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):

Decent, reasonably-priced hotels near Fifth Ave, Central Park, above 50th St.

The Hudson (chic boutique hotel small rooms) 356 W. 58th St. 

The Jewel http://www.thejewelny.com/  51st and Fifth 

Warwick NY 11 West 51st Street, New York, NY, 10017

Helmsley Park Lane 33 Central Park South( CPS)

Parker Meridien 

NY Hilton Midtown  54th and 6th

Omni Berkshire Place  52nd and Madison

Waldorf Astoria Park and 49th 

Wellington- 7th and 55th  

Luxury hotels near Central Park, Fifth Avenue area (central but away from Times Square madness)

Nice website for higher end hotels: http://www.newyorkcityluxuryhotels.com/

The Plaza (Central Park South --fantastic location)

The Pierre Fifth Ave near 59th

The Penninsula --Fifth and 55th

Ritz Carleton -Central Park South

Trump International Plaza CPW near 59th

Parker Meridien (57th and 6th or so)

Hotels-- upper west side recommendations

Beacon Hotel isn't super fancy but has good rates and the location--on the Upper West Side, between 75th and 76th--is perfect for accessing Central Park, Lincoln Center, etc--and it is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square to give you a flavor NYC the way its residents --not tours-ist--experience it! Rooms are relatively small as with all NYC room but a room with a small kitchen is a great choice if you can get it. http://www.beaconhotel.com/ Very safe nieghborhood, not touristy at all. 

Here is another UWS hotel: On the Ave, around the corner from the Beacon, 76th St off Broadway. TINY rooms in general but...still good for the budget, clean etc. My friend Ronda stayed here with her daughter...the room was large enough for a bed and that was it! But it was clean and new: http://www.ontheave-nyc.com/ 


Comfort Inn on 71st off Central Park West is another decent budget option: http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-new_york-new_york-NY209 

The Lucerne Hotel: More expensive, very nice, 79th and Amsterdam: http://www.thelucernehotel.com/


If you want to go high end, stay on Central Park South or Central Park West,or in upper midtown  57th St area,  not in Times Square. 



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