Best Places to Stay in New York

So, you’re headed to the beautiful city of New York. We don’t blame you! This city is as historic as it is famous, and there’s plenty to see and do if you decide to make it your vacation destination. From the soaring heights of the Empire State Building observation deck to the awe inspiring beauty of the Statue of Liberty, those who visit this city of New York will not leave disappointed!

That’s not all there is to see here, of course; there are also a number of cultural and artistic attractions to be visited here in the big apple. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a great example, with tens of thousands of artistic works that mark some of the most significant moments in art history. Then there’s the Blue Note Jazz club, an establishment that has hosted some of the most notable names to ever grace the genre. And don’t forget about Broadway!

There’s more still; we haven’t even touched on all the incredible restaurants in the city! As the birthplace of some of the most beloved American staples in the entire country, you’d better believe that there is no shortage of good eatin’ when it comes to the streets of NYC. From New York Style Pizza to Manhattan ribeye steak, you won’t leave this place hungry!

Before you can experience any of this, however, you’re going to have to address one small issue: where you’re going to stay! With its staggeringly large population and dense urban infrastructure, lodging in this city tends to be quite expensive if you don’t make the proper preparations. Luckily, that’s what the goal of this article is. We’re going to help you find a stay in New York that’s comfortable and economical!

The lowdown on lodging in New York City

Given the fact that it’s home to over 24 million Americans, you’d think that New York City would have a surplus of inexpensive places to stay. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Housing in New York is more expensive than it’s ever been, and finding a place to stay will likely prove a difficult venture.

If you’re willing to think outside the box and escape your comfort zone, there are a number of ways to spend time in New York without breaking the bank. It won’t take a determined traveler long to realize that there is a lot more to this city than meets the eye. That goes for housing as much as it does for anything else!

Whether you opt to try new experiences or simply stay in a conventional hotel or resort, the end result won’t differ much; you’ll be spending time in New York, one of the most famous and attraction-packed places in the world! Now, let’s take a look at some of the various options available for your next trip to the Big Apple.

Different days, different stays

As far as lodging is concerned, stays in New York generally fall into three or four general categories. First, you’ve got the conventional options such as hotels and motels. Then there are home sharing services such as AirBnB, which allow homeowners to rent their home while they’re out of town. Third, there are more unconventional options such as Couchsurfing or contacting one of the real estate agents in New York, NY to help you find lodging.

In the following sections, we’ll be breaking down these lodging options and sharing the various pros and cons of each. No lodging is perfect, but we’re sure that wherever you choose to stay will end up serving you well as a base of operations while you’re exploring this magnificent and mysterious city.

Hotels, motels and resorts

First up, we’ve got the options that were likely the first to come to mind when you read the title. The idea of a hotel has in one form or another been around since the earliest days of civilization, so it’s no surprise that New York is home to hundreds if not thousands of these conventionally comfortable hospitality hotspots.

If expense is of no concern to you, you’ll probably be most comfortable staying in one of New York’s numerous five-star resorts and hotels. If you take this route, you’ll secure a central location and easy access to the hottest attractions in the city such as restaurants, bars, shopping centers and nightlife attractions. On the other hand, this type of lodging is likely to be really, really expensive.

For those who can’t quite fit a five star hotel into the budget, there are a number of less expensive hotels that offer great value for the price. You aren’t likely to be quite as close to the action as you would be if you stayed in the Ritz-Carlton, but hey; it’s a place to sleep, right? Trust us, your wallet and credit score will thank you!

If you’re really hard up in terms of liquid assets (read: cash), that’s ok. Whether you’re saving up for a big purchase or simply want to spend as little as possible on your trip, the most inexpensive option available is likely to be a budget motel. These aren’t fancy by any means, but they’ll give you a place to sleep that won’t break the bank. There is a better option, if you ask us: that option is AirBnB!

AirBnBs

If the idea of a hotel is as old as dirt, then this next option is the exact opposite. AirBnB has only been around for a few years now, but it’s already made a name for itself as a great way to secure comfortable and often luxurious rooms or homes for surprisingly small amounts of money. If you’re looking to spend your New York vacation in style but can’t afford the conventional route, then this is for you!

The best thing about AirBnB is that it’s much more flexible in terms of price than most other available options. If you’ve got a budget of $150 a night, you’ll have little trouble finding something comfortable if not all that glamorous. For $50 a night, you can get a simple room, while $400 or more a night will likely net you something akin to a palace!

AirBnB accommodations are also great for another reason: they allow you to circumvent all of the rigamarole that’s associated with hotels and comparable accommodations, eliminating as much unnecessary formality as possible. In most cases, you simply pick up the key from the owner and unpack your things. That’s all there is to it!

In order to save even more money, you can try planning a trip with a few friends, allowing you to split the cost of an entire home for a much lower per-capita cost. Considering the fact that most hotels have strict limitations concerning how many people can stay in one room, this wasn’t an option until recently. Now, with AirBnB, it is!

Couchsurfing and rental homes

Rounding out this guide, we’ve got an even newer development in the traveling scene: couchsurfing and rental homes. Both of these present compelling advantages when compared to both AirBnB and Hotels or resorts, making them something you should at least consider before you book your tickets.

First, let’s talk about Couchsurfing. Hippies have been doing this for years, but only recently has it become formally incorporated into a reliable service. Using the Couchsurfing app, you can find generous hosts who gladly share their homes for the low, low price of $0 per night. You’re not likely to enjoy the same luxury you would at the Hilton, but the price is unbeatable!

Couchsurfing adds a new dimension to traveling, one that you might just fall in love with once you try it for the first time. Hosts are almost always glad to show you around their city, giving you an insider’s perspective of the sights and attractions that most tourists would miss. They’re usually good company too, offering a plethora of interesting knowledge to anyone willing to listen. We’ve never had a bad experience with Couchsurfing!

If you’ve got a bigger budget to work with but want the privacy and convenience of a rental home, you can try getting in touch with a local real estate agent and seeing what they have available. Many real estate agents will happily connect short term renters with people who have empty properties, often netting you surprisingly cheap yet comfortable stays.

Conclusion

New York is, in a few words, one of the most incredible places on earth. It’s a tumultuous, boiling mass of humanity that exemplifies some of the best and worst aspects of our species. If you ask us, we think that everyone should see it at least once; it’s an experience that you’re highly unlikely to forget!