Posted on: September 21st in Cool Hotels, Travel by Graham Padmore.
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The Big Apple may be one of the ultimate city break destinations – shopping, art, sightseeing and so much more. It’s also (like most major capital cities) unfortunately notoriously expensive. So for those wanting to maximise their spending money, you will have to seek out some good NYC budget hotels. To save you the time and the hassle here are 10 of the best budget hotels in New York:
A good tip is to book as far in advance as possible, this way you’ll get the best price. You’ll also find the popular lower priced hotels in New York get booked up very quickly.
The Gershwin
This Manhattan midtown hotel is just a block away from 5th Avenue and close to both Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building. It caters for all budgets with private rooms, and for the budget traveller, dorm style bunks. It has a distinctive arty feel, and is filled with great paintings and trendy furnishings. The central location means you’re never far from New York’s beating heart, and with all the usual luxuries like Wi-Fi, air conditioning and cable TV, The Gershwin is rightly popular with trendy travellers on a budget.
- Prices from $32 a night.
- Check prices and availability for The Gershwin Hotel
The Jane
Once home to salty sailors and Titanic survivors, The Jane is a living work of art. A true (budget) boutique hotel, its rooms are designed as ship’s cabins, and are small but perfectly formed. The Standard and Bunk Bed Cabins all share communal bathrooms, while the Captains Cabins have en-suite facilities. All are equipped with wireless internet, a flat screen TV and a safe, and are decorated in warm colours and period furnishings. The Jane is located in the Meat Packing District, a short walk from Soho and Chelsea. Take advantage of the free bicycle hire on site, dine in the pretty Cafe Gitane, and be sure to tip the immaculately dressed bellhop!
- Prices from $90 per night.
- Check prices and availability for The Jane
The Pod
The Pod prides itself as a hip, affordable New York City hotel, and its central location and room chic for all budgets makes it a great place to stay in Manhattan. Only a mile away from the iconic Rockefeller Center, and within strolling distance of Midtown East’s quirky shopping district, The Pod is a modern, funky and colourful residence which is easily one of the best budget hotels New York can offer. Choose from single, double or bunk bed Pods (rooms) and enjoy flatscreen TV, free WiFi and dimmable mood lighting. For those on a tight budget, there are dorm rooms with shared bathrooms. Don’t forget to check out the on site restaurant for tasty organic food.
- Prices from $89 per night.
- Check prices and availability for The Pod
Broadway Hotel and Hostel
Well loved and often talked about, The Broadway caters for travellers on a limited budget. It features both private and dorm-style rooms, and is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, just 4 blocks from Central Park. Decorated in an Asian style, all the rooms feature flat screen TVs, air conditioning and an iPod dock. The dorm rooms are also well equipped, and have shared bathroom facilities. Close to the underground and within easy reach of all Manhattan has to offer, The Broadway is a great budget place to stay.
- Prices from $45 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Broadway Hotel and Hostel
Holiday Inn Long Island
Situated on Long Island, in the borough of Queens, this Holiday Inn offers visitors to New York a chance to stay close to Manhattan without paying a premium. A short hop over the Queensborough Bridge, the Holiday Inn Long Island City offers well appointed rooms with free wireless internet, coffeemakers and flatscreen TVs. The on site gym and indoor pool are a welcome addition, and the hotel is only a short drive from La Guardia airport. It might not be a boutique residence, but it’s functional and affordable, and within easy reach of Manhattan island.
- Prices from $110 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Holiday Inn Long Island
Sohotel
Lower East Side’s Sohotel is a stones-throw from Little Italy, the vibrant (if touristy) neighbourhood of Manhattan that offers plenty of dining experiences for visitors. The Sohotel offers a good choice of room types, all decorated to a high standard, with the usual modern facilities you’d expect from a boutique hotel, but at an affordable price. The dark woods and exposed brickwork, together with animal print furnishings make for a glamourous stay, especially in the Regency Plus room, that features a marble bath suite and sleeps five.
- Prices from $90 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Sohotel
Serenity at Home Guest House Brooklyn
Manhattan island may get all the attention, but for cheaper New York hotels also look on the surrounding boroughs – you’re more likely to get better value for money. The Serenity at Home guest house is located in Brooklyn, just over the bridge from Manhattan island, on a pretty tree-lined street, close to the Botanical Gardens. A B&B with an old school feel, the Serenity dates back to 1901 and offers warm spacious guest rooms with shared bathrooms. Check out The Serenity Suite, a separate 1 bedroom apartment that has access to the gardens of the house.
