NYC on the Cheap: The 16 Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Hotels

Here’s the concept: tiny rooms (they don’t call them “pods” for nothing) and giving up amenities like a fitness room, business center, and room service in exchange for rock-bottom rates in four popular New York City neighborhoods: Times Square, Murray Hill, Midtown East, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. If you don’t mind simplicity (and packing light), you can save big while enjoying vibrant, tech-forward communal spaces, free walking tours, and trendy food and beverage offerings.

A historic, French-style property in Greenwich Village with affordable room rates? Yes, please! This stylish, yet affordable, property offers complimentary breakfast at the beloved eatery, Margaux, which serves up house-made pastries, seasonal fruit, and coffee from Ferndell, one of America’s oldest coffee brands. Room amenities include Côté Bastide bath products and an unusual minibar lineup that features moonshine, Emergen-C, and Claire Olshan’s trendy Dada Daily snack line. To top it off, the property sits near multiple subway lines and a pretty park.

Fitness devotees angling for a deal should consider the Sheraton New York Times Square, located smack in the middle of Midtown’s action. It’s the first NYC hotel to offer on-staff personal trainers and nutritionists, plus it provides a private studio with 10 Peloton bikes as well as 14 daily classes and a 5,000-square-foot space full of state-of-the-art equipment. When you’re not breaking a sweat, there are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, including the bright lights of Times Square, Central Park, and Broadway shows. Given the hotel’s size, plus its proximity to top sights in Midtown, it’s no surprise that the it draws such a diverse crowd, from families to business travelers.

The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is another solid bang-for-your-buck option for fitness enthusiasts. Although most reasonably priced hotels in NYC don’t have a pool, guests who stay at this Brooklyn property can enjoy the large, heated indoor pool and whirlpool with plenty of natural light. The Marriott is also a block away from nine subway lines, making hopping back and forth to Manhattan Brooklyn a breeze. To top it off, the views from the rooms are tremendous (some look out onto the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge).

Looking for an upscale hotel that still brings added value? Opt for this under-the-radar gem tucked away in the heart of the Theater District. It’s near tons of attractions, but it's so quiet inside that you would never know it. Rates are reasonable for the Theater District, and while they do charge a $19.99 facility fee, what you get for that twenty bucks seems like a steal: 20 percent off all drinks at the in-house lounge, LeGrande; a continental breakfast for two at Serafina; Stumptown coffee or tea for two from Goldfinch Coffee Shop; wine and cheese in LeGrande Monday through Saturday; and access to not only the on-site fitness center, but also the TMPL Gym a few blocks away, which has a boxing studio and a saltwater pool.

SoHo is brimming with boutique hotels, which aren’t generally known for affordable rates, but this 42-room property is an exception. The chic Solita SoHo Hotel is in a prime location, within walking distance to both Little Italy and Chinatown, as well as tons of shopping, dining, and drinking spots. Rooms are contemporary and even boast a luxe touch, thanks to the slate-gray panel tiling and dual-massage showerheads in the bathrooms.

One way to score a value in New York City is to hole up in one of the outer boroughs. The secret, though, is to pick a spot that has convenient public transportation access to Manhattan. Astoria is a lively part of Queens that also has the added benefit of being a short subway ride to the must-see attractions across the East River. The bright, loft-style rooms have industrial-chic character, due to the fact that the building was -- you guessed it -- a paper factory 100 years ago. Added value features include a game room, fitness center, and an attractive lounge with a kitchen for guest use.

Recently redesigned, this modern yet intimate option welcomes guests with a sleek, almost glitzy, lobby and free Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and Cuisinart coffeemakers. The crown jewel of this family-run property, though, is the lovely rooftop lounge with amazing views. While there isn’t much in the way of top-tier attractions in the immediate vicinity, subways and buses are a short walk away. Plus, the affordable rates for the slightly off-the-beaten-path location is seen as more than a fair trade by plenty of travelers.

