly becoming one of the popular neighborhoods for people working in Manhattan.

Although it is in a different state, Jersey Citys proximity to Manhattan has made it a perfect neighborhood for people who want to live outside the city.

With the heavy commuter traffic in Jersey City, it means that the best things to do are around the PATH stations.

From various regions of Jersey City, one can easily get to Manhattan within 20 minutes via the PATH. Besides, there are various options to get to Manhattan as you can use a public bus, subway, ferry, train, or a hotel shuttle.

Most people, including travelers and locals, prefer staying in this area since it is close to the city but cheaper than staying in Manhattan.

There are several hotels in the area that offer accommodation, but you can start your search by checking out Candlewood Suites and , which is near the Hudson River.

The two hotels are elegant and offer quality services.

While the accommodation rates over the weekends are comparable at both hotels, Candlewood Suites is $100 cheaper over weeknights.

See Related: New York Pass Review

Edgewater is another incredible town that should be on your list of where to stay outside of New York City.

It is next to Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from Upper Manhattan.

While in Edgewater, you dont need to go to Manhattan to enjoy what NYC has to offer.

Best Neighborhood For Overall #: Chelsea

Chelsea is one of New York Citys best neighborhoods. Its got lots of restaurant offerings, cool lounges, art galleries, and is one of the focal points of LGBT life in the city. You can spend all day exploring flea markets and antique shops, grab some tacos at the Chelsea Market, walk the beautiful High Line , and then enjoy a drink at a speakeasy or a dive bar before calling it a night.

Best places to stay in Chelsea

• BUDGET: Chelsea International Hostel This is one of the largest hostels in the city and has an outdoor courtyard, a dining area, and two kitchens. Breakfast is included and theres also a free pizza party on Wednesdays.
• MID-RANGE: Heritage Hotel New York City The Heritage Hotel has simple but clean and comfortable rooms with air conditioning and a flat-screen TVs. Theres free Wi-Fi throughout the building and a 24-hour fitness center. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done for a reasonable price.
• LUXURY: Ace Hotel A centrally located artsy hotel, Ace has a coffee shop in the lobby that attracts lots of freelancers and start-up folks. It gives the place a great vibe. They also have a fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and simple but very comfortable rooms.

Recommended Reading: What Time Is Shabbos In Ny

Things To See And Do In East Village New York

• Dine on delicious dishes and enjoy a chill atmosphere at Mayahuel Mariposa.
• Sip urbane cocktails at Amor y Amargo.
• Enjoy outstanding drinks and an intimate setting at Death & Company.
• Dance the night away at Webster Hall.
• Try a variety of craft beers at Proletariat, a dark and cosy East Village hotspot.
• Indulge in the incredible dishes at Momofuku Ko.
• Treat yourself to a divine breakfast at Russ & Daughters.
• Savour fresh and flavourful dishes at Prune.

Why Stay In Lower Manhattan

A quieter spot than some of the other tourist hubs of Manhattan thats still very much close to all the action. Theres a laidback vibe in the area, plenty of cafes, bookstores, and shops to wander. Its also known as the financial district so caters a lot towards people here for business meaning you might get some hotel deals on the weekend when its quieter. Theres plenty to do in the area, its within walking distance to Little Italy, the 9/11 memorial museum, and the ferry to Staten Island which offers great free views of the State of Liberty. Theres also a lot of history in the area so plenty to uncover for culture vultures and youre just a short train ride to Brooklyn and Midtown.

Read Also: How To Delete A New York Times Account

Why Stay In Midtown East

Very convenient for lots of New York biggest sights, youre within walking distance to Times Square, the Theater District, the Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library and MOMA. Youre also next to some interesting cultural areas like Korea Town where there are some interesting restaurants, shops, and karaoke bars. Some of the most famous buildings like the Empire State and Grand Central are right on your doorstep and its thrilling to walk past these landmarks on a daily basis. This is an area thats ideal if youre in New York for a few days and want to see as much as possible as easily as possible.

