Once considered a skyscraper on the Upper West Side before other buildings entered the scene, the Belleclaire Hotel -- built circa 1903 -- is a family-run, attractive upper-middle-range option with 240 modern rooms. Themed suites are named after former guests Mark Twain and Babe Ruth. The charming lobby has a European vibe with original mosaic tiling still in tact, a coffee bar, and large atrium that delivers lots of natural light. It’s a nice place to pick up a (free) copy of the New York Times and have a (free) spot of tea before hitting the tree-lined streets for restaurants and dining, which the hotel lacks. The NYLO New York City across the street does offer dining options on-site, as well as slightly more stylish rooms, but the Belleclaire offers free in-room Wi-Fi while the NYLO does not.
Once considered a skyscraper on the Upper West Side before other buildings entered the scene, the Belleclaire Hotel -- built circa 1903 -- is a family-run, attractive upper-middle-range option with 240 modern rooms. Themed suites are named after former guests Mark Twain and Babe Ruth. The charming lobby has a European vibe with original mosaic tiling still in tact, a coffee bar, and large atrium that delivers lots of natural light. It’s a nice place to pick up a (free) copy of the New York Times and have a (free) spot of tea before hitting the tree-lined streets for restaurants and dining, which the hotel lacks. The NYLO New York City across the street does offer dining options on-site, as well as slightly more stylish rooms, but the Belleclaire offers free in-room Wi-Fi while the NYLO does not.
The Hotel Beacon is a low-key, 278-room upper-mid-range hotel with a residential vibe that caters to tourists and business travelers, many who are visiting local relatives, students at Columbia and Fordham Universities, or attending concerts at Beacon Theater. Traditional and unfussy with muted color palettes and tasteful artwork, the rooms are equipped with kitchenettes and views of the city skyline, but the bathrooms are small and lack storage space. While the hotel doesn't offer room service, there's a cafe next-door that delivers and several nearby gourmet grocers to entice guests to stock their cupboards and refrigerators.
The Hotel Beacon is a low-key, 278-room upper-mid-range hotel with a residential vibe that caters to tourists and business travelers, many who are visiting local relatives, students at Columbia and Fordham Universities, or attending concerts at Beacon Theater. Traditional and unfussy with muted color palettes and tasteful artwork, the rooms are equipped with kitchenettes and views of the city skyline, but the bathrooms are small and lack storage space. While the hotel doesn't offer room service, there's a cafe next-door that delivers and several nearby gourmet grocers to entice guests to stock their cupboards and refrigerators.
For visitors on a budget who want a prime New York City location, the 600-room West Side YMCA could do the job. The Upper West Side hostel provides minimum frills: expect dorm-style rooms and shared hallway bathrooms. There's free Wi-Fi and a small cafe, but the real highlight here is proximity to Central Park, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Natural History, and Times Square, all while staying in one of New York's most desirable neighborhoods. A cozy lounge and Medieval-style architecture, plus epic views of Central Park, add overall ambiance. The West Side Y's expansive fitness facilities -- which are open to guests and local residents with Y memberships -- include exercise rooms, a basketball court, an indoor running track, two swimming pools, and scheduled classes.
For visitors on a budget who want a prime New York City location, the 600-room West Side YMCA could do the job. The Upper West Side hostel provides minimum frills: expect dorm-style rooms and shared hallway bathrooms. There's free Wi-Fi and a small cafe, but the real highlight here is proximity to Central Park, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Natural History, and Times Square, all while staying in one of New York's most desirable neighborhoods. A cozy lounge and Medieval-style architecture, plus epic views of Central Park, add overall ambiance. The West Side Y's expansive fitness facilities -- which are open to guests and local residents with Y memberships -- include exercise rooms, a basketball court, an indoor running track, two swimming pools, and scheduled classes.
The Morningside Inn is a two-pearl, budget property on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, within walking distance of Columbia University. Its 72 rooms are simple and no-frills with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges; some have full kitchens. But bathrooms (whether shared or private) are often the cause of complaint, with maintenance and cleanliness issues frequently cited. The hotel provides a free continental breakfast in a basement room, and there is free Wi-Fi, but aside from that, there's little in the way of on-site property features, common space, or atmosphere. Budget travelers that don't mind being in Brooklyn may prefer the Hotel Lynx, which has better maintained and more inviting rooms.
The Morningside Inn is a two-pearl, budget property on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, within walking distance of Columbia University. Its 72 rooms are simple and no-frills with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges; some have full kitchens. But bathrooms (whether shared or private) are often the cause of complaint, with maintenance and cleanliness issues frequently cited. The hotel provides a free continental breakfast in a basement room, and there is free Wi-Fi, but aside from that, there's little in the way of on-site property features, common space, or atmosphere. Budget travelers that don't mind being in Brooklyn may prefer the Hotel Lynx, which has better maintained and more inviting rooms.
