Pick your base camp
Where to stay in New York
7 neighbourhoods compared, so you can choose the right base for your trip.
Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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For a first trip, stay somewhere you can reach on one subway line without changing. Midtown is the most practical. The Upper West Side is calmer for families. Downtown and Brooklyn feel more like everyday New York. Hotel prices change a lot by date, so we show a price level and link to live prices.
| Area | Best for | Price level | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown (Times Square, Bryant Park) | First-timers and short trips | $$$ | Excellent: most subway lines |
| Upper West Side | Families and repeat visitors | $$$ | Very good: 1/2/3 and B/C lines |
| Chelsea & Flatiron | Couples and food lovers | $$$$ | Very good: 1, A/C/E, F/M, N/R/W, L |
| Lower Manhattan (FiDi) | Weekend deals and early Statue of Liberty ferries | $$ | Excellent: almost every line meets here |
| Lower East Side & East Village | Nightlife and food on a budget | $$$ | Good: F, J/M/Z, L, 6 |
| Williamsburg (Brooklyn) | Repeat visitors, shoppers, brunch fans | $$$ | Good: L train, one stop to Manhattan |
| Long Island City (Queens) | Value seekers | $$ | Very good: 7, E/M, N/W – one stop to Midtown |
1. Midtown (Times Square, Bryant Park)
Our pick for first-timersBusy, central, bright lights · Best for first-timers and short trips · $$$
Why stay here
- Walk to Broadway, Rockefeller Center, MoMA and Grand Central
- Huge choice of hotels
Watch out for
- Noisy and crowded
- Restaurants right on Times Square are poor value
Getting around: Excellent: most subway lines
Hotels to look at
- BudgetThe Pod Times Square: Small, smart rooms near Port Authority and 42nd St subway. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangecitizenM New York Times Square: Compact design rooms, rooftop bar, self check-in. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangeArlo Midtown: Modern rooms near Hudson Yards and the High Line. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- SplurgeThe Knickerbocker: Luxury on Times Square with a rooftop terrace. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
2. Upper West Side
Residential, leafy, relaxed · Best for families and repeat visitors · $$$
Why stay here
- Next to Central Park and the Natural History Museum
- Quieter nights, local diners
Watch out for
- 20–30 min to downtown sights
- Less nightlife
Getting around: Very good: 1/2/3 and B/C lines
Hotels to look at
- BudgetHI NYC Hostel: Big, well-run hostel near Central Park’s north end. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangeHotel Belleclaire: Historic building on Broadway, with family rooms. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangeThe Lucerne: Classic UWS hotel close to the museum and the park. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
3. Chelsea & Flatiron
Galleries, food halls, stylish · Best for couples and food lovers · $$$$
Why stay here
- High Line, Chelsea Market and Madison Square Park on your doorstep
- Great restaurants
Watch out for
- Pricey
- Fewer budget options
Getting around: Very good: 1, A/C/E, F/M, N/R/W, L
Hotels to look at
- Mid-rangeMoxy NYC Chelsea: Playful hotel with a rooftop bar in the Flower District. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- SplurgeThe High Line Hotel: Converted seminary next to the High Line. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangeThe Evelyn: Boutique hotel in NoMad, between Flatiron and Midtown. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
4. Lower Manhattan (FiDi)
Historic, business by day, quiet at night · Best for weekend deals and early statue of liberty ferries · $$
Why stay here
- Walk to the 9/11 Memorial, ferries and the Brooklyn Bridge
- Weekend rates can be lower
Watch out for
- Quiet evenings
- Far from Central Park
Getting around: Excellent: almost every line meets here
Hotels to look at
- Mid-rangeMoxy NYC Downtown: Lively hotel near Fulton St station. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- SplurgeThe Beekman: Restored 1880s building with a stunning atrium. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
5. Lower East Side & East Village
Bars, history, late nights · Best for nightlife and food on a budget · $$$
Why stay here
- Some of the city’s best cheap eats
- Tenement Museum and Katz’s area
Watch out for
- Noisy weekends
- Fewer direct lines uptown
Getting around: Good: F, J/M/Z, L, 6
Hotels to look at
- Mid-rangeHotel Indigo Lower East Side: High-floor views and a rooftop bar. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- SplurgeThe Ludlow: Loft-style rooms in the heart of the LES. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
6. Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
Creative, waterfront, trendy · Best for repeat visitors, shoppers, brunch fans · $$$
Why stay here
- Skyline views from the waterfront
- Independent shops and great restaurants
Watch out for
- Most sights mean a subway ride
- The L train is the main link
Getting around: Good: L train, one stop to Manhattan
Hotels to look at
- Mid-rangeMcCarren Hotel: Rooftop pool and bar next to McCarren Park. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangeThe Hoxton, Williamsburg: Industrial-chic rooms and a busy lobby café. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- SplurgeThe William Vale: Every room has a balcony; the views are huge. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
7. Long Island City (Queens)
Modern towers, river views · Best for value seekers · $$
Why stay here
- Often cheaper than Manhattan for the same quality
- Gantry Plaza State Park skyline views
Watch out for
- Fewer evening options nearby
- Feels less “New York” at first
Getting around: Very good: 7, E/M, N/W – one stop to Midtown
Hotels to look at
- Mid-rangeRavel Hotel: Rooftop bar facing Midtown, by the Queensboro Bridge. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
- Mid-rangeBoro Hotel: Loft-style rooms with big windows. Check live price (affiliate link, opens in new tab)
Hotel names are suggestions to start your search, not paid placements. Always check recent reviews, the exact location and the cancellation terms before you book.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in New York for first-timers?
Midtown (Times Square, Bryant Park). Walk to Broadway, Rockefeller Center, MoMA and Grand Central. The trade-off: noisy and crowded.
What is the cheapest area to stay in New York?
Lower Manhattan (FiDi) and Long Island City (Queens) usually offer the best value with good transport. Prices change a lot by date, so compare live prices.
Do you list exact hotel prices?
No. Hotel prices change daily with demand and events, so instead we show a relative price level and link to live prices for your dates.
Plan your next step
Hotels in Midtown
Check prices (affiliate link, opens in new tab)