Where to Sleep in New York?

New York is a must-visit destination, especially if it's your first road trip in the United States The city is full of sights and attractions you won't want to miss! However, to fully enjoy your stay, it's essential to prepare your trip in advance, especially regarding accommodation, as prices can quickly rise depending on the chosen neighborhood. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Harlem, and Queens are among the best neighborhoods to stay in New York, but the budget required can vary significantly from one place to another. That's why I invite you to consult this guide to discover all the accommodation options available in New York. Whether you opt for a house or apartment rental, a luxury hotel, or a friendly youth hostel, there is something for everyone and every budget

Visiting New York in 5 days requires some organization, especially regarding your budget. Airfare and accommodation are major expenses for this destination. Therefore, it's important to start by finding the best-priced flights and quality lodging.

There are some guidelines to follow to find the ideal accommodation, but if you don't want to search for hours, I've also prepared a list of the best establishments by neighborhood.

This rule will never change; it's better to plan ahead. No matter where you are going, prices are always more interesting when booked as early as possible. Online, you'll have access to photos of rooms, customer reviews, and even offers that provide free cancellation up to 24 hours before your departure!

In general, the more hotel rooms that are available on the dates you need, the more reasonable the rates will be, but don't wait too long!

If you don't want to read the entire article, here's a summary of the best accommodations I recommend for your stay:

My ❤️ favorite places to stay in New York

In Manhattan, The Flat NYC is close to the Empire State Building and offers rooms starting at $139 per night.

The Pod Brooklyn provides comfortable rooms near a subway station starting at $129 per night.

For baseball fans, the Asiatic Hotel is further from downtown and is near Citi Field. Rooms are available starting at $130 per night, breakfast included.

Choosing the neighborhood where to stay in New York is crucial. Of course, it will be determined by your desires and expectations, as well as what your budget allows. But ask yourself the right questions because accommodation encompasses a large part of the budget, so be strategic!

To do this, you can consider the points of interest that appeal to you! If they are all concentrated near your hotel, you'll spend little money on transportation. Otherwise, expect to set aside a specific budget for moving around New York.

Some neighborhoods are known to be expensive, like Manhattan, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village in the Upper East Side. Other areas are quite affordable, like Brooklyn, and are becoming increasingly trendy. Then, neighborhoods like Queens and Harlem may not have the best reputation, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't check them out during your stay.

There is a wide range of accommodations in New York at quite varied prices. Mainly, you will find hotel rooms, AirBnb rentals, youth hostels, and Bed & Breakfast stays to meet locals and discover their culture.

Renting an apartment is highly recommended for groups. Indeed, AirBnb in New York is much more expensive than hotel rooms. If you're going with friends and sharing costs, this option may be more appealing. So don't hesitate to compare different offers

If you visit New York outside of peak tourist seasons, you'll easily find youth hostels at attractive prices! These usually offer rooms for 3 or 4 people, making it much more economical and significantly cheaper than hotels for tighter budgets.

Another factor to consider is the proximity to the subway. It will be crucial for certain travel, unless you opt for a taxi! The advantage of the subway in New York is that it is very fast and will take you in just a few minutes to points of interest that are quite far apart.

When you think of New York, you immediately picture Times Square, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, or Madison Square Garden. All these iconic places you must have seen on TV are located in Manhattan. In other words, Manhattan is the central point of the Big Apple. It is undoubtedly the best place to stay if you want to easily reach most of the city's must-see locations and attractions.

I strongly recommend booking your accommodation in advance, as Manhattan remains one of the most expensive areas in New York. And if you're visiting NYC for the first time, Manhattan is definitely the most practical and interesting place to settle in without worry.

The Manhattan neighborhood is further divided into numerous well-known smaller neighborhoods: SoHo, TriBeCa, East Village, and Little Italy are considered the city's hipster districts where it's enjoyable to live, but you can also choose areas a bit more upscale near Central Park such as the Upper East Side.