- Prices from $90 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Serenity at Home Guest House
Condor Hotel
This is another great hotel located just across the bridge in Brooklyn. The Condor is a chic and stylish residence perfect for those who love their classy stays, but without the hefty price tag. Condor’s target market is actually Orthodox Jews but they welcome all people of religious beliefs! You’ll find wig stands and a Yiddish-speaking concierge and be aware that no televisions or phone operator on Friday nights and Saturdays. Although this seems a small price to pay for these prices and levels of decor. The Condor hotel has a trendy modern design, a good range of facilities and a plentiful hot (kosher) breakfast served every morning. Guests can even relax in the hotel’s own well tended garden – perfect for that post-shopping long drink.
- Prices from $100 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Condor Hotel
Hotel 91
Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Hotel 91 is set in the heart of Chinatown – a bustling colourful neighbourhood with plenty to see. A stone’s throw from the Brooklyn Bridge, and within easy reach of transport links, Hotel 91 is a very good value-for-money residence with well appointed rooms and facilities. Proud of its Chinese roots, Hotel 91 is a clean and functional hotel at a great price. Nearby Little Italy is worth exploring, as is Clinton Street – a trendy avenue of cafes and eateries including the famous Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant.
- Prices from $75 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Hotel 91
Park 79 Hotel
This is an old school budget boutique hotel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Park 79 is perfectly located for those wanting to explore New York City. On the doorstep of Central Park and the Museum of Natural History, Hotel 79 is surrounded by great places to shop, eat and sight see. The hotel has a range of rooms, all with free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and cozy beds. Some may be smaller than others, but the rates are very reasonable, considering the fashionable location. No trip to the Upper West Side is complete without a visit to 55 Central Park West – also known as the Ghostbusters Building!
- Prices from $84 per night.
- Check prices and availability for Park 79 Hotel
For more choice – other budget hotels in New York
- Hotel 31 – Budget hotel located near Rockefeller Center and Times Square.
- Chelsea Star Hotel – Funky budget hotel in the Chelsea District.
- Latham Hotel – Budget-conscious hotel in midtown Manhattan.
- Comfort Inn Midtown West – Comfortable budget hotel in Manhattan’s midtown west.
- Belnord Hotel – Budget hotel located on a quiet street in Manhattan.
- Hotel 17 – Quaint budget hotel 5 minute walk from Union Square.
- Ramada Inn Queens – Queens budget hotel with good amenities.
- Verve Hotel Long Island – Great value hotel in central Queens.
- Super 8 Brooklyn Park Slope Hotel – Cheap and funky hotel in Brooklyn.
We also have posts on where to find the cool and unusual hotels in New York and best budget hotels in London.
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We are Becky and Gray the UK-based husband and wife team behind GlobalGrasshopper - a global magazine and resource for independent travellers. We aim to inspire others to travel with photography, offbeat guides, articles on undiscovered destinations and where to find the world's beautiful places. Why not subscribe to our news feed and join us on our journey? 
26 March, 2013
It’s hard to find a good budget hotel in New York but there’s some great choices here!
15 November, 2012
I like your website. I Love the pics of the hotels.
9 November, 2012
I stayed at the POD and I had a good experience there, they have a wonderful rooftop.
25 October, 2012
I’m thinking about going to NY next year and this is very helpful. Thankz for sharing this great article.
18 September, 2012
I’m thinking about going to NY for the first time this winter so this is very helpful. Thanks for the great finds.
I’d like to invite you to check out: http://www.pierotucci.com/clothing/leather_jackets/
16 September, 2012
very interesting site
I’m thrilled and look quite inspiring, I am intrigued by your suggestions coming.
13 September, 2012
The Sohotel is my go-to hotel in NYC, I am so glad it is on this list! It is also really great if you have a larger group. They have rooms with 3 beds, and it is much cheaper than having to get a second room.
Candice recently posted..Discover New York With NYC Walking Tours
27 August, 2012
NYC is so expensive. This list will help me a lot!
16 August, 2012
Looks a top place to rest your head!
Simon recently posted..DO YOU THINK CYPRUS IS EXPENSIVE?
16 August, 2012
Good to know.
Park 79 sounds like a really good place to stay.
http://royalgardentravel.com/blog.html
2 August, 2012
New york is one of my top favourite city, eventhough going out is overly expensive hopefully i always find a cheap place to stay in manhattan using this website http://www.123bookingtravel.com
it lack of guest reviews but always find some cheap hotels
1 August, 2012
super useful list! we’ll have to try these the nxt time we’re in NYC. for now, we’re paying a conference rate, which is still WAAAAY more than these.
suki recently posted..Prius c – the weekend everyone was tailgating me
23 July, 2012
good hotels. i would like to stay in Holiday Inn Long Island. The reason is that amazing view from the window
9 July, 2012
These are some great places.What do you think?
