Some would be quick to call it the center of the world, so we probably don’t need to tell you all the wonders that await you in Manhattan. You might already have some adventures planned out. Or maybe you’re venturing to the city on a whim and you need lodging, but don’t feel like sleeping amidst a slew of twentysomethings in a hostel.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of hotels in Manhattan –but not all of them are affordable, and the especially cheap ones can have quality problems. For the properties below, the cheapest prices were obtainable only when booking three or four months in advance, while nearer dates varied greatly in price. We’ve quoted the lower prices, but you’ll likely pay a higher price if your booking is for a closer date. As for location, we’ve chosen an assortment of locales around Manhattan, but we’ve emphasized midtown and areas near popular tourist spots like Times Square. We avoided hotels with customer ratings beneath 7.5 on Booking.com, and aimed for ratings of at least an 8.
This hotel is 1,600 feet from Grand Central Terminal, meaning you’ll be close to transportation. Have some free time until your train? You can whittle away some time in the game room, which includes table tennis. Another nearby landmark that will probably be of interest is Times Square, buzzing with activity only a mile away. After you’ve trekked the city, relax in your air-conditioned room, which might have a city view. Bunk beds are available for buddies traveling on the cheap. The on-site Rooftop Lounge & Bar and Salvation Taco, meanwhile, can take care of your hunger.
This ultra-cool hotel sports a bold purple facade that looks it just plopped out of the future. Its insides are similarly high-tech —there’s even a luggage-storing robot! Free wifi is less glamorous than a robot, sure, but it’s also available, as are concierge services to help you navigate the city. Speaking of navigation: this Hell’s Kitchen property is less than a mile from Times Square, so you’ll have plenty of things to do. If you’d like to spend some extra time in this gorgeous hotel, the Green Fig Restaurant serves Mediterranean meals for breakfast, weekend brunch, and dinner. Or, enjoy a drink and the city’s skyline at the Terrace and Club Lounge.
Located in Midtown East, the Carvi Hotel is a more traditional-looking option, with modest room decor and minimalist elegance. But there’s plenty of extravagance nearby; the hotel boasts that visitors love nearby luxury shops like Cartier, Gucci and Hermès. Another luxuriant aesthetic experience can be had at the the Museum of Modern Art, reachable on foot in 11 minutes. This property is recommended for travelers who enjoy walking and exploring, but when you are in your room, you’ll find free wifi, an iPod dock, a minibar and cozy bathrobes.
Unapologetic tourists, take note: this central Manhattan hotel is ten minutes by foot from the Empire State Building. A 20-minute walk, meanwhile, will bring you to many other popular spots: Madison Square Garden, Times Square or Rockefeller Center. It’s very basic lodging, affordably priced but with few amenities, and some rooms have shared baths. Still, towels and linens are provided, there’s maid service and the front-desk is always open. And the budget-minded should know that it often had the lowest rates among the high-rated Manhattan hotels we researched.
This hotel sits on Canal Street, meaning it’s in Lower Manhattan. Thus it’s a little farther from the main tourist attractions like Times Square — you’ll need to take a 15-miunute or so ride on the metro to reach destinations in central manhattan. Still, there’s plenty to see around here, including Tribeca Park and the SoHo shopping district. The Brooklyn Bridge is only a mile or so away, and there are several metro stations within walking distance. Room decor features energizing splashes of color —just the thing needed to power a walk around the city!
The Leon Hotel is another option in Lower Manhattan. It’s less than a mile from both SoHo and the Brooklyn Bridge. Some rooms will come with views of your surroundings, while all rooms are equipped with a cable TV, coffeemaker and desk. Luggage storage, concierge services, and a tour desk can be found near the front desk. If you need help navigating, ask for help before jumping onto a train at Grand Metro Station, which is only 1,050 feet away. Or, check out one of the nearer attractions, like the Bowery Ballroom or New Museum. There’s no breakfast, but past guests have noted that there’s plenty of places where you can indulge nearby.
Traveling to the Lower East Side? This Fairfield Inn is one option to consider. Should you need to get somewhere else, it’s close to the East Broadway station. Thankfully this hotel provides fuel for the day’s journey in the form of a complimentary hot breakfast with juicy fruit, coffee, tea, pastries, eggs and crispy bacon. There’s also a fitness center to work off any calories you didn’t burn while exploring the city, and an on-site minimart for post-workout protein. In you room, you’ll find a similar assortment of the usual amenities: TV, microwave, fridge and work desk.
Whether you’re already cultured or looking to get some culture, the Upper West Side offers plenty of it. The traditionally classy Hotel Beacon is a good pick for travelers looking to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park or the Museum of Modern Art. It’s also adjacent to the Beacon Theatre, and neat the American Museum of Natural History. Should you book a suite or kitchenette here, you’ll be absorbing all this culture in comfort, with a microwave, fridge and coffeemaker at your disposal. There’s a grocery nearby, and past guests noted that the kitchenette is useful for saving money as you can prepare your own meals —a plan ideal for budgeteers.
For the budgeting NYC traveler, this Chelsea property offers cheap rooms in walking distance of Penn Station and Madison Square Garden —only 650 feet, to be exact. The Empire State Building, Times Square and Grand Central Station are all within a mile as well. Bathrooms are shared, but guest rooms come with a fridge and laptop safe. An on-site mini mart will satiate any munchies, while complimentary tea, coffee and hot cocoa can be found in the lobby. For larger bites, the hotel notes that Mooncake Foods, an Asian eatery, is only 550 feet away, and gourmet pizza from Co can be found with a seven-minute walk.