Catering towards international travelers and groups, the Hostelling International - New York is a well-run budget property with numerous on-site features, including a theater, large business center, and several lounges, all of which are equipped with free Wi-Fi. Guests can opt to spend a bit extra on private rooms with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and private bathrooms, or choose the very budget-friendly dorm rooms with small bunk beds, which can fit up to 12 guests. There is no fitness center and some find the Upper West Side location removed from major sights, but the hostel is within walking distance of Central Park and the subway, and free daily offerings include guided tours and pub crawls.
Catering towards international travelers and groups, the Hostelling International - New York is a well-run budget property with numerous on-site features, including a theater, large business center, and several lounges, all of which are equipped with free Wi-Fi. Guests can opt to spend a bit extra on private rooms with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and private bathrooms, or choose the very budget-friendly dorm rooms with small bunk beds, which can fit up to 12 guests. There is no fitness center and some find the Upper West Side location removed from major sights, but the hostel is within walking distance of Central Park and the subway, and free daily offerings include guided tours and pub crawls.
The Broadway Hotel and Hostel is a chic (enough) value hotel housed on the multicultural Upper West Side, fairly close to Central Park, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and Columbia University. The subway is located just two short blocks away -- the 1 train connects to Midtown Manhattan in 15 minutes. While the hotel is low on frills, you can rely on free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour snack shop, comfortably spacious lounges with a kitchenette, and cozy, colorful rooms with pristine bathrooms.
The Broadway Hotel and Hostel is a chic (enough) value hotel housed on the multicultural Upper West Side, fairly close to Central Park, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and Columbia University. The subway is located just two short blocks away -- the 1 train connects to Midtown Manhattan in 15 minutes. While the hotel is low on frills, you can rely on free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour snack shop, comfortably spacious lounges with a kitchenette, and cozy, colorful rooms with pristine bathrooms.
This 422-room hotel's proximity to Central Park, sultry atmosphere, and rooftop bar and pool make it an attractive option on the Upper West Side. Rooms, while warmly decorated in deep earth tones, are quite small, and come with a slew of extra fees, like charges for Wi-Fi and use of Keurig coffeemakers. Scenesters who want to be closer to the action of Downtown could look into Gramercy Park Hotel, another historic hot spot with a rooftop bar.
This 422-room hotel's proximity to Central Park, sultry atmosphere, and rooftop bar and pool make it an attractive option on the Upper West Side. Rooms, while warmly decorated in deep earth tones, are quite small, and come with a slew of extra fees, like charges for Wi-Fi and use of Keurig coffeemakers. Scenesters who want to be closer to the action of Downtown could look into Gramercy Park Hotel, another historic hot spot with a rooftop bar.
The Amsterdam Inn has an excellent location -- in the heart of the beautiful Upper West Side, just minutes from Central Park and two blocks from the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History -- but little else. Its 28 rooms are small, worn and slightly dirty, with outdated TVs and (in some rooms) a shared bathroom.
The Amsterdam Inn has an excellent location -- in the heart of the beautiful Upper West Side, just minutes from Central Park and two blocks from the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History -- but little else. Its 28 rooms are small, worn and slightly dirty, with outdated TVs and (in some rooms) a shared bathroom.
Far from the Times Square crowds, on the relaxed, upscale Upper West Side, The Lucerne is close to New York City attractions like the Museum of Natural History and Central Park. Its 202 small, classically styled rooms feature flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. In-room spa treatments and 24-hour room service are available, plus the hotel offers fitness and business centers. The on-site French restaurant, Nice Matin, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Excelsior Hotel is even closer to Central Park, but it lacks in-room coffeemakers.
Far from the Times Square crowds, on the relaxed, upscale Upper West Side, The Lucerne is close to New York City attractions like the Museum of Natural History and Central Park. Its 202 small, classically styled rooms feature flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. In-room spa treatments and 24-hour room service are available, plus the hotel offers fitness and business centers. The on-site French restaurant, Nice Matin, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Excelsior Hotel is even closer to Central Park, but it lacks in-room coffeemakers.
The upper-middle-range Excelsior boasts an excellent Upper West Side location, across the street from the Museum of Natural History, one block from Central Park, and within walking distance of three subway lines. Art Deco-inspired rooms are clean and modern, though they lack mini-fridges and there is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi. Hotel features include spacious fitness and business centers, a relaxing lounge and breakfast area, and a popular restaurant for brunch on the weekends.
The upper-middle-range Excelsior boasts an excellent Upper West Side location, across the street from the Museum of Natural History, one block from Central Park, and within walking distance of three subway lines. Art Deco-inspired rooms are clean and modern, though they lack mini-fridges and there is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi. Hotel features include spacious fitness and business centers, a relaxing lounge and breakfast area, and a popular restaurant for brunch on the weekends.