27 June, 2012
I had no idea there even was such a thing as budget hotels in NYC!
14 May, 2012
You are forgetting about the “other side”: NEW JERSEY
There are excelent hotels just after the Lincoln Tunnel, on the town of SECAUCUS.
In the neiborhood one can find Walmart (none in Manhattan) and other stores.
Buses connect the town to the Bus Terminal of the NY-NJ Port Authority, a tipical 15 minutes ride for less than US$3.00
Of course, hotels offer free parking for those that need a car for rides outside Manhattan.
29 March, 2012
Great list! I love to travel but have not yet been to New York, however I hope to be able to go there soon. Thank you for sharing!
ropcorn recently posted..Car Rental Abroad
28 March, 2012
This is a great little list. Some of these hotels have amazing lobbies like the Condor hotel, for example.
I also really like the DISTRIKT HOTEL, they give you an organic brownie in your room and a personal welcome letter.
14 March, 2012
We were in New York back in July ’09 and I was pleasantly surprised how reasonable the accommodation was. We stayed at a small hotel just a block away from Rockafeller Center in Manhattan and paid less than $80 a night. There are definitely some good deals to be found if you do your research.
Dennis | GlobeTales recently posted..Where to Eat in Puerto Vallarta – Some Great Restaurant Recommendations
11 March, 2012
what a view you get at that Holiday Inn!
29 February, 2012
Nice list…Might have to give a couple of these a try…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The Most Overlooked Attraction in Washington D.C.
16 February, 2012
A great list – thanks
14 February, 2012
interesting article, we enjoyed it
turismo en Portugal recently posted..Iglesia dos Congregados en Oporto
12 February, 2012
Love the pics of the hotels, especially SoHotel! We need more exposed brick here in Spain…miss that from the city!
9 February, 2012
I’ve stayed in the Gershwin a lot. Will have to try some of the others. I love NYC!!!
Abby recently posted..Bronzed: Where Las Vegas strippers and socialites collide
7 February, 2012
There is a way to get $50 coupons to use on hotels. It’s the best budget way to travel.
http://www.traveleuropeonabudget.com/2012/how-to-get-free-hotel-rooms/
6 February, 2012
I stayed the Gershwin once and loved it. Got a single room that was enormous for Hostel prices in the city. It was a good few days.
I love Cafe 28 on the corner too.
Andrew recently posted..Christmas in Queenstown
6 February, 2012
L-Hostel in Harlem is pretty awesome for the more adventurous traveler. Just a couple blocks north of central park and not far from several subway stops, its a pretty good location. Stayed there with a group of 10 or so and had a great time. I think we paid $80.00 for the weekend (Friday and Saturday nights) I would do it again in a minute.
11 January, 2012
The Bowery House is a great option on the Lower East Side. Rooms start at round $60 a night.
http://www.theboweryhouse.com
4 December, 2011
I can recommend the Ramada Inn on Crescent Street in Long Island City. Very clean, well appointed with king size beds, flat screen TVs, coffee maker and fridge in room … they even provide breakfast in the lobby! And a great buy, particularly if you have AAA!
28 October, 2011
Please tell me how to get a room at the Holiday Inn Long Island for $70. I tried to book and the standard room was $207. What’s the secret?
29 October, 2011
Hi Louise,
Since publishing the article the prices have gone up so we will amend it now. Although you can still get a good deal (around the $110 per night mark) if you book a few months in advance.
28 September, 2011
The condor looks snazzy. Planning my trip already
21 September, 2011
good list man im going to new york next month so this came just in time
21 September, 2011
This is a great list.
Also check out peer-to-peer hotels, like those offered through AirBnB. The problem we found on our to NY in August with these budget hotels is that the rate they advertise is per person. Which isn’t great for a traveling couple like us. Broadway Hotel & Hostel, for example, advertises $60 per night rooms, but it’s actually $120 for two people – and that’s for a shared bath, and doesn’t include taxes (another $20 bucks per night). On AirBnB we booked a single room, with a private bath, and complementary breakfast, on 60th Street & York for $86 per night, all-in.
Brian @ Wanderings recently posted..Mansions on the Cheap
21 September, 2011
Thanks Brian – and yes, AirBnB, Wimdu and Roomorama are all services worth looking into for unique stays…