Choosing the right accommodation is the key to having a great holiday and a city as big as New York has so many options available. Here are our tips on where to stay during your trip to the Big Apple.
There’s plenty choice depending on your budget, needs and who you’re traveling with. Still not sure what you want to see yet? Check out our guided tours tailor made just for you by real New York locals.
Contents
Types of accommodation
- Hotels: the most practical and popular choice. Larger hotel booking sites often run promotions and NYC’s official website has some interesting packages.
- Private rentals: if you don’t count Airbnb, other platforms such as HarmoNYCity let you rent an apartment or room so you can live like a real New Yorker!
- Youth Hostels: there for those of you on a shoestring budget who like the socializing and are happy with just the basics. Reviews and bookings at HostelBookers.
- Couchsurfing: the free homestay site also has adverts for New York City if you’re happy just sleeping on a couch!
Whatever your choice, book your accommodation as soon as possible because demand is high and prices rise fast.
Photo : Z hotel
Top Tip: New York City has strict regulations in place concerning renting out housing to individuals. Bear in mind that an ad for rental of an entire apartment is only legal if it’s in a building with less than three units, and that’s very rare in Manhattan. As for other buildings, owners are prohibited from renting their apartment for less than 30 days unless the occupant is present for the entire stay.
At the Heart of the Action in Manhattan
Staying in Manhattan seems like a good idea if you want to see New York’s most touristy places. It’ll save you travel time and you’ll be able to get back to your accommodation much quicker after a long day of sightseeing.
Remember that Manhattan is the place that never sleeps. Times Square is always busy. The advantage is its central location and proximity to public transport but it’s also noisy with very few interesting things to do in the evening. We recommend staying a bit further out – the POD51 in Midtown and MOXY are affordable and still very close to Times Square.
In Uptown, you get the laid-back atmosphere of the nearby Central Park and the charm of this neighborhood’s day-to-day life. Sleep: The Hudson Hotel is just steps away from “New York’s Green Lung”.
Top Tip: Downtown is livelier and here you’ll meet many New Yorkers out in the areas bars and restaurants. This is definitely our favorite patch of Manhattan!
Book a tour of historic Manhattan
Brooklyn, a good idea?
Uber-cool Brooklyn is now suffering from a massive price hike. Just a few subway stations down the line from Manhattan’s East River neighborhoods, this hipster temple has all the trendiest bars, restaurants, boutiques, galleries, theaters, as well as a breathtaking view of Manhattan’s skyline.
The number of tastefully designed hotels is increasing… and so are the prices. You can always have the same experience without breaking the piggy bank by checking out the rooftop bars.
We recommend renting an apartment for a more affordable choice. Take in the real Brooklyn staying in a brownstone in Park Slope, a loft in Bushwick or an apartment in Williamsburg for a less expensive and much more ‘local’ option than a hotel!
Photo : Wythe Hotel
The still affordable Queens
New York’s most cosmopolitan neighborhood is still removed from the tourist madness. But for how long? Voted No. 1 tourist destination in the USA by Lonely Planet, Queens charms you with its local feel.
The accommodation on offer is just like the neighborhood itself…eclectic! For a quirky option, head to the Paper Factory Hotel. Formerly a radio factory before becoming a paper factory, this place was turned into a hotel in 2013. And you’ll be treated to an incredible view from some rooms as a bonus!
If you’re on a tighter budget, try the NY Moore Hostel with private rooms to share from 3 people. Ideal if you are traveling with friends and it’s close to a subway station with direct links to Central Park!
Lastly, apartment rentals in the more residential areas of Astoria or Long Island City are available at great rates. You’ll have tons of restaurants with cuisines from around the world right at your feet and the largest collection of art galleries in all of New York.
Our advice on booking your accommodation
- Don’t put off booking. Last minute offers are rare, especially when there’s a big influx of tourists. Prices can go up rapidly and the best rooms go just as quick.
- Official hotel websites sometimes offer better rates than the major online booking platforms. Compare!
- Some hotel room rates include transport to and from the airport. You get a better deal and it’s one less detail to manage!
- The most affordable places are often pretty far from public transport. Don’t take distances too lightly and ignore what condition you feet will be left in at the end of the day
- Beware of low rates. New York is an expensive city and housing offered at bottom-dollar prices can be risky!