Don’t be put off by the word “hostel.” This is a spotless, welcoming hotel with notable perks plus a bargain price. The security and front-desk staff are on duty around the clock, Wi-Fi is free, the cozy lounge with a kitchenette has convenient hours, and yes, you can get a room with a private bathroom. The neighborhood holds charms of its own, with a bounty of international dining options and a location near Central Park, the Hudson River, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. While the property is on the Upper West Side, the 1 subway line is right there, so you can scoot down to the Theater District or up to The Met Cloisters with equal ease.

If a prime location, stylish digs, and low rates are what you’re after, The Hoxton in Williamsburg is the spot for you. Although the rooms are compact, and amenities, like a gym and spa, are lacking, the hotel lures trendy locals and visitors with its excellent design, high-tech details, and top-notch dining and drinking options in the area. The lobby feels homey (picture vintage light fixtures and comfy pastel-hued couches), while the restaurant, Klein’s, serves up tasty fare. The outdoor courtyard and panoramic rooftop terrace provide even more space to sit back and relax.

No, this hip 100-room boutique hotel is not located in Manhattan, but it does offer up stunning skyline views -- from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the stylish rooms as well as from the rooftop bar. Rooms also come with memorable touches, like rainfall showers, minibars, and Hermes toiletries, plus a free breakfast is served in the cellar-level lounge. Other perks include free Wi-Fi, free hourly shuttles to and from Manhattan, and free loaner bikes. If you prefer to take the subway, several lines are within a 10-minute walk away.

This funky, futuristic offshoot of the European chain known for hip digs at reasonable rates is located in Midtown West. Young travelers looking for fun will find it here -- at the immense rooftop terrace with two sleek bars or at the Club Lounge complete with DJs and private “cabins,” which can be used for private parties. Free perks include bike rentals and morning coffee and muffins. Rooms are tiny, even by Manhattan standards, but they’re efficiently designed and have a sexy feel. One reason rates may be competitive is the lack of employees: Checking in and out is entirely via self-service kiosks. But if that doesn’t bother you, the good times will roll here, without breaking the bank.

Travelers seeking an untraditional experience with value-priced digs should check out the 394-room Freehand New York Hotel. It houses three trendy restaurants, two bars, and a stylish lounge area. Aside from the usual bed configurations, the hotel has rooms with bunk beds and three single beds. While bars in the Flatiron neighborhood surrounding the hotel are hardly in short supply, the nightlife scene here is famed among in-the-know travelers, as well as local residents. Playful activities, such as tarot readings and nude drawing classes, add to the unconventional vibe.

Situated on the East River in Brooklyn’s charming DUMBO neighborhood, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge doesn’t come cheap, but the wealth of amenities warrants the high price tag. In addition to being within an eyeshot of the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan, the hotel offers a rooftop bar and pool with stellar city views, plus free yoga classes, a great coffee shop, an upmarket new-American restaurant, a co-working space, and a beautiful spa. Rooms are impressive, too, as they’re some of the most spacious in New York.

Located in the trendy Hudson Square area, the fashionable Arlo SoHo may not not be cheap, but it offers great value. Bars, lounges, and work spaces are just a few of the top-notch amenities on offer. Plus, artisanal goods are available in the Bodega, the cafe sells fresh juices and La Colombe coffee, and the restaurant, Harold’s Meat + Three, serves great Southern fare. Free classes are also available through fitness partners like Surfset and Yoga Shanti. The rooms might be small, even for NYC, but they feature free Wi-Fi and bespoke bath products. The best units even have Lower Manhattan views and spacious terraces.

Located in the West Village, The Jane Hotel is a true historic landmark. Built in 1908, the property was designed by the architect renowned for building Ellis Island’s immigrant station. Four years later, the survivors of the Titanic were housed here. And in the 80s and 90s, it was a hotbed for bohemian culture in downtown Manhattan. Its sleeper-train-inspired quarters are offered at a price that seems as retro as the environs. The catch? All the “cabins,” aside from being small, have communal bathrooms. Still, the unbeatable location in the Meatpacking District, and the fabulous Jane Ballroom, where you can frolic until the wee hours, outweighs that for plenty of travelers with more dash than cash.  


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