Times Square Where To Stay In New York City On A Budget

Times Square is home to those famous flashing lights and the New Years Eve ball drop. It is the beating heart of touristy Midtown Manhattan and attracts millions of visitors each year.

When you started researching where to stay in New York City, was Times Square the first place you searched for on a map?

Its nothing to be ashamed of, almost all first time visitors to NYC book a hotel somewhere in or near Times Square.

Now, thats not a bad thing. Times Square is arguably the best place in NYC to book a budget hotel and it is ideally located for a huge portion of bucket list attractions.

However, it is a gritty area, renowned for pickpockets and tourist traps. That doesnt mean dont book a hotel here, it just means be aware that there are more attractive areas to stay in New York City.

Recommended Reading: Wax Museum Nyc Times Square

Midtown Manhattan And Times Square

We have to admit, we love staying in the heart of Manhattan at Times Square. You are within walking distance to so many top New York Attractions when staying in Times Square. Plus, when you are in New York for the first time, youll never tire of coming back to the hustle and bustle of the neon lights of Times Square.

Midtown Manhattan was the area that we stayed in when we visited New York City for the first time and we still stay there from time to time. It offers some of the best accommodation in New York and you have everything at your fingertips.

The main thing we loved about this area is that you are within walking distance of many of the famous New York attractions. It really allows you to explore a lot in a small amount of time. It may not be the cheapest area in New York City but if you want to be close to everything this area is perfect. Check out Things to do in Times Square A Walking Tour and Nearby Attractions.

In Midtown Manhattan you will find:

• Times Square

• Expensive
• Close to NYU so a lot of students

Get lost on side street after side street of gorgeous townhouses and tree-lined blocks. The neighborhood is simultaneously quiet and happening with a great music scene. If you are looking for where to stay in New York City that has a great history this is it!

Best Place To Stay In New York City For Tourists Midtown East

Midtown East is the home of New York attractions as already stated previously.

You have all your movie-inspired bucket list options including Grand Central Station and the neon-lights laden Times Square.

Then there are the hidden gems that you might miss out on as a tourist.

One of them is the David Zwirner Gallery that features work by contemporary artists.

Another well-kept Midtown Secret is Paley Park which is a bubble of tranquility and sanity in one of the busiest parts of one of the busiest cities in the world.

The Midtown restaurant scene is also perfect for tourists and sightseeing with the likes of Le Bernadine.

This is a swanky seafood spot that truly embodies all of New York Citys extravagance and beauty.

Another must-try restaurant is The Modern which is located in the Museum of Modern art.

There is nothing like having your fancy dinner with fancy wine in a fancy museum.

Suggested accommodations in this area:

• AirBnb & Apartments: West of Times , Near Empire State

Don’t Miss: Nys Car Registration

Most Charming Nyc Neighborhood: The West Village

The West Village is my favorite neighborhood in New York City, hands down. Between the impeccable brownstones, the lively tree-lined streets and the charming cafes on practically every corner, this is easily one of the best NYC neighborhoods to stay in, especially for first time visitors.

The neighborhood doesnt fall into the clean grid pattern most other NYC neighborhoods do, but that only adds to the charm. Trust me, getting lost in the West Village is the best part about staying here each street is charming and demands exploration.

This NYC neighborhood attracts young folks, artists and musicians. Youll also notice a large share of happy young couples, strolling the streets hand-in-hand because the beauty of this neighborhood makes everything feel dreamy.

The neighborhood feels calm during the daytime, with lingering restaurant patrons chatting away on every corner, before coming alive in the evening. Youll find your fair share of cozy jazz clubs and live musicians as the sun starts to set.

I recommend spending an evening at Tartine and popping over to Washington Square Park every chance you get.

Hotels are hard to come by in the West Village so they wont come cheap. To that end, heres some options:

Best hotels in the West Village:

• Affordable: The Jane
• Mid-Range: The Marlton & Walker Hotel
• Luxury: The Greenwich Hotel & The Mercer Hotel

Further Reading: 17 Exciting Things to Do in the Charming West Village