Our recommendations for accommodation in New York for each neighbourhood
Planning a trip to New York City and haven't gotten any personal hotel tips? Then your search is over, because after many New York holidays we have written down our best tips for staying overnight in New York. We reveal which district is best for whom. This will put an end to your search for the right hotel.
Maybe you would like to know more travel tips for New York and find out where most of the New York sights you want to see you want to see are located. My tip for saving money is to buy one of the New York passes for sightseeing.
Note: With each subsequent New York trip, at least one new hotel tip will be added. This article will be updated regularly.
→ What does a trip to New York actually cost? My list of costs.
General info on staying overnight in New York
Hotel prices in New York: staying overnight is not cheap
New York has, among other things, the highest hotel prices in the world. No wonder, the real estate prices are already beyond good and evil. For a hotel room, you have to budget around 100 euros per night. The average price is even three times higher. For a middle-class hotel, you have to calculate with 200 euros per night. If you want luxury and one of the best locations, you can budget from 300 - 400 euros per night. There are no upper limits.
It used to be cheaper to book a flat on Airbnb. Unfortunately, those days are over. Landlords have long since raised prices, especially in Manhattan, where most tourists want to stay, as this part of the city is very central for a first trip to New York.
I always search before a trip at booking.com for bargains and offers.
Airbnb is currently illegal
A note about hostels and Airbnb: they are illegal. In New York, it is illegal to rent out an entire flat for less than a month, but subletting a room is allowed. Theoretically, therefore, most ads for New York on Airbnb are illegal unless the landlord lives in at least one room of the flat.
Airbnb is currently trying to get the New York State law amended. Currently, the rules are as stated above. For this reason, you should rent a hotel.
Which part of New York do you live in?
The most famous district in the Big Apple is Manhattan. It is located on the Hudson River and is also where most of the sights are: Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Highline Park and Fifth Avenue, to name just a few of the attractions.
Brooklyn, on the opposite side of the Hudson River, is becoming increasingly popular. Here you have a wonderful view of the Manhattan skyline and exciting neighbourhoods.
By the way, here are some tips for Brooklyn that will whet your appetite for the trendy district.
From Staten Island you have a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty. For children, a visit to the Staten Island Zoo or Island Museum is interesting. The ferry from Staten Island takes you to the southern tip of Manhattan in 15 minutes for free.
We recommend these districts:
First-time visitors to New York: Look for a hotel in Midtown (Times Square - Herald Square).
Chelsea and Greenwich Village: Expensive, beautiful and good restaurants and bars to sit outside.
Lower East Side: Cool shops, restaurants and hip spots
Central Park and Financial District: Hotels for every budget, dining out and accommodation often cheaper
Brooklyn: For newcomers and repeat visitors, because the New York's most important sights are at least are at least 30 minutes away by underground.
Cheap hotels in New York
A good hotel or bed & breakfast can also be inexpensive. Often, a location at one of the numerous metro stations is enough to quickly get to the centre of Manhattan.
My three tips for affordable and great accommodation in New York:
Arlo Nomad (11 East 31st Street) in Manhattan.
The rooms are very spacious and modern. The location is really perfect as you are very close to the Empire State Building or Madison Square Garden. Shopping opportunities are also close by. My tip for a good place to stay in the Big Apple.
Aloft Brooklyn
I have stayed in hotels of the Aloft chain many times. They are modern and always in a top location. That's why I can highly recommend this Aloft in Brooklyn. Wi-Fi is included and there is also parking (if you start a road trip in New York).
Pod 51 in Midtown East, Manhattan
Pod 51 costs under 100 euros and is located in Midtown East in Manhattan. The underground is not far and the rooms are modern. Free WIFI is also available. What more could you want?
Hotels with the best view of New York
Anyone who has been to New York knows how fascinating the view of New York at night is. That's why rooftop bars in New York are very popular - especially with tourists.
