United States
Hotels in New York
Small rooms, high rates and a tax-and-fee structure that makes the headline price misleading — the borough you book in changes the total more than anything else.
New York rooms are small and expensive, and the advertised nightly rate is not what you pay: city and state taxes plus, at many hotels, a compulsory nightly facility or destination fee are added on. Always read the total on the rate before you compare two hotels, because a cheaper headline price with a high nightly fee frequently loses to a dearer one without.
The boroughs are a real lever. Staying outside Manhattan can cut the rate substantially while leaving you a short subway ride from the middle of the city, and the outer-borough neighbourhoods closest to the water are often better places to eat and walk in the evening than the midtown blocks around the big hotels.
The subway runs around the clock, which changes the calculation compared with most cities — a hotel a few stops out does not strand you at the end of the night. Weekday rates are driven by business travel and conferences, so weekends can be cheaper in the business districts and dearer everywhere else.
Where to stay in New York
These are separate towns, not neighbourhoods — each one is a different trip. Pick the one that matches what you came for.
Midtown and central Manhattan
The densest concentration of large hotels, closest to the theatres, the parks and the main stations. Most convenient, smallest rooms, highest rates, and the most likely to add a nightly destination fee.
Downtown Manhattan
Quieter at night, strong for restaurants and walking, and well connected south and east. Rates sit slightly below midtown for a similar standard.
Brooklyn
Meaningfully cheaper than Manhattan for the same standard of room, with the best of the outer-borough food and nightlife, and a short subway ride from the centre. The strongest value in the city if you are not tied to midtown.
Properties in New York
A sample of what is bookable. Open one for photos, rooms and live rates for your dates.
Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea
113 West 24th Street
Exceptional
4,082 reviews
Arlo Midtown
351 West 38th Street
Exceptional
7,302 reviews
Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square
145 West 47th Street
Exceptional
13,923 reviews
Henry Norman Hotel
251 North Henry Street
Exceptional
3,143 reviews
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
252 Schermerhorn St
Exceptional
2,539 reviews
Pod Brooklyn
247 Metropolitan Avenue
Excellent
6,425 reviews
Marriott New York JFK Airport
135-25 142ND STREET
Exceptional
1,905 reviews
LIC Hotel
44-04 21st Street
Excellent
4,375 reviews
Residence Inn by Marriott New York JFK Airport
142-30 135TH AVE
Exceptional
1,144 reviews
Opera House Hotel
436 East 149th Street
Exceptional
2,305 reviews
Highbridge Hotel
1263 Edward L Grant Highway
Excellent
2,135 reviews
Ramada by Wyndham Bronx
1000 Baychester Ave
Excellent
1,434 reviews
New York: common questions
Why is the final price higher than the rate I saw?
New York adds city and state lodging taxes, and many hotels charge a compulsory nightly facility or destination fee on top of the room rate. We show the full breakdown on the rate before you pay — compare hotels on that total, not on the headline nightly price.
Is it worth staying in Brooklyn instead of Manhattan?
Often, yes. Brooklyn is usually cheaper for an equivalent room, the subway runs 24 hours so you are not stranded late, and the neighbourhoods nearest the water are strong for eating and walking. Check the specific subway journey to wherever you plan to spend your days.
Are New York hotel rooms really that small?
In central Manhattan, generally yes — floor space is at a premium and rooms are compact for the price. Read the room detail for size and bed configuration, and look at the outer boroughs if space matters more than being in the middle.