A Guide to Choosing the Right New York Hotel

Affordable accommodation in New York City can be more of a challenge than in any other U.S. city. The city has plenty of rooms, but there's plenty of visitors too!

There doesn’t seem to be any real low season for tourism in New York, and cheap NYC accommodation is virtually non-existent. So be prepared to spend a very sizeable portion of your travel budget on your hotel.

But there's still some deals to be had, so we’ll cover a few things you need to know before booking a room for your romantic getaway in New York City.

Before You Start Shopping:

Don’t book with anyone that demands full payment up front. Pay for the first night deposit only. That way if the room is not what you want, you’re free to leave and try somewhere else.

New York City Hotels - Save up to 50%!

Very few mid-range New York hotels offer parking, and pay lots run over $25/day. So try to use taxis or the subway instead.

Bear in mind that room sizes in the city are small, as space is at a premium. Also, older, non-renovated high-rise properties have been known to have water-pressure issues. So the higher up and better your view, the “weaker” your morning shower might be!

also...

• Inquire about any corporate rate or discount at the hotel. If asked, just mention the company you work for (big or small). This can sometimes shave 10% off the rate.

• New York hotel taxes: 13.6% New York State Tax, and a $2 New York City hotel Room Occupancy tax.

• Don't forget Bed and Breakfast lodging in New York City: they’re similar in price to cheap hotels, with usually more character and extras. You’ll pay less room tax too with a B&B (around 8%). Find Great Deals on Manhattan Bed and Breakfasts at BedandBreakfast.com

• If you’re on a budget, consider a chain hotel. Days Inn, Quality Inn, Choice Hotels, Best Western, and Ramada all have numerous properties throughout Manhattan. A little generic for sure, but the room size, location and discount can often be a pleasant surprise.

• Consider a package that includes air and hotel. This is a good way of getting a better deal in a high-priced city like New York.

New York Hotel – Pick a Neighborhood

Soho
If you love shopping and visiting art galleries, consider staying in or near Soho. Jam packed with stores and boutiques, and a huge weekend market along West Broadway. Room prices are not quite as good a bargain however.

Tribeca
Tribeca comes from the words “Triangle Below Canal Street”. Ultra trendy, home to celebrities and some very fine dining and shops. Not a renowned hotel area.

Chelsea
A few more affordable hotel options here. Home to a large gay community, and a mix of residential and retail streets.

Greenwich Village
Ethnically diverse and full of character. Cramped, winding streets, shops of every description, and many different eateries offering a wide variety of food, prices and atmosphere. Some hotels here cater to gay and lesbian travelers. Would suit the more independent and confident traveler.

Flatiron & Gramercy Park
Shot up in popularity recently due to redevelopment. Located within easy reach of many city attractions. Lots of retails and restaurants. Good choice of hotels in a variety of price categories. Union Square a hub for activity and transport.

Mid-Town & Times square
Very convenient-close to many major attractions and the theater district . Good place for 1st time visitors to New York City.

On the downside, there’s lots of noise and traffic, it’s very “touristy”, and the deals on rooms here are few and far between. But, depending on the time of year, you can still score a hot deal on a midtown room if you shop long and hard enough!

Upper West Side
Maureen and I stayed here during our last New York City vacation, and we just loved it! Highly recommended, and prices tend to be better than mid-town. This is the New York of Seinfeld fame – the diner you see in the show is located up on Broadway and 112 St (exterior only, the interior was on a California movie set!).

The Upper West Side usually means the area west of Central Park, above W59th St and below Cathedral Pkwy (the start of Harlem). Some very attractive residential streets and a great selection of eateries are this area’s strengths – everything from Thai restaurants to Jewish delicatessens to gourmet hot dog establishments! Many celebrities live in some of the beautiful heritage apartments overlooking the park.

We found a really good deal at the Comfort Inn West, tucked away on 72 St and just a stones throw from Central Park. It’s quite close to restaurants, transit, and shopping.

Upper East Side
This part of town is very close to the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museums. You’ll also find some very exquisite (and expensive) designer boutiques along Madison Ave. The area is also known for some very elegant & high-end New York hotels.

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