A sea of lights, 24/7 shops, bizarre subway creatures, endless opportunities and lots of energy. New York is a unique city, brimming with life and noise at all hours. Because most touristy spots are in midtown Manhattan, you’ll find lots of options to stay here.
However, it is also the noisiest area and doesn’t provide a very authentic New York experience. Luckily, there are lots of great neighborhoods and hotels to choose from, so I rounded up my favorite places to stay in New York for every budget below!
Overview Of New York City Hotels
New York pops up with new hotels faster than you can try them all. With lots of variety in style, budget and location, picking the perfect one for your trip can be challenging.
Whether you are looking for a trendy setting in Williamsburg, a party atmosphere in the Lower East Side or a quieter getaway on the Upper West Side, let this guide be your helping hand in finding the best quality accommodation for you!
Central New York Area: Midtown/Times Square
Midtown is a great area when you don’t have a lot of time and don’t want to walk several blocks. Here, you have New York’s major attractions at your fingertips: Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall. Other classic sights like Central Park and the Empire State Building are only a short 15-minute walk away.
Also be sure to check out some of our favorite Airbnbs in New York City and The Hamptons for a different type of experience!
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Midtown/Times Square
PROS
- Central
- Close to most major tourist attractions
- Access to all major musicals on Broadway
- MoMA art museum
- Good subway connection to other parts of the city
CONS
- Noisy due to traffic and tourists
- Tourist heavy
- Polluted
- Not an authentic New York neighborhood experience
Luxury Hotels In Midtown/Times Square
- The Kimpton Muse Hotel
- The Knickerbocker
- The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City
- Lotte New York Palace
Mid-range hotels in Midtown/Times Square
- Courtyard by Marriott Times Square West
- Millennium Premier New York Times Square
- Cambria Hotel New York – Times Square
- The Belvedere Hotel
Budget hotels in Midtown/Times Square
- Comfort Inn Times Square West
- Mayfair New York Times Square
- Amsterdam Court Hotel
- CITY ROOMS NYC – Times Square
Quiet New York Area: Upper West Side
Family townhomes, quaint bars, and viral bakeries – the Upper West Side attracts a slightly older crowd due to its more quiet nature but is by no means a boring place to stay.
Especially good for families, this area has lots to explore with Central Park to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Take a sunset stroll along the river for beautiful sunsets and views of Jersey City and Hoboken across the river.
Pros & cons of staying in the Upper West Side
PROS
- Access to Central Park and the Hudson River
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts nearby
- Safe and quiet area
CONS
- Not as central
- 15-minute walk to the closest subway station
Luxury hotels in the Upper West Side
Mid-range hotels in the Upper West Side
- Empire Hotel
- Hudson New York, Central Park
- Excelsior Hotel
- La Quinta by Wyndham New York City Central Park
Budget hotels in the Upper West Side
Chic New York Area: Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is known to attract the rich. Though this is changing the further east you go towards the East River, this area still hosts most of the city’s major museums like the MET and Guggenheim, as well as the homes of many A-list celebrities. Access to Central Park and the East river make this neighborhood a great base for exploring.
Pros & cons of staying in the Upper East Side
PROS
- Museum mile with museums like the MET and Guggenheim
- Access to Central Park and the East River
- Safe and quiet area
CONS
- Not as many subway lines
- Expensive
- Few hotels under 5 stars
Luxury hotels in the Upper East Side
Mid-range hotels in the Upper East Side
Budget hotels in the Upper East Side
Hip New York Area: West Village & Soho
The West Village is a universally loved neighborhood by both locals and tourists alike. Beautiful brownstone homes, local boutiques and great restaurants and bars for date-night make it an excellent choice for the day- and nighttime strolls.
Extra tip: Try the Banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery – it’s unlike everything you’ve ever had! Soho is home to the famous cobblestone streets where you can shop while spotting the cities hottest celebrities.
Pros & cons of staying in the West Village & Soho
PROS
- Great for window shopping
- Lots of restaurant and bar choices
- Close to Washington Square Park
- Boutiques and well-known stores for shopping
CONS
- Expensive
- Few budget hotels available
- Soho gets crowded with the shopping crowd
Luxury hotels in the West Village & Soho
Mid-range hotels in the West Village & Soho
Authentic New York Area: East Village & Lower East Side
Popular with the younger crowd, the East Village and Lower East Side are great for a night out with friends. College pubs, bars specializing in pickleback shots and trendy Millennial clubs – take a pick!
While these two areas can be a little rough around the edges, they provide an authentic neighborhood experience and is home to New York’s most legendary deli since 1888: Katz’s Delicatessen.
Pros & cons of staying in the East Village & Lower East Side
PROS
- Good for Millenials
- Great nightlife options
- Authentic New York neighborhood feel
- Proximity to Union Square Park and Brooklyn via Williamsburg Bridge
- Cheaper restaurant and bar options
- Lots of $1 pizza places and bagel shops
CONS
- Can be noisy and dirty due to nightlife crowds
Luxury hotels in the East Village & Lower East Side
Mid-range hotels in the East Village & Lower East Side
Budget hotels in the East Village & Lower East Side
Trendy New York Area: Williamsburg
Williamsburg has seen a rapid change in the last decade. From an overlooked Manhattan suburb to THE trendy neighborhood to stay in, Williamsburg attracts lots of visitors wanting a more relaxed vibe with quirky shops without compromising the proximity to Manhattan neighborhoods.
Now frequented with lots of vibey stores, Domino Park on the East River, unique bar concepts, swanky hotels and breathtaking rooftop bar views over the Manhattan skyline, Williamsburg is a hot neighborhood to check out.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Williamsburg
PROS
- Neighborhoody feel
- Proximity to Manhattan
- Plenty of green spaces around like Domino Park and McCarren Park
- Smorgasburg – big food market during summer
CONS
- Subway stations can be a 15-minute walk away
Luxury hotels in Williamsburg
Mid-range hotels in Williamsburg
Budget hotels in Williamsburg
Family Friendly New York Area: Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn
Nestled between Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge, Dumbo is a popular area just across the river from Manhattan. Together with Brooklyn Heights, these areas are complete with some of New York’s best hotels, rooftop pools, Jane’s Carousel, beautiful brownstone homes and a river walk.
Small neighborhood restaurants make this area feel quaint and cozy. Perfect for browsing the tree lined hilly streets, you can’t go wrong with either one of them.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn
PROS
- Quiet area
- Perfect for exploring the waterfront with views of Manhattan
- 2 of New York’s most popular pizza restaurants
- Can be expensive
CONS
- Only a few subway stops around
- Downtown Brooklyn attracts more business visitors
Luxury Hotels In Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn
Mid-Range Hotels In Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn
Best Hotels In New York City Wrap Up
New York’s neighborhoods offer something for everyone. No matter what you are looking for, who you are with or how old you are, there is a sea of hotels available that will help you make your trip unforgettable.
We hope this guide will help you plan your stay next time you visit – and if you can’t decide, why not split up your stay over two different areas and hotels?
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit New York and stay at some of these great hotels. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
Read More About New York
- The 10 Best Airbnbs In New York City
- The Best Airbnbs in The Hamptons, New York
- Local Tips For New York City: How To Avoid Looking Like A Tourist
- 7 Unconventional Things To Do In New York
- 6 Budget Friendly Experiences To Have In New York City
We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of BeckyvanDijk.com
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