The Penninsula New York
Located just a few steps from Fifth Avenue in the middle of Manhattan, the hotel and especially the rooftop terrace is one of the top addresses if you want a special view of the skyline. There is a sun terrace on the 23rd floor and a rooftop bar on the top floor. The pool is great.
If you want to treat yourself, The Penninsula New York is the place to be.
Z NYC Hotel in Queens
This hotel is located near Queensbridge Park near the East River in Queens. On the roof terrace you have a view of the whole Manhattan skyline. There is even a free shuttle service that runs between the hotel, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. An underground is also nearby.
Unbeatable value for money for this special view, even if the hotel is a little "removed" from the centre at first glance.
Nolitan Hotel SoHo
This boutique hotel in the Nolita district also has a roof terrace. From here you have great views of the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline. The rooms are very modern and Wi-Fi is available free of charge. For the location in the middle of the action, the price per night is a great deal.
Midtown (Times Square, Herald Square)
Want to stay "right in the centre"? Both Times Square and Herald Square are considered the centre of New York. For first-time visitors, this location is very convenient, as many underground lines stop here. Important sights such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Times Square can be explored on foot. Locals tend to avoid this corner of New York as it is far too noisy and crowded for them.
Best hotels in Midtown: The Pod in Times Square (4 stars), Westin in Times Square (5 stars) or the Hyatt at Herald Square (4 stars).
NoMad - Flatiron
The NoMad and Flatiron neighbourhood is the area south of Herald Square (Empire State Building) down to the Flatiron Building (23rd Street). It is much quieter than Times Square and Herald Square. Nevertheless, it is quite central with good underground connections. Nearby you'll find Eataly and the first Shake Shack Shake branch.
Best hotels in NoMad: Royalton Park Ave (4 stars) or Arlo Nomad (4 stars).
Lower East Side
If you like good food, the Lower East Side is the place to stay. Within walking distance of great food and Chinatown, the Lower East Side has it all. The only drawback is the underground, which is not so well connected here.
There are buses, but they often get stuck in heavy traffic and are therefore not my favourite means of transport. A cool rooftop bar called Crown is located here. The drinks are expensive, but the view is incredible.
The best places to stay in the Lower East Side:CitizenM (4 stars) or Sixty LES (4 stars)
Financial District
The Financial District has gained popularity in recent years as more and more office buildings have been converted into flats. The Financial District is cheaper than Midtown Manhattan and is a great option for exploring Lower Manhattan as well as the Statue of Liberty and the new One World Trade Center.
The best places to stay in Fidi: The Beekman (5 stars) or Millennium Hilton (4 stars)
Central Park (Uptown)
The area around Central Park is also called Uptown. You can stay around Central Park in Upper West (west of Central Park), Upper East or Centra Park South. Central Park is quieter, has access to the 1 or 2 line trains, and this corner is not suitable for first-time visitors as everything is a little further away from the other attractions in New York. However, the New York underground goes everywhere.
Best hotels near Central Park: The Quin Central Park by Hilton (5 stars) or The Plaza (Central Park South, 5 stars).
HOTEL WANTED? ????
If you are looking for a good hotel, we recommend the platform booking.com. We always book our accommodation on this platform or directly with American Express, as we get additional discounts with the American Express Platinum credit card (see details here, only worthwhile for frequent travellers).
My experience with accommodation in New York
Honestly, there is no right or wrong location as long as there is an underground nearby. For first-time visitors to New York, I really advise booking accommodation around Times Square. I myself am always testing out new neighbourhoods. On our last trip, we stayed in Brooklyn. To be honest, it was quite a long way to Manhattan to see new sights.
How to get from the airport to the city after your arrival in New York
You should generally avoid using "black" taxis. These drivers intercept you at the airport to offer supposedly cheap rides starting at $55 + fees.
You can find my detailed report with prices for all three airports here:
How to get to Manhattan from New York airports.