The best cheap hotels in New York for a pocket-friendly city break
Enjoy a different side to the Big Apple with our pick of affordable hotels, from Harlem to Brooklyn
New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world but you can still visit on a shoestring. There are lots of low- or no-cost things to do ─ like free hours or days at some of the best museums and galleries, walking tours gratis, and places like the High Line, Central Park and Little Island that don’t cost a penny to wander around.
Finding a place to stay doesn’t mean you have to flock to the first cheap hostel you come across either, our pick has some incredibly unique hotels that are almost attractions in their own right.
The Harlem Flophouse is a 1890s brownstone building that became affordable lodging for artists, musicians, writers and so on from 1917 ─ and now houses tourists. And The Jane Hotel offers quirky single-bed or bunk-bed cabins in a building originally created in 1907 for sailors to stay in.
Little extras also help to keep costs down ─ Penny offers free coffee in the lobby from 8am-10am and complimentary use of bikes, HI NYC Hostel puts on free events, and guests get complimentary passes to a nearby health club at CIVILIAN Hotel.
See below for more cheap hotels in New York.
HI NYC Hostel
In a location on the Upper West Side neighbourhood of Bloomingdale, America’s largest hostel impresses with its extensive facilities. There's a café, several seating and lounge areas, a large, well-equipped kitchen and lockers and a roster of events (some free), from pub crawls and live music to comedy nights and tours of Harlem and Central Park ─ which is within walking distance.
Bright decor and high ceilings lend HI NYC Hostel a sense of space, and you can choose between dorm rooms or private rooms, some of which sleep up to four and have en-suite bathrooms. There’s also an on-site cafe serving salads and sandwiches.
Penny
Penny was created to offer accommodation that ‘feels like home without the chores or junk mail’. So the rooms have been styled like micro-apartments complete with kitchenettes (great for cutting costs) and homely touches like art books, big windows, and plush beds.
Little extras like free coffee in the lobby from 8am-10am, and complimentary use of bikes for exploring Williamsburg and wider Brooklyn are lovely touches when you’re on a budget. Guests tend to hangout at the rooftop bar/restaurant and courtyard. Take time to appreciate some of the interesting artwork on display.
The Harlem Flophouse
In the heart of Harlem, this 1890s brownstone building began life as a single-family home until 1917 when it became lodging for artists, musicians, writers, the homeless and people passing through for work.
Having been sympathetically restored, The Harlem Flophouse welcomes guests through its inexpensive doors to bed down what is essentially a shared house. Rooms are characterful with antiques and original fireplaces, bathrooms are shared. You can walk to Central Park in 15 minutes, or catch the subway to Manhattan in minutes. For those on a budget, this is a no-brainer.
The Jane Hotel
This unique hotel is perfect for budget-savvy travellers looking for a historic place to stay with bags of character at a reasonable price. The Jane Hotel is set in a building that was originally created in 1907 for sailors to stay in, so rooms are very small featuring a single bed or bunks. You might feel like you're staying in a ship’s cabin ─ but that’s a great way to keep costs down.
Larger rooms which are a little more plush are available but these are more expensive (though worth the upgrade if you don’t want to share a bathroom). The Jane is located in the West Village near the Hudson River, which is nice to walk along.
Boro Hotel
Enjoy Manhattan views for an affordable price at Boro Hotel. Located in up-and-coming Queens, the lesser-known position might be an issue for some but you’re only a 20-minute walk from Long Island City where the restaurant and bar scene is burgeoning.
Scandi-style interiors feature lots of polished concrete, glass and woods accentuated with industrial features, wall-length windows and high ceilings; a look which continues to the rooms in a slightly more minimalistic way. Bebe’s is great for casual New American plates, while the rooftop terrace is a good spot for sundowners.
CIVILIAN Hotel
If you love theatreland, this one’s for you. You can tick off attractions including Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue all at once when you stay at the CIVILIAN Hotel, it's in the heart of New York.
Photos, a lit marque entrance, models of stage sets and statement red drapes mark the hotel’s proximity to Broadway, and you can count on a great atmosphere in the restaurant, cocktail bar and rooftop bar. Rooms are undoubtedly on the small side but suitably stylish with blue banquettes and big mirrors. Guests get free passes to a nearby health club which is a lovely added touch.
Moxy NYC Lower East Side
Despite its location in a slightly edgier neighbourhood, the Moxy NYC Lower East Side is refreshingly set away from the crowds ─ which is an excellent compromise considering SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy are all right on the doorstep.
Further highlights include a number of drinking and dining spots ─ most notably the bars on the rooftop and ground floor, the piano lounge, and the Japanese restaurant ─ plus a gym which hosts classes. Decor is deeply atmospheric with playful accents. Rooms are a little brighter with big windows and beds that take up most of the space.
voco Times Square South
Stay at voco Times Square South for a reasonably valued, no-frills jumping off base with a standard range of facilities. You’re right in the heart of the action, close to neighbourhoods and sights of interest including Times Square which is a 15-minute walk.
No restaurant, but there is a bar, lounge area, conservatory and outdoor terrace. There’s also a small business centre and a 24-hour gym. If you get peckish you can order from a nearby restaurant. Rooms are predominantly greyscale with big beds, TVs, and a desk area.
HGU
In a beautiful Beaux-Arts building near the Empire State, HGU attracts a younger crowd who come to appreciate the old word character of Manhattan in an updated setting. Inside, period features such as pillars and cornicing are mixed with contemporary artworks, giving the spaces a quirky sense of place.
The cocktail bar is a buzzy place to be, as is the bistro restaurant and rooftop terrace. Rooms aren’t huge ─ this is New York after all ─ but they are comfortable and decorated in calming neutrals.
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