The best cheap New York hotels
Hotels in New York can be really expensive – but do they need to be?
Fortunately, the answer is no. In fact, there’s a growing trend of budget to mid-range hotels that are really stepping up to deliver not only on price but on style too meaning that your cheap trip to New York doesn’t need to be spent in 1 star accommodation with a 5.6 rating.
When's the best time to visit New York on a budget?
Since it is one of the most visited cities in the world, travelling in peak times does mean that the price can go up significantly – even in cheaper hotels – so if you’re really hoping to do New York on a budget, when you go is key.
Whilst things might be a bit chilly, January and February are often the cheapest and ahead of the summer holidays, there are still plenty of deals to be had. After the peak summer months, October and November offer better value too but if you’re hoping to be in New York for December… Well, you better get saving now!
All the prices displayed below reflect the best price found from March 2022 including all taxes and fees but when I booked for February 2022, I found several of these for between £55 – £100 a night.
The best cheap hotels in Manhattan
Of the 5 boroughs in New York City, Manhattan is easily the most well known and most visited.
It’s a great area if you haven’t visited the city before and want to see all the top tourist attractions – the Empire State Building, Central Park, a Broadway show – however this can impact the price and in some parts, your ability to experience what it’s like to live in New York as a local.
Travellers often flock to Times Square – and there are some great options in the area – but be open minded to staying elsewhere too. Remember, you can still visit – you just don’t need to stay!
Jump to Brooklyn Hotels
Jump to Queens Hotels
The Jane Hotel
West Village, Manhattan
£
- 2 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Ballroom, cafe and rooftop bar
- Free Wi-Fi
For what The Jane Hotel lacks in space, it makes up in bags of character and history. Plan to not stay in more than to sleep – the ballroom, cafe and rooftop bar are all good excuses to leave your cabin but check to see if they’re open when you’re staying.
Pod Hotels
Times Square, Murray Hill & Midtown East, Manhattan
£
- 3 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Bar and restaurants
- Free Wi-Fi
Don’t mind a small space but a private bathroom is a must? Then Pod Times Square may be for you. They also have 3 other outposts in New York (though watch that shared bathroom in Pod 51!) so make sure to check out their other locations and scroll down to see my stay in Pod Brooklyn.
YOTEL
Times Square, Murray Hill & Midtown East, Manhattan
£
- 3 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fitness centre
- Breakfast available
- Bar, restaurant and roof terrace
If your favourite part of your holiday is the airport, you’re going to love YOTEL – they even call their staff cabin crew! But what caught my attention was the Yobot – the world’s first robotic luggage concierge service. Get a Solo to save money or a Premium Queen for more space.
UNTITLED at Freeman
Bowery, Manhattan
£
- Airbnb (former 3 star hotel)
- Air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
- 2 night minimum
Formerly known as Sister City, these minimalistic but trendy rooms have now popped up post pandemic on Airbnb – and there’s 208 of them! The huge perk is that they start at £125 a night and some don’t seem to fluctuate in peak months… Happy bargain hunting!
CIVILIAN Hotel
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
£ - ££
- 4 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Free Standard Wi-Fi
- Pet friendly
- 2nd floor bar
- Rooftop and restaurant coming Summer 2022
I fell in love with the boutique feel of CIVILIAN Hotel‘s rooms that prove that just because they’re petite, they don’t have to spare on the glamour! Their optional add ons like house keeping and fast Wi-Fi mean you can pay for just what you need – perfect if you’re on a budget. This is accessible luxury! Once their rooftop opens in Summer 2022, I expect this place is going to get BUSY.
Freehand New York
Flatiron District, Manhattan
£ - ££
- 4 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Fast free Wi-Fi
- Fitness centre
- Pet friendly
- Rooftop bar and cafe
I stayed at the Freehand New York on my trip in February 2022 and I absolutely loved the location and its cosy interiors which had bags of character. It has solo and bunk rooms too – and 2 beautiful bars, a cafe and a connecting restaurant.
citizenM
Times Square & Bowery, Manhattan
££
- 4 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
- King size beds
- Fitness centre (Times Square)
- Rooftop bars and breakfast available
citizenM is a great go to brand for good value in cities all over the world and New York is no exception! I particularly like that both have a rooftop bar with incredible views.
Moxy
Times Square, Chelsea, East Village & Downtown, Manhattan
££
- 4 star hotel
- Air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fitness centre
- Pet friendly
- Bars and restaurants
I was lucky enough to check out both the Moxy Times Square and Moxy East Village and both blew me away with how stylish they are and their fantastic guest spaces – they’re a step up from their European Moxy counterparts! Check out both of their amazing roof terraces, or check out Downtown for the cheapest rates.
The best cheap hotels in Brooklyn
Coming Soon
The best cheap hotels in Queens
Coming Soon
Want to watch a full room tour of my favourites?
Well it’s coming soon to my YouTube channel! You can go ahead and subscribe now so it drops into your feed, or why not bookmark this page as I’ll be linking it down below too.