Nap York Central Park Sleep Station is a youth hostel also located in the heart of Manhattan and close to places like Rockefeller Center, The Met, Central Park, and Broadway, making it the perfect spot to catch a musical in New York! The rooms are modern, and some offer breathtaking views of the city. Of course, you'll find common living areas, but the price per night starts at $80 per person in this establishment!

The Flat NYC is a 3-star establishment located in the heart of Manhattan, just a few meters from the Empire State Building, Flat Iron Building, MSG, and the well-known luxury shopping destination: Macy's. The rooms are very cozy, and a night starts at $138 with free cancellation, which is quite reasonable.

Wingate by Wyndham is located on Fifth Avenue in South Midtown Manhattan. You will be close to all the must-see locations in the Big Apple, including the Empire State Building. The rooms are modern and very comfortable, starting at $115 per night with breakfast included.

Situated in northern Manhattan, the Harlem neighborhood has long had a bad reputation due to its high crime rate. Nevertheless, it is now a cultural hub, very cosmopolitan, and an interesting place to experience New York life. Moreover, prices there are much more affordable.

The Renaissance New York Harlem is located on a busy shopping street and offers spacious rooms. You will enjoy room service, a restaurant, and a terrace. Expect to pay starting at $160 for a night!

For a more family-friendly stay, I recommend Aloft Harlem, offering a suite for 4 people from $146 per night. You'll be just a few minutes' walk from the 125th Street subway station for quick access to all those must-visit locations in the Big Apple.

Queens is a quite interesting and popular neighborhood for budget travelers! However, I recommend finding accommodation near a subway station. If possible, get close to the Queensboro Plaza station, which allows you to reach Times Square in about 15 minutes!

Moreover, Queens is home to a mix of cultures, cuisines, and tourist sites, such as Citi Field baseball stadium, the Queens Museum of Contemporary Art, and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park! It is an affordable and more peaceful place than the central Manhattan neighborhoods while being well-connected to other parts of the city.

In summary, staying in Queens is an excellent choice during a trip to New York. Once again, prioritize finding a property close to a subway station. Queens is known to be one of the largest neighborhoods in the city, and the population is very dense.

The Asiatic Hotel is much further from downtown, but the nearest subway station is less than 500 meters away, and you'll also be very close to Citi Field stadium, which is ideal if you want to catch a baseball game in New York. A night costs starting at $132, and breakfast is included.

The LIC Plaza Hotel in Queens is a hotel from a chain similar to Ibis in France. Although it is located in the outskirts of Manhattan, the hotel is not very far from downtown (about 4 kilometers), and you can quickly reach the Top of the Rock by subway. A night in a double room costs starting at $151 and includes breakfast.

If you want to save on accommodations in New York, then try the Brooklyn neighborhood, a bit further away without being too far off from Manhattan.

This borough is very large, as it is twice the size of Paris proper and has various facets. Brooklyn is known for its artistic scene, culinary specialties from around the world, and lively streets.

One of the best hotels in Brooklyn is undoubtedly the Pod Brooklyn. The establishment offers beautiful, stylish rooms with a modern and comfortable design. The major advantage of this hotel is that it is close to a subway station. The price per night starts at $130 in the low season.

Best Western Brooklyn-Coney Island Inn is also a very good establishment in this neighborhood, ideal for young adults. It is located more specifically in the southernmost part of Brooklyn where Coney Island is easily accessible. For a night with breakfast included, expect to pay starting at $133.

The Lodge Red Hook is really ideal for visiting New York since it is close to Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as attractions in Brooklyn itself. The rooms are simple but equipped and very comfortable starting at $142 per night with breakfast included.

For a first trip, I strongly recommend staying in Manhattan or in one of the neighborhoods close to the center. This will allow you to easily access tourist sites, monuments, and cultural locations while optimizing your schedule! On future visits, don't hesitate to explore other neighborhoods like Brooklyn, a trendy and charming place

We have reached the end of this article; I hope you enjoyed it and now know where to sleep in New York. If you are wondering what to do in New York, I advise you to read my dedicated article, and don't forget to look into New York passes to maximize savings on your activities

And if you haven't yet decided when to go to New York, feel free to consult my guides on New York in April or New York in July, for example!