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!).
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):
