Cheap-and less cheap-places to stay in NYC

Manhattan is one of the costliest cities in the world to visit, and I get a lot of people asking me for tips on inexpensive places to stay in NYC. Yes, they’re hard to find. But if you're willing to make concessions on amenities, they do exist. And a cheap hotel in NYC can be a better choice than staying in a New Jersey or airport hotel. Though staying off-the-grid in NJ or by the airport is definitely an option, you need to consider that you'll likely spend all day in Manhattan, since the commute could be an hour or more. This makes going back to the hotel for a rest mid-day, or to regroup for an evening out, very difficult.

And, of course, there is the added thrill of staying in Manhattan itself, where you have a plethora of entertainment options right outside your door. Manhattan is more compact than any other city its size; pretty much anything is reachable by a subway ride of under a half hour. You can go from Battery Park (downtown NYC/ Wall Street) to the Upper West Side (Central Park) in 30 minutes or less! Subways are frequent, run 24 hours, and are the most efficient way to travel in NYC (though unfailingly gross and grubby--but remember they were built over 100 years ago, so cut us some slack!).  

So below are TWO recommendations for VERY inexpensive (by NYC standards) but SAFE accommodations in great Manhattan neighborhoods (I am partial to the 63rd St. Y location and casual, young and budget- European vibe, myself, but have visited the POD Hotel on 51st and liked it very much):

1:  YMCA: Guest Rooms at West Side: 63rd and Central Park West (Upper West Side): The West Side Y, which is on 63rd and Central Park West--is a PRIME location that cannot be beat. A double w/ private bath is ca. $200 (that includes taxes! which is good because hotel taxes are about 25% in NYC) a night. The better deal if you’re young and flexible (or old and very adventurous) is a room with 3 beds (!) and a  shared bath for $169 a night (this include the fitness room, pool etc). It is probably one of the best locations in Manhattan and extremely safe. While the Y is not luxurious, it is clean, SAFE and literally across the street from Central Park, a few blocks from Lincoln Center, walkable to Times Square, Fifth Avenue, about 3 blocks from the #1 train; 4 blocks from the 1, 2, 3 --and more. 

2: The Pod Hotel: 2 locations: 145 East 39th Street (between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave) and 230 East 51st Street (between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave):  You can get a bunk bed pod for 2 and shared bath for around $165 in the summer (less in winter). A single pod with shared bath is much less. The rooms are clean, albeit small, and the locations are good. 

Otherwise, if you can afford a bit more, you can also consider the slightly more expensive choices below that have more amenities--but these are NOT cheap by any standards other than Manhattan standards--they’re just cheaper: 

* NYLO Hotel:  2178 Broadway at W 77th St, New York, NY, 10024 Fantastic location on the Upper West Side, 3 blocks from Central Park, 1 block from the # 1 subway, this hotel is newly renovated and has a lively, convivial bar and cafe scene in the lobby  filled with young professionals working on their laptops or quietly socializing. The cheapest rooms are small, but serve their purpose, and you cannot beat the location.  Four nights in April averaged out to $227 per night on hotels.com. Much more in summer months, though. 

*Belvedere Hotel 319 W 48th St.:  Okay, in Times Square--ugh--but I saw some good prices, it looks nice, and it gets good review. Saw this for $197 (about $250 with tax) on hotels.com for an April date. 

*Manhattan NYC-anAffinia hotel 371 7th Ave, New York, NY, 10001, Quoted $243 (this is with tax) for a night in April.  Near Herald Square--close to all transit and walkable to many tourist locations, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, etc. But a bit out of the craziness of Times Square. It’s a few blocks from the major 34th St. hub, and close to Penn Station (trains). 

*Holiday Inn NYC--Midtown-57th Street and 9th Avenue  $244 free cancellation-less for a pre-paid room, 2 double beds. ‎2 or 3 blocks from subway, #1. Safe location, right next to the Ninth Avenue restaurant  scene, and only 3-4 blocks from Central Park.

* The Roosevelt Hotel, New York City  45 E 45th Street NYC 10017 866-925-4159 ( 45th of Fifth Avenue) $294 a night in summer for 4 persons --double room 2 double beds. I have been here and we looked here for events, they are very accommodating: decent and clean. Near subways; off Fifth Avenue which is nice. Also central to Times Square, and Central Park is walk-able (Central Park being at 59th Street, about 14 blocks north, about a 15 minute walk).

* New York MarriottDowntown 85 West St (Battery Park area) NYC 10006

$242 pre paid but also 269 free cancellation for standard Room, 2 Double Beds.  

855-239-9485 

While not midtown Manhattan, this hotel is perfectly located for -and walkable to-- the ferries for Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, Staten Island Ferry, Wall Street, and the South Street Seaport. The ferries and the Memorial are a few blocks from this location. The Hudson River is right here, as well as lots of shops and food type places. In the summer the Hudson is filled with sailboats and ferries, and the river-walk/ Battery Park is filled with kids and dogs and bikes and is landscaped beautifully. Touristy in a fun way--without being tacky, like Times Square.. Very family-oriented area. Battery Park has a view of the Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and close to subways. There are lots of restaurants here and a lot of things to do. The new Fulton Center subway station is an architectural marvel, and nearby WTC7 is being revamped with an impressive array of upscale shops along with its already impressive Food Court and indoor ice rink --and all sorts of musical and art events--all located in WTC and environs, and going under the appellation Brookfield Place. Nearby Greenwich Avenue is filled with a lot of small, eclectic and affordable restaurants for foodies. Soho (shopping, restaurants, "hip" stuff) and Chinatown (crazy and annoying but worth passing through if you are so inclined or want a $10 watch or Bubble Tea) are also walkable from this location, if you have a good pair of walking shoes. Also close to subways, so you can go up to midtown, Greenwich Village, Times Square, and Central Park all on one subway Line (the 1, 2 or 3)  within a half hour or less. A good area for families and kids as it is a bit less hectic than being in midtown Manhattan. 

*Wellington Hotel 871 Seventh Ave (at 57th Street) NYC, 10019 GREAT location, 57th and Seventh Avenue, * 285 pre-paid, $384 free cancellation- deluxe double room which sleeps a lot of people.  2 blocks from Central Park, near 59th Street subway (#1).

*Best Western Plus President Hotel at Times Square  234 W 48th St Broadway & 8th Avenue New York, NY, 10036: This was booked though  for summer and prob. I would not recommend it except in a pinch; not the best location actually as it is WEST in Times Square proper and not the nicest location. Totally safe--just not the nicest area. Usually has good prices though.

* Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel 714 7th Ave New York, NY, 10036 United States (ca $297 a night in summer) 866-573-4235  Have not been here. Location is Times Square which is at least central).